HoosierHuddle

I had not thought about that but I think it is an outstanding comparison. I really like Ben McCollum and would advocate for him right behind Brad Stevens and Dusty May. I have watched Drake multiple times. To my untrained eye, they appear to have a negligible edge in talent (or are at an athleticism deficit even) on most nights but are VERY clearly better prepared and better coached. The tempo (bottom of the country...dead last) is a very valid concern but the efficiency and precision of his team makes up for that in my mind. I am confident he would be committed on the recruiting trail and would have MUCH better resources than he's ever had but the question would be: is he capable of landing talented enough players to reach the level IU fans will rightfully demand? I want IU to hire Stevens or May so I hope we don't find out but he'll be at a major school quite soon and we'll see one way or the other.

The same individual also tweeted a joke about Brad Stevens offering a scholarship to Dallas James Jr. and calling him Grande Dallas with a mustache of some sort drawn on his picture so....ha.

Right...I know Scott is not stupid. Very far from it. That was kinda the point of my post but I rambled a bit. The only reason a very smart person chooses to have that type of conversation with that type of wording is because of extreme confidence in the outcome. The scheduling part is odd as well. Things that, without context, could be seen as normal course of events for a basketball program that needs to fill out a schedule with better games and a basketball program that needs to have a better relationship with AAU programs in the state...normal things that the AD is proactively taking care of. However, with the added clear hint at Brad Stevens being candidate #1, plus those other dots...even someone as dim as myself can't help but connect said dots.

The AAU call is really difficult for me to understand UNLESS there was extreme confidence from Scott Dolson that Brad Stevens was going to be the new head coach. If Scott Dolson actually said some version of "we have our top target, he's not currently a college head coach and he has two weeks to decide" to leading AAU figures in the state, clearly alluding to Brad Stevens, there can only be a couple of logical explanations: First, Stevens is all but signed and they are just working out small-picture contract details and begin working with the Celtics to figure out succession plans. Of course, those plans would be very short-term due to the pending ownership change. Stevens knows how important the relationship with Indiana Elite and others would be so he has Scott not-so-vaguely let them know what is likely coming. That seems like a stretch to me but this call apparently happened so...maybe this is not crazy? The second option is that conversations have been had with Brad Stevens, Dolson is hopeful and confident but nothing is really close to set in stone. He knows Dusty May is getting approached for a new contract with Michigan so time is ticking and he has this call to apply a very unsubtle timeline to Brad Stevens. This seems like a serious overplaying of his hand and looks a bit foolish to leading AAU figures if Brad Stevens is not the guy. I find this second option even more unrealistic and it seems like something Scott Dolson would not even consider doing. I am extremely hesitant to get my hopes up but that is getting more difficult by the day.

I don't anything indicating that has been determined yet. However, since we know the Kentucky game is at Rupp Arena and we know Marquette is in Chicago, I would imagine any further power conference opponents would be scheduled as home games. Meaning, I'd guess Kansas State would be a home game. I'd argue that is a good opponent but probably no better than South Carolina was as a "marquee" non-conference home game.

Per Rabjohns..."Indiana vs. Kansas State is also in the works for 2025-2026"...Marquette and Kansas State is a strong beginning to a non-conference slate. If (big IF) we hire Brad Stevens, it would not be surprising to see the Hoosiers put into a Feast Week event (unless the Marquette game is part of an exempt event and we'd play campus games against a couple of smaller schools with Marquette as the headliner). Kind of odd to have scheduling stuff being done with no coach in place, unless....

A couple of national writers, guys that have a good relationship with Scott Drew, have previously posted that IU pursue him. Trevor Andershock, who I think does an outstanding job and is generally quite measured and not prone to exaggerate or lead people on posted that it is believed Scott Drew holds the IU job in higher acclaim that Kentucky or Louisville and has genuine interest. If that is the case, he immediately vaults to the number two spot on my list, directly behind Brad Stevens. He has been consistently very good to excellent at Baylor. Thoughts on Drew?

Whew...the Chris Beard back and forth was getting very old. I imagine everyone is SOOO happy we can fill several pages of the chat with the Will Wade discourse while Brad Brownell (who, by the way, has Clemson at 9-1 in the ACC after going to the Elite Eight last season) catches strays for no apparent reason. Anyway, I'd be interested to know some answers to the two following questions: if we assume Brad Stevens is #1 and Dusty May is #2 on Scott Dolson's list and we also end up at the unfortunate position that both say "thanks but no thanks"...if we needed number three to say "yes", who would the third call go to if you were making the hire? Who do you believe would be the third person Scott Dolson would make if he needed the third person to say "yes"?

A name that I don't believe will be considered but he has been mentioned on other boards, mostly in passing. Probably not related to the IU search but Jeff Rabjohns has pointed him out specifically on a few occasions...again, probably just because his team plays good basketball. Randy Bennett at St. Mary's. The time for him to make a move was probably a few years ago but the Gaels are always fun to watch and if I am not mistaken, they have won 15 straight road games and are now 19-3. It doesn't seem to matter what resources he has or what roster he has, St. Mary's keeps winning and gets to the tournament. Now, exempting the blowout of King Woody, they have not had much success in the Big Dance but they usually have a large athletic disadvantage no matter who they get matched up with in the second round. Anyway, he has an interesting resume and if IU misses on Brad Stevens and Dusty May...number three on the list would be a mystery.

I live near the Clemson campus and have a lot of exposure to the athletics program (very well run, by the way). Since Brad Brownell was brought up, I figured I would add my two cents. I love watching his teams play. Ian Schieffelin is, quite possibly, my favorite player to watch on any team in the country right now. He's battled some back spasms but still, no one gets more out of his given ability than Ian does. Clemson plays tough, "Clemson Grit" is a real thing and they are a tough out for anyone. Brownell's teams have historically struggled to consistently score and they do go through some exasperating droughts and occasionally blow games they have no business losing (this year against South Carolina as an example). Long story short, every interaction with or story I have heard about Brad Brownell and his staff (including assistant Dick Bender, yes really) has been extremely positive. I think IU would consistently make the tournament with him as the head coach but he's a great fit at Clemson and I think IU will and should look elsewhere.

There were rumors this past offseason about IU putting in a "GM" type role. This is not unusual now, several high majors have put something similar in place. Zeke says IU just doesn't have the right players...sounds to me like someone would like to join his fellow former players and help his buddy Woodson pick the right players. After all, Isiah has experience in a front office and was once a great player...what other qualifications could you possibly need to succeed? What could go wrong? I don't know how much you are posting ends up being the truth or ends up as reality but I do appreciate giving me stuff to read to pass the day at work! Your stuff is much better than further moral arguments about Chris Beard and whether or not IU should/would hire him or arguing about whether or not one should be rooting for IU to lose or win and what difference it makes.

Bosnian forward/shooter Harun Zrno is committing to IU tomorrow, it appears. I don't think this has anything to do with Woodson and this guy is committing to the location and the NIL deal available to him. Regardless of who is coaching, I love that IU is getting into the international player market. Zrno is going to be a 21-year old freshman that has played against professionals for multiple years. He will be a "freshman" but he'll be very capable of making a big impact very early in his collegiate career. There have been a whole lot of recent examples of players like this having a very good transition (look no further than Illinois this season) and Zrno will be a good piece for whoever the new coach is. OR...Zrno doesn't get to watch any college basketball in Bosnia so he has no idea what he's getting into with Mike Woodson as his coach and he'll get 4-5 shot attempts and play the nail, slot, rim "defense" in front of a booing home crowd next season. In concept though, I love the addition.

I do believe I wrote something to that at the end of my post. I thought it worth pointing out the medical condition as a reason and that its not just boredom or laziness as has been joked about. It's largely irrelevant and he doesn't need me to defend him. I do agree...he should not be involved as a full-time assistant/staff member given the condition. I just thought it was worth mentioning in case some were not aware.

I've seen it posted by others that there was a "emergency meeting" yesterday afternoon...I don't know if it is an echo chamber where it just gets repeatedly posted out of wishful thinking or the meeting actually did occur. If it did occur and was not a regularly scheduled one, there is really only one thing it could have been in regards to: the best way to get rid of the hump.

On Armond Hill...it has been said that he has a medical condition. I'm not being flippant at all but I don't think it's necessarily fair to call him lazy for his low-energy and sleepy appearance during games on the sideline. He is, by all accounts, a very nice man. It's probably very fair to say he should not be involved as a key member of a high-major college basketball staff given the medical condition but still, I thought it worth pointing out given the jokes being made at his expense.

After a joyous football season (hoosierhuddle.com is still churning out portal content...there is no offseason!), I am finding it far more difficult to just watch IUBB and not vent. Thus, my quick list on realistic candidates to replace Mike Woodson after he steps down/is coaxed into a far nicer than he deserves retirement: 1. Dusty May - appears to be the number one candidate if speculation is to be believed. Would love to see the turnover rate and the execution in close games improve but it's a fun system, he's young and I thoroughly believe he'd be successful and energize the program immediately. 2. Mick Cronin - I do believe he would listen very intently if IU called. As a little fella, I appreciate his angry prowling on the sideline and his teams always play hard. The offense is, at times, painful but when he has talent, Cronin's teams do score. At minimum, I can safely say IU would defend well, play hard and make the NCAA Tournament on a very consistent basis. That seems very palatable to me. 3. Ben McCollum - Google him. His team wins. The comparisons to Cignetti are overplayed and lazy but they are also somewhat applicable. He preaches "imposing your will" on the opposition and he has shown that he can win big with equal or even lesser talent. What could he do with superior talent to his competitors? I'd be very interested in finding out. 4. We would not need to go beyond those guys, in my opinion. I think a strong offer and promises of NIL resources would attract any of them to IU. Of course, you'd call Bruce Pearl (and he'd say no), you'd call Brad Stevens (and he'd say no). If you needed to go to options the first three: Bucky McMillan for some Bucky Ball, Chris Jans is very solid... The point is that IU can be so much better than the program is right now. Any of the names on this list would bring an immediate level of effort and competency and I'm convinced that IU would be in a MUCH better spot as a program right away with any of them. Here's to the not-so-distant future and IU's new March Madness tradition: another coaching search!

Despite being a "done deal to IU" according to several posters with "strong connections" on various message boards...Alex Hemenway has committed to Vanderbilt. I don't think there is really any need to add a guy just to add a guy so I would probably bank on adding Hatton and then keeping the 13th scholarship open. Of course, if the coaches can find a player that upgrades the roster and is willing to come in for a limited role, great.

It appears quite likely that the final frontcourt piece is going to be Langdon Hatton from Bellarmine (and North Harrison High School). I have never seen him play but he's 6'10" and understands the role he is going to have (backup 4 occasionally, backup 5 occasionally) and is at least a minor threat to knock down a three every now and then. That would leave the last scholarship for Alex Hemenway, if he wants it. Terrific job by all involved (NIL, Mike Woodson, coaching staff, support staff, returning players as recruiters) this spring to build a roster that is way better on paper than I thought it would be.

The Hoosier Huddle podcast had the terrific Matt Weaver from peegs.com (247) on to discuss recruiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrmqjGu6tWg I hope everyone enjoys, thanks!

Assuming Luke Goode commits on Thursday or Friday on his visit, Indiana is left with two scholarships. We know Humrichous is out of the equation and we can safely say that the backcourt is full. Elijah Malone is considering IU, Notre Dame and Colorado and most things that I have read indicate Notre Dame has the closest proximity for him plus the clearest path to consistent playing time and the Fighting Irish are the leader. Who knows if that is accurate but it at least makes sense. If Elijah Malone commits to somewhere besides Indiana...that leaves Anderson from FGCU as the only remaining player on the target board and he seems unlikely once Goode commits. That will bring up the last hurdle for the coaching staff in terms of roster construction. Ballo is the only true center on the roster and he's has not shown that he can play more than like 28 minutes per game maximum. If we play uptempo with the additions of Rice and Carlyle, that Ballo number probably is more realistically 26 minutes per game to keep him at maximum effectiveness. I really hope the Hoosiers target a player that could give us minutes as a forward or a small-ball center and ideally you'd find a guy that could at least be a threat from three. Obviously, the issue is going to be finding a player comfortable with that kind of role. I'd prefer that to finding a guy that is limited to just center. If that means we go "small" for 10-15 minutes per game, so be it. I think it's nearly inevitable we'll have lineups with guys like Mgbako or Tucker or Goode at "4" with Malik or a guy we have not added yet as the 5. Given our acquired depth at guard, that's a good thing.

Take it for whatever you want but according to Jeff Rabjohns: IU was unable to gain traction with Ryan Conwell because Conwell felt Kanaan Carlyle was coming and Conwell would not have a chance to start. I know Ryan Conwell was desired and I get that completely. I do think there is a very real chance that Kanaan Carlyle, moved off the ball thanks to Myles Rice, is a better player in the Big Ten than Ryan Conwell would have been. At least some portion of Conwell's success/numbers have to be attributed to the very friendly system of Josh Schertz. Conwell is a really good player, I think Carlyle is as well. Rice and Carlyle (just waiting for it to become official) clearly like each other and wanted to play together. If getting Rice meant Carlyle was a bigger priority because of their desire to play together, I think it makes total sense.

I have read that "it went well" and he's a take for Indiana. He's planning on taking a visit to Colorado (who has a shell of a roster) and that things "could take a bit to play out". I'd say it's another hurry up and wait situation.

Zach Anderson is an interesting one...IU is at least gauging his interest I guess. He was above the 70th percentile in catch and shoot field goals and in the 99% nationally for catch and shoot three-point attempts. He's 6'7" and listed as a forward. I looked up his games against teams with a pulse (IU included): 7-13 from the field and 5-7 from 3 for 19 points against IU -Pitt: 39 minutes and ten points on eight shots with six rebounds -Cincy: 31 minutes, 4-9 from the field and 8 points -Minnesota: 34 minutes, 4-12/1-1 from 3 with 14 points and 7 rebounds -FAU (a win for FGCU): 37 minutes, 8-12 with 3-5 from 3, 10 rebounds and 21 points -Stetson: 28 minutes, 28 minutes, 9-12 from the field with 3-4 from three and 23 points -EKU: 35 minutes, 5-9 from the field, 5 rebounds and 16 points If we put him in catch and shoot situations...he would be an interesting addition. I would certainly prefer TJ Power and Ben Humrichous but he might make more sense than someone like Leland Walker who would function as an emergency point guard.

He's definitely not. Nor should he. What I think is plausible and would be my preference would be something like the following hypothetical: -Malik Reneau is not in constant foul trouble and plays roughly 30 minutes per game. Oumar Ballo plays roughly 28 minutes per game (I think we likely play a bit slower than Arizona and Ballo could handle a bit more than 25 minutes per game if the pace is slightly slower). Reneau plays around 20 minutes with Ballo out there and roughly ten minutes with Ballo on the bench. During those ten minutes, he partners with TJ Power or Ben Humrichous plus a lineup of like: Rice/Carlyle/Galloway or Rice/Galloway/Tucker or Rice/Carlyle/Mgbako plus Power/Humrichous and then Malik at the "5". Ballo plays roughly eight minutes per game with those same lineups. That would give Power/Humrichous something like 15-20 minutes per game. I think that would be preferable to just locking into a rigid standard of Malik playing 30 minutes and paired with a "center" (ala what we did with Sparks). It certainly appears to me that Ballo will be the only big guy we have that is just incapable of at least making a three-pointer. Elijah Malone shoots it at about 38%, Power and Humrichous can shoot it, etc.

Free game wrap from Hoosier Huddle for those interested: Offense Beats Defense in 2024 Spring Game — Hoosier Huddle I was pretty pleased with what I saw. -I think the offensive line did a nice job throughout the night. It's not easy going against a defensive unit when all they have to do is touch the quarterback to end the play but the QBs had pretty clean pockets. -There is such a big upgrade at wide receiver. Omar Cooper and Cross both had drops and Andison Coby had a dangerous one that went right through his hands but overall, the speed/quickness and ability to do something after the catch is so much higher than what IU has had recently. -I really love what Kaelon Black and Ty Son Lawton (and even Justice Ellison and Elijah Green) bring. Particularly, Black and Lawton ran hard, showed good balance and vision and then punished defenders that tried to bring them down. They were fun to watch. -Aiden Fisher is the real deal. He oozes leadership (sounds like a medical issue but I'm told it's a good thing!) and he is a tackling machine. I saw Jared Kelly from Peegs posted that he unofficially had 15 tackles. His movement, instincts and then ability to finish the play is impressive. -Encouraging play from the secondary. -Defensive line, unsurprisingly, needs some additions and needs to get healthy.