LamarCheeks

I don't have the slightest who our next coach will be -- or even who is or isn't a serious candidate. But I will say this: As much as I dig Calbert (my favorite all-time Hoosier; he and I were at IU at the same time), I do have concerns about his commitment. He's bopped in and out of coaching for the past few years. Seems as if from what I've read (mostly here, but in other places, too), pretty much a spot on the staff at IU was his for the taking if he wanted -- at several different times. But he didn't want to commit to being a full-time assistant and all that goes with it (scouting, recruiting, etc.). Has that changed all the sudden? What if, in a year or two, he decides all over again that isn't what he wants? I think I'd have a little more faith in basketball "lifers" such as Fife or Lewis -- if we're insistent on hiring an "IU guy." I know Woodson's an IU guy and is a "lifer," too, but meh -- I just just can't get excited about him. Don't know what it is.

LOL. We just got back from our morning stroll. Did anything happen?

Doubt anything happens this weekend. Most definitely not today -- think Dolson would want the women to be in the spotlight. Probably not tomorrow, either -- things like that don't seem to happen on Sundays.

Beard was hired at Texas Tech one year after Smart at Texas. Obviously, nobody knew at the time that Smart wouldn't pan out, but I'm still surprised given that Beard is a UT alum that Texas Tech didn't put a clause in his contract with a massive buyout ($10M or so) if Beard left for Austin -- sorta like we did with Moren. Of course, I supposed it's possible TT tried, but he wouldn't agree to it.

But only if accompanied by a reincarnated Sam Gilbert.

Saturday -- Syracuse

I saw one tweet that said Lander actually will transfer. I wonder if that's actually true, or if the tweeter misunderstands the transfer portal?

I can just hear Chuck Crabb at our home opener next season. "For the Hoosiers: At guard, a 5-6 sophomore from Hickory, Indiana -- No. 13, Ollie"

From what I've seen, there hasn't been any sourced information ...

I see what you did there -- a double meaning. You're saying it was smart (intelligent) for IU to not have talked to Beard because of Smart (possibly leaving Texas). Very well done.

Five years ago, Beard took the job at UNLV. Two weeks later, the job at Texas Tech (where he was very well connected) became open. He said to UNLV "Um guys, on second thought ... " Imagine this scenario ... Can you imagine had we hired Beard and the Texas job comes open (reportedly his dream job), he goes into Dolson's office and says, "Um, Scott ... " You would hope nobody would renege on us for Texas -- but as a wise wan once said: "You never know."

The national media folks know very little about Indiana basketball. Other than TDJ, they probably couldn't name one player on the team. Probably didn't watch more than 4-5 games last season -- if that. So take what they say with a grain of salt. Plenty of people cover IU basketball who know much more about the team than the national guys -- they just don't have the spotlight. I remember a few years back, driving somewhere and listening to a baseball playoff game on the radio. Chris Berman (full disclosure: I can't stand Berman) was announcing the game on ESPN. It was a first-round, best-of-five series between Colorado and Philly. The Phillies won the first two games and were up in the third. Berman says, in his annoying, over-the-top voice: "If you think this team is gonna go down without a fight, then you just don' t know THE COLO-RAAAADO ROCKIES!" ... My first thought was -- and after spending two-plus games with them, you do know the Colorado Rockies? Needless to say, Philly rolled and finished the sweep. National media folks are portrayed as experts because they have the platform, so to speak. They know nothing more about IU than anyone here.

I wouldn't have a problem with Mrs. Musselman, either ...

That's got Seton Hall or Rutgers written all over it! That is -- if players can transfer within the conference. Not sure what the rules are anymore.

He likes to play show tunes ...

My sources tell me while the Crimson Tide lads were visiting the zoo, Dolson and Oats held a secret meeting in the bear exhibit. When Oats is hired, it'll be panda-monium.

Man, if whoever the next coach is doesn't get some (or all) of these guys to stay, he's gonna be facing only a little better situation than what Crean inherited. Leal, Galloway, Lander, Rob, Jerome -- that's all who's left on scholarship, pending Brunk's decision.

This has nothing to do with anything, really. I just think this guy is pretty damn good. Never thought of him as an announcer with CP, just think of him as an excellent play-by-play man. (I don't even hold those bizarre chats w/ Bill Walton during the Maui/Asheville Classic against him. I chalk that up to being put in a tough position with a complete whacko as his sidekick and doing the best he could.)

Wrong thread, dude. I believe someone did create one for Enfield.

If memory serves, Painter was Bruce Webber's assistant at Southern Illinois. When Webber left for Champaign, Painter took over. He was there for one season -- a very good one. At the same time, PU under Keady was really declining. People wanted him gone, but didn't want to force the iconic coach out -- then started worrying Painter would get snatched up by another P5 school based on his success at SIU. So the PUs hired him as "associate head coach" under Keady for a season, then he took over. ... That differs from IU in that the longtime coach already was in place. It might be odd to hire your head coach and head coach-in waiting at the same time -- if people are thinking about a Beilein-Fife or Beilein-Lewis combo.

Headed to the Big Apple. Or more accurately, East Rutherford, N.J.

Great job, ladies!

Hey, why not? She just led the Hoosiers to our first Sweet 16 and consistently has been in the Top 20 for the past two seasons and this past season, we've dipped into the Top 10. She's a proven winner, a proven recruiter and has been successful at luring talented transfers. Last season, she handed consensus No. 1 South Carolina its only loss. The Gamecocks only trailed after four quarters all season -- three were against us. You could argue that last season, it was the best victory in IU sports. Plus, she's right down the hall ... (If we can have a ridiculous Becky Hammon thread, we can have one for Moren as well. She has several years of college experience on her resume; Hammon has none!)

Let's just hope the new coach -- whoever he is -- can persuade Race and Armaan to stay. I s'pose I should say Stewart as well, but having not seen him play at IU, it's difficult to miss something you never had. If those guys do go -- and TJD departs -- the new coach will be looking at an empty cupboard. Not quite like what Crean got when he arrived, but sheesh ... He could inherit a roster of six scholarship players: Leal, Lander, Galloway, Geronimo, Jerome and Rob. Throw in Brunk if he stays and Duncomb if he comes and you get eight. Some decent players, but that's not a B1G roster.