LamarCheeks

I think it will help show that we're a player again for the state's top talent, and that going to IU is "cool" again -- if that makes sense. After Cody and Yogi, and later, Blackmon, the state's best players talent didn't seem to have any interest in B-Town. Crean suffered a huge disconnect, apparently, with the state's top high school coaches and players. ... To me, it would be a huge first step in showing that Archie's "inside-out" philosophy is going in the right direction.

D.J. White had quite a nose for the ball, too. He was an absolute beast his senior season.

I've seen at least three times where a Pacer had a clear path to the bucket and inexplicably, stopped and passed back out -- throwing the ball away. Once it was Vic. Geez, be selfish! Finish the drive!

Then that would be something to consider ... I know how high schools athletic departments can be with money ... My dad was an athletic director at a small Indiana high school for 25 years or so. He was tight-fisted to begin with, but I could see him having a conniption about such an expense. I remember him being upset because an opposing team won a volleyball match at his school. It was the opposing coach's 300th win -- or something like that -- so they wanted the game ball. "Geez, that's $30 right there," my dad exclaimed. LOL!

I really was hoping that if he indeed were picking B-Town, he'd make his announcement today. It's IU day after all. Could there have been a more perfect opportunity? Oh well, as long as he's wearing the candy stripes next season, I'm not that concerned with the date ...

My dumb question of the day: How much would it cost to add a shot clock? Maybe not much, I don't know. But in this day and age, I cannot imagine high school athletic departments -- especially at small schools -- are teeming with money.

So, in summary -- we're not supposed to criticize the people you like, but we can criticize those you don't. As for his sources, he probably needs to be more careful about reporting what they tell him. Hell, I could tell him Romeo will announce on April 30 that he's attending Wabash College. Then he could say "a source" told him those are Langford's plans. I'm not necessarily a fan of ESPN or Tim Kurkjian, but he said something once that made a lot of sense. After "a source" told him something that he reported and turned out to be wrong, he said his policy going forward was that if a source wanted anonymity, he would grant it. But if they were wrong, he would reveal them as the bearer of the misinformation.

Interesting about the grad transfers. ... It's true that some players who finish their degrees and have a year of eligibility remaining leave for greener pastures (Trey Porter, Ryan Taylor, etc.) or because they want to play in the NCAAs and figure their current team has no shot. But what about guys like Max Bielfelt, who were told by their coach (Beilien) that they won't have a scholarship for a fifth season? Or Matt Roth, who could've played somewhere a his fifth season had he wanted. Should a school be "punished" for taking them in when they were essentially booted from their old programs?

I still can't figure out what was going on at the presser after Glass fired Crean. It sure seemed like he was calling for Alford to come back to IU. There weren't that many fellows who filled all his check-plus-plus or double-check-plus (or whatever the hell it was) criteria, except for Alford. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he went into the search with Alford at the top of his list, then got a bunch of backlash from fans, alumni, etc., not interested in bringing him back for myriad reasons -- including his handling of the Pierre Pierce incident and the simple fact that he hasn't proven himself to be an elite coach.

Get there early. Get there often.

More controversy for Steve Alford. A he said-he said dispute over the dismissal of his assistant. It's funny, when he was at IU, he was the All-American boy -- good-looking, great player, steadfast in his faith, dated his high school sweetheart (later married her), etc. But at some point, he seems to have become kind of a sleazeball. Don't know it it started with the Pierre Pierce incident or what. I've heard that the people in Iowa detest him. And what kind of coach -- one who supposedly has the highest of morals and is a devout Christian -- calls an opposing player an "a**hole" in the handshake line? He bails on New Mexico just days after agreeing to a 10-year contract extension. And now, it seems UCLA fans want him out. So did he morph from Jack Armstrong into a some kind of sleazy snake-oil salesman, or was he a wolf in sheep's clothing all along? http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-murry-bartow-20180416-story.html

It was never on regular cable. ESPN decided to put it on the new ESPN+ channel -- meaning you have to pay for it. I've read a review on it, saying it was as much about the reporter who uncovered the tape of Knight and Reid as anything. FYIW, I just found the review. Here it is ... https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/reviewing-espns-the-last-days-of-knight-and-how-to-watch-for-free/

Just another indication that his improvement over the years is off the charts: He went from a guy who got schooled by Verdell Jones to an NBA All-Star!

Victor Oladipo > LeBron James!

I'm surprised Illinois is allowing this. Many times, a school will grant a kid's release as long as he/she doesn't transfer within the conference or to an out-of-conference rival.

Pardon my ignorance, but what does this mean? ... Are you saying Archie hasn't signed a 5-star? ... We've signed 5-stars in the past -- were't Gordon, Zeller and Vonleh all 5-stars? ... Or are you just saying we've yet to sign THIS particular 5-star?

Moe Wagner leaving Michigan. Hiring an agent. Won't be back. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2018/04/14/moe-ums-wagner-leaving-nba/33835157/

So, here's the really important question: If Romeo does indeed decided to head to B-Town, what number does he wear? Does he do like a pro athlete and buy Al Durham a case of beer (just kidding) to pry No. 1 from him? Or does he buy Clifton Moore a case of beer (just kidding) to pry No. 22 -- Romeo's usual AAU number -- from him? Or does he just pick something different?

Juwan has until May 30 to make his final decision. I don't know if he will wait that long, but I can't imagine he would have a decision by April 30. I would think if he wants to be evaluated by NBA teams -- through workouts or whatever -- that wouldn't take place until May.

I like the way Indiana (and I'm guessing most states) does it -- you have to be a senior to win it.

Very appropriate song. I loved Tom Petty! Saw him three times, including at Wrigley Field last summer -- about two months before he died. Great show. Broke my heart when he passed. Fortunately, he left us a lot of great music!

Very excited about this Romeo news. I hope nothing changes between now and the end of the month. To celebrate (for me and other old-timers), enjoy this little ditty by one of Indiana's own -- who's pretty well-known around B-Town ... "American Fool" was released 36 years ago today!

I'm guessing Romeo is aware of the Juwan situation, but if not, I can imagine the following phone conversation ... Romeo: What's up, JMo? Juwan: Not to worry, li'l buddy. I'm not going anywhere.

Does the timing seem kind of strange on this? I've read name after name after name of draft-eligible players declare for the NBA and hire or not hire agents. And have read name after name of players who were transferring. All that time, nothing from B-Town. So I thought we were good to go. With that said, what's the Crystal Ball on this? I'm saying 85 percent he comes back.

FWIW, the Pacers won three of four from the LeBrons in the regular season.