JerryYeagley23

This is a really good perspective I think. I tend to be in this camp as well. Off-season expectations always seem to be rosy because we want to believe and be excited about a new beginning next Fall. But I’ve heard folks say with TJD back we’re a potential top 10, even top 5, team next year. I don’t see it. Last year’s team was a middle of the pack B1G team and outside of a good (losing) effort at PU and couple wins in the B1G tourney with their backs against the wall, played inconsistent and average ball for three months. Even with Trayce back, we’re mostly the same team. TJD is talented, and we all love him, but he’s a back to the basket big who doesn’t create his own shot and needs good ball entry and lots of space to work. As unpopular as it may be, he plays a brand of basketball that the NCAA and Woody are trying to move away from in favor of the NBA style with bigs that can play away from the basket and in the midrange. The JHS and Reneau additions are exciting for good reason, but should probably be exciting because of what it does for the program for recruiting additional high-level talent and attracting “missing piece” top-end portal transfers to put together a top-10 team in ‘23-‘26. Next year I think their impact will be mostly exciting to see their potential in flashes, but still splitting time in the rotation with XJ and Race. Overall I guess I’m more on the side that expects this team to have a season more similar to last season with the same core and think it’s less likely that core and our additions make a sizeable leap to a top-10 team. For what it’s worth, I still believe TJD will be back. The team will be competitive, and the excitement for the future of the program will be strong. But we’re 1-2 years away from being “in the conversation” like we want to be.

Former Hoosier and MLS rookie Roman Celentano picked up his second straight clean sheet last night for F.C. Cincinnati. Playing really well for a team that has struggled since joining the league in 2019. I really believe if he stays in form and continues to work on his footwork and distribution out of the back that he will get a look by Berhalter for the USMNT during next World Cup cycle. Note: F.C. Cincinnati also is coached by former Hoosier forward Pat Noonan. The IU alum in MLS doing big things is impressive.

For high-profile recruits and transfers this is now par for the course. Much like any of us would negotiate terms with an employer or leverage multiple job offers to see who valued you the most. This is the new norm. Actually, it’s the old norm, because it’s happened for decades, it’s just in the open now and expected from both player and program to be a major talking point.

I know it was just part of your hypothetical argument, but it’s worth stating that Dennis is well known as a high character young man and consummate teammate. Believe he won a conference sportsmanship award or some kind of recognition. And generally, guys who win defensive player awards have a certain degree of selflessness to them to dedicate their focus and energy to doing the dirty work for their team in lieu of offensive stats. There’s risk involved in most personnel decisions, but in this case it’s minimal he wouldn’t have a positive impact on and off the court.

The extra few weeks actually give us valuable time to get our house in order to put our best foot forward. His visit will likely be as much about our first proposal of the details of our NIL package as things basketball related.

No.

Ha. Full credit to Chris for breaking the story. Just adding my “crystal ball” pick with high confidence after a dinner conversation today.

I’m feeling confident Trayce is coming back and expect an announcement of some kind will come soon.

Shaheen Holloway named HC at Seton Hall. Maybe one of the most obvious hires in recent memory. Has been assumed for weeks even while his team was still playing.

Thoughts with former IU forward Dema Kovalenko. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/how-ex-mls-midfielder-dema-kovalenko-helped-his-family-escape-war-torn-ukraine

Thank you Ali, Alaska and Nicole. Great season. You’ve done so much for this program. Keep your heads high, we’re proud of you.

Grace is a phenomenal player. I love her game. But she needs to extend her range out to the three point line. Story of this game though, is we need more length. Height in the woman’s game is becoming a huge differentiator.

I’ve watched a lot of women’s games this year. Credit to UCONN, who has far better talent, but this is as badly as we’ve played all year. Really uncharacteristic.

That escalated quickly.

Yikes.