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What is the NIT bracketology looking like for us/in general? TYIA

NGW is definitely right about where he stood on JHS/MM. He was vocal about that when others said MM should not see the floor at all, Banks should play over him, etc. Someone said as much in a very recent game thread but I will not call them out here. I believe NGW had quite a back and forth with BGleas on this. (apologies if I'm mistaken) Pretty sure I recall everyone clamoring for another guard though. Any reference to Yogi, I would assume were made in jest/talking about him as an upperclassmen. For this season though, I think 99% of people were concerned about backcourt quality/depth.

In your opinion, is the MVA pipeline in any way damaged / lost with McNeeley's decommitment? Any insight into the key relationships with MVA ... you seem to be the guy to ask

Being in Indiana and all... I'd think if you can land a few of the top 50-100 4 star type guys/3 star hidden gems from within the state each recruiting cycle, keep them there for 3-4 years... you'd be able to use the transfer portal to grab big fish effectively each year. Focusing on filling holes/landing best talent available where you can upgrade the roster. Seems more sustainable to me.

I don't see why Gallo apparently would be okay with a bench role next year but wasn't this year? Not even open to the idea of the staff saying, hey we're bringing in a guard and you will have a chance to compete with X for the other starting spot? Anyhow its all water under the bridge now since he is back next year. Please prove people wrong Mike

I take the blame on fans as spin from the staff because the McNeeleys probably worried that Woodson would not be there for the entirety of Liam's time there (past next season?). My own interpretation. Definitely could be wrong. I'm sure NGW will probably tell me that. Does the W stand for Woodson? :)

Like you have been?

I am not saying they passed on Knecht for character concerns but couldn't get him on campus. Why did they pass on Love if not for character/money concerns? I am distracted so sorry if not making a ton of sense. Will check back when I can focus more

I tend to agree. Passing shows they are being mindful about chemistry/culture concerns. But hopefully that specific example, is something they've learned from.

I'm not saying we will only attract guys who are bad for team culture. I'm saying we will likely have a mix of people primarily money motivated and those who chose us for other factors. It's great we landed Ware in the portal and MM as a spring decommit. My concern is moreso the fact that those are 2 players, we need to add about 4-6 spots it sounds like. The odds of hitting on each of them as being a contributor is what I am ultimately concerned about. Then how do they blend together in terms of buying into culture/building good team chemistry, etc. Precedent for this has been debated plenty already. Culture/chemistry is a huge question for next year with a brand new team. Seems they passed on Love for those reasons but not Ware (+1 evaluation point to their credit). We paid up for Ware but maybe not Knecht to get him on campus. Now we've got a bigger bank roll and a cycle under our belt of the portal, hopefully we can be on the cutting edge of the new approach for roster construction. It's interesting.

Don't deny that. Will we get the right players regionally and nationally to compete next year? This year's roster construction does not inspire confidence. Seems we are throwing a Hail Mary. Hope it converts.

In other words, we're likely going to end up with some kids who consciously decided on IU without money being the sole factor. We're also likely to end up with some kids who decide because of the paycheck that IU is their best option. That's basically our main selling point right now along with minutes and playing for a coach with NBA contacts. Maybe it will be successful maybe it won't. Making sure we have the "right balance" will be key since we've left ourselves no other options. Hopefully a lot of learnings from last portal season.

It makes me unreasonably happy to see Trayce slam it on Wemby. And to think Kerr didn't have this kid in the rotation early in the year

It may or may not have been an Op-Ed by me under a pseudonym. Lol. If I wrote it there would be far more profanity and vulgarity.

On the bright side with this big portal budget, hopefully we've learned from last year and do not blow our load on a bunch of reserve type big men. You'd hope we can spread that $6M over 4-6 high quality players. Probably 2 studs and 2 or 3 rotation guys if I had to guess. The money will get us to the table. Will Mike "the closer" Woodson be able to get it done? That's what we're betting on...

Certainly not a member of the BOT and does not appear to have a particularly strong understanding of how they work. Just an interest in making sure nobody blames them for anything. Lol

Right and that's the president's fault, not the BOT. Because the AD reports to the president and surely the BOT stays out of the presidents way, just as they do the AD. The process works just fine for them, great actually, since there's always someone else to take the fall. The lack of accountability is offensive to many.

I feel better about Michigan than Penn State. A lot better. Maybe that's foolish. Don't feel great about either, truth be told.

People talk a lot about if we got Knecht, despite him not really having been very realistic. There was an awful lot of veritable smoke around Reeves, including him taking glasses at SIU to try and graduate early. If we had him on this year's roster, boy, would things look different. Here's to hoping for portal season...

I don't doubt they're a real person; I just think they actually are not adding any insight and find the timing of them turning up here curious. For someone who does not defend nor criticize the approach, they certainly don't find any blame whatsoever assignable to it; according to Cathy, first it was Glass's fault... then it was Dolson's fault... now it's Dolson's fault. All I ask is that if someone wants to join / start a conversation, they do so in good faith.

Curious what people would think about Aden Holloway - if I recall he lit us up pretty good against Auburn. My understanding is the quality of his play dropped off fairly sharply in the second half of the season, though he was strong in the non-con. Trilly said he most likely would be looking to go somewhere that he could have more of an impact. Not necessarily "down a level" as in still P5, but different style of play than SEC. I think that certainly applies to us. Only 6'1 from Charlotte, doesn't seem like an immediate fit. But I would love to see a few speedy guards on next year's roster. Ideally a couple inches taller.

I think there is absolutely merit in looking "closer to home" first as a program. It just makes sense - that's what non-athletes do for all of those non-sport "real life" reasons. As fans I think it makes sense that you'd value players you've seen/followed in HS more highly than other fans in other parts of the country may. Just more familiar with their game/history and of course that connection absolutely means something. I have been rooting my butt off for Mack all year - he's only the 3rd player from Jersey to play for IU (the 2nd was Geronimo lol). He was off to a rough start but showed glimpses and man, if he is here next year... will get some serious buckets. That said... I certainly hope the coaches will evaluate all options and prioritize based on other factors. IMO, could Booker and Essegian contribute here. Sure. I'm not familiar enough with the portal to say they're our best options. If they are, I'd be very underwhelmed. I actually find Booker more interesting than Essegian, despite Essegian having a more productive history. But I tend to overweight those 7-foot types, even if it's just on potential alone. Can't teach height. We did have success getting Ware's motor going. Essegian... if you're not good enough to be a starter at Wisconsin, I don't think it's a recipe for success to go after him hard. Wouldn't hate him as a mop up rotation player I suppose. But I'd prefer a lot more speed at this point based on what the team needs roster wise right now.

Ware is such a player. Having him and TJD in back to back years was such a treat. I do not expect we will see a third year with such rim protection and scoring capability. That does not mean we can't find success, but Woody does value that role a lot. Curious who we land for that slot. Guards, guards, guards please... and a wing too.