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We've talked about this team lacking leadership a bit... I get that everyone has a different temperament/their own style and way of doing things... we sort of see X trying to fill that void (whether effective is an entirely different conversation... I don't much care for his style, most of the time... time and place...). But why is Gallo, a senior and coach's kid, not comfortable being more vocal/getting in guys faces? Leal doesn't really get minutes and the other guys are young/new. Malik could probably handle that role but its a lot on a sophomore who is still developing. Sad because had high hopes for Trey this year, but last year definitely looks like an anomaly now. Rooting for him.

IUFB pre season dark horse for the 12 seed?? After we poach some of Bama's roster maybe... Make it happen Cig. Lol

I don't think the Bama fans would accept Tommy Rees as the Scheyer to Saban's Coach K. Gonna be some seismic moves in the coaching carousel!

Wow! New era of CFB about to start between this and 12 teams in CFP next year. Do they go after Kirby?

This year I've adopted Princeton as a "second" team since it's basically the best basketball in the state (pretty sad for RU and SHU). The way they move the ball is BEAUTIFUL. The way the players communicate amongst themselves - not just on D, but on the bench and during TOs. Their seniors get on the younger guys a$$ for taking a bad shot or throwing the ball away. Every possession is valued. There is coaching constantly happening on the bench. Mitch Henderson will spot a guy ball watching, walk down the bench and often say something like "Xaivian is ball watching, his man cuts baseline and the backdoor is open every time. Make sure you check him/get a hand in the passing lane" etc. Every time a bad shot happens (which is very rarely) as in too early in the offense, not your kind of shot, etc... the assistants are asking the kids on the bench "tell me what you just saw happen" or "what should so-and-so have done on that instead?" And when the kids come out, Mitch always talks to them. Always. Sometimes it's a few words and a pat on the butt, usually it's about 10-15 seconds, which is actually a lot of time for a coach to give you a point of emphasis/guidance, etc. The players are always hyping each other up going into halftime... always bring the energy... players go into the locker room first while the coaches have a huddle for a couple minutes and look at the stat sheet/talk about what needs to happen. I've just not seen any of that at the IU games I've been at. We don't feel connected as a team and maybe I'm overanalyzing it but Woody was pissed alllll night. Even early on. The tension that the staff was feeling last night was palpable, to be honest. And the kids didn't look like they were up to the challenge/bought in to the system. Princeton's gym is super small and basketball fans from all over NJ are going to PU games now because it's a GREAT product on the court. If you're a basketball junkie, you can actually hear a lot of what the benches are saying... I've seen a few HS coaches sitting in the first row scribbling on a notepad. It just sucks that I'm confident Princeton would beat IU this year with a roster full of future investment bankers, doctors and lawyers lol.

Since this message is apparently needed again.

Who you calling weird buddy?

Saw this comment on Reddit and thought it was funny enough to share: "It was an interesting experiment for Peacock to take ten guys who have never shot a basketball before and stream a game between them, but let’s get the college athletes back that won’t airball ten shots next game."

Yes, Mack basically fell into their lap. KW was the #1 center in the portal and is a unique, introverted kid who committed on his first visit. How much assessment actually went into those recruitments? Even the lower ranked guys on the roster - how did we evaluate that talent, because it doesn't seem to be a fit for this level/developed how it needed to be at the start of the year. Based on who we return next year, it feels like Woody coaches the program on a season to season basis with whoever happens to be on the roster, rather than him building around his philosophy.

Since this is the rant thread... This offseason is going to be VERY interesting. Let's just say they go 18-13/17-14 and miss the tournament. In a bad case scenario (not worst) where Ware goes pro, Mack and Banks transfer, etc... we could realistically end up only returning Cupps, Gallo, McNeeley, Sparks, Gunn(?). At that rate, based on how this staff managed the portal, we're likely to end up even more shorthanded then this season. If we only like to swing for homeruns and don't hit on them all, or all except for 1 or 2, you're in very precarious waters. I guess what I'm getting at is, coming off a bad year with a bunch of roster turnover and an already older coach... seems to me that a new hire would be able to step into that situation with more momentum behind them than we'd have otherwise waffling in a 4th year. Of course this year isn't over, so if Woody can right the ship, maybe he buys himself another season. It just sucks how hard it is to believe that could actually happen at this point.

The Nebraska loss was tough because it wasn't really close and they put up 86 on us. The Rutgers loss was hard because they were basically giving the game away and we declined at every opportunity. There are ups and downs to every season but this one's had very tiny ups and very, very low downs, so far. The body language from the staff/players/how they interact with each other looked SO off to me yesterday. All we can do is hope they turn it around but there's little reason to be optimistic about that or next year as of today. Good thing they play again on Friday... ready to flush yesterday's ****!

Uhhh.... no, I would not say at all we'd all agree Bob Knight was a "shitty" human being. Can't believe an IU fan is saying that? He was rough around the edges and made plenty of mistakes, bad behavior, etc. We don't know him to have ever severely beaten his wife. Even putting that to the side... so your logic is, because Bob Knight could do it, we should give Beard a chance too and just hope he doesn't do anything too violent or stupid to embarrass the University. Got it. This convo has run its course, pleasure as always Indy16

A head coach at Indiana University is paid taxpayer dollars to represent the University and state and win basketball games while helping guide his players toward becoming contributing members of society. Beard can help you win basketball games but doesn't seem very good at the other parts of the job. Probably a better fit elsewhere. Will be glad not to be associated with his next DV incident. Now, Bruce Pearl? Just hand him a blank check this offseason IMO.

Sorry I was just using you in the second person, not directed toward you specifically. I know you and I are on the same page

Totally on the same page!

IU 76 Minnesota 72

"If it happens again, he's gone, simple as that." What a naive and simplistic way of viewing things. I guess some would not be bothered to have Indiana University's name in headlines for Beard's next act of drunken violence. The pictures of his badly beaten wife won't bother them either, as long as he's winning games. The cycle of abuse thrives on "give me one more chance" Shame because Beard is damn good at coaching basketball. Probably not a great leader of men. Not worth sacrificing your standards. Other coaches can help get us where we want to be. If that's holier than thou, so be it. I'll pray for you.

But how much are we relying on their donations/their brand/network, etc.? Like all things, there's got to be a balance.

This is a good point, honestly. Until the NCAA / these super conferences have a system in place where players are compensated like regular employees doing a good job and not as mercenary soldiers, we're going to have a lack of continuity that stunts the development of players and evolution of programs. Tough to build something when your roster turns over every year and you can't actually establish a system that people have bought into and been part of for 2, 3, 4 years. We've got our own issues specific to IU but there are bigger systemic challenges relevant to everyone but especially problematic for IU given where the program currently is.

You are literally the one changing your standards for someone you perceive will do a better job.

We really should have gone to Sparks on Omureyi earlier on the game. Ware was bothered by all the physicality, frustration was clear. Someone else mentioned how it seems like when Ware and Reneau are on the court together, they're either clogging up the paint or it's Reneau who gets put in the high post passing situations/perimeter shooting opportunities. I'd be curious about switching those roles and wonder if KW crashing down from the elbow/foul line extended would help get some offensive boards/easy second chances. Malik is who we go to when we need a bucket and he is a reliable option, but I cringe every time he tries muscling through a wall of 3 defenders. Can the staff PLEASE coach him up on how to recognize the double team coming and kick out/reverse to opposite wing for a 3? There will be so many opportunities for Mack and CJ if we can get that right. Mack plays stiff, he's limited athletically, but he's not close to the biggest issue with this team right now. A second year would be great if he sticks around. Absent that, you have to wonder if the Mgbakos have any buyers remorse... his decision will say a lot about the direction of travel for the program. At the end of the day you're not gonna win too many D1 games with barely any backcourt at all.

Completely agree with your entire post - congratulations to your son! I've heard great things about Luddy. He will have a great time and earn a great degree. I'm sure Mom and Dad are very proud. Cheers! Those football tailgates are one of a kind.

UConn would've pieced up Rutgers by about 50 yesterday. Any good team, really. It's laughable how many shots they missed and how many missed opportunities we blew. It was a very physical game but we just had no semblance of intensity. Looking an awful lot like an 18 win season if we're lucky at this rate...

Hand Pearl a blank check.

That's what makes me think there's basically no way anything happens on this front until after the 2024-2025 season