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Assuming there isn't a potential transfer prospect going through the NBA draft process waiting in the wings for us (that the staff feels really good about), I'd be pretty happy to round out the roster with Cam Spencer. He makes winning plays, shoots well, and I think his strengths compliment Trey's fairly well. Our 2 spot wouldn't be the most talented in the NCAA, but it would be solid... and considering the rest of the roster, I think "solid" would be all we really need. Especially considering behind TG and Spencer, would be CJ Gunn and Jakai Newton. Not as if we'd be totally devoid of athleticism/length/depth. IF... we land a combo guard who opts out of the NBA draft process, it will be hard not to have sky high hopes/expectations. Maybe it's Woodson/the staff, maybe its the NIL environment/support from Dolson, maybe its the transfer portal.... IDK... I'm just glad we're not trying to get excited for Grant Gelon/Jeremiah April kinds of pick ups anymore.

From personal experience, I don't think Love would have the same issue at IU in terms of credits transferring in. That said, I'm not personally "rooting" for this recruitment and don't think it will pick up steam again. If it does though, I have full trust in Woodson and staff.

Is there also a provision where players can transfer even after the window has closed if their coach leaves? I thought I saw that but may be mistaken

Could very well be wrong, but I'd be kinda surprised if anything materializes here. Things seemed to cool off really quickly after that Zoom with the staff, don't know if interests were aligned.

Michigan fans spamming the replies saying admissions wouldn't let him in Edit: Feels to me like a sign next year may be Howard's last

Wow. I think that seals the deal... Coach Mike Woodson is THE Closer

I'll definitely catch a couple of his games this year and will be sure to report back! Personally would be a little surprised if we snag him from Rutgers... but not very surprised.

To be totally clear, I said "one of the best" and "since Isiah" ... but I can see how my post was worded in a way where it could be read this way. Good, maybe even great player - Isiah, he is not...

Man. It's going to suck to lose the part of college basketball where you watch a kid's game/personality grow over the course of 4 years. It will make those who stick around much more memorable, though, I guess.

RE: Cupps, I'm not really worried about him per se. By the time he is done here, I won't be surprised if we talk about him in the same breath as Yogi, and he's widely considered one of the best IU PGs ever/since Isiah, at least. I just don't really expect much from him his freshman year. I won't be surprised if he gets the kind of minutes Banks had/Gunn saw earlier on in the year and makes the most of it. But that might translate to 15 mpg kind of role best case scenario which Malik had this year. Which was definitely a solid contributor role in the rotation, but I also don't want to rely on him as the backup and potentially get injured then have TG end up with primary ball handler responsibilities, which would not go well. Ideal scenario he plays 8-12mpg freshman year IMO toward the end of the season maybe thats up to 18-20ish, who knows. ... but I don't really expect him to do much more than any other similarly ranked PG (albeit yes I like his tape/he has plenty of accolades, etc.)

I don't think it's crazy, and I do think we'll see an X, Cupps/Newton, MM, MR, KW rotation on the court some next year. But, I think TG has earned the spot and has the trust of Woody, so expect to see him there unless we find a clear upgrade at that spot Depending on how good they are, I agree 1 year would be ideal (maybe 2 if they're that good, but more would be ehh). Just think we really need to grab (at minimum) a ball handler with decent shooting to be a back up for XJ (probably can expect the same kind of minutes as Walker). God forbid we get hobbled in the backcourt next year. Wouldn't want to put 30 mins per game as a freshman on Cupps shoulders, unless I'm seriously underestimating him... Also, Gallo proved he can handle bringing the ball up on spot duty this year, but that does seriously impact how good we can be IMO. I want him to be free to play his game. Yes, having bigs who can shoot/space the floor changes things for us. But, the injury bug is undefeated and you can never have too much talent on the roster

Curious to hear what others think, but I can see us being a lot more versatile in terms of the sets we run next year. I can see us definitely running some of the same action we did this year with TJD and JHS, with X and Malik. I could also see us going 4 out a bit, with Ware getting some outside shots and Mack/Reneau crashing the boards. What I'm most excited about is having a roster where we can play a lot of situational basketball and exploit mismatches. Think its really going to be a fun year to watch. Saw you can get some semi decent tix for IU vs Kansas for around $700 right now - what a steal lol.

With our last spot, I'd definitely like to find a combo guard that can take on back up ball handler duties, shoot well from 3, and solid perimeter defense. Easier said than done obviously lol... but tough to not feel really good about next year's roster. I said we'd learn a lot about the staff and program based on how they filled out the roster this offseason... consider me fully impressed!

Good question actually, I am assuming he'd be interested but haven't seen any news saying as much myself. My bad. Maybe others have seen reporting to that effect?

Of the current realistic options I'm aware of, I think I like him the most. Plus, not that it's a determining factor, but it'd be nice to have some of the pre-existing chemistry between him and Sparks.

Ah right, just always think of him as "Walker" lol. In that case yes I agree depending on match up he or Sparks get a lot of minutes. I think most end up going to Sparks but Walker has his fair share... really like both!

These are pretty much exactly my thoughts right now, but not sure who you mean by Anthony? Also, I think Newton redshirts, but if he doesn't kind of think he could be this year's version of Kaleb Banks. Edit: Leal?

I am hoping for a player that is more capable on defense, but as an offensive comparison... I'd go feral if we found a shooter like Nick Zeisloft from back in the day

What was the point of going back over a month (more than 100 pages back) to find two of this guys posts? We just got a burger boy... lighten up Francis

Yes, totally agree (assuming Ware plays up to his potential or near it at least). I kind of think we don't even necessarily need the CG we get to be a 5 star/high 4 star type of guy. If he can excel at defending the perimeter and shooting 3s while being serviceable as a ball handler/playmaker for a few possessions a game, I think we have what we need between him and Gallo.

If we can go head to head with Kansas regularly and win 50% of the time... we'll know we are on our way to being a machine. The fact we got it done this offseason with Ware and Mgbako with room for one more impact player shows this staff is for real, for real. We may not all love the current landscape of the sport but its undeniably a leg up for us right now. At a critical moment in college basketball, we have a former NBA head coach and the big $ support to compete. The administration has been an open question but all signs are pointing upward, it seems, from what I've observed recently. The marketability/potential impact on personal brand at IU, is I think, way larger on a national scale than Kansas, in my kinda bias view

I have to say, I think we're lucky that CG is our last remaining big need. Simplified way to put it but as an example, FDU beating Purdue this year. Guard play wins games, but decent quality guards who can help you win ball games are also a lot easier to find than 6'8"+ guys who are skilled/physically prepared, etc.

This is such funny copium out of this guy. Gee, who is more likely to get me NBA-ready: Coach 1: 29 NBA players out of 100s and 100s of players coached Coach 2: The guy who just put a freshman JHS into round 1 of the NBA after more than a decade of coaching NBA players (100s of them) It really did make too much sense from the start. I can't wait to play KU next year. If we get a solid CG who can really shoot it, look out

Has to bode well for Kiyan Anthony in 2025, right? I mean, Dad's pulling casual recruiting favors for the program already >:)

When Mike Woodson says he wants to coach that young man, he's going to end up coaching that young man. In a few months, he'll be calling him "son" I have no doubt the cultural fit + Woodson's NBA history/connections are what got this done. + credit to the staff and boosters for answering when they were called upon.