Home Jersey

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.

Right - great cultural fit. Exactly the kind of hard working, ambitious player we need. Not to mention completely gifted and skilled.

Here are his junior year highlights. He had an injury his senior year I believe in January but was able to return for the state tournament:

We got a damn good one. The interview posted from a few days ago for those who missed it, helps you get a feel for the kid and his family:

Since it doesn't matter anymore, this is the screenshot I DM'd to people earlier. But, turns out not what NGW was referring to. https://imgur.com/a/N2JkruT (Mack scribbled IU over his decision graphic and a screenshot of it got around)

I see it - I do... but it's really hard for me to root for someone to start over Galloway the way he hustles and makes smart plays. There are other players who can do more offensively sure, but I wouldn't mind a transfer CG playing more of a 6th man scoring fire power off the bench. But we'll see how it shakes out. Today's all about Mgbako! This is a glorious signing. Can someone tell me how the hell you change your profile pic on here? I'm told the file needs to be egregiously small?

3 straight offseason 5 star flips? Malik maybe a high 4 star - regardless. This staff is getting it done.

Alright so... Does this now kill all doubt that IU is officially committed to bringing the basketball program back to where it rightfully belongs?

HOO HOO HOO

Wow, good catch. Not sure why he's not listed here on the 247 All Time Basketball Recruits (since 2000) listhttps://247sports.com/college/indiana/Sport/Basketball/AllTimeRecruits/ Gordon was when I was just starting to get into college basketball. Wasn't a loyal IU fan at the time, but I always liked watching him and DJ White, rooting them on. That game at Illinois was amazing.

Going off 247 composite score alone, he'd be #2 highest recruit ever behind Langford and before Vonleh, Zeller, JHS and Lander (lol). 2 of our top 5 recruits in history ... not too shabby for an "older" coaching staff (hopefully)

Mgbako is getting a BAG.

I'm seeing a crazy amount of IU fans on Twitter specifically who don't know Ken Nunn in Martha the Mop Lady's replies/quotes. Have these people never been to a game, or did he stop advertising/sponsoring at games? I haven't been to SSAH since 2016-17 unfortunately.

This guy is just a nobody KU fan, but obviously their news is turning negative:

If Mgbako signs with the Jayhawks, would be a real shame if HD* wound up swimming with the Fishes next time they played in New York. *Let the record reflect I intend no physical harm/pose no physical threat toward Hunter Dickinson Could really throw their offense out of... whack.

I feel like this is the most positive sign we've seen yet... other than maybe Cuban lol

If people honestly want to see what I believe to be, the alleged screenshot (censored to remove usernames)/read a very simple description of it... feel free to DM me.

Things are getting more intense/cutthroat around here as we get closer to the announcement lmao

Disclaimer: If there has ever actually been drama behind this recruitment from MM/his camp itself, we'll likely never know the true/full details. However, that will not deter me from writing recruiting fanfic/speculating on the wild scenarios that are seemingly plausible to my totally uninformed self. When the below is confirmed, can the mods change my name to Nostradamus? Decommits from Duke Adidas seems to sway Mgbako/CAA away from Nike, pushing UL, KU, or IU Everyone assumes UL is favorite based on relationship with Nolan Smith (but something went south there) He verbals to KU on his visit but staff can't get him to skip the IU visit, Dad is pushing for him to explore his options and the trips are so close anyway. Couldn't make KU visit so wants to see at least one of the schools himself. Mgbakos are surprised by how much they liked the IU trip, Dad is swooning over Woodson and staff's thoughtful approach (Nigerian flag won him over) Mgbako tells staff he is skipping UL visit, he's seen enough. Slater does some damage control (hence the confusion) IU has been working on Mgbako all week, upping the NIL ante (assuming Adidas package is comparable at both). Helps us that his parents (Dad especially) are in IU's camp, but letting this be Mack's decision. All week, staff has players/alumni following, showing love, getting in touch... Cuban getting in touch today changes the game Mack woke up this morning thinking KU, but Woody and staff - with the help of Mr and Mrs Mgbako - play all the right cards and flip him at the 11th hour (...I knocked on wood just in case) You may be wondering how much pot I had to smoke to arrive at this conclusion. The answer is some, and I didn't need to ask around here, because in NJ it's legal recreationally

You could make a killing if you start a discord and charge KU fans $100 for whatever you're hearing... apparently they like doing that kind of thing

Well, it's mostly helpful because then they can pre-write a story so it's ready to go when the news breaks. Sometimes journalists will have two versions of a story like this ready to go. Knowing ahead of time allows them to get on the same page with their key stakeholders. This is useful because it A) demonstrates to their contacts they can be trusted with information B) that helps them build a relationship C) That creates opportunity for the staff to help shape the narrative around the program. So, it's less that getting the scoop beforehand is directly helping the journalist but indicative that they're doing their job well according to the people they're covering - which they need to keep happy for those instances where they can "break news" publicly