HoosierHoopster

Everyone has their own viewpoint / vantage point but the article I think is dead on accurate. The core (Lenee, Caffey, Socka, Maya, Noyan) is very good, the incoming class is very good, the end of season play should help with retention of the core players and the current frosh will be sophs with a year of B1G play under their belts, and there's zero sign that Moren is leaving / retiring etc. But the article also specifically points out there are scenarios where things could go awry including an unexpected transfer (or transfers) and not hitting in the portal. So late spring-summer will tell us more.

It's all just further evidence of how bad CAM and Woodson were. We had SW16's under Crean, he was wacky, often embarrassing, usually had mediocre defensive teams, and he was no Sampson coaching wise, but we won a lot with him. I do think DeVries will have us back at least at that level in another season or so. This season isn't going where I thought it would in his first season, but he's clearly a good coach and miles better than Miller or Woodson.

Win and move forward

IU - 81 Putty Cats - 76

Think OSU wins and covers the spread. But picking IU anyway in a Hail Mary, cause why not IU - 77 OSU - 76

Not holding my breath, May's situation at UM is clearly excellent right now, but yeah this is the best example of at least a maybe one day with continued follow up it works out.

Sign me up for the $4 Million budget deal

Lol looks like we were talking past each other then -- Yeah there could've been better fits than Bailey and Conerway, agree, though I don't know who was out there that he could have nabbed. Of course I don't believe the current roster is the "absolute unquestionable best that could have been done" and never said that. And why are you now saying I'm silly to say he did everything perfectly since he's gotten here, which I obviously also never said. Come on man, what's with that

Yeah a win today would be a complete surprise and miracle. But glad they were able to advance at least to here to get the shot at it, future's bright for sure.

Once again Moren shows her coaching acumen. Monster come back and it all starts with her.

I know as you've pointed out the WAB was the big factor last year, interested to see how much it factors this season. Seems like the committee is always moving the target.

OK disagree, there's no evidence whatsoever that DeVries could have landed 9 better players, there just isn't. The evidence is directly to the contrary but you're just ignoring it. When he was hired, and with 0 staff, he got out recruiting and while other schools were landing recruits a good deal of time went by while he was evaluating and reaching out to Portal players before he was able to land a single player (other than Tucker). That's the actual evidence of what he could have and was doing. Weeks went by. That was "fussed" over here. Then he finally landed his first Portal prospect, and then the ball started to roll a bit down hill so that he was able to bring in additional players and with those he got some momentum. Meanwhile he beat out UK for Wilkerson, flying here to Texas to do it. It's really easy just to say he could have landed better players, but it completely ignores the context of his hire and yes the preceding 8 years leading to what IU was as a basketball school when he stepped in is absolutely relevant.

My thinking — yes CAM’s train wreck absolutely had something to do with it and it’s not “hyperbole.” 8 Years of mediocrity leading to both coaches’ firings and most recently to Woodson’s late firing after another missed tournament left IU a limping program with little recognition in teenage to early 20 portal players. CAM clearly helped bury the program. Woodson dug it deeper.9 players is specifically mentioned above. Disagree that DeVries could have assembled a much better top 9 group of players. How, who? he had 0 staff, leaving aside 0 returning players, inherited a mediocre program with no outside / guard game. What 9 better players wanted to come to IU in that context and over all the other - better - programs with existing players, staff and money? There’s zero evidence for that. A graphic of other schools doesn’t at all account for IU’s circumstances last year. Agree we may have over-paid for Bailey (don’t know what he was paid). On whether he actually made a choice to build from scratch that’s at best conjecture and I don’t think it’s right. On the one hand none of the still eligible players fit his system, Malik didn’t, but on the other who of them wanted to stay? Can you name them? New coach, different system, unknown staff, after a terrible year, with the anger of the fan base - do you remember the post- season interviews with players talking about how bad it was dealing with that? DrVries is a good coach, I want to see what he can do now that he has a year to learn from the mistakes I do think he made (outside of Sam, not getting more strength and size up front), and what he can do to build from a program in place with a core.

Agree except if you’re questioning the money paid to Wilkerson — don’t think you really are that would be nuts. The entire preceding discussion grounded in the ridiculously repeated nonsense that DeVries could’ve done oh so much better in the portal coming in late to the party with 0 staff and 0 players after Woodson’s (and CAM’s) train wreck is so mind numbing it’s killing me. Exactly what top players would have come running to IU - let alone 9???? —just bc they’re offered money (while being offered money by actual winning programs with other players actually on the team and a coaching staff in place?? sure would be nice if people could just wake up and stop the nonsense of saying Devries should have brought in top players last year and instead look forward to seeing (and critiquing) what a DeVries can do and does this offseason now that he at least has a program, some players, and staff. Not banking on it, why expect rational thought. I’ll keep hoping the team gets into the tourney— that would also help with the portal.

8 minutes floor time tonight ….