5fouls

From Dennis' point of view or IU's? I can see a scenario where Dennis chooses A&M over IU regardless of TJD's decision. What I can't see is a scenario where IU takes Dennis if TJD comes back. The scholarship is just not available in that case. And, I don't think IU forcibly opens a scholarship from the remaining roster.

Nah. https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/2/11/7977925/what-is-a-tom-crean

Opinions on redshirting someone on the roster, and if so, who? And, what are the chances that player would be receptive to the idea?

Half the players on scholly will never get in the game. Many of those will be team GPA boosters. Kids that scored 37 points in their entire high school career, but 1600 on their SAT. There will be some teams where the 3rd row behind the bench will have people in uniform.

Just my opinion, but for the team to maximize its potential, Tamar Bates needs to begin to maximize his. He can help get us to a different level than Kopp or Galloway. If he doesn't, we can still be good. Just not as good as if he does.

The depth of the roster, especially in the frontcourt if TJD stays, is going to be huge. How many times last season did we see Race totally worn down at the end of the game? It won't have to simply be the Trayce and Race show next season. You can have Trayce give max effort for 30 minutes and Race max effort for 25. Geronimo, Duncomb, and the freshmen will all be contributors off the bench. I have to think Woodson has a plan for Duncomb, and has shared that with Logan, or he would not still be there. In the backcourt, I still think you need X for 30 minutes a night as long as he stays out of foul trouble. JHS and Bates for 20-25 minutes a night each. I'm leaning towards both of them starting. Galloway will need to score better to get more than 15-20 minutes a game. Kopp may slip to 10-15 minutes depending on matchups and injuries. I think CJ Gunn will surprise, but could be caught in a minutes crunch. Could be this team's Geronimo, the guy a lot of fans think should play more. Leal is the guy who will play 30 when he's asked to play 30 and be just as supportive if he's not in the gameplan for that night. Of course, I have no real idea how it will play out, and injuries can and will shake things up on a game to game basis. But, I do know I am as excited as I have been in a long time about the direction of the team.

How are you defining 'Southern'? Romeo is undoubtedly from the Southern part of the state. Bedford, by definition, is in Southern Indiana as well, so Damon would have to be considered as well. Cheaney, like Bird, was a little unheralded out of high school, but is Sisley better than the Big Ten's all time leading scorer?

I think #14 is a little high unless we find some consistent outside shooting. 25 years ago? Assuming Trayce stayed, this would be a Top 5 team. Today? Without better outside shooting, we're likely Top 25. But, not Top 15.

Marquee games like Arizona and Kansas on the schedule are fantastic. But, a non-conference schedule that truly prepares a team needs to include some quality mid-majors. I think that is the area where IU has failed the last several years. It's been a few high profile games and a lot of sub-300 low majors. The schedule needs a few A-10, Missouri Valley, WCC, etc. level games on it as well.