str8baller

lol…I don’t even remember the exact line…might’ve been something else. Either way I think the programs that give the guys a little direction will separate themselves from the ones just splashing cash.

I’m a big fan of Wilkerson so I hope this is taken in with the spirit it’s intended. If college athletics are to mean anything in this new era, I hope it at least means they get a little help in financial management. We have the KSOB. I saw Dusty May sit on a podium and when his players were asked what they we’re going to buy with their NIL he chimed in “annuities.” Funny but probably apropos. I don’t know Wilkerson or his mom’s financial situation, so I’m not making a judgement here. But if college athletics are to mean anything in this age of NIL rosters they should endeavor to help these 18-22 year olds make wise financial decisions.

Oh yea…definitely. Have him in, have an assistant show him around, and throw him an offer that makes sense for everyone…that he’ll 99% turn down. But by no means factor him into your plans. Don’t waste any more time than the 2hr dinner with him. And if he and Wilkerson miraculously commit then drop someone else and just deal with having two of the best portal guards commit. Very sad about Dix, btw. But spending any time besides a meet and greet on campus with those guys was a waste given what you’re saying (which I believe). And that’s going to be true of lots of players going forward. A lot of agents will waste your time with no intention of sending a player your way just so they can bid up the price or show off their connections or whatever. I hope Carr helps there.

That reeks of amateurism. You have to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. Thank goodness Carr is here. If the same thing happens this year, then we have a problem.

We have Alexis who has done a yeomans job as a traditional post. And despite floating the idea earlier CDD has not played those two together with Bailey as the stretch 4. Unfortunately, I think he was just a stone cold miss by the scouting dept.

Going with my heart on this one…. IU 74 OSU 73

I would guess that kind of increase will be par for the course for most of the teams in the top 25 of spenders. Who knows though? It is a moving target. I do think IU thought they were at the top at $6mil with Woody and that giving CDD 10 was generous. It seems though that the market exploded and at least 10 (maybe more) other teams went to 10+ million. My personal opinion based on nothing is that an additional $2mil next year is more of an “inflation tax” than a substantive bump.

No, Wilkerson presents the opposite problem: he’s producing more than he’s paid. You get his production we’ll likely have to spend more. But that’s fine, some guys will pan out better and some worse. I listed him because realistically those our are main guys money-wise (as reported) who represent the biggest pool of money we have to replace. It’ll be easy to replace the other guys and hard to replace Wilkerson. But he still has to be replaced and it could cost serious money to replace that kind of production.

I think you’re closer to the truth. You save money by retaining big name guys. By most accounts Edey and Braden smith could’ve got a little more by going on the open market but Purdue ponied up enough that they were happy to stay put with the coaches, teammates and situation they knew. If say Wilkerson were coming back, Duke or somebody might offer him 3.5mil but he’d stay with us for a small bump to 3 mil. But we have role players, at best, coming back. I can’t see them taking any less money. But realistically who is going to offer a Sisley or Miles a big contract? We just have to make much better use of the Wilkerson-Tucker-Bailey-Conerway pool of money.

I was early money on this. He’s just not a smart player. We play better without him. And once injury cost him his spot it became evident to the coaches and he hasn’t been able to earn his spot back. Gotta wonder how the season would’ve played out if him and Bailey came off the bench from the beginning. Might’ve taken a game like Kentucky or Iowa.

Great take. Wilkerson leads that group for me. Talented but just puts his head down and works. Alexis and Enright with an honorable mention in that regard, too.

This lineup will need to work hard to score

Reed Bailey drive to bounce pass for a Tucker dunk won’t even be believed by AI when the play-by-play comes out.

Alexis is around a league average-ish big. Devries just insists on playing Bailey 15+ mpg who isn’t even an average-ish backup in the B1G.

Why does he need to play so little?