TTT

Faith Wiseman 6’4”. Just pointing out that she is available to play a little bit as a sophomore and develop more playing time her junior and senior year. Gracie Merkle is a pass for me as well after reading the article I posted.

Actually, if he/they want both, Woodson and Buckner could have several job opportunities that would pay well surrounding their resumes….. Something many individuals don’t have.

Great example of weaving by elites Pam Whitten and Scott Dolson in the introduction of the new coach.

FEATURED Column | Gracie Merkle has become a liability for Penn State Noah Aberegg | The Daily Collegian Jan 27, 2025 2 min to read Center Gracie Merkle (44) shoots the ball during the Penn State women's basketball game against Rutgers at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Scarlet Knights beat the Nittany Lions 73-77. Samantha DiCamillo Coming into the 2024-25 campaign, 6-foot-6 center Gracie Merkle was hailed as the biggest acquisition for Penn State. "We are thrilled to welcome Gracie to our Penn State family," coach Carolyn Kieger told Penn State Athletics. "Her dominance in the post is unparalleled.” Merkle led Bellarmine in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage last season – the latter of which she led the nation, draining 70.2% of her shots. Through 12 games, Merkle displayed that success at Penn State, leading the team with 20.3 points per game. Her scoring ranked in the top five in the Big Ten, and Merkle’s play was unstoppable. That was, until the final game of 2024, when she was shut out against Minnesota. With only one field goal attempt in 21 minutes, Merkle was empty for the first time. While she’s found the net in each game since, the Bellarmine transfer hasn’t returned to her early-season level of productivity. Arguably, she’s been worse, and her play has been a liability for the blue and white. Physically, Merkle has all the attributes of a successful center. She’s 6-foot-6 and has the height to out-rebound opponents. She also has a large frame, giving her the ability to work in the paint. However, Merkle doesn’t often out-rebound opponents and her paint play is minimal. When the Mount Washington, Kentucky, native is on the court, she simply stands under the basket waiting for a pass and an opportunity to score. This worked through the first two months as she put up double-digit field goal attempts in nine games. However, teams began scouting how she scored and planned against that, which was highlighted against Minnesota. Double-teamed and denied down low, Merkle hasn’t found another way to score. With her big frame, Merkle has the size to work from the high post and back down defenders to the basket. She has the body to be physical and fight for points – but she doesn’t. Instead, she stands as a liability to the Lady Lions, committing 2.4 fouls per game and 3.2 turnovers per game. When Merkle does occasionally drive, she does so forcefully – too forcefully with her frame. She often commits a charging foul and turns the ball over as a result. The Lady Lions have committed too many turnovers to succeed this season, but Merkle’s frequent dropped passes in the paint have turned what should’ve been easy points into turnovers. Against Rutgers on Sunday, Merkle came off the bench for the first time this season after starting 20 straight games for the blue and white. When asked why Merkle came off the bench, Kieger offered a simple, yet telling answer. “Practice. Whoever practices hard earns it,” Kieger said. Merkle has been seen as one of the slower players on the court, and while her large frame can slow her down, her level of hustle isn’t on par with the rest of the Lady Lions. Some thoughts on Gracie Merkle playing at Penn State.

Thanks Sidney Parrish for redemption of the Hamilton Southeastern connection.

Success is going to be determined by wisely implementing NIL money program to put together a chemical dependent team chemistry that represents all things Indiana mens basketball eliteness and coach it….On and off court. high school age and transfer portal blend recruitment. positive university, community involvement and service representation. Culture and Image….identifiable that is IU men’s basketball in a championship way. Bring some constructive discipline to the 3 ball game.

✅

8 points per game. She could play. Not a high impact player but solid role player. Overall, would fit T. Moren and IU Ladies and contribute. A few points, a couple rebounds. Defense would as usual need to improve but seems like a buy in type player if she were to go to IU. High character.

So many airplane flights having to turn around and go back to their original departure locations. I hope they all arrive safely.

IU is a football school and looks forward to the beautiful fall days at the football stadium.

Hopefully, for IU’s sake no one until mindset is changed….Then go from there

This hire is about as exciting as missing the March Madness Tournament. Solid coaching experience. Knowledgeable and son is successful player…..Ok hire. All this mystery for the last month for this. By the way Brad Stevens knows what he’s got with Boston. No dummy. Most IU fans will talk themselves into this is a home run. Lol…..It has potential (and should have considering NIL)

Dennis Rodman might be available

Will the real IU fans whoever IU hires as the next men’s basketball coach talk themselves into believing this was the awaited grand slam hire?

Names that have initials with most integrity: DeVries…. D.D. Alford… S.A. McCollum… B.M. and the others or Stevens… B.S.

Is DeVries going to coach both, Iowa and Indiana? 2 Part time jobs. Don’t these guys ever make enough money?

COACH HUMP

Gracie Merkle Penn State 6’6” maybe…can she run the floor better than….Ballo.

Ben McCollum passed D.D. interview with flying colors. Real, and stated his heart is with his team and expects as much from his team. Observation: He will not be at Drake next year.

Actually, ever since T. Moren was hired and shortly thereafter I felt IU Ladies basketball was superior to men’s IU basketball program in their respective fields (caught on during the Buss and Cahill years)…..Not just winning and losing but the difference in the high character of representing IU and the community from both, coaches and players (after smoothing some things out to establish a very positive culture)….A tribute for to T. Moren leadership and achievement. Several years (probably 5 or 6) ago I posted who was going to win a national championship first IU Ladies or IU men? Currently, neither has happened. However, IU Ladies thus far has a big ten regular season championship and won several March Madness games and an NIT to get things going from the fans. One of the few but given the circumstances…I thought T. Moren was an excellent hire for IU Ladies when she was hired.

Unless it’s been Brad Stevens all along all possibilities are on the table including an April Fool’s joke.

Regarding Brad Stevens it must be unbelievable feeling to be wanted in high level jobs/careers that are so prestigious, fun, and something you love and all of them are many multi millions of dollars endeavors. (Jobs/careers). Brad Stevens for president.

Patience, a process, time, research, resources, behind the scenes, top notch decision making, secretiveness, future vision, evaluating, and game changing decisions = Mike Davis, Tom Crean, Archie Miller, Mike Woodson AND……..

What a story that would be if IU men were March Madness 2025 Champs and even a bigger story if both, IU men and Ladies were 2025 March Madness Champs.

Indiana 0 big ten tournament championships in 27 years. 2025 an Indiana connection in the final game of the big ten tournament championship. Lol.