JF87

It's okay to root for the team to win and still think that Mike Woodson isn't the right man to coach IU. Unless he wins the BTT and makes the NCAA Tournament this will be a down year which shouldn't happen in year three with IU's resources. I'd love for coach Woodson to prove me wrong, but until he does, I know we've underperformed all 3 years that Woodson has been our coach.

Sure, recruits talk. "Have you seen that antiquated offense that IU runs? " Sheesh, IU rarely runs anything for three-point shooters." "I don't want to play in that coach Woodson offense, I'd just be feeding the post all night!" I think recruits are having these conversations all the time. Hence, zero commits.

I agree on both. MgBako will most likely work out for teams and if he doesn't get a draft guarantee, he'll be back at IU with a nice NIL deal.

I agree with you. However, I do believe that Dusty is smart enough to stay away from DePaul.

Please stop with "it's the fans fault"! Nothing we write on this board will alter recruiting. Contacting players on Twitter (X) is a no go, but ranting on a message board has zero effect on recruiting.

Just guessing, but barring a blowout loss to Mich or PSU, I assume Woodson is back. The only hope is that at the end of the season, Dolson meets with Woodson and lays out requirements for next year requiring top 2 finish in the Big Ten, top 15 nationally, Sweet 16 appearance, and 3 high school signees in the 2025 class. Maybe with those requirements, Woodson would choose to retire.

I thought that was a picture of Trilly Donovan.

Rumblings? I was under the impression that we have to cite sources and provide footnotes on this board. :)

Board of Trustees Agenda March 12, 2024 Discuss raise and contract extension for Mike Woodson. Discuss "Operation Btown Banners" to determine the effectiveness of our efforts to infiltrate the Fire Coach Woodson thread. Determine price to purchase Btown Banners to stop dissent if necessary. Discuss monitoring social media and providing IU fans a social credit score so "True IU" fans may be rewarded, and enemies of our current regime may be punished. Continue basketball propaganda campaign that everything is great, and everything is going as planned.

Several IU fans like to say that Dusty May is the flavor of the month. Somehow, building a program from scratch and making the Final Four doesn't prove that he's a good coach or that he'd be successful at IU. Some still demand Dusty prove himself again with another Final Four run. Well, I want Mike Woodson to prove he deserves to be the IU coach. We have an excellent draw in the Big Ten Tournament, and we have one of the more talented rosters in the Big Ten. Mike Woodson can prove me and his naysayers wrong by winning the BTT. Failure to win the BTT means Woodson is just a mediocre coach with an average year.

The NBA rookie minimum salary is $1.16 million. An NBA 2-way contract is half that, so around $580,000. I think if IU offers around $750,000 it might make sense to enjoy college life one more year.

I'm not sure getting bench depth through the portal is easier. Starters are easy because you promise them playing time and a huge NIL deal. Are good players going to want to come for 12 minutes per game even if you are offering good NIL? We were able to get Walker and Sparks last year, but no guards.

Doesn't matter. We have Xavier back and he was the key to the season. DWS

We have the perfect draw to make the BTT Finals.

Mike Woodson sales pitch- "Son, we'd like for you to play at IU next year. What's your best offer, because we'll beat it by $100K."

Really? We have to pay players just to visit? How does that fall into NIL? I thought the players had to do something to receive the money. (Oops! asked and answered)

Imo, a P5 school might take a chance on Essegian as a reserve. If Essegian wants to start or heavy minutes, he will most likely need to move to a lower level. ISU or Valpo might be a good fit.

Don't panic if guys enter the portal, they may just be trying to determine their value. Many will enter the portal and return to their current schools.

Don't worry, we can fix his free throw shooting. :)

I believe Dakich said that Buckner does not like Alford. I also read that Dolson and Alford are good friends, so that would never work.

You pay me enough and I'll spout the company line. These players aren't stupid. Money talks.

Much like what happened with Brad Stevens, I'm afraid we are going to hang onto an average coach and miss on the potential future star.

I've been active in the Fire Mike Woodson thread, and I still feel like coach Woodson is not the right coach for IU. Imo, we've underperformed with our talent and the coaching has just been adequate. However, since it appears that coach will be returning, I'm going to be fair and give him some credit on what I think he did well this year. Assemble talent- I say assemble, not recruit. We have one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten with potentially 3 future NBA players. Look around the Big Ten, no one else has much NBA talent. Change his substitution style- He abandoned the hockey shifts and has mostly played a 7-8 man rotation in the last several weeks. Rely on the seniors- During the second half of the season, Leal, Walker, and Johnson have been the bench players that have been relied on. Experience can be more valuable than talent in college basketball. Focus on Ware- As the season has progressed, we have used Ware much more as an offensive threat and focus. Play to Galloway's strengths- Gallo isn't a three-point shooter. Putting him in pick and rolls with Ware has provided solid offense with either a lob or Galloway floater. Developing MgBako- Mackenzie started the year as a three-point shooter who was lost on defense. MgBako's defense has improved and he's developing an all-around offensive game.

We should have no problem with Penn State this time. They shot 12/21 (55%) from three the first game and 9/21 (43%) in the second game. It's very unlikely they shoot that well a third time. My guess is we win by double digits.

Porter must really be jonesing for some deep-dish pizza to take that Depaul job.