AH1971

Last year was arguably the least athletic IU team I've seen in over 60 years watching them. The 5 you just laid somehow one ups last years team which I didn't think was possible.

They went on a nice tournament run. Doesn't negate the fact that Iowa was an ok to average team all stinkin year.

They were .500 in the B10.... You thought Bailey was a starting caliber big in this conference lol. No wonder why you like this lineup.

I don't care who leaves but if that's our starting 5 next year DeVries needs to get that resume updated.

They're going to get more than 4 portal players, especially if Olsen is one of them.

This guy is a former top 40 recruit who has gotten progressively worse each year.

Woof

Headcase. Can't shoot. Still really long and athletic and can defend multiple positions. Wouldn't be surprised to see him reunite with Wade at LSU.

It would have been preposterous given the circumstances. But because Woodson got all in the feelings of a bunch of old dudes he had to go.

If you say so…

Who cares? Woodson deserved a 4th year to right the ship after taking IU to the tournament back to back years. Even in hindsight I still hold that opinion. I really don’t care if you agree with me or not. My opinion had zero bearing on any of the outcomes that followed. Flattered you hold me in such high regard. Thanks? There’s no album to play over. Dusty is at Michigan and not at IU. Get over yourself. Dusty May had the chance to take his “dream job” last year yet decided to sign an extension instead with Michigan. It is what it is.

I’m not doing anything other than stating facts lol. Not sure what Woodson deserving a 4th year and what Michigan spent on their basketball roster this year have to do with one another. Oh well.

It’s easy to inflate the numbers of Mara and Johnson in retrospect, given both have blossomed into potential first round picks. But Mara was a project and Morez couldn’t start on an average Illinois team. Neither of these two were commanding bidding wars among multiple suitors.

I’m sure there’s feelers out to a bunch of guys. But he’s a good player with direct connections to the staff. And if he’s ready to commit when the portal opens next week, you take a starting caliber big from a top 20 team. He’s one of the best 3-4 centers in the portal.

Not sure settling is the word I’d use for a starting center on a top 20 team that’s super efficient with good defensive metrics. But to each their own.

Do we have our starting 5? I don’t think so but would guess Fru and Burton are two good bets to join it. The announcement of Carr and the timing of Fru entering the portal give off decent tea leaves and the ND boards seem pretty resigned to the fact Burton is going to IU. Saw someone else mention Houston, and I guess good for Burton if he can land in that program, but he doesn’t seem like a Sampson guard at all.

He’s got B10 size at 6’11 255. He’s not a high usage player which I don’t think is DeVries forte anyway. Stupid efficient around the rim with solid rebounding and block rates. Not a wow athlete but isn’t going to be overwhelmed by the size and athleticism in this league. He’s a platoon player that can probably max out at 25mpg. They’ll be bringing in another big, hopefully one with multiple years of eligibility. I like the Gurdak kid from Virginia Tech. 6’10 260 freshman who made 10 starts. Not a flashy stat line but was productive enough in limited minutes. Not sure he’s good enough to command a high pay day and larger role on a good P5 team just yet but would be a solid backup for most anybody.

Sounding like Fru and Burton are takes. Not over the moon, but clear upgrades in positional talent. Really want Singleton as the 4. Already has the body of an upperclassmen with a clear trajectory of growth. Defensively, the front court would immediately upgrade from a position of weakness to a position of strength. Getting Singleton likely gets you Cooper, probably at a discount, who could play a key rotational piece with a chance at an expanded role as an upperclassmen. Still need two starting caliber guards, preferably one a knock down shooter and the other an athletic two way player. Also need a backup big.

I think DeVries can coach. I also think it's extremely hard to win consistently in the B10 without adequate size or talent. Both things can be true. Let's see what next years team is capable of before closing the roof on DeVries ceiling after a single year.

Bingo

Beard was a zero take. McCollum wasn't interested. I could have gotten on board with Schertz although DeVries has owned Schertz head to head. And I don't really recall that many people pining for Schertz after going 19-15 the year prior.

In terms of upgrading the talent no not a terrible start, but need athleticism and shooters at 3-4 more spots with a good chunk of your NIL spent.

And that's part of a bigger problem. Who else were the fans expecting to get?

He's the best big in the portal and arguably the best player in the portal. He'll set the market assuming something crazy happens. If he's only commanding $4-4.5 million I like where the market sits.

He could only play drop coverage at UCLA because of his proficiency to foul. Teams exploited him night in and night out.