Shooter

I have zero sources, but can't see how that would make sense for either player. We have a clear role available for a bigger shooting forward off the bench. But not for two of them. I like both players, but if Goode wants to come here I think that's a no brainer. We need to add a role player who is good, but not so good that he'll be unhappy coming off the bench. Goode is a proven quality role player at the Big Ten level. He's from an IU family. The fit does not get any cleaner than that.

Goode would be an excellent fit here. A Mgbako - Goode forward pairing will hold up defensively against all but the biggest opponents. And offensively, that is an outstanding fit next to the penetrating guards we will have. I consider Goode to be a high level role player, first or second guy off the bench type. I doubt we are going to find anyone better for the role we have available.

I think he'd play here. Assuming we get Carlyle, I see Essegian as our fourth guard. And he provides something entirely different from the other three, that we have been dying for - a lights out spot up shooter. He's not getting starter minutes, but I see him in the rotation.

I don't think it's a big deal. I've been through the recruiting process for work a few times. Pretty similar process to us bringing in players. They put you up in a nice hotel, get the serious stuff and interviews done during the day, and then take you out to a nice dinner. People typically have a drink or two at the dinner. I think a recruit going to the Bluebird on a recruiting visit is basically the college kid equivalent of me having a drink at Ruth's Chris.

Great get in Ballo. If we're going to play with a traditional 5, may as well grab one of the best in the country. We've talked a lot this offseason about a potential Reneau-Mgbako frontcourt pairing, and the potential rebounding / defense limitations of that tandem. A Ballo-Mgbako pairing doesn't have that issue - and still spaces the floor for our penetrating guards. I know the two bigs will play together plenty. But I really hope we also see a fair amount of the Ballo-Mgabko frontcourt.

I do not agree at all with that first sentence. I love the Rice addition. For the 2 guard spot, it's not that complicated - some people prefer the guy who has already made "the leap", over the guy who hasn''t yet. It's not an anti-Carlyle sentiment. He is clearly talented, and may very well make that leap next season. But Conwell already made it. He has already shown he's capable of being a key contributor and efficient shooter on volume for a good team. Carlyle has not, yet.

Rice was my #1 priority from the portal. Love this signing. Now let's get a big time shooter to go with him.

Agree. If Woodson is married to Reneau being a 4, I think Ballo is pretty much the best case scenario as the 5. He's an absolutely elite rebounder, which fills a big need for us.

I think Rice will be a fine shooter. But I agree, if we are going to play two bigs together again, both wings need to be knockdown shooters. Mgbako is one. Of the guys we're rumored to be in on, I want Conwell or Hickman for that other spot. Gallo will still get heavy minutes as sixth man. But I think Gallo lineups work best with a shooter like Mgbako at the 4.

Exactly. And for additional context, Reneau's assist rate ranked 16th out of all Big Ten players, and #1 among post players.

He's absolutely not a problem offensively. He's a post player, and a really good one. He draws consistent double teams. He does force it sometimes, but he also had the second highest assist rate on the team. Put spacing and shooting around him and he'll be a monster. Defensively he's a tweener, yes. I don't think that's an unsolvable issue.

Huntley-Hatfield can play. Would be interesting to know what kind of role Woodson has in mind.

Is there some report out there about IU and Conwell? He would absolutely be a priority target for me, but ISU is still playing and I haven't seen anything about him being in the portal.

While I have not been a fan of Woodson lately, it's March 28 and the roster still has 6 open spots. Probably need to wait a bit before making any big proclamations.

Always great to add talent. I haven't seen him play, but his scouting report sounds like a nice fit as the other forward alongside Mgbako. Let's get a few guards next.

Perkins yes. Tucker, I have no idea. Hard to know with freshmen. Mgbako was rated even higher, and was borderline unplayable early in the season.

If we add three guards/wings better than Galloway, I'll be absolutely thrilled. I would not consider it likely though. Prove me wrong Mike.

I do think the fit for Perkins is better if we go Mgabko 4 and Reneau 5. You protect a non shot blocking center with guards and wings who can keep their man out of the lane. And having a plus shooter at the 4 helps offset Perkins' relative lack of shooting. If you start Perkins and Galloway together, the 3 and 4 absolutely have to be plus shooters. And even then, spacing will still probably be an issue.

Top 10 in the country in threes attempted. Top 20 in percentage of baskets coming from assists. #1 in the nation in effective FG%. His style of play is certainly enjoyable to watch.

Perkins is a good player, just not a very good fit alongside Galloway. And especially not if we still play with two posts next year. I would not be mad if we added him but if you are choosing players in de facto "free agency", I'd rather choose a better fit. If we just add Perkins, replace Ware with a worse center, and run back the same lineup as last year I'll be pretty disappointed. Hickman is absolutely a fit, 100% agree, either as a complimentary starter or a 6th man type role.

Reneau can and has played the 5. He was the backup 5 his freshman year at IU. That was his only role most of the season. Later in the year he started to get limited minutes next to TJD at the 4. Reneau is a post player, and projects as one of the better post players in the conference. He should be our starting 5 next year. I'm all for bringing in a bigger center to be in the rotation, and I'm not opposed to occasional looks where that guy and Reneau play together. It just shouldn't be our primary option. Does Woodson agree with me... I kind of doubt it.

What? Porter Moser had ten consecutive losing conference seasons over his tenures at Illinois St and Loyola Chicago. Got fired from Illinois St. He's been to the NCAA tourney twice in about 20 years as a head coach. May has had one job, and he's killed it there. No he's not a sure thing. But his resume is way clear of Moser. He's going to get a big job, whether it's IU or elsewhere.

Definitely. This is the extension of the basketball analytics movement. In addition to coaching your own players to make more efficient choices, you can now go get players who already play the way you want. Unfortunately Woodson hasn't even caught on yet that long twos are bad shots, so I doubt IU is going to be at the forefront of this.

Agree, but this is what Northwestern does. Aggressively double the post, play physical, muddy the game up and dare the refs to call everything. They have made some pretty good Big Ten offenses look ugly the last couple of years.

He does have one more year. Stayed with FAU and Dusty this season when I'm sure he had plenty of options last offseason. I suspect he's a strong candidate to follow Dusty to his new job.