BA47591

I think it has to be an Alpha personality that is proven. Beard recently referenced RMK during their win over Kentucky. I'm telling myself it was wink to Dolson.

If I knew one of your first 3 was our guy, I'd be pretty pleased. Beard referenced RMK at half time of his UK win. I might be reaching but the timing was interesting.

It would calm things down.

Brad Stevens hadn't coached college basketball in 10 years. Much has changed.

I know Dolson talks frequently to Brad Stevens and although I doubt he ever wants to come back to Indiana as a coach, I'm sure his opinion during the coaching search would be valued. Beard checks all of the boxes. Helluva staff, Adam's would be great in the area recruiting. We can't really gamble on another mid-major, we need an Alpha male to coach at IU, the list is short. I'm in the minority but I'm not sold on Dusty as our coach.

Well he's earning the the cruelty he'll be subjected to the next game. It will be awful at AH.

You're reading my mind. It's a deep class with a little bit of everything.

Great effort. Why Rice had the ball I'm not sure.

I thought last year we suffered because of the overall personality of the team lacking toughness. Then there's this year's group. Doesn't it all go back to the culture of the team. It's lack of desire to win at all costs. Several of our key players, ones with loads of talent, lack the ability to process on both ends and seem to have zero since of urgency. The last offensive play that we drew up wasn't changed after we went from timeout, in bounds on the side to then under the basket, but we made multiple substitutions in that time which would tend to cause confusion. There is definitely a noticeable disconnect now and it goes back to the lack of a culture and inability to have one or two things that we define our program by.

We lose these next two, I don't see how the administration or the group around Woody would have him coaching when Dusty May comes into Assembly Hall.

There are a couple of strong candidates in the SEC. We definitely need a face of the program with a strong staff. We've made all of the mistakes you can make: hiring interim (Davis). Then the President made the hire (Sampson). Then there was Coach Crean. Then the hot young name. Now we have our NBA alum that was picked by the BOT. I think I trust Dolson on this one. Bynington is interesting. I'm a Beard guy myself. I think we've established our financial resources and are ahead of the curve as revenue sharing sets to come on line. IU is a heavy load for someone to take on and we'll probably pay handsomely for the guy we get. I would rule out Bruce Pearl because of that. He loses the majority of his roster after thus season.

When the roster was put together we looked 8-9 deep as a 4 out unit capable of 40 seamless minutes of basketball. That's what was paid for. Then out came the super slow version of last year's double big bs. Right now our best offense has been Galloway in the pick and roll with Ballo and Goode for the kick out. Rice has been disappointing as a pick and roll pg. He's looked better off the ball as a secondary facilitator shooting the ball or getting down hill. Although it will never happen, I think our most effective line-up would be: Ballo, Goode, Galloway, Rice and Tucker. Heavy drop coverage from Ballo and less switching on ball sscreens. Until Mgbako becomes engaged on the defensive end or thoroughly outplays Goode at the stretch 4 he can come off the bench. Reneau is an enigma. He's really someone that gives you empty stats, horrific defense at both the 4 and 5 and only has the left going to his right. He holds the ball too long before he decided what to do, but he will give you 15 and 6 a game. This roster was put together to match the off season statements Woody made. "We need great guard play." "I wanna play 4 out." There are coaches, many coaches that would be 17-3, 18-2 with this group.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Woodys dream line-up may start. Reneau, Mgbako, Goode, Rice and Ballo. If that's the case we won't be able to guard any position. Maryland 82 Pacer Pick-up Team 68

Ballo is turning into a respectable passer.

When he checked in I assumed it would be for Ballo. Instead we had Goode, Mgbako, Ballo and Reneau all on the floor together. It's infuriating.

That Mississippi and Mississippi State game was a good one last night.

4m dollar buy out after this season. His family still lives in Green County. Am I sold on him as the face of our program....I wasn't, but he's so significantly better than what we have and I'm not sure there will be a better option. Note. Buckners term ends this summer.

I really hope someone sticks a mic in Buckners face at some point. His legacy needs to take a hit for this too.

Imagine losing by 35 at home and being able to say "it wasn't as close as the score indicates."

Going with the trends. We'll get beat and Illinois is a well coached team so it will be by minimum 15pts. Illinois 88 Indiana 67

I got hot when when I realized we weren't taking serious the idea of pursuing the best Indiana natives in the portal. We were being patronized with the Hickmans, Hatton, the shooter from Clemson and the late, half-assed efforts with Conwell and Humrichous. I wanted Gillespie at point, Conwell the 2 and Dre Davis at the 3. Ballo would be great with that and Mgbako. But my favorite player in the portal was Wolf. He might be the only big in the country that could work with Reneau. Right now I think Woody gets it and will hold Reneau out as long as possible. We'll see if winning matters more than whatever promise he gave Reneau in the off season.

We need what all of the great women's teams have, size and length, preferably athletic size. Right now the two California teams and Michigan seem to be doing the best jobs recruiting.

We need to win as many games as possible while Reneau is out.

If we go on the road and beat PS with Reneau out we hopefully grow from that.

The Ballo, Mgbako and 3 guard stuff looked sustainable. I looked out there once and even saw 3 guards, Tucker and Ballo.