IUBB Players in the Portal/Draft Exploratory Status

[Honkyman 1,670]

The problem with losing Race Thompson is IU is already down one big with Michael Durr leaving. Nobody knows if Sparks will truly be available. Michael Lewis may persuade him to stay at Ball State. Then if TJD leaves there is nobody to play the middle. Even if TJD goes to the combine with the option of coming back, IU won't know one way or another if he will return.

[Ryno6284 2,645]

4 hours ago, Chris007 said:

My guess is Race. 

So.......... you're saying TJD is Staying?! 

[RaceToTheTop 25,622]

18 minutes ago, Honkyman said:

The problem with losing Race Thompson is IU is already down one big with Michael Durr leaving. Nobody knows if Sparks will truly be available. Michael Lewis may persuade him to stay at Ball State. Then if TJD leaves there is nobody to play the middle. Even if TJD goes to the combine with the option of coming back, IU won't know one way or another if he will return.

 

[Golfman25 5,330]

4 hours ago, yogisballin said:

I figured that he would probably go and get some feedback. Will hear what woody has been telling him for a year now. Needs a jumper and being able to finish with his right hand and over left shoulder.


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Woody also said in the final press conference that Trace "was ready."  From what I have seen on the interweb, he's primarily mid second round projected.  He can contineu to develop in the G league with a nice contract and take his shot.  After that, there is a boatload  of money overseas.  He'll go.  

[Golfman25 5,330]

22 minutes ago, Honkyman said:

The problem with losing Race Thompson is IU is already down one big with Michael Durr leaving. Nobody knows if Sparks will truly be available. Michael Lewis may persuade him to stay at Ball State. Then if TJD leaves there is nobody to play the middle. Even if TJD goes to the combine with the option of coming back, IU won't know one way or another if he will return.

If IU loses out to Ball State, then watch out.  And I like Mike Lewis.  :)  

[Ryno6284 2,645]

1 minute ago, Golfman25 said:

If IU loses out to Ball State, then watch out.  And I like Mike Lewis.  :)  

Losing out to ball state with the old coach isn't the same as losing to ball state with Mike Lewis as a brand new coach!

[Ryno6284 2,645]

I don't even care if we get Sparks!!!  

[RaceToTheTop 25,622]

9 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

If IU loses out to Ball State, then watch out.  And I like Mike Lewis.  :)  

That would also mean Illinois, Oklahoma, Virginia, Iowa State and a lot of others lost out to Ball State.  He's guaranteed a starting spot AND a focal piece of their offense, maybe the focal piece at Ball State.  It's not always about players choosing the team with the most resources.

[Chris007 43,910]

33 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

So.......... you're saying TJD is Staying?! 

I still think it’s 50/50

[Alford Bailey 12,373]

35 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

If IU loses out to Ball State, then watch out.  And I like Mike Lewis.  :)  

Muncie is a half hour from home for Sparks

[vemmeistars 202]

1 hour ago, Honkyman said:

The problem with losing Race Thompson is IU is already down one big with Michael Durr leaving. Nobody knows if Sparks will truly be available. Michael Lewis may persuade him to stay at Ball State. Then if TJD leaves there is nobody to play the middle. Even if TJD goes to the combine with the option of coming back, IU won't know one way or another if he will return.

I get the concern, but if you consider the transfer portal, odds are IU will find someone competent. They can easily sell usage if tjd/race, ncaa appearance and bigger stage to 99% of guys within portal. Also if they land reneau or duncomb takes a step that would the fill the gap at the 5.

[IU - Kaulie 1,891]

I put the chance of TJD returning at 0%

Woodson has recently said ‘he’s ready’.  That’s pretty telling.  

I still have doubts he gets drafted but he isn’t going to get any better.

I think Race is still up in the air.

 

 

[HoosierX 1,558]

1 hour ago, Golfman25 said:

Woody also said in the final press conference that Trace "was ready."  From what I have seen on the interweb, he's primarily mid second round projected.  He can contineu to develop in the G league with a nice contract and take his shot.  After that, there is a boatload  of money overseas.  He'll go.  

His name is Trayce with a y. Not a big deal but misspelling our players names is a pet peeve of mine.

[RaceToTheTop 25,622]

44 minutes ago, Alford Bailey said:

Muncie is a half hour from home for Sparks

I grew up ten minutes from where he lived.

There literally is nothing around where he grew up....Muncie is considered the big city.

[RaceToTheTop 25,622]

21 minutes ago, HoosierX said:

His name is Trayce with a y. Not a big deal but misspelling our players names is a pet peeve of mine.

Sorrie.

[Golfman25 5,330]

1 hour ago, Ryno6284 said:

Losing out to ball state with the old coach isn't the same as losing to ball state with Mike Lewis as a brand new coach!

Let's see, Big 10, the Big Dance (possibly, hopefully) and a big role cause the other big guys are gone or the tallest miget in the MAC.  Give me a minuite to think about it.  Yeah, no.  If the kid is legit, he won't be returing to Ball State.   And as I said, I like Mike Lewis and frankly hope he can keep him.  

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,298]

I put the chance of TJD returning at 0%
Woodson has recently said ‘he’s ready’.  That’s pretty telling.  
I still have doubts he gets drafted but he isn’t going to get any better.
I think Race is still up in the air.
 
 

The hate is real with TJD. It’s interesting. “He isn’t going to get any better”? I don’t know about that. Draft stock wise, maybe. But individually, no reason to think he won’t improve.

I tend to think he’ll move on if he thinks he goes in first round. If projected 2nd, just would depend on his mindset.


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[IU - Kaulie 1,891]

40 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

The hate is real with TJD. It’s interesting. “He isn’t going to get any better”? I don’t know about that. Draft stock wise, maybe. But individually, no reason to think he won’t improve.

I tend to think he’ll move on if he thinks he goes in first round. If projected 2nd, just would depend on his mindset.


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He hasn’t improved the weaknesses in his game since he stepped on campus. Show me his jumper or his other hand.  He can work on his game at the next level (if he gets there) the same as he can at IU.

My point is Woodson saying ‘he’s ready’.  I’m sure he told TJD the same thing in his last meeting.  I would be shocked if he returns.

[Golfman25 5,330]

41 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

The hate is real with TJD. It’s interesting. “He isn’t going to get any better”? I don’t know about that. Draft stock wise, maybe. But individually, no reason to think he won’t improve.

I tend to think he’ll move on if he thinks he goes in first round. If projected 2nd, just would depend on his mindset.


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Does anyone project him in the first round?  Most I have seen is mid second round.  I guess things can change, but realisically he doesn't yet have the tools for the NBA, yet.  I can certainly see an NBA team taking him and giving him a plan cause he has the talent to get there.  Just needs to complete his game.    

[Honkyman 1,670]

11 hours ago, vemmeistars said:

if you consider the transfer portal, odds are IU will find someone competent.

The odds are IU would land nobody better than Michael Durr. Trading Race Thompson for another Michael Durr isn't a very good outcome. If Race wants to get on with his life, maybe play ball overseas, fine. He should be encouraged to do so. But if he is thinking about transferring, Woodson should persuade him to stay.