IU Basketball News and Notes

[Home Jersey 16,727]

4 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Didn’t realize he slipped all the way to 29. I think UConn was a strange choice just based on the perimeter talent they had. But he still performed well.  He needed to go to a team that had everything but a wing scorer kind of like Knecht did the year before. 
 

I can’t say that coming to last years IU team would have helped him in any way. For several reasons he couldn’t have had the role JHS did not the least of which is he would be running PnR’s with Ballo instead of TJD. 

As the resident Hurley fan of BTB, have to gently push back on the first part lol...

McNeeley won Big East freshman of the year. He put up 35 and 10 in a win at Creighton hitting 5 threes, only college freshman to do that on the road other than Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. IMO the injury hurt his stock a bit, but he also never really projected to go much higher than late in the lottery IIRC. Can't think of a program that he would've performed better at or put him in better draft position. 

RE: the part in bold -

Hard pressed to say anyone last season really thrived in Woody's systems... What a miserable year it was. Curious to see how the guys who transferred out do at their next stop. Like Gunn, Banks and Bates, I expect much better... 

Regardless of everyone's opinion on the roster talent this year, at least this staff has some established coaching chops in CBB

[Stuhoo 90,690]

19 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

As the resident Hurley fan of BTB, have to gently push back on the first part lol...

McNeeley won Big East freshman of the year. He put up 35 and 10 in a win at Creighton hitting 5 threes, only college freshman to do that on the road other than Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. IMO the injury hurt his stock a bit, but he also never really projected to go much higher than late in the lottery IIRC. Can't think of a program that he would've performed better at or put him in better draft position. 

RE: the part in bold -

Hard pressed to say anyone last season really thrived in Woody's systems... What a miserable year it was. Curious to see how the guys who transferred out do at their next stop. Like Gunn, Banks and Bates, I expect much better... 

Regardless of everyone's opinion on the roster talent this year, at least this staff has some established coaching chops in CBB

There’s a BTB Hurley fan club? Sign me up! Great coach, great motivator, great skill developer, great recruiter. The guy is the shizzit.

[str8baller 7,772]

42 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

As the resident Hurley fan of BTB, have to gently push back on the first part lol...

McNeeley won Big East freshman of the year. He put up 35 and 10 in a win at Creighton hitting 5 threes, only college freshman to do that on the road other than Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. IMO the injury hurt his stock a bit, but he also never really projected to go much higher than late in the lottery IIRC. Can't think of a program that he would've performed better at or put him in better draft position. 

Slipping from the end of the lottery to the end of the first isn’t nothing though. We’re pretty much on the same page with Hurley and McNeely, but there were times watching them where there definitely weren’t enough shots for all 3 of those guys. Pulling up a couple articles some guys dinged him for inconsistent shooting. Is that because he’s inconsistent or because he was getting an inconsistent amount of shots?  
 

I certainly can’t fault a kid for going to play for Hurley, but you can at least imagine a personnel situation that would’ve let him produce a little more, handle the ball a little more (something I think he was a little underrated at) and upped his production enough a team would take him at his projected spot.  
 

I agree on the last part. There are going to be some salty fans this year when guys like Rice or Mbako have a big game. But I don’t blame CDD for wanting a clean slate, especially with what some of those guys were paid. 

[mike vannice 484]

Whoa just saw that 7'0" international big man Sayon Keita is visiting Indiana tomorrow. One of 6 visits and he may reclass to 2026.Wow. 

Other visits are Kansas, Duke, U Conn, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Long shot but at least we are getting a visit

[Demo 24,524]

1 minute ago, mike vannice said:

Whoa just saw that 7'0" international big man Sayon Keita is visiting Indiana tomorrow. One of 6 visits and he may reclass to 2026.Wow. 

Other visits are Kansas, Duke, U Conn, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Long shot but at least we are getting a visit

6 visits in 6 days. Don’t know if I’ve ever heard of that. 

[Hoosierfanyuh 7,173]

6 minutes ago, Demo said:

6 visits in 6 days. Don’t know if I’ve ever heard of that. 

Show me your system

How much money will you give me

Do I vibe with the coach

Pretty much all  that it is these days besides long term American recruits that relationships help with. 

[Stuhoo 90,690]

Just now, Hoosierfanyuh said:

Show me your system

How much money will you give me

Do I vibe with the coach

Pretty much all  that it is these days besides long term American recruits that relationships help with. 

Or…

Show me your money.

How much money will you give me.

 

[Home Jersey 16,727]

28 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Slipping from the end of the lottery to the end of the first isn’t nothing though. We’re pretty much on the same page with Hurley and McNeely, but there were times watching them where there definitely weren’t enough shots for all 3 of those guys. Pulling up a couple articles some guys dinged him for inconsistent shooting. Is that because he’s inconsistent or because he was getting an inconsistent amount of shots?  
 

I certainly can’t fault a kid for going to play for Hurley, but you can at least imagine a personnel situation that would’ve let him produce a little more, handle the ball a little more (something I think he was a little underrated at) and upped his production enough a team would take him at his projected spot.  
 

I agree on the last part. There are going to be some salty fans this year when guys like Rice or Mbako have a big game. But I don’t blame CDD for wanting a clean slate, especially with what some of those guys were paid. 

Agree it's a big difference between end of lottery and end of the first... I think the inconsistency with shooting became more of an issue after the injury... He was their best player before the injury and still good after, but a lot less reliable game to game. He was their best perimeter player all season which worked against him IMO because he was asked to carry a bigger load than he was equipped to as a freshman. Maybe if he was on a roster where he could score more efficiently and do more playmaking he'd have better draft position. Going into the season they had much higher hopes for Mahaney than he was able to deliver. That was a portal swing and miss by Hurley. 

I digress... I attribute the slip a little more to the injury and usual draft dynamics of looking for higher upside, but agree with your point that the personnel situation could've worked out better for him/UConn. We'll see if McNeeley can stick in the NBA, good luck to the kid. 

I look forward to analyzing these situations for IU players... hopefully DDV produces plenty of pros too. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 92,932]

19 minutes ago, mike vannice said:

Whoa just saw that 7'0" international big man Sayon Keita is visiting Indiana tomorrow. One of 6 visits and he may reclass to 2026.Wow. 

Other visits are Kansas, Duke, U Conn, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Long shot but at least we are getting a visit

Sounds like he's being recruited as a '26 by most all of the schools.

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/2027-basketball-recruiting-top-international-recruit-sayon-keita-schedules-official-visits-to-kansas-kentucky-north-carolina-duke-uconn-indiana-252116195/

https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/07/28/elite-class-of-2027-big-man-sayon-keita-to-take-iu-basketball-official-visit/

https://www.on3.com/teams/indiana-hoosiers/news/2027-international-center-sayon-keita-schedules-visit-to-indiana/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL03IFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXVXNNR2xORk52Y2Z2NTNQAR5u_ZVCbmkoPfI3F8SEazu1t1TknrmbIHlASOGzSzRSiv4iAoC_xXiToLG1oQ_aem_FQuOg7SyPd-Asi55nE8dWQ

[OKHOOSIER 5,894]

1 hour ago, Home Jersey said:

As the resident Hurley fan of BTB, have to gently push back on the first part lol...

McNeeley won Big East freshman of the year. He put up 35 and 10 in a win at Creighton hitting 5 threes, only college freshman to do that on the road other than Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. IMO the injury hurt his stock a bit, but he also never really projected to go much higher than late in the lottery IIRC. Can't think of a program that he would've performed better at or put him in better draft position. 

RE: the part in bold -

Hard pressed to say anyone last season really thrived in Woody's systems... What a miserable year it was. Curious to see how the guys who transferred out do at their next stop. Like Gunn, Banks and Bates, I expect much better... 

Regardless of everyone's opinion on the roster talent this year, at least this staff has some established coaching chops in CBB

I think whether or not he can actually guard an NBA wing is the reason for the draft projection. His size makes up for a lot in high school and college. But it will be interesting to see how he is used at the NBA level due to the athleticism. They may be projecting him more as a spot up shooter. 

[Artie86 3,513]

I love the International “flavor” Coach has added to the roster. 

[Kentuckysucks 4,348]

https://youtu.be/znBCiojnKGE?si=VHkgsFXEGfe8mf6e

[RaceToTheTop 31,548]

3 hours ago, Home Jersey said:

As the resident Hurley fan of BTB, have to gently push back on the first part lol...

McNeeley won Big East freshman of the year. He put up 35 and 10 in a win at Creighton hitting 5 threes, only college freshman to do that on the road other than Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. IMO the injury hurt his stock a bit, but he also never really projected to go much higher than late in the lottery IIRC. Can't think of a program that he would've performed better at or put him in better draft position. 

RE: the part in bold -

Hard pressed to say anyone last season really thrived in Woody's systems... What a miserable year it was. Curious to see how the guys who transferred out do at their next stop. Like Gunn, Banks and Bates, I expect much better... 

Regardless of everyone's opinion on the roster talent this year, at least this staff has some established coaching chops in CBB

He actually put up 38 and 10 against Creighton.  But he also put up a 0 point game against Dayon (0 of 9 from three) and the next time he played Creighton he was 6 of 20 with no threes.  At the end of the day, he shot 38% from the field and 32% from three -- which holds a lot more weight than one game against Creighton.

[Home Jersey 16,727]

Just now, RaceToTheTop said:

He actually put up 38 and 10 against Creighton.  But he also put up a 0 point game against Dayon (0 of 9 from three) and the next time he played Creighton he was 6 of 20 with no threes.  At the end of the day, he shot 38% from the field and 32% from three -- which holds a lot more weight than one game against Creighton.

It was just an example of the system setting him up for success, nothing about his ability as an efficient scorer. 

[RaceToTheTop 31,548]

10 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

It was just an example of the system setting him up for success, nothing about his ability as an efficient scorer. 

I would say that seeing him in the McD's game last year and early on at U Conn, I think being the 29th player selected in the draft was a little underwhelming.

[Home Jersey 16,727]

11 hours ago, Kentuckysucks said:

https://youtu.be/znBCiojnKGE?si=VHkgsFXEGfe8mf6e

Thanks for posting. 

Dauster said he's confident IU can go dancing and thinks Alexis is the x-factor citing his rim protection at Chattanooga. Goodman thinks Conerway is the X factor. Dauster says he will be playing a different role setting the table for others vs being the guy at Troy. Goodman questions whether Tucker DeVries can carry a team at this level as the main guy, says Wilkerson and Bailey need to score too. Dauster thinks they will be a top 20 kenpom offense, defense is the big Q. Can we get enough stops vs B10 talent playing good team D? 

They give the roster a B grade.

[Home Jersey 16,727]

6 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

I would say that seeing him in the McD's game last year and early on at U Conn, I think being the 29th player selected in the draft was a little underwhelming.

Sure, I don't disagree, but **** happens, ya know? Sliding in the draft does not necessarily equate to it being the school or systems fault. He had to play a bigger than expected role on offense than intended because of the Mahaney misevaluation and struggled with injuries after Jan 1 / missed a lot of time ... and still won Big East freshman of the year. He went through the draft process - if he felt his stock could be improved, he surely would've chosen to come back or transfer elsewhere. He made an informed decision to go when he did and try to get to the second contract quicker presumably. We will see if he sticks in the NBA, regardless of the impact on his draft stock, I think going to UConn prepared him to play at the highest level as well as any school could have. Going to enjoy watching the MVA guys in the pros

[str8baller 7,772]

12 hours ago, Home Jersey said:

Thanks for posting. 

Dauster said he's confident IU can go dancing and thinks Alexis is the x-factor citing his rim protection at Chattanooga. Goodman thinks Conerway is the X factor. Dauster says he will be playing a different role setting the table for others vs being the guy at Troy. Goodman questions whether Tucker DeVries can carry a team at this level as the main guy, says Wilkerson and Bailey need to score too. Dauster thinks they will be a top 20 kenpom offense, defense is the big Q. Can we get enough stops vs B10 talent playing good team D? 

They give the roster a B grade.

If we’re a top 20 offense, it’ll be hard for us to miss the tourney. I’m pretty sure I posted a while back that a top 20 O and top 50 D would be a very good first season. 
 

Iowa was the only top 20 offense to miss the tourney last year and they were 168th in D (all #’s Kenpom). Other top 20ish Os with weaker D’s

 

3 seed TT at 5th/38th O snd D, respectively

8 seed Gonzaga 6/29

4 seed PU 7/53

6 seed Mizzou 6/68

3 seed UK 10/51

4 seed AZ 11/38

6 seed Illini 14/40

8 seed Uconn 15/75

9 seed Baylor 16/62

11 seed UNC 21/47

 

 we’re not going to get the SoS benefits of last years SEC teams but we won’t be as bad off as the midmajors either. Obviously, wins matter too. To me that Baylor to Arizona range looks doable. 

[HoosierHoopster 8,828]

1 hour ago, str8baller said:

If we’re a top 20 offense, it’ll be hard for us to miss the tourney. I’m pretty sure I posted a while back that a top 20 O and top 50 D would be a very good first season. 
 

Iowa was the only top 20 offense to miss the tourney last year and they were 168th in D (all #’s Kenpom). Other top 20ish Os with weaker D’s

 

3 seed TT at 5th/38th O snd D, respectively

8 seed Gonzaga 6/29

4 seed PU 7/53

6 seed Mizzou 6/68

3 seed UK 10/51

4 seed AZ 11/38

6 seed Illini 14/40

8 seed Uconn 15/75

9 seed Baylor 16/62

11 seed UNC 21/47

 

 we’re not going to get the SoS benefits of last years SEC teams but we won’t be as bad off as the midmajors either. Obviously, wins matter too. To me that Baylor to Arizona range looks doable. 

Our SOS actually looks pretty good

[Stuhoo 90,690]

14 hours ago, Home Jersey said:

Thanks for posting. 

Dauster said he's confident IU can go dancing and thinks Alexis is the x-factor citing his rim protection at Chattanooga. Goodman thinks Conerway is the X factor. Dauster says he will be playing a different role setting the table for others vs being the guy at Troy. Goodman questions whether Tucker DeVries can carry a team at this level as the main guy, says Wilkerson and Bailey need to score too. Dauster thinks they will be a top 20 kenpom offense, defense is the big Q. Can we get enough stops vs B10 talent playing good team D? 

They give the roster a B grade.

It's a good listen. My one disagreement with Dauster? (and agreement with Goodman): I'm not sure what the basis is for thinking that Alexis will be a rim protector. 

Alexis is an experienced, undersized post with good efficiency near the rim - he's a good player to have and will be rotation-worthy. But he's only 6'9" and isn't that long or explosive. Yes, he had a very good block rate at UT Chatt. At Florida his block rate was above average but not extraordinary. Alexis lost his backup big minutes at UF to Micah Handlogten. So for UF's championship run, he was behind Condon, Hough, Chinyelou, and Handlogten in their big rotation.

He should be a piece to the puzzle if this season goes well, but I'm not sure he's not the long, tall defensive presence that Dauster believes he can be.