IU Basketball News and Notes

[Pagoda]

Interesting.  Nicely written little note.  Can’t hurt.

 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

57 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

Interesting.  Nicely written little note.  Can’t hurt.

 

This man knows he needs 3 of 4.  And he isn’t counting on @OSU.  Smart man, but a nerve racking predicament. 

[Uspshoosier]

42 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

This man knows he needs 3 of 4.  And he isn’t counting on @OSU.  Smart man, but a nerve racking predicament. 

He gets it.   Leading a program like IU you don’t distance yourself from the fans or at least the students.   Self did the same thing after the Cincy game.  After they lost he went over to the student section and gave them a speech about how they needed them Monday night.   

[Jeff Flabjohns]

His next dumb letter should be an apology to students 

[Jeff Flabjohns]

Carr in his media availability this morning says the job came together in just the last 10-12 days, he never thought he’d leave the Pacers. 
He’s emotional talking about leaving them…had really worked his way up there. 
You don’t make this move without complete confidence in the coach and administrations vision to build a winning program. 
 

 

[Jeff Flabjohns]

“No other blue blood has someone like me on staff, with my experience”. 
Getting Cig vibes watching this presser. Dude is here for all the right reasons
 

Also points out the roster has been too reliant on seniors the last two years—akin to overpaying in Free agency. 

[Stuhoo]

It is encouraging that Dolson has immediately recognized a problem, and that 2/3 of the way through season one, he has taken a real step to change the narrative. 

Carr makes the salient point that this year's team has had basically the exact same roster building strategy that Woodson used, and that it is largely a losing strategy.

[Jeff Flabjohns]

3 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

It is encouraging that Dolson has immediately recognized a problem, and that 2/3 of the way through season one, he has taken a real step to change the narrative. 

Carr makes the salient point that this year's team has had basically the exact same roster building strategy that Woodson used, and that it is largely a losing strategy.

It sounds like from Carr’s presser it was predominantly Devries who initiated and had all the discussions about with him this role. Now that might have been kicked off by Dolson going to coach, not sure.  

[BGleas]

2 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

It is encouraging that Dolson has immediately recognized a problem, and that 1/3 of the way through season one, he has taken a real step to change the narrative. 

Carr makes the salient point that this year's team has had basically the exact same roster building strategy that Woodson used, and that it is largely a losing strategy.

Could be pr spin, but according to this article and Carr's comments, it sounds like this was a DeVries, not necessarily a Dolson move. 

Sounds like DeVries and Carr have been talking and texting somewhat regularly since DeVries got the job. 

https://www.insidethehall.com/2026/02/25/new-iu-executive-director-of-basketball-ryan-carr-excited-for-opportunity-ahead-in-bloomington/

[Jeff Flabjohns]

Coach would have had to be given clearance from Scott that the role could exist and be compensated, but I’m hopeful it was DDv who was the mastermind behind it. It’s a really encouraging hire either way

[Jeff Flabjohns]

Honestly, hearing him speak has me more fired up about the direction of the program than I’ve been in years. This feels like a game-changing move. 

[Stuhoo]

4 minutes ago, Jeff Flabjohns said:

It sounds like from Carr’s presser it was predominantly Devries who initiated and had all the discussions about with him this role. Now that might have been kicked off by Dolson going to coach, not sure.  

I call bullshirt that Devries initiated this. Entirely possible that Devries agreed that this was a good idea, but Carr says he had zero prior relationship with Devries.

Carr and and Dolson are fellow members of the fraternity of Bob Knight IU student managers. Dolson and Carr clearly have a long-standing pre-existing relationship, and to me this is clearly a Dolson initiative.

[Jeff Flabjohns]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

I call bullshirt that Devries initiated this. Entirely possible that Devries agreed that this was a good idea, but Carr says he had zero prior relationship with Devries.

Carr and and Dolson are fellow members of the fraternity of Bob Knight IU student managers. Dolson and Carr clearly have a long-standing pre-existing relationship, and to me this is clearly a Dolson initiative.

Yeah, fair. You’re probably right. Well executed by Dolson. Planted the seed and made sure Coach & Carr spent significant time talking to determine whether it would be a good match. DDv had final say on offering the role. 

Not necessarily 0 relationship though. Met DDv and his family during the Pacers playoff run last year. Texts him before and after all games.

[Pagoda]

My one concern is any time pro guys come down to the college game I get a little nervous.  Evaluating and working with younger developing players is a different art/skill from assessing much more polished and mature NBA level guys.

It may be fine, it's just something I'm sure everyone has noticed in when NBA guys come to CBB or NFL guys go to CFB.

Don't get me wrong, I like Carr.  Hoping for the best...

[str8baller]

14 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

My one concern is any time pro guys come down to the college game I get a little nervous.  Evaluating and working with younger developing players is a different art/skill from assessing much more polished and mature NBA level guys.

It may be fine, it's just something I'm sure everyone has noticed in when NBA guys come to CBB or NFL guys go to CFB.

Don't get me wrong, I like Carr.  Hoping for the best...

I get that. But out of all the pro leagues, the NBA is probably closest to the HS level in scouting. It wasn’t long ago they were directly scouting HS kids. And often times they’re trading or drafting developmental guys that are 20-21 yrs old. Jermaine Oneal was a 21 yr old bench warmer when he was traded to the Pacers. Al Harrington and Johnathon Bender were HS draftees.  Paul Grorge was 20 when drafted. 
 

Yea, he’s going to be scouting more 17yr olds for recruiting, but most of the NIL stuff should be right in his wheelhouse I would think. 

[str8baller]

36 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

I call bullshirt that Devries initiated this. Entirely possible that Devries agreed that this was a good idea, but Carr says he had zero prior relationship with Devries.

Carr and and Dolson are fellow members of the fraternity of Bob Knight IU student managers. Dolson and Carr clearly have a long-standing pre-existing relationship, and to me this is clearly a Dolson initiative.

I agree. And from a PR stand point, there’s only one way to present it: Coach wanted it. Anything other than that and it looks like an early vote of no confidence.  
 

Either way, if CDD earnestly accepts the help then it is all kind of moot. 

[skhoosier2]

2 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

I call bullshirt that Devries initiated this. Entirely possible that Devries agreed that this was a good idea, but Carr says he had zero prior relationship with Devries.

Carr and and Dolson are fellow members of the fraternity of Bob Knight IU student managers. Dolson and Carr clearly have a long-standing pre-existing relationship, and to me this is clearly a Dolson initiative.

Exactly.  I don't see that Darien initiated this.  I am sure he's accepted that its necessary, but I doubt he was the one that thought of this first.

[TadQueasy]

3 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

Exactly.  I don't see that Darien initiated this.  I am sure he's accepted that its necessary, but I doubt he was the one that thought of this first.

Which is why I think it was a necessary statement to DDV that things needs to change and change quickly.    

[AZ Hoosier]

14 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

Exactly.  I don't see that Darien initiated this.  I am sure he's accepted that its necessary, but I doubt he was the one that thought of this first.

So long as CDDV doesn't banish Carr to the end of the hall and ignore him like the last guy did with his "helper".

[skhoosier2]

Just now, AZ Hoosier said:

So long as CDDV doesn't banish Carr to the end of the hall and ignore him like the last guy did with his "helper".

haha yea that was pretty bad. But unsurprising given Woody's ego.

I would think if this is Dolson's call, he is going to insist CDD find a way to work thru this.  I guess CDD could always look to another job if this isn't what he wants but I feel this is absolutely necessary given today's landscape in college sports.