IU Basketball News and Notes

[cthomas]

This is going to be fun. There is some serious potential on this team. The first month or two might be a little rough, but when these guys figure it out, bad news for the rest of the conference. This is possibly the best front court we have had in a very long time. Our backcourt will be good enough to keep everyone honest. I'm going to try to be patient and wait for everything to click, kinda like '81. Not saying we can be that good, but........

[Josh]

12 minutes ago, Demo said:

Newton is 1 of the all-time specimens. That kid just turned 18. 

Socks with sandals is cool again?  My 100 year old grandfather is back in style?

[Stuhoo]

21 minutes ago, Demo said:

Newton is 1 of the all-time specimens. That kid just turned 18. 

Please be 100% healthy Jakai Newton. 
Because if he is it’ll be a sight to see.

[Uspshoosier]

 

[Stuhoo]

1 hour ago, Uspshoosier said:

 

Holy crap…  That’ll get some instant respect from teammates before the ball ever bounces. The look on Jakai Newton’s face is something like “Shiit; that little smiling freckle-faced kid is a bad-@$$.”

Oh, and the kid never turns the ball over, and is a better recruiter than Ostrom was. 

[Demo]

My Lord, Sparks looks lean. That kid has done some good work in the last few months.

[Alford Bailey]

My son got to tag along with a buddy and watch Sparks at an open gym awhile back. Played against him 2 years in HS. Said Sparks has totally transformed his body. Doesn’t look like the same guy from HS. Hung out a little bit afterwards and PS told them he’s not coming to sit the bench and he totally expects to play behind MR.

[Stuhoo]

8 minutes ago, Alford Bailey said:

My son got to tag along with a buddy and watch Sparks at an open gym awhile back. Played against him 2 years in HS. Said Sparks has totally transformed his body. Doesn’t look like the same guy from HS. Hung out a little bit afterwards and PS told them he’s not coming to sit the bench and he totally expects to play behind MR.

Kel’el Ware better get that motor hot because Payton Sparks is gonna challenge him for that 25 minutes at the 5 spot.

[woodenshoemanHoosierfan]

Some horrific footwear in that photo. 

I guess I don't notice stuff like that. I just looked at their faces and the build on Newton. Lol

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[IUHoosierJoe]

13 hours ago, Demo said:

Newton is 1 of the all-time specimens. That kid just turned 18. 

Anybody know why Anthony Walker isn’t here?

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

47 minutes ago, IUHoosierJoe said:

Anybody know why Anthony Walker isn’t here?

I believe I read he's finishing up some classwork.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/xavier-johnson-is-ready-to-go-with-new-look-indiana-basketball-squad/

[HoosierHoopster]

23 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/xavier-johnson-is-ready-to-go-with-new-look-indiana-basketball-squad/

Interesting that X recommended players and staff followed up on his recommendations. Does look like the team will be more athletic overall -- how the changes from JHS and TJD will look are the big question, but to me it's how Race's and Kopp's departures are filled that should make the team quicker and more athletic. Can't wait to see bako and Ware's get out and go is encouraging.

 

[Demo]

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/date-set-for-iu-basketballs-hoosier-hysteria-2023/
 

Hoosier Hysteria 10/20, per Schumann. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

During the bench test, Sparks was able to earn his way in the Indiana basketball record books becoming third all-time in reps of 185 pounds passing the likes of Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo, De’Ron Davis, Robert Johnson, and more Indiana basketball alums.

https://hoosierillustrated.com/watch-payton-sparks-shows-off-strength-in-bench-press-test/

[Stuhoo]

58 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

During the bench test, Sparks was able to earn his way in the Indiana basketball record books becoming third all-time in reps of 185 pounds passing the likes of Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo, De’Ron Davis, Robert Johnson, and more Indiana basketball alums.

https://hoosierillustrated.com/watch-payton-sparks-shows-off-strength-in-bench-press-test/

That all-time leaderboard is interesting. The football middle linebacker built Freddie McSwain is the all-time leader at 30 reps, and second ever at 25 reps is...5'10", 185 lb walk-on guard Taylor Wayer. 

[CSP]

3 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

That all-time leaderboard is interesting. The football middle linebacker built Freddie McSwain is the all-time leader at 30 reps, and second ever at 25 reps is...5'10", 185 lb walk-on guard Taylor Wayer. 

Wing span, a large one,  is a significant disadvantage when it comes to bench press. It doesn't necessarily surprise me someone like Wayer was way up there. 

Little surprise Yogi wasn't higher. 

[Stuhoo]

11 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Wing span, a large one,  is a significant disadvantage when it comes to bench press. It doesn't necessarily surprise me someone like Wayer was way up there. 

Little surprise Yogi wasn't higher. 

True, and Cody Zeller has a really short wingspan for a seven footer. DeRon Davis is impressive.

[Hovadipo]

Wayer was yoked too, IIRC. 

[CSP]

1 minute ago, Hovadipo said:

Wayer was yoked too, IIRC. 

To say the least