IU Basketball News and Notes

[str8baller]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Kentuckysucks]

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

[RaceToTheTop]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Home Jersey]

3 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

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.

Broadly agree that he's a piece to the puzzle if the season goes well and Dauster may be overselling him as the "x-factor."

For the sake of conversation though, RE: the bold part - true, but having good positioning, timing, and a high motor at 6'9 can make up for the relative lack of length or elite explosiveness IMO. I didn't see him play at Chattanooga so not sure if any of that reflected in his tape or he was just dominating easier competition, but sort of steel manning Dauster's case...

Fit is so important for transfers, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I recall Timberlake going to KU a few years ago and being a lousy fit. Knecht was a great match for UT. Those four guys were ahead of him on a championship team but he could still be an impactful player at this level. Maybe the fit will be better at IU... he definitely has more opportunity for a bigger role here.

Hopefully he can be solid or Dauster is right and he can step up to be a big contributor. Can DDV set him up for success? 

At a minimum I'm excited by the idea of IUBB being the better coached team in a given game for the first time in a decade. 

[str8baller]

2 hours ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Our SOS actually looks pretty good

Yea, but last years SEC was ridiculous. There’s almost no way the B1G is close to that.  
 

So if you want a gauge of where those efficiency numbers might net out, I would look at last years B12 or B1G teams for a better comparison. 
 

Again, all this assumes a top 20 OffE, which is not a given but doable. Just a thought exercise to rebut some of the doom and gloom about our defensive personnel