2023-24 IUBB ROSTER

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich 9,257]

9 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

They play very different positions, which trends towards your conclusion that it’s easier for Gunn  to be ready. However, Gunnnever played with or against the level of competition that Cupps has.

for me? I have a sneaking suspicion that CJ Gunn has a really high ceiling and could be one of those surprise program changing players.

Gunn is definitely an intriguing prospect. Athletic and a good looking jumpshot and lots of confidence. Once he gets the speed of the game down, he could be really good. Defensively he has a crazy ount of potential. Could be a really good 3-and-D guy for us that can play the 2 and 3. Honestly would like to see him play the 3.

[WayneFleekHoosier 51,079]

Smith and Cupps keep getting compared. They don’t play alike. Smith plays with more intensity. Smith was able to handle his own mostly because he competes hard. He’s fast and physical and really Ds up. Cupps plays at a slower pace. Cupps is very cerebral and tries to be a pass first PG. Cupps can shoot at the high school level but has never been a volume scorer.

My concern with Cupps is which skill does he bring that translates to B1G play. He’s shortish, he’s thinner but strong. He dribbles well but he isn’t a JHS level ball handler. Hes not unathletic but he’s also not a athlete. I think he does a lot of basketball PG things at a 7/10. I think he’d be good in a motion offense with more off ball actions. Asking Cupps to run Indianas offense like JHS or even X does, does not seem like a match.

All this said, Gotta love the kid, and i want him to be amazing. He has the mental makeup I believe to succeed.


Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners

[Honkyman 1,670]

4 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Gunn is definitely an intriguing prospect. Athletic and a good looking jumpshot and lots of confidence.

Except Gunn hasn't shown he can hit that good looking jump shot. He shot an embarrassing 8% from 3-point range this past season. 

 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,386]

3 minutes ago, Honkyman said:

Except Gunn hasn't shown he can hit that good looking jump shot. He shot an embarrassing 8% from 3-point range this past season. 

 

I think he's in the middle of "8% shooter and good looking jump shot" ... more development needed. Not a dude next year, yet, imo... maybe defensive help sparingly. 

[WayneFleekHoosier 51,079]

I don't know. Gunn just seems bigger (taller) and more athletic than Cupps. Like I said...I've seen limited highlights and he just looks very small and very slow. Hope I'm wrong. I don't plan on either of the freshman recruits contributing next year. Just my opinion. 

Also Agree, if things click for Gunn he can be dangerous. Build and athleticism are +++++++.

I’ve watched him in high school a lot and had a lot of critiques pertaining to defense (all matters of defense including basics-effort, stance, help) spacing, team play. What he was good at in high school was making tough shots he probably shouldn’t have been shooting.

Those shots didn’t fall his freshman year but I know he’s capable. Also, if he just took better shots that were part of the flow his numbers would rise significantly. At IU he’s very active with his hands on D. One of our best. But the other factors of stance stopping ball, and help weren’t up to par. With more coaching and a flip to switch Gunn has a NBA body and athleticism with a hint of NBA skill if the shots drop like they did in HS.


Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners mobile app

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,386]

6 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Smith and Cupps keep getting compared. They don’t play alike. Smith plays with more intensity. Smith was able to handle his own mostly because he competes hard. He’s fast and physical and really Ds up. Cupps plays at a slower pace. Cupps is very cerebral and tries to be a pass first PG. Cupps can shoot at the high school level but has never been a volume scorer.

My concern with Cupps is which skill does he bring that translates to B1G play. He’s shortish, he’s thinner but strong. He dribbles well but he isn’t a JHS level ball handler. Hes not unathletic but he’s also not a athlete. I think he does a lot of basketball PG things at a 7/10. I think he’d be good in a motion offense with more off ball actions. Asking Cupps to run Indianas offense like JHS or even X does, does not seem like a match.

All this said, Gotta love the kid, and i want him to be amazing. He has the mental makeup I believe to succeed.


Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners

He's as good of a ball handler, and better passer than JHS. We only need 8 ish mins a game from him next year if you add TG and Love. Maybe not that. 

The whole 6'2 180 vs 6'6 215 is the big issue. 

I do think Cupps will be 6'2 190 before he plays a game here. Fingers crossed. I like what I see, though. 

[HoosierHoopster 8,126]

1 hour ago, btownqb said:

He's as good of a ball handler, and better passer than JHS. We only need 8 ish mins a game from him next year if you add TG and Love. Maybe not that. 

The whole 6'2 180 vs 6'6 215 is the big issue. 

I do think Cupps will be 6'2 190 before he plays a game here. Fingers crossed. I like what I see, though. 

That’s a pretty strong statement. JHS came in a combo guard but a clearly deserved 5 star who then ended up running our O very well, and his handle in traffic is good enough to make him a first round draft pick at point, and you think Cupps is on that level? Haven’t seen any scout consider or rank him like that, and that comparison would make him extremely under-ranked. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,386]

13 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

That’s a pretty strong statement. JHS came in a combo guard but a clearly deserved 5 star who then ended up running our O very well, and his handle in traffic is good enough to make him a first round draft pick at point, and you think Cupps is on that level? Haven’t seen any scout consider or rank him like that, and that comparison would make him extremely under-ranked. 

JHS until late in the season, got many of his assts simply because of usage. 

Cupps creates the openings. 8 mins a game, maybe 10-12... I think he can carry that next year until his body develops more. 

But, idc about the ranking.. the fits really good when you have TG, XJ, Love.. other capable scorers around him. 

I consider him close to Yogi in terms of skill/current ability. I do think Yogi had a bit more of a burst, but Cupps is 3 inches taller. 

[HoosierHoopster 8,126]

Just now, btownqb said:

JHS until late in the season, got many of his assts simply because of usage. 

Cupps creates the openings. 8 mins a game, maybe 10-12... I think he can carry that next year until his body develops more. 

But, idc about the ranking.. the fits really good when you have TG, XJ, Love.. other capable scorers around him. 

I consider him close to Yogi in terms of skill/current ability. I do think Yogi had a bit more of a burst, but Cupps does have 3inches on him. 

I was thinking he’s more like Hulls. Yogi was always much, much faster than Cupps. Yogi was too fast for his own game as a frosh, often running into traffic and leaving his feet before having the play/pass ready. Yogi also came in a 5 star with NBA speed and shooting ability and it got him there. Cupps does not have that speed. Hulls was that same cerebral type and excellent shooter without the high level athleticism. If Cupps is anything close to Hulls I’ll be a happy camper along with everyone else here. To me, that’s a better comp.
On ranking of JHS? Had nothing to do with who he’d eventually play with, and it was his own game at IU, being the only player other than TJD who could create his own shot and the Derozan like pull up that is getting him drafted. Cupps doesn’t have that game, different player. 

[Tasmanian Devil 1,904]

Let me chime in here.

I had heard the Cupps vs Smith comparisons all season (Smith, to his credit, had a better season  just completed than I thought possible) and, to be able to get my own perspective, went to watch Centerville play against Anderson March 4th at UD Arena in Dayton for the OHSAA State Tournament.

Cupps - in my opinion - is better RIGHT NOW than Smith. He is a better athlete (although he obviously will need to get stronger to not hit the freshman wall Smith did late in the season), is better defensively (long arms on a 6-2 frame) and is a better ball handler.

No, he hasn’t been the scorer Smith was in HS, but that was IMO due to the role that he played for the Elks. He is a pure point guard with outstanding floor awareness and vision, and confidence to boot. I have no doubt he will provide meaningful minutes next year.

Here is a great article about him. Folks, we’re getting a winner. You’re going to love this kid.

https://www.si.com/college/indiana/recruiting/next-generation-indiana-signee-gabe-cupps-coachs-son-with-unwavering-determination

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,386]

7 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

I was thinking he’s more like Hulls. Yogi was always much, much faster than Cupps. Yogi was too fast for his own game as a frosh, often running into traffic and leaving his feet before having the play/pass ready. Yogi also came in a 5 star with NBA speed and shooting ability and it got him there. Cupps does not have that speed. Hulls was that same cerebral type and excellent shooter without the high level athleticism. If Cupps is anything close to Hulls I’ll be a happy camper along with everyone else here. To me, that’s a better comp.
On ranking of JHS? Had nothing to do with who he’d eventually play with, and it was his own game at IU, being the only player other than TJD who could create his own shot and the Derozan like pull up that is getting him drafted. Cupps doesn’t have that game, different player. 

 

Cupps is a 1. I have no clue what he is ranked. 

[Tasmanian Devil 1,904]

1 minute ago, normandale97 said:

I’m honestly stunned at some of the Cupps takes. Comparing him to JHS is just insane…or even Yogi. Again…I’ve seen little of him…but why is he only a fringe top 100 kid if he is this good? Why do IU fans seem to think he is much better than the scouts do? I’ll say it again, he seems very small, slow and not terribly athletic. 

If you think he isn’t athletic, you obviously haven’t seen him play.

[HoosierHoopster 8,126]

8 minutes ago, normandale97 said:

I’m honestly stunned at some of the Cupps takes. Comparing him to JHS is just insane…or even Yogi. Again…I’ve seen little of him…but why is he only a fringe top 100 kid if he is this good? Why do IU fans seem to think he is much better than the scouts do? I’ll say it again, he seems very small, slow and not terribly athletic. 

I don’t want to undercut Cupps. I agree, at this point he hasn’t shown anything to put him in the same convo as a JHS who came in a possible OAD and deservedly out of Montv. But he is ranked (to the extent we’re focused on ranking) similar to Hulls, and to me has similarities, handle, vision, pass-first, and Hulls turned into one of the better college points. Cupps has a lot of potential, I don’t mean to undercut that

[Tasmanian Devil 1,904]

1 minute ago, btownqb said:

Cupps and Hulls have zero in common except being white and the color of their hair, imo. 

Cupps is a 1. I have no clue what he is ranked. 

What was Vic ranked? Sheehey?

What was Donte DiVincenzo ranked?

rankings only means so much. You can either play, or you can’t. Cupps can play.

[HoosierHoopster 8,126]

2 minutes ago, Tasmanian Devil said:

If you think he isn’t athletic, you obviously haven’t seen him play.

He’s not NBA athletic. Think someone said it best above, he’s not unathletic, but that’s not the same as a guy like Yogi, different body type, completely different level of speed - Yogi had NBA speed as a frosh and was ranked a 5 star for it

[Honkyman 1,670]

Just now, Tasmanian Devil said:

Cupps can play

It is good for both Cupps and IU that he will be playing behind Xavier Johnson. He can learn how to play at this level and the coaches will learn how well he can play at this level.

[WayneFleekHoosier 51,079]

Let me chime in here.
I had heard the Cupps vs Smith comparisons all season (Smith, to his credit, had a better season  just completed than I thought possible) and, to be able to get my own perspective, went to watch Centerville play against Anderson March 4th at UD Arena in Dayton for the OHSAA State Tournament.
Cupps - in my opinion - is better RIGHT NOW than Smith. He is a better athlete (although he obviously will need to get stronger to not hit the freshman wall Smith did late in the season), is better defensively (long arms on a 6-2 frame) and is a better ball handler.
No, he hasn’t been the scorer Smith was in HS, but that was IMO due to the role that he played for the Elks. He is a pure point guard with outstanding floor awareness and vision, and confidence to boot. I have no doubt he will provide meaningful minutes next year.
Here is a great article about him. Folks, we’re getting a winner. You’re going to love this kid.
https://www.si.com/college/indiana/recruiting/next-generation-indiana-signee-gabe-cupps-coachs-son-with-unwavering-determination

I guess we get to find out. I’m hoping Cupps has another gear or 2. Defensively he’s smart but not at all a lockdown guy. Decent athleticism. Luckily the B1G isn’t packed with tremendous point guards with elite athleticism but I’m curious to see how he does against the stronger, faster ones. Smith defends with a different tenacity. Although with his size he has no choice. Cupps is going to be an intriguing follow to see how it translates.


Sent from my iPad using BtownBanners mobile app

[Tasmanian Devil 1,904]

Just now, HoosierHoopster said:

He’s not NBA athletic. Think someone said it best above, he’s not unathletic, but that’s not the same as a guy like Yogi, different body type, completely different level of speed - Yogi had NBA speed as a frosh and was ranked a 5 star for it

Oh, I agree he’s not the athlete that Jalen is, or NBA athletic. But he’s athletic enough, and he can play. Anything that he lacks athletically he more than makes up with in his basketball, knowledge and savvyness.

[HoosierHoopster 8,126]

1 minute ago, Tasmanian Devil said:

Oh, I agree he’s not the athlete that Jalen is, or NBA athletic. But he’s athletic enough, and he can play. Anything that he lacks athletically he more than makes up with in his basketball, knowledge and savvyness.

Definitely shows potential— again i’m hoping he’s in the mold of a Hulls. I remember Hulls’ frosh year when people were complaining he wasn’t quick or athletic or strong enough to play with B1G guards, but he had such good vision and playmaking ability and he continued to develop, got stronger, turned his shooting into elite college outside shooting, and became one of the better college on-ball and off-ball guards. Loved what he brought and how he developed— here’s to hoping we see similar stuff from Cupps

[Tasmanian Devil 1,904]

Just now, HoosierHoopster said:

Definitely shows potential— again i’m hoping he’s in the mold of a Hulls. I remember Hulls’ frosh year when people were complaining he wasn’t quick or athletic or strong enough to play with B1G guards, but he had such good vision and playmaking ability and he continued to develop, got stronger, turned his shooting into elite college outside shooting, and became one of the better college on-ball and off-ball guards. Loved what he brought and how he developed— here’s to hoping we see similar stuff from Cupps

I’ve seen both. Gabe is much better than Hulls. He’s not the shooter Jordan was but he’s a much better overall player..