2023 SF/PF Mackenzie Mgbako to Texas A&M via Portal

[Adillac]

I think coach’s success at recruiting thus far and probably it will continue….it sets a nice precedent and expectation for the next coach- you’d better be a closer, a good recruiter or you can’t be our coach..

I think this NiL open deals era that has begun has actually allowed the IU brass to or forced them to acknowledge that the coach has to recruit on an elite level and not just wax poetic about toughness and “this is Indiana”. 

[Ryno6284]

CMW seems to be building an anti-B1G roster!  Maybe that will start the change the conference needs?

[Stuhoo]

1 minute ago, Ryno6284 said:

CMW seems to be building an anti-B1G roster!  Maybe that will start the change the conference needs?

Penn State did that last year fully.

Fran has kinda always been that way.

Underwood wants to I think. Willard and Howard too.

Times change and things evolve.

[Scotty R]

2 hours ago, TTT said:

2023-2024 Recruiting hype 

Fact:   0 wins   0 losses

Big Ten Regular Season Championship?

BigTen Tournament Championship?

A Sweet Sixteen? and Beyond?

(Many examples of teams with talent don’t live up to the hype)

 

Good morning Eyore 

[Brass Cannon]

9 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

CMW seems to be building an anti-B1G roster!  Maybe that will start the change the conference needs?

The anti Purdue model. Might not win the tackle basketball conference title but is going to have a chance in the NCAA 

[Henryville Hoosier]

11 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Penn State did that last year fully.

Fran has kinda always been that way.

Underwood wants to I think. Willard and Howard too.

Times change and things evolve.

Northwestern?

[DChoosier]

2 hours ago, TTT said:

2023-2024 Recruiting hype 

Fact:   0 wins   0 losses

Big Ten Regular Season Championship?

BigTen Tournament Championship?

A Sweet Sixteen? and Beyond?

(Many examples of teams with talent don’t live up to the hype)

 

On a positive note……it’s good to see you point out that we are still undefeated :)

[IUFAN1976]

14 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

The anti Purdue model. Might not win the tackle basketball conference title but is going to have a chance in the NCAA 

This is the direction we need to go.  Honestly, I don’t care if we win the rough and tumble B10 as long as we finish in the top 4, get a good seed in the tournament and make it to the 2nd weekend of the tournament.  Getting a team to make a deep run in the tournament could change the way the B10 will start playing.  I think this is the type of roster and team potential that Woodson wants.  Turdue’s style of basketball needs to go away!

[IUFAN1976]

47 minutes ago, Adillac said:

I think a tall lineup would make us laterally slow. Blow bys aplenty. 

XJ should help that.  But I don’t think we will be that slow, especially Turdue slow!

[Josh]

I see people crediting JHS for recruiting and that's completely understandable.  He has.  However, I don't think JHS comes to IU without TJD.  That's the leader.

I also don't think we get Ware or Mgbako without XJ returning this year.  Without Xavier there is nobody to lead this team.  The culture has become top notch under Woodson.  

[str8baller]

58 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

CMW seems to be building an anti-B1G roster!  Maybe that will start the change the conference needs?

In terms of highly rated talent, yes. And this is the B1G’s real problem.   
 

But we’re still going to be a big team that punishes people around the hoop that is still fairly low on elite guard play and shooting. 

[Stromboli]

30 minutes ago, IUFAN1976 said:

This is the direction we need to go.  Honestly, I don’t care if we win the rough and tumble B10 as long as we finish in the top 4, get a good seed in the tournament and make it to the 2nd weekend of the tournament.  Getting a team to make a deep run in the tournament could change the way the B10 will start playing.  I think this is the type of roster and team potential that Woodson wants.  Turdue’s style of basketball needs to go away!

I don’t recall Purdue being a problem since Woodson got here, anyway…

 

All of basketball wants more well-rounded ballers. Every guy should be able to pass, shoot, defend, and scrap. There’s a reason we’re seeing 4-out and even 5-out offenses. Spacing, creating high-percentage looks out points on the board. 
 

Without Trayce, we will look different. He was truly sensational. I love having a talent like MM coming in, but I don’t think I’m alone in wishing we had a couple rangey perimeter weapons on the roster. That said, X was a sneaky good 3pt shooter. Galloway, actually elite. Maybe Cupps or Banks or Gunn will be that too? 

[HoosierHoopster]

11 minutes ago, str8baller said:

In terms of highly rated talent, yes. And this is the B1G’s real problem.   
 

But we’re still going to be a big team that punishes people around the hoop that is still fairly low on elite guard play and shooting. 

I guess it depends on your def of elite guard play. Certainly had it with JHS. This season X will be one of the best B1G guards. I wouldn’t call Gallo elite, but he’s strong on both sides of the ball and his shooting was good this past season. Given current recruiting, chances of landing elite guards going forward looks high

[Bowhunter]

I’m glad we have size but in todays game it’s better to be quick than tall.

[Scotty R]

I have said the last few years that IU and the big ten as a whole wasn't in the same area code when he came to athleticism. I watch the SEC and the Big 12 and we didn't look like we were playing the same sport.

 

I will say IU is now catching up on this category.

 

Ware 7'0 long and athletic

 

Reneau 6'8 pretty long 

 

MM 6'9 long and athletic 

 

Walker 6'9 long and athletic

 

Sparks 6'9 not really athletic but long 

 

Banks 6'8 long and athletic

 

Gunn 6'6 long and athletic 

[Tom White]

19 minutes ago, Stromboli said:

I don’t recall Purdue being a problem since Woodson got here, anyway…

 

Hehehe....love it.

[Adillac]

My concern for this years team and possibly going forward is a lack of high skill or elite guards. Guys like Oladipo and JHS. Though they are different style players they are small enough to be good defenders, big enough to handle some in between assignments and can shoot well. 
 

I feel like we don’t ever have enough quality guard play here. I hope that changes soon. Either way, excited to see how this team looks next year. 

[Hoosier987]

1 hour ago, Adillac said:

My concern for this years team and possibly going forward is a lack of high skill or elite guards. Guys like Oladipo and JHS. Though they are different style players they are small enough to be good defenders, big enough to handle some in between assignments and can shoot well. 
 

I feel like we don’t ever have enough quality guard play here. I hope that changes soon. Either way, excited to see how this team looks next year. 

This will be addressed for our last scholarship. 

[Hardwood83]

1 hour ago, Adillac said:

My concern for this years team and possibly going forward is a lack of high skill or elite guards. Guys like Oladipo and JHS. Though they are different style players they are small enough to be good defenders, big enough to handle some in between assignments and can shoot well. 
 

I feel like we don’t ever have enough quality guard play here. I hope that changes soon. Either way, excited to see how this team looks next year. 

You're not wrong. When Al Durham was starting a few yrs ago I would often think "he should be the 9th or 10th man on a legit IU roster" Great guy, just not who you want playing 30+ mins/game. Somewhat similar with Trey, I think he is perfect to come in for 4-5min bursts a few times a game. Definitely want him in the rotation, but more like 18-20 mins instead of 28mins like last year. But gotta have someone to earn those minutes over him first, though.

[Honkyman]

2 hours ago, Adillac said:

My concern for this years team and possibly going forward is a lack of high skill or elite guards. Guys like Oladipo

Oladipo was not a highly skilled player when he arrived at IU. In high school, virtually all of his points came from dunks. But he was athletic and over time became highly skilled.