This Year vs. Last Year

[HoosierFan1994 4,670]

I always like to compare teams to what they were the following year. I look at this year's team and I think there is a huge advantage at the 2-4 spots. I expect Galloway to be better this year. I also expect Mackenzie and Malik to be well above the play of Miller and Race. Last year's team had an advantage with Jalen at the 1 and Trayce at the 5. That being said, there isn't a big drop off with Xavier and Kel'el. I think Payton Sparks will be like Malik and be a decent big off the bench. The addition of Anthony Walker will help. IU didn't really have a reliable 2nd forward off the bench. It will be nice to have a true point guard in Cupps off the bench. The biggest question will be IMO what can CJ Gunn and Kaleb Banks provide for this team. If they can be very solid role players I think this could really be a top 20 team. Thoughts? I'm probably drinking the preseason Kool-Aid with a game on Sunday but I don't think it is laughable to think IU will be better this year. November and December I think might be a little rough. I don't see us beating UConn or Kansas (sorry). What's insane is last year IU was #13 in the preseason poll. This year it would be #40 if you count receiving votes. 

On offense last year they really counted on Trayce and Jalen with an occasional big game from Trey, Miller, or Race. I think all 5 starters have the potential to score double figures any game. 

[Stromboli 6,076]

I’ve thought about this too. Soooo many questions about this year’s team. Guys we’ve never even see play. I would absolutely love it if another Woodson team came out with excellent defense. 
 

But as it stands, I have a hard time seeing this team beat last year’s team. Trayce did so much. And I guess preseason polls feel about the same. 
 

BUT this team probably does have a higher ceiling. Just need to see how the pieces fit together. 

[Stuhoo 79,392]

You won’t see it on a box score, but we will greatly miss the defensive communication and coordination provided by Miller Kopp.

That guy was one hell of an asset to the program.

[go iu bb 5,429]

On 10/27/2023 at 9:58 AM, HoosierFan1994 said:

I always like to compare teams to what they were the following year. I look at this year's team and I think there is a huge advantage at the 2-4 spots. I expect Galloway to be better this year. I also expect Mackenzie and Malik to be well above the play of Miller and Race. Last year's team had an advantage with Jalen at the 1 and Trayce at the 5. That being said, there isn't a big drop off with Xavier and Kel'el. I think Payton Sparks will be like Malik and be a decent big off the bench. The addition of Anthony Walker will help. IU didn't really have a reliable 2nd forward off the bench. It will be nice to have a true point guard in Cupps off the bench. The biggest question will be IMO what can CJ Gunn and Kaleb Banks provide for this team. If they can be very solid role players I think this could really be a top 20 team. Thoughts? I'm probably drinking the preseason Kool-Aid with a game on Sunday but I don't think it is laughable to think IU will be better this year. November and December I think might be a little rough. I don't see us beating UConn or Kansas (sorry). What's insane is last year IU was #13 in the preseason poll. This year it would be #40 if you count receiving votes. 

On offense last year they really counted on Trayce and Jalen with an occasional big game from Trey, Miller, or Race. I think all 5 starters have the potential to score double figures any game. 

Not a huge drop off from TJD to Ware at the 5? At this point, I can't agree with that. Ware compared favorably to TJD as far as rim protection, but other than that TJD was much better than anything Ware has shown. There's a reason TJD was a serious content for POY, or would've been if the voters hadn't already made up their minds by the end of December that it was Edey. 

At this time, the bench looks weaker than last year. 

[HoosierFan1994 4,670]

6 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

14 minutes ago, Stromboli said:

I’ve thought about this too. Soooo many questions about this year’s team. Guys we’ve never even see play. I would absolutely love it if another Woodson team came out with excellent defense. 
 

But as it stands, I have a hard time seeing this team beat last year’s team. Trayce did so much. And I guess preseason polls feel about the same. 
 

BUT this team probably does have a higher ceiling. Just need to see how the pieces fit together. 

Not a huge drop off from TJD to Ware at the 5? At this point, I can't agree with that. Ware compared favorably to TJD as far as room protection, but other than that TJD was much better than anything Ware has shown. There's a reason TJD was a serious content for POY, or would've been if the voters hadn't already made up their minds by the end of December that it was Edey. 

At this time, the bench looks weaker than last year. 

Fair point. I just think with more talent at the 2,3, and 4 spots he will be a very solid center. Yes, he is no TJD but not a terrible replacement. 

I do agree this team has a higher ceiling. The 2022-2023 one was Sweet 16, especially without Xavier. 

 

7 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

You won’t see it on a box score, but we will greatly miss the defensive communication and coordination provided by Miller Kopp.

That transfer was one hell of an asset to the program.

I'll never forget him on defense at the end of the Michigan game. He worked his tail off. 

[Golfman25 4,960]

Where is the final four this year?  Gotta get my tickets. :)

 

This team is different than last years.  I think we’ll be much closer to the team CMW envisioned.  Last 2 years he focused feeding TJD.  He even admitted that’s not a system he coached before . This year we won’t see that as we have different players.  Does that mean more wins?  Fewer wins?   A lot of factors go into that, but we’ll see.  I have pre season hope we’ll be something special.  

[Trish 11,483]

Losing TJD is a huge blow on both sides of the basketball. Relying on true freshmen to contribute each night isn’t always fun but we will see what happens with McKenzie and Gabe. 
 

My biggest concerns are the following. 
 

- 3PT Shooting

- Rebounding

- Interior Defense

The perimeter defense will be fine I believe with Johnson and Galloway. McKenzie and Malik will need to be able to guard the longer guys in the league. Ware will of course need to be a factor. Is Ware going to have a big year on defense? His offense will be interesting to follow. 
 

Who will be the factors off the bench? Walker could be provide some defense off the bench. Will Bank and Gunn be able to provide something this year? Lots of questions. Could Peyton provide something? 

Ceiling - 2nd Round of NCAA 

Floor - NIT

I think last years team beats this years team in a best of 5 series. 

[Henryville Hoosier 964]

Walker > Geronimo

Sparks > Duncomb

Soph Gunn > Fresh Gunn

Soph Banks > fresh Banks

 

 

[rcbowla 6,973]

Losing TJD is a huge blow on both sides of the basketball. Relying on true freshmen to contribute each night isn’t always fun but we will see what happens with McKenzie and Gabe. 
 
My biggest concerns are the following. 
 
- 3PT Shooting
- Rebounding
- Interior Defense
The perimeter defense will be fine I believe with Johnson and Galloway. McKenzie and Malik will need to be able to guard the longer guys in the league. Ware will of course need to be a factor. Is Ware going to have a big year on defense? His offense will be interesting to follow. 
 
Who will be the factors off the bench? Walker could be provide some defense off the bench. Will Bank and Gunn be able to provide something this year? Lots of questions. Could Peyton provide something? 
Ceiling - 2nd Round of NCAA 
Floor - NIT
I think last years team beats this years team in a best of 5 series. 

I agree with most everything here except I think the ceiling is S16.

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[Stuhoo 79,392]

Apples and oranges to an extraordinary extent.

With Xavier having missed most of last year, the only player in my mind that’s comparable to last year, when improvement jumps are calculated in, is Trey Galloway.

 

[HoosierHoopster 6,711]

It’s a hard comparison to make without having seen the team, and several of the players, play.

No question TJD and JHS’s departures will be very difficult to fill. TJD was one of the best college players bar none, and JHS got it together at the 1 in a big way. 

That said, JHS was very inconsistent early, and had several real falloff games. Xavier, assuming he keeps his cool, should be more consistent and he clearly brings much more experience, and now we have an actual point guard off the bench in Cupps, and his outside shooting is lights out.

Then you have a guy like Mack, an actual wing who also shoots really well and brings another 5-star attacking game, should have lots of mismatches. 

And hello, if Gallo is now shooting more with the level of shooting accuracy he showed last season? Watch out. 

I’m in the camp that sees a possible SW16 team. That assumes X and Gallo stay healthy, that necessary. 
I see an up and down team in season that gets it going midseason or so and can be one of those dangerous teams in March.

[Golfman25 4,960]

Come on folks.  It's Friday before the season kicks off.  Time to drink that pre-season kool aid.  Elite 8 or bust.  You heard it here first.  

 

 

And if it doesn't happen, someone obviously hacked my account.  :) 

[Home Jersey 6,356]

A few thoughts (most of which already covered by you guys)...

--- Kaleb and CJ taking a big step would be absolutely huge. That makes us a scary team, assuming...

--- KW is the X factor IMO and biggest factor in determining what our ceiling is ... until I see him play a few games with us, tough to confidently assess anything. He doesn't have to be Trayce. I just hope he does his thing and Woody gets the most out of him.  

--- I always thought Kopp got an unwarranted amount of hate... he was underrated in a lot of small ways and, man, that guy has heart. Do think, as fans, we're going to miss him at times this year. Especially early on in the season defensively. 

--- Need Gallo and XJ to be rock solid this year... is it greedy to say even a step or two above that? I really hope XJ can be the good version of himself consistently this year... and I think he will. Gallo, the big question is keeping that 3P% at higher volume. And, ballhandling improved? I love watching that guy play. 

--- I think Cupps will be able to contribute in a limited back up role, similar minutes to Reneau last year... but we don't have a ton of depth in the backcourt. We need CJ to be ready and/or MM/KB ready to play at the 2 spot with a big line up for limited stretches of the game to rest Gallo. 

--- I'm really excited for Payton Sparks, Reneau, and Mack. How the frontcourt gels will be interesting. Chemistry is going to make the early stretch of the season, I think, tough to watch at times... hopefully they make the most of the scrimmages. 

--- UConn is our first real test of the season (hopefully.....) and I am SO pumped that I will be there! 

[BGleas 7,880]

5 hours ago, Trish said:

Losing TJD is a huge blow on both sides of the basketball. Relying on true freshmen to contribute each night isn’t always fun but we will see what happens with McKenzie and Gabe. 
 

My biggest concerns are the following. 
 

- 3PT Shooting

- Rebounding

- Interior Defense

The perimeter defense will be fine I believe with Johnson and Galloway. McKenzie and Malik will need to be able to guard the longer guys in the league. Ware will of course need to be a factor. Is Ware going to have a big year on defense? His offense will be interesting to follow. 
 

Who will be the factors off the bench? Walker could be provide some defense off the bench. Will Bank and Gunn be able to provide something this year? Lots of questions. Could Peyton provide something? 

Ceiling - 2nd Round of NCAA 

Floor - NIT

I think last years team beats this years team in a best of 5 series. 

I'm not really worried about rebounding, at least compared to last year's team. Ware is a 7-footer, Reneau is a big upgrade over Race interms of rebounding, Mgbako will be am upgrade over Kopp in terms of rebounding, Galloway is Galloway, and XJ is an upgrade over JHS in this area. 

Yeah, we lost the leading rebounder in program history, but we weren't really a great rebounding team last year, and we've improved at every other spot. 

Agree with most of your other comments. 

[Joe_hoopsier 971]

Obviously I am already an outlier on this, buuuut.

This team has potential to better than last year just because TJD isn't here. TJD, as much as I totally love him, sucked the O2 out of the room, even caused Woody to adjust his coaching (he's admitted this)because he was the total focus. TJD wasn't scoring 60 pts every night. I have a feeling (AGAIN I totally LOVE TJD) that the "team" will be better because teams can not have a myopic focus on one guy. Woody opens things up like a top fuel dragster.

B1Ger champ and E8 min. Heard it ^^^^^ first.

 

*** Just because we are IU Fans and I know us... I TOTALLY LOVE TJD. This is not a Knock on him.

 

*** x 2 - STOP already, I Love TJD... :)

 

Mgtaco didn't shoot Kennedy!

[Home Jersey 6,356]

Am I totally drunk on the preseason Kool-Aid if I say that - until we play a few games, I'm not ready to admit the ceiling is anything less than a F4 run, where anything can happen? .....Not saying I think that's going to happen.....

But until I actually see them play at least a single game, I willfully choose to believe this roster is talented enough and Woodson is a good enough coach, that we have that type of potential... and you never know how a season unfolds........

Is it a very likely scenario? Maybe not... Is it a long shot? It could be! Probably gonna be a lot of ups and downs this year...

But if a fan can't dream, what's the point damn it! 

And yes, I've been an Indiana basketball fan long enough to have been hurt before. Plenty of times. Lol

[Stuhoo 79,392]

8 minutes ago, TeeterInNJ said:

Am I totally drunk on the preseason Kool-Aid if I say that - until we play a few games, I'm not ready to admit the ceiling is anything less than a F4 run, where anything can happen? .....Not saying I think that's going to happen.....

But until I actually see them play at least a single game, I willfully choose to believe this roster is talented enough and Woodson is a good enough coach, that we have that type of potential... and you never know how a season unfolds........

Is it a very likely scenario? Maybe not... Is it a long shot? It could be! Probably gonna be a lot of ups and downs this year...

But if a fan can't dream, what's the point damn it! 

And yes, I've been an Indiana basketball fan long enough to have been hurt before. Plenty of times. Lol

As long as you still feel that way if we look confused and out of whack against U Indy on Sunday.

Because that could happen and we still could end up very good

[Joe_hoopsier 971]

11 minutes ago, TeeterInNJ said:

Am I totally drunk on the preseason Kool-Aid if I say that - until we play a few games, I'm not ready to admit the ceiling is anything less than a F4 run, where anything can happen? .....Not saying I think that's going to happen.....

But until I actually see them play at least a single game, I willfully choose to believe this roster is talented enough and Woodson is a good enough coach, that we have that type of potential... and you never know how a season unfolds........

Is it a very likely scenario? Maybe not... Is it a long shot? It could be! Probably gonna be a lot of ups and downs this year...

But if a fan can't dream, what's the point damn it! 

And yes, I've been an Indiana basketball fan long enough to have been hurt before. Plenty of times. Lol

There is the exact same amount of proof that we will be a F4 team as a NOT F4 team, as if right now.

No one can take our dreams away !

[Home Jersey 6,356]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

As long as you still feel that way if we look confused and out of whack against U Indy on Sunday.

Because that could happen and we still could end up very good

I fully expect us to have a pretty bumpy start to the season... but it's all about when you hit your stride/peaking at the right time at the end of the day 

[Stuhoo 79,392]

Just now, TeeterInNJ said:

I fully expect us to have a pretty bumpy start to the season... but it's all about when you hit your stride/peaking at the right time at the end of the day 

If we struggle some on the board may disagree.  :)