This Year vs. Last Year

[HoosierFan1994 4,935]

2 hours ago, TeeterInNJ said:

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...

As most of us diehards have heard, one common theme this off-season from Coach Woodson has been talking about the three sophomores and how he can't wait on them. Now is their time. While it's important to get highly ranked players, what is more important is how they perform once they arrive. The 2021 class was 0 for 2. I don't blame Woodson at all for that. Duncomb was someone he brought on for stability. Bates was just a miss by everyone. For the 2022 class Jalen was an obvious hit. However, they need the following from this class:

1) Malik to be play like one of the best players in the conference. I personally think he is a four year college player who will only get better. Not out of the question he's an All-American one day. 

2) Need Kaleb Banks and CJ Gunn to develop into very solid role players. Maybe one of them become a starter eventually. I would not fall out of my chair to see Banks be a very good 6th man for this team. 

A successful recruiting class as a whole to me means you hit on at least half the class if not more. 

One thing that REALLY hurt Tom Crean was he had a ton of misses in the 2012/2013 class. That hurt IU for two years (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) after having incredible momentum from 2011-2013. The 2012 class was 1/5 (if you include Patterson) and 2013 was 3/6 for a total of 4/11. That won't cut it. Not saying this is going to happen to Coach Woodson. But it's not a good thing if Banks AND Gunn aren't contributing by the end of the year. 

[MikeRoberts 7,617]

53 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

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

It’s all relative. I too expect us to come out a little out of sorts given the turnover but it can’t be IU vs IPFW type of bad.

Someone posted concerns over 3 point shooting and that is the last thing I am concerned about. We should have 4 guys on the court at all times that can drain 3s which is going to be a big upgrade

[Home Jersey 12,244]

I'm really interested to see the lineups with Ware and Sparks on the court together. Lots of versatility 

• Johnson/Gunn/Mgbako/Sparks/Ware 
• Cupps/Gallo/Mgbako/Sparks/Ware

Could be really interesting rotations. 

[Stuhoo 85,484]

6 minutes ago, TeeterInNJ said:

I'm really interested to see the lineups with Ware and Sparks on the court together. Lots of versatility 

• Johnson/Gunn/Mgbako/Sparks/Ware 
• Cupps/Gallo/Mgbako/Sparks/Ware

Could be really interesting rotations. 

Cupps, X, Gallo, Mack, Malik against smaller teams could be a regular occurrence