Transfer Portal w IU Interest

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,612]

1 minute ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Soul sucking has been the IU basketball fan experience for the past decade. Could I be more positive, absolutely. I would’ve loved nothing more than for DD to hit the ground running. But it’s been a shaky start out the gate. Combine that with the past decade of experiences and alarm bells start going off. Part of the “snowball effect” comes from posters getting attacked whenever they share their concerns with what they’ve seen thus far. 

you guys ONLY share your concerns though lol ... everyday, all day... 

[Pagoda 4,376]

21 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

It does seem like many, many programs have as much or more to spend as we do.  I can't lie and say I'm not a bit concerned at this point.  There is a long way to go and once the other teams fill out their rosters obviously, we will look more attractive to many because those more attractive programs no longer have space.  I think it is imperative though we have at least a tournament appearance this season in order to start attracting more players to the program.  I do feel CDD needs to prove himself and put IUBB on an upwards trajectory before we are going to be able to compete with those bigger programs for better players.  Plus, now that we have more of a staff in place I expect that will help with the recruiting. Not ready to panic or be completely dismayed at this point like some, but I don't think expressing concern is unwarranted.

I think what happens is we have about $11M to spend -- but there are something like five schools on our level and a few that are higher, plus several more with $6-10M.  And a typical good player is going for $1.5-2M.  

Well it's great we have more money than most schools, that's a one or more good players at the end of the day.  But when it comes to any one player, schools that like that player still have enough money to get aggressive for him -- all those $6-10M payroll schools can pay $1.5-2M for a guy they like, plus we have to deal with schools on our level or higher.  So we are always going to have quite bit of competition, we aren't so rich we can just blow everyone out of the water with mega offers for guys.

NIL can be a great advantage, but it's just a tool.  Picking the right guys and closing on recruitments when three to four schools are all at similar offers is so important.  Hopefully CDD can do that.

[Scotty R 3,647]

31 minutes ago, tyappleg said:

Mods, are we allowed to tell posters to "Shut the **** up", or is that against board guidelines?

If you say with all due respect before saying it you will be fine

[Scotty R 3,647]

16 minutes ago, Demo said:

I think that guy has a pretty decent feel for the value of message board discussion, ya know, since he created this  board and all, but I think the issue may be the snowball effect of a segment of folks playing can you top this over and over and over all day, every day, with their heightening negativity when literally nothing new has happened. Example: Wilkerson said he was gonna take all his visits, flat out said it, yet some folks are having a collective aneurysm that he’s actually doing it. It’s Lord of the Flies $hit and it’s absurd and soul-sucking. 

I was watching the Aaron Torres podcast and was talking about two portal guys that everyone thinks is going to St. Johns. Both Ian Jackson from UNC and Xavier Lee from Princeton took visits after visiting St. Johns so players fo take other visits.

[AH1971 3,104]

8 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

It does seem like many, many programs have as much or more to spend as we do.  I can't lie and say I'm not a bit concerned at this point.  There is a long way to go and once the other teams fill out their rosters obviously, we will look more attractive to many because those more attractive programs no longer have space.  I think it is imperative though we have at least a tournament appearance this season in order to start attracting more players to the program.  I do feel CDD needs to prove himself and put IUBB on an upwards trajectory before we are going to be able to compete with those bigger programs for better players.  Plus, now that we have more of a staff in place I expect that will help with the recruiting. Not ready to panic or be completely dismayed at this point like some, but I don't think expressing concern is unwarranted.

It's been reported that at least 10-15 other programs have $10mil+ to spend on NIL this year, IU included, and plenty of other programs who have the money to spend $2-3mil on a single player. Would guess IU is the only team literally starting from scratch this offseason. Simply cannot sink 50%+ your NIL funds in 2-3 players and expect a successful season (see Rutgers). 

[JaybobHoosier 13,055]

39 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

God forbid some people have concerns and discuss them on a message board. 

I said it was okay to be critical and discuss, but some people post negative comments non-stop at anything Coach Devries does. I have no issue with people complaining, but it shouldn’t be 24/7 with every little thing. 
 

I think people are letting their dislike for the hire persuade this entire offseason. I don’t understand why we can’t give a guy more time who completely turned around a Drake program and was doing it at WV in year 1. IU needs a culture reset from how things were ran for the last 10 years. Let Coach bring in his players, build his culture with the foundation he wants, and let’s go win ball games. I don’t think people quite understand how good of a job he did at Drake and WV. 

[HoosierX 1,776]

33 minutes ago, tyappleg said:

Please shut the **** up.

I mean I understand his response is a bit passive aggressive, but I can't say I disagree with the sentiment.

The stat line is not super impressive for a JUCO, and I watched two minutes of his highlight video from last year and a three-foot left hook and a step-through are the only non dunks/lay-ups.

Maybe this guy has some upside but the floor is also low.

Emeka Opurum - Butler CC - 2024-25 JUCO Highlights

[JaybobHoosier 13,055]

20 minutes ago, Demo said:

I think that guy has a pretty decent feel for the value of message board discussion, ya know, since he created this  board and all, but I think the issue may be the snowball effect of a segment of folks playing can you top this over and over and over all day, every day, with their heightening negativity when literally nothing new has happened. Example: Wilkerson said he was gonna take all his visits, flat out said it, yet some folks are having a collective aneurysm that he’s actually doing it. It’s Lord of the Flies $hit and it’s absurd and soul-sucking. 

Appreciate you! You always need different opinions to create an awesome message board, but it’s the relentless negativity (or even over positivity) that hurts and drives people away. 

[Stuhoo 89,104]

36 minutes ago, Demo said:

But we still get to say to each other, right? 

Shut the **** up, Demo.

[Artie86 3,470]

26 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

After playing golf all weekend, I should reopen my commitment to basketball. I'm pretty sure I can still shoot it. I can't get my shot off very quickly, can't jump very high, not going to guard anyone, will get tired fast, probably foul a lot, but if I'm open, it's money. Plus I can be had for a cheap NIL deal. 

....same, but can we just play half court? lol

[AH1971 3,104]

3 minutes ago, HoosierX said:

I mean I understand his response is a bit passive aggressive, but I can't say I disagree with the sentiment.

The stat line is not super impressive for a JUCO, and I watched two minutes of his highlight video from last year and a three-foot left hook and a step-through are the only non dunks/lay-ups.

Maybe this guy has some upside but the floor is also low.

Emeka Opurum - Butler CC - 2024-25 JUCO Highlights

If this guys floor is ~10-15 solid minutes a game of rim protecting and screening and rolling offensively I'd consider that a win for next year. I'd think a raw prospect like Opurum could greatly benefit in a P5 weight room with some elite level coaching; an opportunity that has yet to be afforded. We have 4 confirmed players for next year...you absolutely need depth and bodies. 

[68Hoosier 1,229]

5 minutes ago, Artie86 said:

....same, but can we just play half court? lol

I'm good with half court for about 5 to 8 min a game.  But if you see me rolling around on the floor it is not me trying to be like Labron, I am most likely in pain and need help off the floor, LOL. 

[Stuhoo 89,104]

14 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Soul sucking has been the IU basketball fan experience for the past decade. Could I be more positive, absolutely. I would’ve loved nothing more than for DD to hit the ground running. But it’s been a shaky start out the gate. Combine that with the past decade of experiences and alarm bells start going off. Part of the “snowball effect” comes from posters getting attacked whenever they share their concerns with what they’ve seen thus far. 

I know you come from an era of IUBB disfunction and very much want that to end, but...

I've said this before: we have been conditioned to see a pretty talented roster with a crap culture and coaching staff, and react that we must need even more talent to 'get over the hump'.

But what we really need is a head coach and staff with a plan to identify players that fit their system (and there will be many options) and the ability to mold them into a cohesive team. 

If we hired the right guy that will happen whether we lose some priority recruiting battles or not

[akumanina 422]

15 minutes ago, IndyHoosier1997 said:

So did Kentucky embarrassingly swing and miss on Wilkerson too?

I thought Kentucky Derby was a bad idea. Back in Calipari days, UK was cutting edge presenting Drake, WWW, and LeBron. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,612]

11 minutes ago, HoosierX said:

I mean I understand his response is a bit passive aggressive, but I can't say I disagree with the sentiment.

The stat line is not super impressive for a JUCO, and I watched two minutes of his highlight video from last year and a three-foot left hook and a step-through are the only non dunks/lay-ups.

Maybe this guy has some upside but the floor is also low.

Emeka Opurum - Butler CC - 2024-25 JUCO Highlights

He's literally on a visit to Auburn. 

I don't want our 7ft making many moves other than dunks. How does someone who's 7ft have a low floor? Complete opposite. wont he have multiple years of eligibility? I'm certain he's better than Hatton and the other big kid we had off the bench.... and we won't have to run offense through him like Ballo. 

[Demo 23,309]

4 minutes ago, akumanina said:

I thought Kentucky Derby was a bad idea. Back in Calipari days, UK was cutting edge presenting Drake, WWW, and LeBron. 

Yeah, I think the theory behind taking a 22yo to the track and the reality of doing it may not align that well. My 22yo self would have been over that in about 15 mins. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,612]

Pieces to the puzzle. 7ft JUCO kid and Troy guard would complement the 4 guys we have now, Wilkerson the same. 

Hold up.. .Emeka was a FR too? We absolutely want him. 4 years of eligibility. 

[HoosierInParadise 1,645]

Only take this if you get the team's Adidas gear...you won't have access to good apparel otherwise...

[Ryno6284 4,398]

8 minutes ago, Certified Sunshine Pumper said:

How does someone who's 7ft have a low floor?

I would imagine at 7 ft looking at the floor it would seem pretty low! Lol

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 11,612]

More on Opurum... 

PER--- 17.1p 14.7r 4.7b

He only played 22MPG this year... I think we should want this kid.