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Class of '66 Old Fart

Transfer Portal w IU Interest

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52 minutes ago, btownqb said:

He and Jordy don't really have similar games though. 

Not right now definitely, and I don't see Gabe Cupps ever becoming as good as Hulls. I think it was during the Penn State game when he was off the ball with X as the lead guard he hit a couple of spot up threes. If he can morph into a guy that can hit 3 like that a game, be a guy that can handle the ball and not turn it over, and defend well enough or be hidden on defense, he can be valuable for 12-15 min a game. I think that would be an easier role for him to fill than being a lead guard because he can't create for himself and he's not really a facilitator either. 

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27 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

His stats are basically identical to Xavier’s stats coming from Pitt. Maybe he is a mid-major guy who comes to a P5 school and excels. Those guys do exist, but they’re the exception. It’d be nice to get some proven commodities, though. 

I don't disagree.  But X was brought in to be the starting point guard.  I don't think Walker would be.  I would have taken a cooler headed X  (and maybe slightly less talented) guy coming off the bench.

Where I think the staff failed last year was identifying plan B guys.  Every player they seemed to go after (except Sparks, who basically was ready to commit immediately and Walker, who was a it's-late-that's-what-still-is-out-there player) wasa plan A guy.  We ended up with Ware (and I'd also throw in Mgbako who wasn't a portal guy but was picked up in basically portal season) as plan A guys that we got.  But there weren't any high quality back up guys that we picked up, particularly high quality back up guards who could have at least provided a crutch once X went down.

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20 minutes ago, btownqb said:

The stats probably don't tell the story. Good scouting and vetting would know that either way. 

I'm not sure what proven means, if LW isn't. 

It’s the same as with a proven coach. Someone who has succeeded at the P5 level. Can a player who’s good in the Atlantic Sun come to the Big 10 and succeed too? Certainly. But it’s a big jump. It’s not crazy for people to question whether a 6’1 point guard from the Atlantic Sun is the answer to our guard problems. It’s not like he’s a knockdown 3 point shooter, which this team desperately needs from its guards. If he’s brought in to be an end of rotation guy then sure, that might be fine. 

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Look at Payton Sparks. MAC freshman of the year. He averaged 13/9 on 59% from the field on a 20-12 Ball State team. Second team all-MAC. He came to IU and was basically unplayable. Some guys can handle the jump in competition while other guys can’t. 

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7 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Look at Payton Sparks. MAC freshman of the year. He averaged 13/9 on 59% from the field on a 20-12 Ball State team. Second team all-MAC. He came to IU and was basically unplayable. Some guys can handle the jump in competition while other guys can’t. 

^^The highlighted part says it all^^

It's about staff identifying the mid-major/low-major guys that can handle the jump in competition.

There are a ton of available guys (especially with our budget) and a ton of them can and cannot handle the jump in competition. 

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1 minute ago, Stuhoo said:

^^The highlighted part says it all^^

It's about staff identifying the mid-major/low-major guys that can handle the jump in competition.

There are a ton of available guys (especially with our budget) and a ton of them can and cannot handle the jump in competition. 

Handle= just weren't good enough to begin with. Such in the case with Sparks. 

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I see Leland as an upgrade to Cupps. Which I am perfectly okay with and it makes a ton of sense. Wouldn't be surprised if the staff grabs three guards and Cupps decides to transfer. However, If the staff thinks he is the starting PG, then yes we have bigger problems. 

I am more than concerned with roster construction and talent evaluation with this staff. I have very low expectations, but there are 7 spots to fill and we aren't getting 7 Caleb Love's/Ke'el Ware's.

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37 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Look at Payton Sparks. MAC freshman of the year. He averaged 13/9 on 59% from the field on a 20-12 Ball State team. Second team all-MAC. He came to IU and was basically unplayable. Some guys can handle the jump in competition while other guys can’t. 

When Sparks transferred in, I thought his ceiling was that of a player like Dain Dainja.  Turns out that athletically he's not quite as strong and is a half step slower to react.

For guys who are playing bully ball, being a half step slower is huge.

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34 minutes ago, IUc2016 said:

I see Leland as an upgrade to Cupps. Which I am perfectly okay with and it makes a ton of sense. Wouldn't be surprised if the staff grabs three guards and Cupps decides to transfer. However, If the staff thinks he is the starting PG, then yes we have bigger problems. 

I am more than concerned with roster construction and talent evaluation with this staff. I have very low expectations, but there are 7 spots to fill and we aren't getting 7 Caleb Love's/Ke'el Ware's.

I agree with with this 100%.  

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41 minutes ago, IUc2016 said:

I see Leland as an upgrade to Cupps. Which I am perfectly okay with and it makes a ton of sense. Wouldn't be surprised if the staff grabs three guards and Cupps decides to transfer. However, If the staff thinks he is the starting PG, then yes we have bigger problems. 

I am more than concerned with roster construction and talent evaluation with this staff. I have very low expectations, but there are 7 spots to fill and we aren't getting 7 Caleb Love's/Ke'el Ware's.

I'm just as concerned with their ability to develop talent, and maximize a player's abilities to fit the system best. Then again they would have to have a system to begin with.

Regardless, we should have at least 6 spots to fill, most should be guards/wings, and Walker could be worth bringing on.

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2 hours ago, btownqb said:

Spot on. 

There is also a human element to all of this, in more ways than one. 

This is where the "vetting" process, the scouting process needs to come into play and why I want a director of scouting position. 

I will also mention-- EKU won their league, not the tourney this year. 

Why not just start having regional scouts like professional sports? Year round tracking mid-major guys. Watching them. High school kids. Giving the wink wink like we’re watching you but can’t officially have contact. 

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3 hours ago, Chris007 said:

I think most players will take a visit before committing like Walker from EKU. He's going to visit IU and Depaul before deciding.

Your bracket is busted because you picked UK? Come on your better than that. 

Happy Friday!!

Not UK, because I took Nevada l, Colorado St, and McNeese!

I know he’ll need a visit first, I was just posting to be funny and because I was bored.  

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