IUBB at Michigan State - Tuesday, 01.13.26 @ 7:00 on NBCSN/Peacock

[pumpfake]

8 hours ago, Golfman25 said:

Unfortunately, you're wrong to think we can just snap our fingers and get a good hire.  IU isn't a destination any longer.  We need a guy who has coaching chops that can turn addition into multiplication.  Jury is definitely out on DeVries.   

What you say does seem true, but is Michigan a "destination"? Or Auburn, or any of the other non-traditional basketball schools who've been outstanding recently?

I got crapped on for expressing my displeasure over the DDV hire, but either I was justified or the goalposts have been moved.  I recall being told "with OUR resources" we can return to the top levels of CBB quickly (because, you know, Michigan & Louisville).  Well, that sure hasn't happened here.

I certainly believe CDD is a definite upgrade over Woodson in coaching ability - but that might just put him mid-B10.  We saw foot dragging during the off season in assembling a staff and a truly mediocre use of the portal.  HS recruiting seems non-existent and this season isn't going to provide a boost.

Fair or not, after the past 10 years it feels like a an annual rearrangemennt of lawnchairs on the Titanic.

[Artie86]

3 pt shooting in 2025-26 - check!

IU is missing a bigger, stronger, athletic presence down low..... Lack of offensive rebounding for put backs/kick outs and low post block outs/rebounding is a huge part of what we are missing.

[HinnyHoosier]

7 minutes ago, pumpfake said:

 Fair or not, after the past 10 years it feels like a an annual rearrangemennt of lawnchairs on the Titanic.

[Hoosier987]

I’m not ready to write DeVries off in the first 17 games of his tenure. I do think he can turn this program around, however, there were some glaring issues this Staff didn’t address that frankly should’ve been addressed in the portal.

It’s simple. We can’t live rebound the ball. You’re not winning at a consistent level in any conference, let alone the BIG Ten if you don’t have a frontcourt presence. It’s all Amazing and yet concerning that this Staff thought Reed Bailey was an adequate option down low in the Big Ten. Wait till we play Michigan or Purdue.  We’ll get eaten alive on the Boards. IMO, To stand any chance in keeping those game close, we have to be hitting at a greater than 50% clip beyond the arc, maybe even 60%. We also have 5 scholarship players that don’t contribute, either because they’re unplayable or hurt. Sure would have been nice to have gotten a rim protector/ rebounder that could’ve have contributed in lieu of one these guys sitting on the bench. 
 

Lastly, thank God for Coach Cignetti and IUFB. 

 

 

[IUrocker]

I just think Devries tried building the type of roster he had at WV and insisted it was going to work. He can now clearly see that it’s not working like he thought it would, seeing first hand the type of size and athleticism in front of him, and will adjust accordingly to fit the Big10 when building his next roster. Our inside game is obviously a yikes, especially with Bailey being so dang soft, and I’m sure Devries is gonna know to avoid that going forward. 

[Stuhoo]

The guards are pretty good; Lamar is one of the five best players IU has had in the past ten years. Conerway can play, and Enright would be a key piece on a team where he could be the seventh/eighth man.

The front line is the worst I've seen at IU since Crean's first two years. Gotta go back to Bobby Capobianco and Tom Pritchard to get worse starting bigs at IU. Bailey and Alexis try hard but just aren't up to the task, and Tucker is slow as ****. Our one rotation freshman Sisley is the most athletic player on the roster. That's not a good sign, but at least we return a major building block.

The scheme on both ends and attitude/body language are good. A major improvement over Woodson (duh) and Archie.

Recruiting looks fine or better; we desperately need athleticism and Karvala and (hopefully Manhertz) have that, though they will need a while to show it. Prince AM may help much sooner. 

In summary? Rome wasn't built in a day, the roster stinks but the coaching looks good, and hopefully the staff has learned important lessons about roster building.

[FortWayneHoosier]

I truly think that this upcoming game against Iowa Saturday, is a chance to turn the tides. The roster is what it is at this point and we will continue to have issues down low. What we can control and change is cutting to the basket more, boxing out and getting up for rebounds, and reducing turnovers. I still have tons of faith in Devries and company. Its his first year in the Big Ten, its not gonna be easy. 

[Stuhoo]

7 minutes ago, FortWayneHoosier said:

I truly think that this upcoming game against Iowa Saturday, is a chance to turn the tides. The roster is what it is at this point and we will continue to have issues down low. What we can control and change is cutting to the basket more, boxing out and getting up for rebounds, and reducing turnovers. I still have tons of faith in Devries and company. Its his first year in the Big Ten, its not gonna be easy. 

Best case scenario for this year is that we win games against teams that don't decidedly out-athlete/out-talent us, especially along our front line, and squeak out a 9-11 B1G season and a play-in tourney berth. Iowa is one of the games where we can succeed.

And then rebuild with some players with live legs and strong bodies.

[Ryno6284]

I want to see what DDV does this offseason after getting punched in the mouth this season. Then I will probably make judgement.

[FortWayneHoosier]

18 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Best case scenario for this year is that we win games against teams that don't decidedly out-athlete/out-talent us, especially along our front line, and squeak out a 9-11 B1G season and a play-in tourney berth. Iowa is one of the games where we can succeed.

And then rebuild with some players with live legs and strong bodies.

Bingo, I share the same sentiment. I said the same thing about the Nebraska game, they were not "wow" athletically, and look we had a 16 point lead, that game was winnable in every way. I feel the same here about Iowa. They dont have anyone that is "scary good", they are very well coached, and play as a team. This is our chance to get a Q1 win on our resume. 

[68Hoosier]

4 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

I want to see what DDV does this offseason after getting punched in the mouth this season. Then I will probably make judgement.

Yeah, I am not overly excited about what he did during the offseason this past year, but I was willing to give him a pass since the started at ground level with nothing.  I am really interested in seeing what the roster looks like after this year and where we put most of the NIL.  

[DChoosier]

To clarify…..No, I am not panicked about our situation while scouring the private plane flights from Boston-Bloomington. :)

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

Glad I didn't watch. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

I admit I didn't watch and haven't been.  I keep the live stats link up on my laptop and Fisch on the radio but get no enjoyment out of actually watching the game.   Is there a bona fide Alpha dog on this team?  Does the team have any true on-court leadership?

[pumpfake]

1 hour ago, 68Hoosier said:

Yeah, I am not overly excited about what he did during the offseason this past year, but I was willing to give him a pass since the started at ground level with nothing.  I am really interested in seeing what the roster looks like after this year and where we put most of the NIL.  

I understand, but we seem to always be stuck looking forward to something.

[FortWayneHoosier]

16 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

I admit I didn't watch and haven't been.  I keep the live stats link up on my laptop and Fisch on the radio but get no enjoyment out of actually watching the game.   Is there a bona fide Alpha dog on this team?  Does the team have any true on-court leadership?

I've seen flashes of on court leadership from Wilkerson....and he is the only that has been consistent in scoring as of late. 

[Uspshoosier]

2 hours ago, FortWayneHoosier said:

This is our chance to get a Q1 win on our resume

Iowa needs to start winning as well for that win to stay a Q1 if IU is to win it.    If they lose tonight they will be 2-4 in the league and will have 0 Q1 wins as well as  a worse non con Sos then IU 

Iowa is on the left and IU is on the right.  
not much difference 

[Golfman25]

3 hours ago, pumpfake said:

What you say does seem true, but is Michigan a "destination"? Or Auburn, or any of the other non-traditional basketball schools who've been outstanding recently?

I got crapped on for expressing my displeasure over the DDV hire, but either I was justified or the goalposts have been moved.  I recall being told "with OUR resources" we can return to the top levels of CBB quickly (because, you know, Michigan & Louisville).  Well, that sure hasn't happened here.

I certainly believe CDD is a definite upgrade over Woodson in coaching ability - but that might just put him mid-B10.  We saw foot dragging during the off season in assembling a staff and a truly mediocre use of the portal.  HS recruiting seems non-existent and this season isn't going to provide a boost.

Fair or not, after the past 10 years it feels like a an annual rearrangemennt of lawnchairs on the Titanic.

Based on recent history, both Michigan and Auburn are better destinations than Bloomington.  Aside from a couple of Tom Crean years, we haven't done squat since the 2002 run.  We are not going to make it on looks alone.  We need a dog who can coach, schmooze, and build a program.  Crean was inconsistent, but the best we had so far.  Archie and Woodson just bad.  DeVrises, I honestly thought he would be better, but from what I can see he pretty much sux.  

There was a fan in the stands with a "dusty banners" T-shirt.  Truth hurts.  :) 

[Golfman25]

3 hours ago, Artie86 said:

3 pt shooting in 2025-26 - check!

IU is missing a bigger, stronger, athletic presence down low..... Lack of offensive rebounding for put backs/kick outs and low post block outs/rebounding is a huge part of what we are missing.

So you're going to lose by 20 points.  You have a big man project on the bench.  Why the hell not put him in and see?  Zero to lose at that point. IMO that is bad coaching.   

[Uspshoosier]

4 hours ago, pumpfake said:

I recall being told "with OUR resources" we can return to the top levels of CBB quickly (because, you know, Michigan & Louisville).  Well, that sure hasn't happened here.

You also had people tell you to embrace the grind and that it might not happen overnight.    IU is going to have to grind to get back to where the fans want IU to be.