Let’s talk Roster! 2026/2027

[HoosierHoopster]

Big wing and a backup point

[Asha’man]

I think we have plenty of wings between who we picked up in the portal, Sisley, and the freshmen. A backup C is what I’d like to see. Even if it’s a developmental guy used for practice. I don’t see us going more than 8-9 deep at most and I think one of the freshmen will contribute, likely Moody. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

5 hours ago, ziggyiu said:

I love the 1, 4, and 5 spots. 

I'm not as bullish about the 2 and 3.

I think Jaeden is solid. I like Bryce as a depth piece. He flashed a little but was MIA too much this past season. Darren just couldn't get any run. I know Duke was talented, but only averaging less than 10 minutes a game makes me think he's not reliable starter material. Maybe a fine depth piece though. 

Considering the vast improvements I can’t complain much, but what little I can I'll devote to wishing we had another high quality wing. 

This is where I stand.  Also the 4/5 is strong at the starter spots but besides, Sisley at the 4 we don’t have a backup for that spot.  Manhertz(sp?).  I think we need another good 4/5.  Especially in case of an injury.  And we have lots of potential at the 2/3.  Most of our roster.  Mustaf will play a lot.  The better of Lindsay/Harris will play a lot.   

[triple]

3 hours ago, Asha’man said:

I think we have plenty of wings between who we picked up in the portal, Sisley, and the freshmen. A backup C is what I’d like to see. Even if it’s a developmental guy used for practice. I don’t see us going more than 8-9 deep at most and I think one of the freshmen will contribute, likely Moody. 

Backup big is also top priority for me, by a long shot.  Because we are one injury away, Yigitoglu or Sherrell, from being undersized in conference play (yet again).  

[Home Jersey]

Absolutely need a back up big who can play the 5. Doesn't have to be a stud but a competent player who can give you 15mpg or so if need be. Maybe a senior that doesn't project to get an NBA pay day. 

I know Lindsay is a combo guard that can slide to PG if Burton comes out, but I still think a back up pure point would be good to add to this group.

Then I would probably leave the last scholarship open and see what happens. It would be cool to add a 3/4 that can rebound, shoot and defend the perimeter... but that's probably a lot to ask for with the last spot on the roster

[fwgreenway]

2 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Absolutely need a back up big who can play the 5. Doesn't have to be a stud but a competent player who can give you 15mpg or so if need be. Maybe a senior that doesn't project to get an NBA pay day. 

I know Lindsay is a combo guard that can slide to PG if Burton comes out, but I still think a back up pure point would be good to add to this group.

Then I would probably leave the last scholarship open and see what happens. It would be cool to add a 3/4 that can rebound, shoot and defend the perimeter... but that's probably a lot to ask for with the last spot on the roster

Backup 5 is a must to me. Backup PG with Burton's injury history, for sure. And then save last for Miika Muurinen. Oh come on let me dream it's still early today!

[68Hoosier]

Back up Big

Back up PG

Wing / Strech 4

 

[Stuhoo]

3 minutes ago, fwgreenway said:

Backup 5 is a must to me. Backup PG with Burton's injury history, for sure. And then save last for Miika Muurinen. Oh come on let me dream it's still early today!

Backup big is a must.

It seems as though Lindsay (primarily) or maybe even PAM could spot Burton at point. Not that we don't want Budd Clark (that would be an incredible get at this point), but we have a much more pressing need for bench size IMO.

[fwgreenway]

2 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Backup big is a must.

It seems as though Lindsay (primarily) or maybe even PAM could spot Burton at point. Not that we don't want Budd Clark (that would be an incredible get at this point), but we have a much more pressing need for bench size IMO.

Oh agree. But if Burton goes down like last year? I'd much rather a 'truer' PG to back that spot on the roster that's not a freshman. Size matters too...wait

[str8baller]

30 minutes ago, fwgreenway said:

And then save last for Miika Muurinen

Where is all this coming from?

[CSP]

There's a million different things that can happen between now and then... I assume Burton, Yigi, and Sherrell all specifically have NBA aspirations... 

It's interesting that EVERYONE we've signed has 2 years of eligibility. Some of that is obviously coincidence... 

 

Ultimately.. what I'm getting at... we could be pretty solid next year, but we might be DAMN good in 2027-28. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

The 2-years of eligibility is definitely a plus but realistically in today's environment, what % can we truly expect to stick around for their second year?   1 or 2 simply won't produce; 1 or 2 will simply chase $$.

[fwgreenway]

15 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Where is all this coming from?

My delusional state of mind - sorry didn't mean to stir the pot - my inside info is strictly inside my head!

[Pagoda]

It's hard to know how many of our '26-27 players stick around, but it's so great to have players with multiple years of eligibility.

For those we want to keep, we're in the advantageous position of retaining them.  Importantly, it's cheaper to retain players than to get replacements in the portal.  It's going to be hard for other programs to materially outbid IU and pry loose players we want to keep.

I found all the one-year eligibility guys last season to be a depressing situation, probably more than even the lack of bigs.  We had little chance to make progress building a roster and it felt like a waste of a season.

We just can't be turnover almost the whole roster each year.  It is possible even this day in age in CBB to have a core of guys that know the system and help build a culture.  Hopefully that starts now at IU, it looks like it could be, assuming we scouted well.

[Hardwood83]

1 hour ago, Home Jersey said:

Absolutely need a back up big who can play the 5. Doesn't have to be a stud but a competent player who can give you 15mpg or so if need be. Maybe a senior that doesn't project to get an NBA pay day. 

I know Lindsay is a combo guard that can slide to PG if Burton comes out, but I still think a back up pure point would be good to add to this group.

Then I would probably leave the last scholarship open and see what happens. It would be cool to add a 3/4 that can rebound, shoot and defend the perimeter... but that's probably a lot to ask for with the last spot on the roster

I'm with you. Not a fan of being single threaded at any spot. Also, don't want your back-up at one position to be the starter at another (Sherrell for Samet) So get a competent back-up PG, Solid wing starter and competent Back-up Center and you have a VERY well-rounded, deep capable team. 

[str8baller]

1 hour ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

The 2-years of eligibility is definitely a plus but realistically in today's environment, what % can we truly expect to stick around for their second year?   1 or 2 simply won't produce; 1 or 2 will simply chase $$.

That would be fairly normal turnover for any year. But I doubt we lose too many to money concerns. 
 

In any event, the staff will likely want 2-4 spots open for HS recruits and a portal upgrade or two. Seems like we’d take at least two HS recruits, no?

[Home Jersey]

Adding a big Euro wing / stretch 4 who can hold his own switching on D on the perimeter would really elevate this group IMO. Maybe a pipe dream.

Think we need back up 5 and bench PG regardless. Maybe those guy are seniors. The 5 will need to be able to play big minutes occasionally I think.

Really enjoying the commits coming from out of nowhere. Nice being pleasantly surprised about IUBB for a change of pace. 

[mike vannice]

9 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Adding a big Euro wing / stretch 4 who can hold his own switching on D on the perimeter would really elevate this group IMO. Maybe a pipe dream.

Think we need back up 5 and bench PG regardless. Maybe those guy are seniors. The 5 will need to be able to play big minutes occasionally I think.

Really enjoying the commits coming from out of nowhere. Nice being pleasantly surprised about IUBB for a change of pace. 

Definitely agree on the need for a backup center and could also use a big wing defender/ athlete. I believe someone on here mentioned Euros as possible options for those spots. That would be great because there does not appear to be many portal options left that we could afford.

I think we could still use another shooter and really like Gavin Sykes from Long Beach State. Does anyone know if he has a visit set up. Heard something somewhere about this weekend but have not been able to confirm.

[AZ Hoosier]

2 hours ago, mike vannice said:

Definitely agree on the need for a backup center and could also use a big wing defender/ athlete. I believe someone on here mentioned Euros as possible options for those spots. That would be great because there does not appear to be many portal options left that we could afford.

I think we could still use another shooter and really like Gavin Sykes from Long Beach State. Does anyone know if he has a visit set up. Heard something somewhere about this weekend but have not been able to confirm.

Not sure what we can and cannot afford these days. So far, the pile of money for the portal is larger than many here expected. That doesn't mean that it's unlimited or that it can be wasted, but it may be sufficient for someone we think is out of reach, financially.

The issue for me is finding the remaining parts that we need from guys who aren't looking to start at the P5 level. Playing time is not given, it's earned, so anything is possible, but we're in need of depth (backups) at C and PG.

[CSP]

13 minutes ago, AZ Hoosier said:

Not sure what we can and cannot afford these days. So far, the pile of money of the portal is larger than many here expected. That doesn't mean that it's unlimited or that it can be wasted, but it may be sufficient for someone we think is out of reach, financially.

The issue for me is finding the remaining parts that we need from guys who aren't looking to start at the P5 level. Playing time is not given, it's earned, so anything is possible, but we're in need of depth (backups) at C and PG.

This always confused me