Let’s talk Roster! 2026/2027

[Home Jersey]

6 minutes ago, CSP said:

This always confused me

Why?

[CSP]

1 minute ago, Home Jersey said:

Why?

because fabricated negativity tends to do that

[Home Jersey]

6 minutes ago, CSP said:

because fabricated negativity tends to do that

Fabricated negativity confuses you? Or caused people to think we had less money than we actually did? Could be mistaken but didn't Rabjohns literally report the range being $12-15M at one point

[CSP]

5 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Fabricated negativity confuses you? Or caused people to think we had less money than we actually did? Could be mistaken but didn't Rabjohns literally report the range being $12-15M at one point

Do we ever seem to "not have enough money" lol... ever? ..We literally bought Kel'el Ware, Omar Ballo, etc. 

Does 15 million not sound like enough, even if true? 

 

Yes, fabricated negativity confuses me. 

[AZ Hoosier]

1 hour ago, CSP said:

This always confused me

In what way? Confused that we expected less money? Or something else? 

There are multiple comments from multiple posters estimating our portal budget to be $10-14M. We don't know any prices for certain, but based on "going rate" and rumored price tags, we've spent way more than that.

Given the trajectory of the program over the past 30 years, and the huge bag that was dropped on Woodson's last team, all with hugely disappointing results (granted, Woodson was in essence our only portal era coach), and the poorly constructed roster last season, I frankly expected to be underwhelmed this portal season. And I expected the donors to close the bank. 

I hope I'm not Charlie Brown again, falling for Lucy's ploy, but I am actually kind of excited about the upcoming basketball season... following another stellar season from Cignetti's boys on the gridiron.

It's a good time to be a Hoosier!

[AZ Hoosier]

1 hour ago, CSP said:

Do we ever seem to "not have enough money" lol... ever? ..We literally bought Kel'el Ware, Omar Ballo, etc. 

Does 15 million not sound like enough, even if true? 

 

Yes, fabricated negativity confuses me. 

Gotcha.

Without being "that guy" who is always crapping on Woodson, that whole "buy Woodson a team that can't fail" thing fell flat because of his inability to coach. I get it that the donors for that team were Woodson's buddies, but if I have that kind of money and saw him light it on fire, I'm thinking long and hard about giving again.

Then again, maybe this set of donors is not that crowd, and are doing their best to help restore the program.

But the reported $10-14M sounds like the real number that was reported, so to see a spending spree like we have, well, it's kind of encouraging.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Rabjohns says heart of the roster is set.  Big depth. 
 

I think this is a mistake. This will require a few of the freshman being ready to contribute. And provides little depth in case if injuries. I realize it’s hard to keep 11-13 happy but keeping happy vs little injury depth is a big concern.  
 

Anyway, impact guys are likely, unless we get an above average big man still. 

[Home Jersey]

7 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Rabjohns says heart of the roster is set.  Big depth. 

I think this is a mistake. This will require a few of the freshman being ready to contribute. And provides little depth in case if injuries. I realize it’s hard to keep 11-13 happy but keeping happy vs little injury depth is a big concern.  

Anyway, impact guys are likely, unless we get an above average big man still. 

Feels somewhat likely to me this is an example of trying to underpromise and overdeliver.

The portal only opened 9 days ago and doesn't close until the 21st IIRC. Have to believe the staff is still actively pursuing guys for 11-13, maybe just managing expectations to say "heart of the roster" is set... which, of course, is technically true when you have 10 guys signed up already. Definitely still need to add minimally a 3rd big who can play. After getting Yig and Sherrell, I'd be surprised if the staff doesn't view that as a need.

Hopefully they're also kicking the tires on Euro options.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

7 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Feels somewhat likely to me this is an example of trying to underpromise and overdeliver.

The portal only opened 9 days ago and doesn't close until the 21st IIRC. Have to believe the staff is still actively pursuing guys for 11-13, maybe just managing expectations to say "heart of the roster" is set... which, of course, is technically true when you have 10 guys signed up already. Definitely still need to add minimally a 3rd big who can play. After getting Yig and Sherrell, I'd be surprised if the staff doesn't view that as a need.

Hopefully they're also kicking the tires on Euro options.

Yeah, I think you are right.  But i think it’s handicapping yourself. 

[Home Jersey]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Yeah, I think you are right.  But i think it’s handicapping yourself. 

I think it's only handicapping themselves if we somehow don't have a full roster by the end of summer. Would be very disappointing but I just don't see that happening.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

3 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

I think it's only handicapping themselves if we somehow don't have a full roster by the end of summer. Would be very disappointing but I just don't see that happening.

 

4 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

I think it's only handicapping themselves if we somehow don't have a full roster by the end of summer. Would be very disappointing but I just don't see that happening.

It’s handicapping yourself by the level of player they are looking for if the “heart of the team” is already determined.  6 of our 10 players have real question marks on what they can contribute. Should be in on guys that are hungry to earn a spot in the top 8.  The the best players rise to the top. Therefore handicapping ourselves. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

After Raby's comment about "heart of the roster" he shortly after made more comments

-post depth still under consideration and want to still add a player

-they still plan to fill out the roster.

 

It's Rabyspeak but I'm interpreting it that we'll still look for players but they will clearly be of the end of the bench variety.

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Capsule summary of our roster from Trevor Andershock which I don't believe is paywalled.

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/longformarticle/indiana-hoosiers-mens-basketball-2026-transfer-portal-tracker-279917858/#2812595

[Home Jersey]

1 minute ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

 

It’s handicapping yourself by the level of player they are looking for if the “heart of the team” is already determined.  6 of our 10 players have real question marks on what they can contribute. Should be in on guys that are hungry to earn a spot in the top 8.  The the best players rise to the top. Therefore handicapping ourselves. 

I agree with what you're saying and without having seen what Rabjohns said it seems like "heart of the team" is doing a lot of lifting and up for interpretation.

I have to believe they're pursuing at least a 3rd big capable of contributing. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

3 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

I agree with what you're saying and without having seen what Rabjohns said it seems like "heart of the team" is doing a lot of lifting and up for interpretation.

I have to believe they're pursuing at least a 3rd big capable of contributing. 

Im sure they are.  Still handicapping themselves by even thinking in those terms. Should be scouring the recruiting to find an unheralded guy that ends up surprising. Heart of team and starters should not be predetermined.  Add talent until you can’t and let the best man win. 

Edited 18 hours ago by WayneFleekHoosier

[Home Jersey]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Im sure they are.  Still handicapping themselves by even thinking in those terms. Should be scouring the recruiting to find an unheralded guy that ends up surprising. Heart of team and starters should be predetermined.  Add talent until you can’t and let the best man win. 

How do we know they aren't? Because Rabjohns said the "heart of the team" is set? Maybe that was meant as in starting 5. Maybe Rabjohns was told this because there's nothing imminent lined up and they're working on options. Ultimately we will find out when the roster is complete

[BA47591]

Using the old number system, the portal got us 4 players to cover 1-3. Then you have the freshmen. A lot of buzz around Karvala.  Lindsey can play the 1 or 2. Moody can get some time. Then there's the bigs. I think they'll play 15 minutes a game together. We'll play some small ball 4 out half the game. Trent is the key here. I think another big is inevitable though.  That would be 11 players. 

See who all drops out of the draft. That's where Dusty changed everything. 

[BA47591]

Tavian Banks anyone? 

[str8baller]

10 minutes ago, BA47591 said:

Lindsey can play the 1 or 2. Moody can get some time.

If they really like Moody I can see him and Lindsey being the combo-guard/backup Pg options. That gives you some flexibility. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

8 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

How do we know they aren't? Because Rabjohns said the "heart of the team" is set? Maybe that was meant as in starting 5. Maybe Rabjohns was told this because there's nothing imminent lined up and they're working on options. Ultimately we will find out when the roster is complete

My take is this was done as a feel good to the Freshman and Sisley. KennyJ is posting highlight videos of all the freshman today too. 
 

Its just a weird phrasing.  It indicates your top 10 is selected.  It’s competitive sports.  You fill 12 or 13 spots. It’s a team. You compete.  The heart of the team is ALL 12 or 13 guys.  
 

It’s a settling mentality. I believe it’s to make the freshman and Sisley camps feel good a about not being recruited over.  And I get that. Because that’s how things work these days with promises and what not.  Just makes the job harder when you cap your recruiting level based on roster perception before they ever hit the court.