Thoughts on a Season of Highs and Lows, and Noah — Will He Stay or Will He Go?

[DocLibby 761]

First things first …

Yogi not being named to All-Big Ten 1st Team is unbelievable.

Naturally, I’m extremely biased, and perhaps some of you will agree with him being on the 2nd team (which no doubt is still an honor), but this is my post, so I get to vent.

Is there a category for Most Improved? If not, there should be.

No hard feelings though. It definitely gives us something to look forward to next year.

We don’t hold grudges and we don’t focus on something we have no control over. But it will create a drive that will foster late night dates with a theme of hardwood floors and leather that is all too familiar for top NCAA basketball players.

We shall live to see another year. Stronger. Better. Smarter. Inspired.

Season of highs and lows comes to and end

As we dribble toward the end of another season, we can’t help but look back at the good and bad times.

Although the bad undoubtedly outshines the good this season, the Indiana University men’s basketball team once again created memories that will last a lifetime.

• We were able to rush the floor at least once this year.
• We won when we thought we should have lost and lost when we thought we should have won.
• A player became homesick.
• Expectations were shattered.
• New hope has been restored.

We will no doubt live to see another year of highs and lows like an ESPN special … which I’m sure will be boycotted by me at some point during next years season.

However, next season does hold promises.

What will Noah do?

We are certain of the talent that will be arriving. And, like clockwork, at the end of any season we worry who will stay and who will go.

Some worry about Yogi’s timeline, but most overindulge on the idea of our star center Noah Vonleh.

Despite the fact that we have shown that we can function without out him for one game, would we be able to develop into a team next season without a strong center?

Yes, I have more information than most as to the expected future of the team, but I’m not privy to the last word on what Noah will do.

I’m just as selfish as the rest of you when it comes to holding onto Noah for just one more year. As a parent of a star player, I’ve often wondered how I would counsel Yogi when it comes down to should he stay or should he go.

Here’s the speech I would give Yogi (and Noah):

The final decision is yours.

It’s one that you have to live with, although many will have their input, no doubt loaded with persuasion that somehow fits into their own agenda.

Should you decide to stay, you can improve on your already blooming skill set. You can help a team advance deep into an NCAA tournament.

But you will also run the risks of injury or moving down the draft board as the pieces on this chess board are rearranged and reset after every season.

If you are projected to go in the top 10 (with the understanding that nothing is guaranteed), then the money offered right now does not compare to what you will be offered at any other point in your life.

You can always finish school. I encourage you to finish school. An uneducated person with money will soon become front and center in the unemployment line … dreaming of what once was.

As the Bible says, a fool and his money are soon parted.

Seek after your education with the same passion and consistency that you have for basketball. Fill the void that will most likely haunt you when the lights and fans have moved on to someone else.

The average career of an NBA player is approximately 4.7 years. What will you do after you’re done?

You can’t play basketball forever and an education gives you a solid future. No one can take away your education. Don’t become a washed up NBA player (60% go broke after being in the league).

As Noah future remains ambiguous, I will sit in anticipation with the rest of the general public when he gives the final word on if he will stay or go.

He’s got a fan for life, regardless of whatever he decides to do.

The future is bright

Hints of next year’s team are promising.

• Troy Williams is finding himself and realizing his potential.
• Stanford Robinson will be the slasher who will continue to find seemingly impossible ways to get to the basket.
• Jeremy Hollowell will gain the confidence he needs and emit the passion as a strong forward.
• Yogi will improve on balancing his role as a facilitator and playmaker.

These young athletes are still pliable and developing.

Coach Crean …. well, he’s Coach Crean. No doubt he will continue to recruit top players with the help of his staff.

I’m confident he will look back over the last year and use it to evolve his game and coaching skills as well. The summer will be a time for reflection and growth.

Big Ten Tournament

Thursday we will be watching our Hoosiers enter into the Big Ten Tournament.

As they work on their physical game this week, I hope that they have the mental stability to play 40 minutes of fundamentally sound basketball that is not plagued with sloppy ball handling and poor shot selection.

After each inevitable missed field goal, I pray for a lazy short term memory of the players as they keep up energy and enthusiasm during these taxing end of the season rituals where only one team will remain standing.

If Indiana can win a tough matchup against a hot Illinois team, then #1 Michigan will await. I’m sure Michigan isn’t excited about a potential matchup, because they know that the Hoosiers will give them a run for their money … especially on neutral territory.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I’ve said more than once: You rank ‘em, we spank ‘em.

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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Loved the part about what you'd say to Noah or Yogi about going pro. I think you nailed it dead center. I hope all IU fans read that part and realize that it isn't about the love of the university or always enjoying your full college career. A lot of that depends on where you will get drafted and the amount of $$$$ you can make by going pro early.

Love the post as always. And I'm even happier you used my Yogi pic instead of Indiana's official one...
[attachment=545:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1394587702.235847.jpg]


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[mdn82 25,510]

I think ITH nailed it with what they said on the draft.  IF Noah is the 10th pick in this draft versus the 3rd pick in next year's weak draft, the difference is $5.3 million over the life of the contract.  IF he was to come back, he would most certainly be looked at as a top 3 pick in next year's draft.  If that is a consideration, it would come down to if he felt he and his team would improve.  That opened my eyes more than anything.  

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

[quote name="mdn82" post="46626" timestamp="1394588263"]I think ITH nailed it with what they said on the draft. IF Noah is the 10th pick in this draft versus the 3rd pick in next year's weak draft, the difference is $5.3 million over the life of the contract. IF he was to come back, he would most certainly be looked at as a top 3 pick in next year's draft. If that is a consideration, it would come down to if he felt he and his team would improve. That opened my eyes more than anything. [/quote]

The life of that contract isn't the important one though. The important one to look at is the LAST year he's in the NBA. Let's say his body gives way at 30. He can either have 10 seasons in the NBA by coming back to IU, or he can have 11 by going pro. That 11th year he would make around $15,000,000. Therefore it isn't a about the first year, it's the last year that makes the difference.


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[Plasticjimmyhat 71]

Isiah Thomas looked to Coach Knight and his mom before becoming the first Hoosier to leave for the NBA early. Both coach Knight and his mother gave him best wishes, whatever his decision, as long as he graduated. Mr. Thomas took that to heart, and recieved a degree from I.U. while winning NBA championships. Any player who wears an INDIANA jersey and gets their degree, no matter how many years the gave us, empitomizes what it is to be a HOOSIER, and play basketball for INDIANA in ASSEMBLY HALL. I pray Noah will stay and lead the way with Yogi, but if he doesn't... get that degree and make HOOSIER NATION PROUD!!!

 

[mdn82 25,510]

The life of that contract isn't the important one though. The important one to look at is the LAST year he's in the NBA. Let's say his body gives way at 30. He can either have 10 seasons in the NBA by coming back to IU, or he can have 11 by going pro. That 11th year he would make around $15,000,000. Therefore it isn't a about the first year, it's the last year that makes the difference.


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IF he makes it that long.  Doc is correct that the average life of a NBA player is at 4 years.  Very few players come in to the league expecting to bust out.  That is why it is also important to be ready.  There has to be a good balance.  That contract is important if injuries occur or things out of his control.  Greg Oden is a great example.  Dude should have made over $100 million.  Hasheem Thabeet should have made at least $50 million if he were a career backup.  Some things just happen.  I am not saying he busts out on skill level.  I think he has to improve on the offensive end massively to compete.  Defensively, his footwork is slow right now, but he has the strongest set of hands I can remember.  He can rebound, and that will keep him on the floor.  I think he has trouble staying in front of NBA 4s.  But, he is 18.  He has upside.  His body is night and day from high school.  I can see why he would go either way honestly.  I don't think either decision should or would come down to his love of IU.  It will either be improving his draft stock, or he was "ready" to go.  Either way is right, because it is his life.  

[Hovadipo 54,946]

[quote name="mdn82" post="46653" timestamp="1394593920"]IF he makes it that long. Doc is correct that the average life of a NBA player is at 4 years. Very few players come in to the league expecting to bust out. That is why it is also important to be ready. There has to be a good balance. That contract is important if injuries occur or things out of his control. Greg Oden is a great example. Dude should have made over $100 million. Hasheem Thabeet should have made at least $50 million if he were a career backup. Some things just happen. I am not saying he busts out on skill level. I think he has to improve on the offensive end massively to compete. Defensively, his footwork is slow right now, but he has the strongest set of hands I can remember. He can rebound, and that will keep him on the floor. I think he has trouble staying in front of NBA 4s. But, he is 18. He has upside. His body is night and day from high school. I can see why he would go either way honestly. I don't think either decision should or would come down to his love of IU. It will either be improving his draft stock, or he was "ready" to go. Either way is right, because it is his life. [/quote]

It's nitpicky, but Thabeet is actually starting to carve out a pretty nice role in the Thunder rotation. Took him a while, but he is playing pretty well. He and Steven Adams should give them a nice frontcourt for the forseeable future.


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[mdn82 25,510]

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/rookie_scale

 

That ^^^^ is the rookie pay scale.  Big difference if you slide for any reason outside of the top 5.  If it were me, I would be gone.  I would bet on myself, and the possibility of being in the Lakers or Celtics range.  You know they will do something to get better quick.  Also, if it is Boston, it is hometown team, with Brad Stevens.  He can coach college aged kids.  I would feel real comfortable betting on myself in that range.  

[mdn82 25,510]

It's nitpicky, but Thabeet is actually starting to carve out a pretty nice role in the Thunder rotation. Took him a while, but he is playing pretty well. He and Steven Adams should give them a nice frontcourt for the forseeable future.


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He is the 3rd Center off of the bench averaging like 8 minutes.  That is the type of player that gets drafted over at the end of the 1st round to keep payroll down.  I always liked the dude at UConn.  I was shocked he busted out.  Offensively he was real raw, but defensively he was Anthony Davis good at 7'2".  You don't see that every day.  Then, you see players like Paul George come out of nowhere and become a superstar.  I think in the right situation a lot of young kids could do well.  If Noah went to Boston, I would be very happy for him.  That is the range he is looking right now.  That and LA.  Depending on the next coach, it should go well.  LA won't be down for long.  

[DocLibby 761]

[quote name="IU Hoosier41" post="46619" timestamp="1394587706"]Loved the part about what you'd say to Noah or Yogi about going pro. I think you nailed it dead center. I hope all IU fans read that part and realize that it isn't about the love of the university or always enjoying your full college career. A lot of that depends on where you will get drafted and the amount of $$$$ you can make by going pro early.

Love the post as always. And I'm even happier you used my Yogi pic instead of Indiana's official one...
[url="https://btownbanners.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=545"]ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1394587702.235847.jpg[/url]


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Thanks for the pic and as always thank you for the kind words. I hope that other college student-athlete read it and learn a thing or two


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[coachmayhew 1,414]

I hate to say it but we all know someone who plays the lottery or we play as well. If you had a million plus dangled in front of you when you were 19/20 years old that would probably, I said probably, might override the others talking to you about your future. A million would change all of our lives forever. Are you responsible enough to handle a million dollars or more is also a question. ( who knows the answer) This is where a strong education or family or knowledge comes in to play. No matter the outcome, I hope it ends in success, once a Hoosier always a Hoosier. The basketball team, coach, tradition will be fine it is the players future that matters. And for a teenager to make this decision is worth more than its weight in gold.

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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

IF he makes it that long.  Doc is correct that the average life of a NBA player is at 4 years.  Very few players come in to the league expecting to bust out.  That is why it is also important to be ready.  There has to be a good balance.  That contract is important if injuries occur or things out of his control.  Greg Oden is a great example.  Dude should have made over $100 million.  Hasheem Thabeet should have made at least $50 million if he were a career backup.  Some things just happen.  I am not saying he busts out on skill level.  I think he has to improve on the offensive end massively to compete.  Defensively, his footwork is slow right now, but he has the strongest set of hands I can remember.  He can rebound, and that will keep him on the floor.  I think he has trouble staying in front of NBA 4s.  But, he is 18.  He has upside.  His body is night and day from high school.  I can see why he would go either way honestly.  I don't think either decision should or would come down to his love of IU.  It will either be improving his draft stock, or he was "ready" to go.  Either way is right, because it is his life.  

 

Couple things here.

• The average NBA career is 4 years.  That is true, but I highly doubt the average lottery pick career is 4 years.
• Your Greg Oden example helps my case and hurts yours.  If that same injury his first season in the NBA actually happened in his Sophomore year at Ohio State he wouldn't have been the #1 overall pick.  He wouldn't have made NEAR the money he's made in his career.

My rule of thumb remains, if you are projected to be drafted in the lottery, and have good knowledge that you will be.  The decision should be 100% to go pro.  There are WAY too many intangibles that can affect your draft stock to kick you out of the lottery by waiting.  Play basketball as long as your body will let you, make money off that basketball as soon as you reasonably can.

[JaybobHoosier 11,839]

Great job as usual. Only thing we can truly do as fans is hope he stays, but wish him nothing but the best in whatever he chooses. At least we got him for one year, and no other college can say that.

 

I can't wait to see how next year's team looks! I, like every year, will be anxiously waiting for summer and fall to get over to watch our favorite team play this amazing game. No matter what, GO HOOSIERS!!!

[hoosiers62 4]

_{I think Noah can only get better.  I look at Cody and while he is getting minutes he would have been leading this team much higher and wouldnt he still be a high pick after this year?  VO is another story, athlete all the way, makes things happen.  I saw Cody play against the Twolves and while he did have stats in every category he was man handled a bit and i see that happening to Noah.  He wouldnt be a 5 in the NBA, hard to make him a 4 so 3 is more where he would fit, still needs to develop his body and his game.  Freshman Player of the Year is AWESOME and he did put up a lot of Double Doubles but go back and see how many were done in Big 10 play vs. the cupcake pre season.  Another year of development, seasoning, and maturing are only going to allow this young man to get beyond the "average" and be a Kevin Garnett long lived type of NBA player. IMO}

[Dalton26 16,892]

[quote name="hoosiers62" post="46697" timestamp="1394633503"][sub]I think Noah can only get better. I look at Cody and while he is getting minutes he would have been leading this team much higher and wouldnt he still be a high pick after this year? VO is another story, athlete all the way, makes things happen. I saw Cody play against the Twolves and while he did have stats in every category he was man handled a bit and i see that happening to Noah. He wouldnt be a 5 in the NBA, hard to make him a 4 so 3 is more where he would fit, still needs to develop his body and his game. Freshman Player of the Year is AWESOME and he did put up a lot of Double Doubles but go back and see how many were done in Big 10 play vs. the cupcake pre season. Another year of development, seasoning, and maturing are only going to allow this young man to get beyond the "average" and be a Kevin Garnett long lived type of NBA player. IMO[/sub][/quote] Cody likely wouldn't be drafted that high if he stayed. If MJ didn't draft him he probably would have fell pretty far. Why would it be hard to make Noah a 4? That's likely where he'll end up playing. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[BlueDevil 8,655]

[quote name="dalton26" post="46703" timestamp="1394635819"]Cody likely wouldn't be drafted that high if he stayed. If MJ didn't draft him he likely would have fell pretty far. Why would it be hard to make Noah a 4? That's likely where he'll end up playing. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app[/quote][ Uhh let me get a uh Cody zeller [attachment=556:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1394636502.571382.jpg]

[HoosierfaninGatorland 1]

IMHO Noah is gone...he already has an NBA body and depending on who else comes out, he could be as high as a 5-10 guy but more realistically, a 10-15 guy.  As has already been pointed out, the biggest risk to his returning next year is injury.  I have already resigned myself to the fact that he is gone and Hanner being the guy in the middle.  Thanks for the memories Noah and best of luck in the NBA.

[Rayl 527]

Just a note for the admins: when I attempt to open this thread on Android, it won't work. It says there are too many reload loops to process. I have no idea what that means.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

[quote name="Rayl" post="46746" timestamp="1394647240"]Just a note for the admins: when I attempt to open this thread on Android, it won't work. It says there are too many reload loops to process. I have no idea what that means.[/quote]

Are you in mobile or the BtownBanners app? If you aren't on the App, download it. 1000% better.


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[Rayl 527]

I'm just on mobile. I like it better than the app. Not that the app is bad. It's just that on the mobile browser I can get the fullsite and switch between websites without having to leave the browser app. Personal preference.