(2015) C Thomas Bryant to IU

[Josh 13,251]

Frankly, I honestly don't see us landing either Bryant or Maker. Why would those guys come here and be "coached" by Crean? What has CTC shown anyone about his ability to coach and develop players? Look at the history.

Cody and Vic did the work themselves. Vonleh seemed to check himself out about midway through the year.
 

 

You are so biased that you can't give Crean any credit at all for Vic?  Really?

[HoosierD 504]

Only if they are tempered. I don't follow recruiting as close as many, but by some things I've read TB would appear to need to add a lot of muscle (one site lists him at 217 pounds).

Adding muscle shouldn't be an issue. You knock Cody over by breathing on him hard when he finished hs, then by Hoosier Hysteria he was an easy 20-30 lbs bigger.

[Alford Bailey 13,233]

I think some are expecting a Cody Zeller type impact only better.

[AZ Hoosier 11,057]

You are so biased that you can't give Crean any credit at all for Vic? Really?

Sure. Crean gave him a key card to access Cook Hall. Vic worked his @$$ off and Crean himself gave Vic the credit, constantly praising Vic's work ethic.


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[Josh 13,251]

Sure. Crean gave him a key card to access Cook Hall. Vic worked his @$$ off and Crean himself gave Vic the credit, constantly praising Vic's work ethic.


Sent from my mobile device via Tapatalk 3.2.1.

And Vic credited Crean.  It's how it goes.  Both get a ton of credit.

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

Bryant will do for this team what yogi did for that team his freshman year.

Fills a MASSSSSSIVE hole.

This. I don't think people realize that one of the main reasons our defense was so bad was because of the gap at the 5. We went from the 47th best defense to the 219th with pretty much the same team minus Vonleh. You put a competent and skilled big man, Bryant, in the lineup, and you should see us with a defense much closer to that 50th range. Combine that with our potent offense, and you're looking at a pretty dangerous team.

Hopefully this team really works on their defense as well, and we see overall improvement regardless of Bryant.

[OliviaPope40 7,496]

He did help change our history for the better. Unfortunately, we could not sustain that positive change. We need a coach who can create a consistent culture and program so when we sign players like Zeller, we're already poised to capitalize on their talent.

This if I could only like this more than once.

[AZ Hoosier 11,057]

Sorry disappoint you then because most all the experts are saying its almost a lock that Bryant comes here. I don't want Crean to stay more than anyone else but all signs are pointing to him staying so ya

 

Not disappointed. I just truly don't see it. If I'm wrong, so be it.

[AZ Hoosier 11,057]

And Vic credited Crean.  It's how it goes.  Both get a ton of credit.

 

You are entitled to your opinion. I just don't happen to subscribe to it.

 

Now, who gets the blame for Vonleh checking out mid-way through the season? Is that all on Noah? SMH

[incrediboy 928]

I think Bryant is waiting to see who stays and who jumps to the NBA from Kentucky. If enough guys leave to the point he could get tons of playing time, he might go there. Otherwise, I think we have as good a shot as anyone. 

 

And...we need to understand he is another Vonleh in that he'll be one-and-done in all probability unless the NBA adopts the minimum-age rule that has been floating around a while.

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

I think Bryant is waiting to see who stays and who jumps to the NBA from Kentucky. If enough guys leave to the point he could get tons of playing time, he might go there. Otherwise, I think we have as good a shot as anyone. 

 

And...we need to understand he is another Vonleh in that he'll be one-and-done in all probability unless the NBA adopts the minimum-age rule that has been floating around a while.

Idk about that. He seems like more of a two year player to me. That's one of the main reasons I'd take him over Thon.

[Hovadipo 61,698]

If it's worth anything to anyone...Bryant isn't in the 1st round of a single 2016 mock draft that I've seen. I don't think he's going to come in with the offensive skill necessary to be a one and done. He's going to run the floor, grab boards, and dunk on people. Not back people down and use a pretty jump hook or a Dream Shake.

[coonhounds 10,559]

If it's worth anything to anyone...Bryant isn't in the 1st round of a single 2016 mock draft that I've seen. I don't think he's going to come in with the offensive skill necessary to be a one and done. He's going to run the floor, grab boards, and dunk on people. Not back people down and use a pretty jump hook or a Dream Shake.

that sounds like a guy we have a great shot at. Athletic but no basketball touch. He is ours

[incrediboy 928]

If it's worth anything to anyone...Bryant isn't in the 1st round of a single 2016 mock draft that I've seen. I don't think he's going to come in with the offensive skill necessary to be a one and done. He's going to run the floor, grab boards, and dunk on people. Not back people down and use a pretty jump hook or a Dream Shake.

That sounds like the perfect complement to our run-and-gun Yogi-RoJo-JBJ-Troy combo...get the rebound and the outlet pass and the Hurryin' Hoosiers are hurryin' away!

[Feathery 4,005]

This. I don't think people realize that one of the main reasons our defense was so bad was because of the gap at the 5. We went from the 47th best defense to the 219th with pretty much the same team minus Vonleh. You put a competent and skilled big man, Bryant, in the lineup, and you should see us with a defense much closer to that 50th range. Combine that with our potent offense, and you're looking at a pretty dangerous team.

Hopefully this team really works on their defense as well, and we see overall improvement regardless of Bryant.

You realize it wasn't lack of post presence that killed our defense. It was our lack of being able to stop dribble penetration at the wings. Remember to wasn't the same team minus Vonleh. We also had JBJR and Johnson as new starters. Adding a big doesn't fix our defense as simply as you are stating. There must be improvement on the wings first and foremost. Look at other teams of our size (MSU) and their ability to play defense.

[IU Hoosier41 14,491]

You realize it wasn't lack of post presence that killed our defense. It was our lack of being able to stop dribble penetration at the wings. Remember to wasn't the same team minus Vonleh. We also had JBJR and Johnson as new starters. Adding a big doesn't fix our defense as simply as you are stating. There must be improvement on the wings first and foremost. Look at other teams of our size (MSU) and their ability to play defense.

It won't fix everything, but having one giant down low that is talented will certainly alter some shots when they get around our wings. It'll be a sizable difference IMO

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

You realize it wasn't lack of post presence that killed our defense. It was our lack of being able to stop dribble penetration at the wings. Remember to wasn't the same team minus Vonleh. We also had JBJR and Johnson as new starters. Adding a big doesn't fix our defense as simply as you are stating. There must be improvement on the wings first and foremost. Look at other teams of our size (MSU) and their ability to play defense.

I completely agree. JBJ was a huge liability as well. I think RoJo held his own for the most part. I'll I'm saying is that the major missing piece was a big in the middle. Our defense still sucked, but was better with Hanner prior to his injury. Bryant would be an upgrade from a defensive perspective over Hanner, in my opinion. I'm also hoping to see continued improvement from him. He will probably never live up to the hype, but he has definitely made consistent improvements since freshman year.

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

@insidethehall: St. Joseph sends off Bryant to Chicago | The Herald-Dispatch http://t.co/IxlJTrJb8z

[theriverpilot 6,743]

It won't fix everything, but having one giant down low that is talented will certainly alter some shots when they get around our wings. It'll be a sizable difference IMO

And if Morgan and OG can add anything, then it could make Bryant's transition even smoother.

[Tom White 1,435]

It won't fix everything, but having one giant down low that is talented will certainly alter some shots when they get around our wings. It'll be a sizable difference IMO

Giant? I thought he was only about 6'9"?