(2015) C Thomas Bryant to IU

[BGleas]

I don't think those are crimson colored glasses. If we progress this year (overachieve in conference and win a game or two in the tourney), and bring back Yogi, JBJ, Troy, RoJo, Stan, Devin, Hanner and Holt, while adding Bryant, that seems like a top 10-15 team to me.

May be wishful thinking on my part, but if he came to IU and all the key players returned next year, that team should top 15 at worst. If I put my crimson colored glasses on, top 10.

[drewheck]

UK didn't choose booker over JBJ. That's not why he picked us.

blackmon picked iu for playing time

[schoosier]

I don't think those are crimson colored glasses. If we progress this year (overachieve in conference and win a game or two in the tourney), and bring back Yogi, JBJ, Troy, RoJo, Stan, Devin, Hanner and Holt, while adding Bryant, that seems like a top 10-15 team to me.

I agree your shade of glasses may be crimson. You lose a double double lottery pick at center who is a rebounding machine, plus a 1000 point scorer who avg. 4 rebounds. Now, we have no post prescence outside Hanner for all of about 5 minutes before he gets in foul trouble. Our inside depth's gonna kill us this year. Unless we score at a high rate and use very little shot clock, its going to be a long year. And this style of play just don't jive with B1G basketball unless your coach can figure out how to do it. Look at Crean's rack record the last 6 years.

[BGleas]

We were talking about next year, if everyone stays and we add Bryant.

I agree your shade of glasses may be crimson. You lose a double double lottery pick at center who is a rebounding machine, plus a 1000 point scorer who avg. 4 rebounds. Now, we have no post prescence outside Hanner for all of about 5 minutes before he gets in foul trouble. Our inside depth's gonna kill us this year. Unless we score at a high rate and use very little shot clock, its going to be a long year. And this style of play just don't jive with B1G basketball unless your coach can figure out how to do it. Look at Crean's rack record the last 6 years.

[schoosier]

We were talking about next year, if everyone stays and we add Bryant.

I was referring to a win or two in the tourney. Without Hanner being a stud and based on having one in Noah last year, I just don't see it even with adding several better wing players. You can't play them all at once and you have to rebound. I just don't see a replacement for the 10 Noah had last year even with 2/3 of our post players. And Troy needs to commit to rebounds and I just don't think he will. Troys a wing player at the next level.

[BGleas]

The NCAA tournament is an "any given Sunday" type of thing. Who knows who we'd play, how the match ups would play out and if Yogi/JBJ might have a "can't miss" game. If we overachieve and get in, anything can happen.

I'm not predicting all this will happen, I'm just saying if it does (which I think it's with the realm of possibility), then with everyone staying and adding Bryant we'd be positioned really nice for 15-16.

Also, I don't look at it as replacing Noah. This is a completely different team. It's not last years team without Noah. But with that said, I share your same concerns on our inside game. A lot of guys have to step up and a lot of question marks all have to go our way for us to overachieve, but we are talented and with a certain style of play we can be one of the surprise teams this year.

Again, it's not my prediction, but it is within the realm of possibility IMO.

I was referring to a win or two in the tourney. Without Hanner being a stud and based on having one in Noah last year, I just don't see it even with adding several better wing players. You can't play them all at once and you have to rebound. I just don't see a replacement for the 10 Noah had last year even with 2/3 of our post players. And Troy needs to commit to rebounds and I just don't think he will. Troys a wing player at the next level.

[323SGrant]

I don't think those are crimson colored glasses. If we progress this year (overachieve in conference and win a game or two in the tourney), and bring back Yogi, JBJ, Troy, RoJo, Stan, Devin, Hanner and Holt, while adding Bryant, that seems like a top 10-15 team to me.
 

Sounds good to me!

[Kepner]

I was referring to a win or two in the tourney. Without Hanner being a stud and based on having one in Noah last year, I just don't see it even with adding several better wing players. You can't play them all at once and you have to rebound. I just don't see a replacement for the 10 Noah had last year even with 2/3 of our post players. And Troy needs to commit to rebounds and I just don't think he will. Troys a wing player at the next level.

Our team averaged 39 rebounds a game last year. Vonleh averaged 9. So we are still a great rebounding team. I think we will be just fine with the rebounding. I think a combo of Holt, Davis, and HMP will be able to easily get the 9 rebounds a game we lost with Vonleh. 

[rebelhoosier848891]

I'd rather IU be TB's first choice but I agree with the posters that I would take him by default (Cuse getting in trouble) as opposed to not at all.  We could sure use that intimidator in the middle!

[schoosier]

Our team averaged 39 rebounds a game last year. Vonleh averaged 9. So we are still a great rebounding team. I think we will be just fine with the rebounding. I think a combo of Holt, Davis, and HMP will be able to easily get the 9 rebounds a game we lost with Vonleh.

I didn't see the scrimmage but saw some highlights. What's even more apparent now is we will get killed inderneath. Hanner is our only true post prescence and he still has a long way to go. Devin and Holt used as subs just won't get it done at the 5 or even 4. I saw more of the same from Yogi and other guards having to create their own shots. Our opponents will let us shoot every chance they get. I didn't see much defense either. Did you attend and what are your thought?

[VO5]

Our opponents will let us shoot every chance they get.

Looks like we're going to win a lot of games then.

[schoosier]

Looks like we're going to win a lot of games then.

If its Yogi, Troy, and Stan I seriously doubt it. JB2 won't get many open looks but most others will.

[Hoosiers96]

If its Yogi, Troy, and Stan I seriously doubt it. JB2 won't get many open looks but most others will.

Nice to see absolutely no optimism from you on any of these threads

[VO5]

If its Yogi, Troy, and Stan I seriously doubt it. JB2 won't get many open looks but most others will.

it's funny that you bring up basically our 4 man and a driving guard out of rojo, Z, max, etc. we have an abundance of shooters on this team.

[FKfootball]

We arent going to get killed underneath. Vonleh wasnt even a good defender. He really wasnt that impressive. He needed 1 more yea here. Perea is a good shotblocker and his wingspan will alter some shots. Davis and Holt are basically 6"9 guys with their wingspan. And they have enough bulk to not give up ground. I dont think we are going to be a solid team in the post this season, but the predictions of that area are being way over-exaggerated. I've seen this team in worse shape.

[FortWayneHoosier]

We arent going to get killed underneath. Vonleh wasnt even a good defender. He really wasnt that impressive. He needed 1 more yea here. Perea is a good shotblocker and his wingspan will alter some shots. Davis and Holt are basically 6"9 guys with their wingspan. And they have enough bulk to not give up ground. I dont think we are going to be a solid team in the post this season, but the predictions of that area are being way over-exaggerated. I've seen this team in worse shape.

someone that agrees with me, vonleh wasnt great at all to me, yes at times he was, but he got banged up bad in the BIG. All perea has to do this year is have some putbacks and rebound, we have enough perimeter game to cover our lack of post presence. 

[MartintheMopMan]

I can't imagine a less appropriate thread for this conversation.

[Hutch89]

If we had Bryant and Perea next year... boy that would be special.   

 

A really skilled freshman with an experienced senior...  Bryant would get some great experience his first year then dominate his 2nd, when the basket is all his. 

[Kepner]

I didn't see the scrimmage but saw some highlights. What's even more apparent now is we will get killed inderneath. Hanner is our only true post prescence and he still has a long way to go. Devin and Holt used as subs just won't get it done at the 5 or even 4. I saw more of the same from Yogi and other guards having to create their own shots. Our opponents will let us shoot every chance they get. I didn't see much defense either. Did you attend and what are your thought?

Yeah I was at the scrimmage and I honestly think the exact opposite. Players were driving and kicking to the open man for 3s. Yogi was really able to set people up then when they would let off him he would hit shots.
Yogi fed the ball to Hanner a couple times so that all he had to do was go straig by up with it and he did. Devin Davis and Holt looked really solid. Holt altered a lot of shots. Devin Davis played a lot at the free line and couldn't be stopped when he drove. Holt didn't really get the ball on offense. We won't have a traditional back to the basket big this year but I think the platoon we have will get it done.
I was really impressed by Rob Johnsons ability to drive and score. Same with JBJ. Stan looked a lot more confident. His shot is still lacking but it's better than last year.
There are still plenty of kinks to iron out but it is preseason still. I was impressed.
My final thoughts after the scrimmage was that this team will be able to score and shoot the ball. Last year we played decently but struggled to get enough offense going. That will not be a problem. I actually thought the defense played well during the scrimmage. Turnovers, I don't think you can judge of a scrimmage so that will be seen as the season goes on.
I'm going to their first exhibition next week so I'll be able to say more next week

[drewheck]

someone that agrees with me, vonleh wasnt great at all to me, yes at times he was, but he got banged up bad in the BIG. All perea has to do this year is have some putbacks and rebound, we have enough perimeter game to cover our lack of post presence.

exactly