Question: Half Season of Maker or Hold The Scholly?

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Now that we know we have all the key pieces coming back, does that change your opinion on the Thon Maker recruitment?  What if he is only eligible for half a season as some of the talk is indicating?  Is it worth finding another roster spot to get Thon to Bloomington for a half season or would you hold the scholly and let someone else who is already here develop?  This is a tough question and should generate a lot of discussion as Thon is a serious talent but is a half season worth it for the baggage and potential chemistry problems it could bring?  What do you think Hoosier Nation???

[Class of '66 Old Fart 88,109]

I don't like the idea of a half season.  I think it opens the door to a mid-season disruption of team chemistry.  By that time, the player rotation has been settled and the squad has had a chance to develop team chemistry with the 3 incoming freshmen.  Also, you'd expect on-court chemistry in terms of having the feel for what a teammate will do in a certain situation plus the teammate's speed and reaction time on the court to have developed.  Bring in any kid at mid-season and who knows what can happen but Maker would likely expect significant minutes and at whose expense?   Disgruntlement, unnecessary team tension; potential for personality clashes.  Let's also not forget he'll be a freshman making a move to major college basketball.  That's not an easy transition and he'd be joining the team just when the season gets serious with the start of B1G play and won't know our offensive and defensive sets.  We expect good things from TB and yes, he'll be a freshman, but he'll at least have some Division I basketball experience under his belt by that time.  CTC teams have a history of struggling towards the end of the season and introducing an 'x' factor at a critical time in the season just doesn't seem wise to me.  As it stands now, somebody has to go to free up a scholly for TB.  I for one don't want to see us 'Crean' someone at mid-season to make room for Maker.  I think that's a public relations nightmare and sets a very poor example for IU and the message it sends to other kids we're trying to recruit. 

[Stuhoo 86,304]

Hold the scholly; not enough playing time to go around already.

 

Besides, Middle School Bob would kick Maker's sorry behind.

[ALASKA HOOSIER 11,306]

I dont like a mid season thon....and im pushing for him the hardest!

[Alford Bailey 12,858]

I'd be surprised by a mid season Thon at any school.

[Dalton26 17,034]

If he'd end up staying to make it 1 1/2 years then yes. If not then no.

[Bobman1 2,913]

1.5 years - Yes

.5 years - No

[WayneFleekHoosier 50,082]

1.5 years - Yes

.5 years - No

yes!

Or full year Thon would be great too.

[Hoosiers96 912]

Good thing it sounds like he'll be eligible to join around August

[Dalton26 17,034]

Good thing it sounds like he'll be eligible to join around August

He'd still be behind.

[Hovadipo 60,193]

He'd still be behind.

If it weren't for Emmitt, I'd be against it. But Emmitt proved it's possible to contribute even if you join that late.

[GloryDays 6,084]

  I'm not against Maker coming but feel he"s more of a luxury than a need.

This team really needs to sign a point or  stop offering this class and pull in an elite point next season.

I see the allure of a highly rated big  but he's really not a post player and I feel we're fine on the wing.

I'd also like to see us go into a preseason not over signed by a million one time in Crean's career.

[Dalton26 17,034]

If it weren't for Emmitt, I'd be against it. But Emmitt proved it's possible to contribute even if you join that late.

He didn't contribute right away and didn't get the ball nearly as much as Thon would.

[iubirdman 98]

I agree with a lot of the others, if we only have him for 3 months, would look to pass, if we get him for a year and a half (and then his little brother) I am all for it.  of course if we are struggling for some reason in November i may change my mind.  If he does come, I would think he needs to tell us soon so we can get the scholarship situation worked out one way or the other, right now we still need 1 to leave with Yogi returning, and would be nice for those leaving to have as much time as possible to find a better situation for themselves.

[Iufan2324 158]

Chemistry? Crean brought in a football player in the middle of the big10 and played him over all walk ons and 2 scholarship players. Chemistry is overrated by our coaching staff. So give me thon for half a year.

[Hovadipo 60,193]

He didn't contribute right away and didn't get the ball nearly as much as Thon would.

True. But I think Thon would come in more prepared to play. Maybe he wouldn't start right away, and that would be fine with me. But he would be ready for the late non-con season going into the B1G. If he's coming in December, no thanks. I think we could make it work if he comes in August.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Honestly it all comes down to who Maker is. I don't know enough about him to make this call, but if he is a grinder, in the gym 24/7 type of kid and just wants to win and get better type of kid I'm okay with him coming mid year.

It's all about his expectations and the expectations laid out for him. I don't think he's talented enough to come on and demand playing time and the ball in late game situations or any situations really. Therefore I'm guessing he wouldn't be a cancer to the team and would help us down the stretch. (As long as he knows he won't instantly start and has to earn his role on the team). It really wouldn't be much different than him being here all year but injured.