Is Banner 6 a realistic possibility?

[Old Friend 8,389]

Let's not create a picture that every player TB will go up against is 22. Maryland, OSU, and MSU will all have contributing frosh bigs that are around TBs age. Hammons will be an older big but who else that is dominant?

My point was that we aren't necessarily better than even Purdue, so why are we talking national titles?  Hammons will be 22 (and yes, Hoosier5, age is a big deal).  Myopia aside (those crimson goggles that make many IU fans believe things like a 6'5" Mike "Kong" White would dominate the Big Ten in the post and that every player who comes to IU is better than he really is), I love the cock-eyed optimism, even if it's devoid of objectivity.

[IUHoosier5 1,483]

My point was that we aren't necessarily better than even Purdue, so why are we talking national titles?  Hammons will be 22 (and yes, Hoosier5, age is a big deal).  Myopia aside (those crimson goggles that make many IU fans believe things like a 6'5" Mike "Kong" White would dominate the Big Ten in the post and that every player who comes to IU is better than he really is), I love the cock-eyed optimism, even if it's devoid of objectivity.

I don't think age is as big of a deal with 5 star freshman such as Thomas Bryant as it is with a 3 or 4 star. That's what I am getting at. Thomas Bryant's learning curve isn't going to be as steep as OG's or Juwaun's simply because he is better. 

[HoosierAloha 30,024]

My point was that we aren't necessarily better than even Purdue, so why are we talking national titles?  Hammons will be 22 (and yes, Hoosier5, age is a big deal).  Myopia aside (those crimson goggles that make many IU fans believe things like a 6'5" Mike "Kong" White would dominate the Big Ten in the post and that every player who comes to IU is better than he really is), I love the cock-eyed optimism, even if it's devoid of objectivity.

 

I'm not talking National Titles just the reference to older players.  Zeller had a pretty solid frosh campaign against "22 year old men."  Vonleh was a rebounding machine as a very young boy frosh against all those "22 year old men."  The games changed and these kids are hitting the weight room earlier.  I don't think Thomas Bryant will be getting pushed around or dominated too often in the B1G or in the OOC schedule by 22 year old men.

 

We lost six games by 5 points or less but we also won six games by 6 points or less.  I do agree that learning to win isn't something you pickup over the summer in individual workouts.  However, the biggest weakness in player personnel was addressed.  We had very little inside presence on defense and nobody we could toss the ball into on the low block to get us a bucket.  We will see if he is utilized probably and the rest of the team adjust to his play.  I have my doubts but the pieces are there to achieve high goals. 

[Five Prime 1,076]

Like Kevin Garnet, anything is possible! At least we will get an indication of the team's caliber early on in Maui. A legitimate conversation can be had at that time. Team defense should be the emphasis this off season.

[Trish 11,505]

Few things that need to happen..

 

-James, Troy, and RoJo all need big summers

-Thomas ends up being legit

-Hanner gets somewhat better 

-We improve on defense... *IMPORTANT

-Our role players such as Nick and Collin continue to play their roles

-Yogi is Yogi

 

Right now, we are a top 15 team looking at a sweet 16 AT LEAST.. Now if add Thon in August, we should be heading to the final four

 

 

Sure chemistry is important, but Tom Crean's system would have Thon playing like an All-American 

[BGleas 7,880]

I would add to your list that Emmitt Holt and/or Devin Davis turn into absolute junkyard dogs on BOTH ends. Meaning, they become scrappy and an absolute nuisance on both ends, the boards, defensively, etc.

Few things that need to happen..
 
-James, Troy, and RoJo all need big summers
-Thomas ends up being legit
-Hanner gets somewhat better 
-We improve on defense... *IMPORTANT
-Our role players such as Nick and Collin continue to play their roles
-Yogi is Yogi
 
Right now, we are a top 15 team looking at a sweet 16 AT LEAST.. Now if add Thon in August, we should be heading to the final four
 
 
Sure chemistry is important, but Tom Crean's system would have Thon playing like an All-American

[Beowulf50 816]

Kids have to believe they can win; and that's not easy - especially in a season's time. Indiana loses so many close games (6 this season by 5 points or less), and is so inconsistent, and defends the perimeter so poorly; I think that's a lot to overcome in one season in order to go win it all. Purdue, for example, beat Indiana twice this season; once badly; and they lose just Octeus. What makes anyone thing we can go beat THEM, let alone win a national title? We gain Bryant, an 18 year old kid who will be playing against 22 year old men in the Big Ten; we didn't get anyone to help us defend the perimeter. Our offensive system will likely stay the same...

We will be better. Maybe even top 15 good. But a national title is a huge reach for this team. And Gordon still can't accept legitimate criticism or simple reality that you don't have to be a blind loyalist to be a fan. Bless his heart.

Against Purdue and for most of the year we had zero inside presence! Hell most of the year our center was a 6'6" kid. Next year total different story!

[Old Friend 8,389]

Against Purdue and for most of the year we had zero inside presence! Hell most of the year our center was a 6'6" kid. Next year total different story!

Having an 18 year old body against a 22 year old Big Ten POY candidate does not necessarily mean "totally different story."   Especially in a rivalry game when said 22 year old is from Carmel and understands the rivalry, and the 18 year old kid is from New York.    I'm glad to have Bryant, don't get me wrong...but I think a lot of people are expecting him to fix all that ails IU, and he won't.

[ElectricBoogaloo 4,307]

Possibility? Yes. Probability? No.

 

We would need an historic defensive turnaround.

[IUHoosier5 1,483]

Having an 18 year old body against a 22 year old Big Ten POY candidate does not necessarily mean "totally different story." Especially in a rivalry game when said 22 year old is from Carmel and understands the rivalry, and the 18 year old kid is from New York. I'm glad to have Bryant, don't get me wrong...but I think a lot of people are expecting him to fix all that ails IU, and he won't.

It won't be just him that makes IU that much better. A more experienced, stronger, faster, and better defensive player like JBJ as well as Troy and ROJO will take this team to new heights. I'm optimistic for the upcoming season. I have my expectations and I truly believe we will achieve them

[Beowulf50 816]

Having an 18 year old body against a 22 year old Big Ten POY candidate does not necessarily mean "totally different story." Especially in a rivalry game when said 22 year old is from Carmel and understands the rivalry, and the 18 year old kid is from New York. I'm glad to have Bryant, don't get me wrong...but I think a lot of people are expecting him to fix all that ails IU, and he won't.

He will hold his own and make an impact. TB is a true big not a paper tiger. He will make a difference! I'm not wanting to argue, just making an educated statement if he was another In a long line of projects than I would probable feel the way you do.

[JSHoosier 19,810]

He will hold his own and make an impact. TB is a true big not a paper tiger. He will make a difference! I'm not wanting to argue, just making an educated statement if he was another In a long line of projects than I would probable feel the way you do.

No one is calling him a project or saying he won't make an impact. Just that the problems we had extended beyond a post presence, case in point our perimeter players won't suddenly stay in front of someone just by adding Bryant.

[Beowulf50 816]

No one is calling him a project or saying he won't make an impact. Just that the problems we had extended beyond a post presence, case in point our perimeter players won't suddenly stay in front of someone just by adding Bryant.

I did not say anyone called him a project. I'm saying a 6'10"big with skills can defend the paint better than a 6'6"-6'7" wing!

[coonhounds 8,787]

Yes it is. Only thing holding us back is the brain child of the operation. We will see if were up to the challenge

[8bucks 6,341]

It won't be just him that makes IU that much better. A more experienced, stronger, faster, and better defensive player like JBJ as well as Troy and ROJO will take this team to new heights. I'm optimistic for the upcoming season. I have my expectations and I truly believe we will achieve them

That is true but the other veteran BT players are going to get better too.

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,918]

20 or so teams with a chance. We are 1 of them.

[IUHoosier5 1,483]

That is true but the other veteran BT players are going to get better too.

I like to believe our players are just as good as theirs, if not better. It all depends on how much work they put in during the offseason. Everyone gets better, but some make bigger jumps than others

[CalebMartinIUB2017 42]

The fact that the 2012-13 team couldn't do it really makes it hard to believe this team can actually do it because of the experience they had, but I truly believe this team will be able to make a greater run. I don't know why exactly, and I wish I did.

I'd say the talent this team posseses is greater than 12-13 team.  Did that team really have more experience? Or were they just older?  I think were clinging onto the last good team that the program has had and clinging to it because we have to have something that we can use to argue the "We're back!" that was on those tshirts.  This team will be better. It's well-rounded, and has loads upon loads of potential IF JBJ and Troy take the next step.  Possibly 3 first rounders in next years draft (Yogi, JBJ, and Troy).  I'm infatuated with IU BBall but we need to be realistic, we are not Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas, BUT we could be eventually. Let's hold off on the next "We're back!" tshirts until then.

[CalebMartinIUB2017 42]

 

1. Can TB live up to the expectations that we're all piling on him?
2. Can we improve our defense (or lack thereof)?
3. Can we stay healthy?
4. Can we exhibit progress as the season winds down and not our normal season ending regression?
5. Can we avoid off-court stupidity?
6. Can we see some better game management from the head coach?

 

If we can answer yes to all 6 questions, a 6th banner is a definite possibility.  If we can just answer yes to 4 of the 6, we should have a deep run at a 6th banner. 

 

7. Can JBJ and Troy make the jump that people expect them to make?

[CalebMartinIUB2017 42]

Mike Davis beat Coach K in the tournament so stuff happens that isn't exactly realistic. I'm not sold on him either but the pieces do seem to be in place. If we can tighten the D up next year goes from interesting to VERY interesting for me.

If Kevin Ollie can win a 'ship in his first season, CTC can certainly stumble upon one in his career.