BGleas

We'll never know, but I'm really curious on what reaction Dolson was expecting? Was the Matta news dropped at the same time because Dolson knew this would be a huge thud with the fans and the college basketball world?

Absolutely! With the reaction to this hire, he has to get off to a good start. I know he's an "IU guy", but fans are so underwhelmed that he won't be able to afford an "Archie" like first year, and this roster needs more pieces than just the current guys coming back. How does he recruit the transfer market this offseason with no recruiting experience?

Completely agree. If he can convince TJD to come back, and most of Franklin, Lander, Race and Geronimo to stay, then maybe he can get off to a good start and build some momentum. He's going to have to figure out how to add to that as well though, which is maybe an even bigger concern. More critical than ever for a coach to get off to a good start though.

I don't remember the exact situation. The guy that replaced him had a higher winning percentage in both the regular season and the playoffs.

It's not like he was hanging out with AAU and high school coaches in those markets.

That's why I'm so disappointed, it seems to me that IU never even tried for the big fish. It feels like it went from Stevens right to Woodson.

With the Matta angle, and if he can bring in a really strong staff, at least it's outside the box, instead of boring like hiring Alford or something. At minimum it's at least creative. The big problem will be that we have a head coach that has never recruited a day in his life, so if he can't bring back the team and somehow convince some good transfers to come in, I don't think fans will give him a pass on a bad first year.

Dolson is either a genius or an idiot, we're about to find out.

He can't recruit or coach in the gym at practice or games.

Then why hasn't another franchise hired him in 6 years? Because he's uninspiring to even NBA franchises. You couldn't sell a Woodson head coaching hire to an NBA fanbase in 2021. He's got zero college coaching or recruiting experience and it just seems flat lazy. Seems to me they swung for Stevens and then went right to Woodson, without ever even trying for Beard, Muss, Oats, etc. This could definitely work out, but we absolutely lost the press conference. The good news is winning games is more important than winning press conferences.

I'm trying to talk myself into being remotely excited about this, but it just isn't happening.

I think it remains to be seen. From most accounts, Ainge made a run at both Aaron Gordon and Vucivic from Orlando, but the price was too high. So, they got Fournier (19ppg, 3pt shooter) for basically 2 second round picks. In the other deal (Theis, Teague and Green) Thies is a tough loss but they needed to shed salary and Robert Williams has been a beast the last month or so and needs more playing time. Also, Payton Pritchard has been a great late first round pick, so he and Teague were splitting time, and finally Green is end of the bench fodder. I personally like the moves, but no it doesn't make them better than Brooklyn and it might not even move them up a seed. But, everyone is eating up Miami getting Oladipo, but I think there's a scenario that Fournier works out with the Celtics better. We'll see. Certainly no game-changing moves though.

Just got home and missed the selection show, did IU make it?

It would also worry me if most of these guys stayed even under a new coach. If you're not up for and locked into this game, regardless of the coach, then I dont think you have that natural fight or mental toughness.

Again, I'm not making some defense of Archie stance here. I'm saying as an athlete and a player, if you're not up for this game after the way they got embarrassed and laughed at last game against Rutgers, then that is on the players. This is a manhood game, and Archie can't do that for them all the time. This is a game where the players should have some pride and not even need their coach to "get through to them" or get them up for it.

I guess my point is, he shouldn't even have to get through to them for this. Like you said, Rutgers punked them and laughed at them while doing it. If these guys need Archie to "get through to them" for this one, then we have the wrong guys.

This is not a defense of Archie post. With that said, the way the Rutgers players were essentially laughing at our guys in the last game, this match-up is on the players. If there is a situation where this team is going to come out with energy and enthusiasm, and some pit bull attitude this would be it.

Again, I understand how it works. But the reality of its contents and how it works are not how it could play out publicly potentially. All you need is Archie making a similar public comment like Izzo, and then a couple players tweeting out the Bill of Rights.

His school also doesn't have a Bill of Rights stating that every scholarship is guaranteed for 4 years.

I know, Scott. But it still hampers the coach via perception. Its a little hard to publicly say the players are playing for their scholarship when the school has adopted this. Its also a dangerous move to play that could backfire on the coach. What if Archie makes this statement and then one of the players goes off on Twitter or something posting the Bill of Rights? Again, a PR nightmare.

The "you're playing for your scholarship" thing carries a little less weight with that Student-Athlete Bill of Rights.

I understand the frustration. I've been frustrated by the negativity at times too. Just keep it civil. IUScott is a passionate IU fan, just like you.

Lets remember we're all on the same team here. We're all frustrated but let's do our best to keep it civil. Reminder too, let's keep the language clean.

I've noticed it for awhile. There's just an overall appearance of a lack of enthusiasm. Even dating back to previous years when it would be a big game and the Hall would be packed, during the starters being announced our guys walk out like they're completely board out of their minds.