IUCrazy2

C'est la guerre.

Then the convo just switches to Dingle or whomever the next flavor of the moment is.

I did not say we lose them all, we lose most of them. That is just reality. I am generally happy with the progress being made on being in a position to feel more confident in these, landing Mbagko would be another step on that path, but I am not going to overlook reality either, we have been a bridesmaid on more of these than a bride.

It is the same cycle everytime we do these. Depths of despair, excitement, back to depths of despair, and then either jubilation or confirmation of the despair. We lose most of these high profile battles, particularly for out of state kids, so I also think some of the pessimism is just a defense mechanism. Better to be happily surprised then surprisingly disappointed.

He may end up at Kansas but isn't Mgbako a Jersey/NY area kid looking at two schools in the Midwest? I would think the Southeast Analyst wouldn't really have the connections here....and at this point it is a 50/50 shot. Based on the past 20 years, saying it is Kansas isn't exactly going out on a limb at this point.

For sure, there are 2 things that happened at Indiana that took us from the top of the mountain down to the bottom. First, the landscape shifted massively out from under our HOF coach. We had a way that we did things here and what we didn't do was what Kansas and Kentucky and Duke and UNC were all too happy to do. Then after we fired the coach who could still cobble together some success without having the best of the best, we hired guys that couldn't...or we hired guys who did the things we felt we were above and we canned him. We have a ton of ground to make up. A ton. However, that ground is now easier to make up because Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and UNC aren't the only ones who can say "We have history, a rabid fanbase, exposure, and most importantly lots and lots of MONEY to throw your way," anymore. 5 years ago we aren't even talking about this kid. He wouldn't have given us a second look. Now that we can play the game, Adidas is suddenly starting to actually help us out. They helped us get money in TJD and JHS's pockets. Both those guys are screaming how awesome it is at IU now and are likely to be drafted next month. This job is much more attractive the next go around because Indiana is actually using its resources and playing the game now. Mgbako may or may not come but we are putting ourselves out there to start making up the ground.

We are historically on their level by most measurables, or close to. We have just been extremely humbled over the past few decades. They haven't. I think the thing that hasn't sunk in for the Kansas's of the world is that they aren't among the few anointed who can play the game without repercussions anymore. The shady sh** we know they were doing is basically all above board now and there are schools like Indiana who have just as much if not more of a fanbase as they do who tried to play it above board in the past who are no longer tethered by the nonexistant rules. They may win this one but I think a bunch of these schools are about to find out that the HOF coaches are gone and everybody has the money now, so Kansas and Kentucky and Duke and UNC aren't going to be viewed in the same way anymore. I want Mgbako and I want to beat their a$$ this winter. I am not a big fan of how things are going in the NCAA but if this is how it is, I want Indiana to finally start throwing some of its weight around.

Doooooooooouche

No, no...it is Duhon's rib. Get it right.

I think you can extrapolate that out though...

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/Article/Five-Indiana-IU-Hoosiers-mens-and-womens-basketball-players-among-top-NIL-March-Madness-earners-208887677/ This might be pertinent....

The euphoria and despondency waves are coming quicker. Soon we will be in the middle of screaming "Yes!!!!!" while simultaneously hurtling ourselves off the cliff.

Come on down MM, you can have fun beating Kansas and Dickenson's stupid a$$ in Assembly Hall this year.

Did you really go to IU in the 90's if you don't?

Yeah, that one relationship bolted when he could too. That could play both ways. We may get the kid and we may not, but in the interim there are cases that can be made for every school including Indiana. We don't know what his personal criteria really are so everyone is just kind of soeculating.

I can see both, yeah you need the relationships but some of that other stuff might be the door to building those relationships. There may be a coach at Bumtucky Southwest State who is just the greatest guy and personality ever but most people don't know that because nobody is giving BSSU a look to begin with. Your personality may be great but most people need something going on in the looks department that the other person finds at least somewhat attractive in order to showcase that personality.

If we were to lose out to Louisville, then c'est la vie. Out of all the choices available to him, that one is the worst. If the relationship to that one assistant overrides the ineptness of the actual coach and how in the dumps that program is now, then none of the other 3 ever had a chance.

African families tend to be a little more traditional. I really think there is something to be said about A)we actually got Dad on our visit and B)Woodson is absolutely a class individual with the right priorities who also happens to be African American, I think that is a check in the IU pros column for quite a few parents.

Someone did their homework maybe?

No counting of chickens before hatched, but adding him and Dingle makes this a really good looking squad on paper.

Kansas says they want him and are pushing hard and the commenters think Kansas is the big dog here and why wouldn't a kid commit and so that leads people like Bossi to say they are in the driver's seat. They think in the hierarchy that Kansas>Indiana. I lay money he doesn't know sh*t. At least no more than any of us.

What a douche.

Getting 2 Top 15 transfers, the kid that decommitted from Duke, Sparks from Ball State, and the 2 Freshman would be a nice roster overhaul. Enough to be excited about next year.

Dude, you should charge for that kind of info. 😉

I just need someone to notify me whether I need to drink the champagne or break the bottle and slit my wrists. Getting some mixed signals from you all on this guy.