DC2345

He didn't like the Woodson hire at first. He's starting to like it more with his coaching staff decisions and Rosemond is the best hire in mind. IU needs a stretch 4 or a 4 that can put pressure on defenses. Hunter isn't that, Race is a small 5, and JG is an unknown. IU could use a scoring wing too. He also said that an alum who was helping with the hiring process was telling college coaches not to go after the job to make it easier to get Woody hired. Guard and Center spots are the teams positions of strength. There was more but it was long winded.

IU actually has smart basketball people in charge now. Don't cheat but find ways to play within the rules that give you an advantage. I love it.

It sounds like he's been Woody's guy since before Fife was even hired but Woody and company wasn't in a rush to make it official.

Not yet but he's been hired since Friday. It just can't be announced and made official until all the HR stuff is done.

I don’t like cheating either and wish schools didn’t do it but the reality is it happens. IU has had multiple players in the last decade get paid it’s just nobody got caught. That’s why I said the holier than though comment because it’s like some fans want to turn a blind eye to how some players have ended up at IU.

Everyone really needs to stop with the holier than thou attitude when it comes to IU basketball. IU’s had more players get paid in recent years than people want to admit they just didn’t get caught. Rosemond got caught up in the investigation. He was willing to talk about setting up payments for players but it didn’t end up happening so he was cleared. Who knows but after that whole mess he might not want to do that ever again and he learned from past mistakes. He deserves a chance before fans start judging.

Smith had planned on going to Alabama until Oats didn’t retain Yasir after the coaching change.

Well that committed player had planned on playing for Alabama so he could be coached by Rosemond. That obviously didn’t happen so I don’t know if he would really need to go after the kid. Oh and he refers to the kid as nephew too. So they’re pretty close.

Keith Smart isn't an assistant with the Lakers.

He also coached under DD at Bowling Green and then Thad Matta at Butler. That said I don’t think he’s under consideration.

Rabby has him on his hot board.

Well in that case it's never official because Kenya could bolt for another job next month. That said he hasn't stopped working or recruiting so I think he's staying.

Yes that was the rumor but the rumor was also that he was told it was likely going to be Stevens. I don't think it'll matter though as long as Woody and company make a strong push.

Better all around player.

There were AAU tournaments last summer. They just canceled the big Nike, Adidas, and UA events. There have also been tournaments starting already and those shoe company events are scheduled so I'd guess they'll be happening this year.

Maybe. He hasn't even pitched in a spring game yet. He did pitch in a B game a couple days ago and gave up 3 runs in an inning. That was his first action of the spring.

I'm good with what they've got. I wouldn't have had Disco in the rotation this year over any of those 5. I also think one of Antone or Lorenzen might end up in the pen. The Reds have several rotation options at their disposal. 1. Gray 2. Castillo 3. Mahle 4. Antone 5. Lorenzen Depth De Leon Miley Gutierrez Santillan Lodollo Greene

That's not been great but who knows. I think he could be fine as a long man in the pen but I don't really want him taking the ball every fifth day.

Lorenzen will be fine. He is taking a different approach to this spring training than he did last year and it's smart. Last spring training he was trying to throw 100 mph on every pitch and didn't work on control. That's what led to his terrible start to last season and that bothered him. This spring training he is only throwing 91-94 so far but he's working on command and actually pitching. Once he gets through a couple more outings I would expect him to start dialing up the velocity to his usual 95 mph and faster. That's when he will probably get back to getting better results. I still expect him to be starter #5. I have a hunch Miley ends up in the pen.

I have a gut feeling Chris Ballard is going to be much more active in free agency this year than he has in the past. I think he'll be targeting a WR #1/#2, Pass Rushers (possibly signs 2), OT depth, CB, and TE. I think he'll be looking to capitalize on the salary cap situations a lot of teams are in and he knows he has to fill those spots and can't fill them all in the draft this year.

Here are some highlights from the Westfield and Zionsville sectional game.

Yes, he's out for the year.

Levert and Warren being out have led to most of these recent struggles. I agree that they need someone else to compliment Sabonis. Cunningham is a pipe dream but he would fit with his size. I also like Kispert as a guy whose skill set compliments the rest of the Pacers current roster. I also think trading of the centers will eventually happen and I don't see it being Sabonis.

Right now the Pacers would be picking in the lottery if the season ended today. Levert is supposed to be back after the all star break and I think that will help the Pacers but if it takes much time for him to get acclimated then I'd start moving some expiring contracts and load up on draft capital for this years draft. With the Pacers 3 second round picks already they could probably move all of those already for a second first round pick at the end of the first if they wanted to and that's without selling off anything else.