MoyeCowbell

Spacing is such an underrated element in the game. Many, many times I saw CAM's sets and they just felt 'unbalanced' to the naked eye. Your point about room to create off the pick and roll was a very good one; the ballhandler needs to have the space to keep the defense on its heels. Gonzaga does a great job of this. They have the spacing to pass - and do so with incredible consistency - which keeps the defense constantly on the move, and tired.

Agree. Also, I think it's a bit reductive to arbitrarily call these situations "mistakes". Of course there will be instances where the choices are ill-conceived, but many times it can simply be an evolution or growth that alters the path a player is on. The way the terms "mistakes" and "consequences" are thrown around here have such a strong subtext of negativity; as if the players need to atone for something. People/players can make a correct decision in the moment and change their minds to make a decision that's equally acceptable and beneficial, even if it's 'contrary' to the first one.

Objectively, I don't mind that Franklin is poking around. These are extenuating circumstances, and I think given this unique situation he should be able to take stock of his options and make the best decision for him. That said, if he ultimately chooses Illinois (which I personally don't see as a better destination in the short term or long), I hope we absolutely #POTFI.

How CMW uses his scholarships will be very interesting. Obviously comparing an NBA bench and college bench are apples to oranges, but does anyone know how he has used his rotations in the past? Does he ride or die with 7 or 8, or use more?

I doubt the majority of the base wants, or would accept, blatant cheating. Or even feels comfortable with "lesser" cheating. However, trying new angles and approaches to get a leg up on the competition is welcomed (see: Matta in his new role for example). I think the previous administration's goody-two-shoes, brown-nosing to the NCAA compliance people was a complete over-reaction that really hurt us.

They were cumulative events that were directly related to the choices that preceded them. - Davis was retained/promoted for harmony/roster continuation during an extremely acrimonious split. - Sampson was a diversity hire at then-president Herbert's request. He was/is a good coach, albeit with a few scuff marks at Oklahoma. - Dakich was a stopgap. - Crean was an attempt to correct Sampson's wayward treatment of a pretty straight-laced program. - Miller was an attempt to regain connections to the state's HS talent and have a stronger, defensive-minded approach. - Woodson is obviously brought in due to his connection with the program's past, but I also believe because he has a wealth of knowledge about the game. I don't think he feels he's 'above' the program; but rather a fortunate byproduct of it. (Fair or not, perhaps some of the previous coaches felt* like they could never overcome that element.) Woodson seems extremely comfortable in his own skin and how he wants to run the program as it progresses into the future. [*I'm make an assumption here off of my perception of their handling of circumstances and could very well be missing the mark. However, I think that the coaches wanted -- rightfully -- to make their own mark(s) and didn't want to be completely indebted to the past.]

This is literally it. All of this superfluous hand-wringing over whether or not he can recruit is nonsense in my mind. - He didn't take this job without a thorough understanding that recruiting is an essential element to success. - He's recruited throughout his time in the NBA (and said as much); keeping and acquiring players through free agency. - Most Importantly, he's a people person. Connecting with kids and coaches on a One-on-One level is everything. There is absolutely nothing on his resume (or personal record) that suggests that he can't connect with people. In fact, that seems to be an absolute strength.

Saw that too. It's so odd and doesn't make sense. The idea that CAM didn't want the job and was 'forced/pressured/[insert word]' to take it reeks of sour grapes and postmortem frustration. 5 year olds are forced to finish their vegetables. 40+ year old men are not forced to accept multimillion dollar jobs that many others covet.

The sentiment that "kids won't/don't know who CMW is" is so silly. Anybody worthy of getting a scholarship offer to Indiana University presumably A) knows how to use a little thing called 'Google' and B) probably has a coach/mentor who does know who Mike Woodson is and can pass along pertinent information. Sheesh.

I would love to hear your reasons why. CMW is 63, but by all accounts is fairly progressive and forward thinking in his approach. No one is concerned with Matta's age, and at this point in time, Brown is merely being discussed as a possibility. Outside of blatantly turning one's back to the banners, no coach will be able to deny the history and tradition that naturally (and deservedly!) looms large. I think it's a bit premature to say CMW is bringing in an "antique" product. But again, those are my counters... would love to hear your reasoning for hating this hire.

Dolson and Woodson are assembling names at an Avengers: Endgame pace. We're gonna be stacked, and that doesn't even take into consideration the players on the floor.

I"m very curious about that as well. Up until this week, I found it curious that MLB was so concerned with ending its proposed season by a certain date in the fall as to avoid a second "wave", and yet the NFL was gearing up to play during that exact time period. It was as if the two leagues were operating in totally different realities. It's tough to square if sports leagues 'should' operate or not... in some ways they are elective luxuries (admittedly, providing important (essential?) employment to many) that aren't as necessary as schools, for example.

I just finished The Great Gatsby. Can't believe it took me this long to get around to it. It was fun and enlightening reading about New York at the beginning of the 20th century; it seems so long ago and yet there are so many similarities to today. But to answer the original question, I'm a huge fan of Cormac McCarthy: No Country for Old Men, Blood Meridian, The Road, his excellent Border Trilogy. All dark and haunting, but searching for humanity.