Madison22

Tonight's futurecast, moving across the whole state, left to right, like a windshield wiper. As Fouls said, stay safe, everyone.

Naw. We have enough wings on the roster. (joking)

Shaka Smart named AP Coach of the Year. Kelvin Sampson placed third in the voting. Trivia: Shaka Smart is a native of Madison, Wisconsin. https://www.nbc15.com/2023/03/31/marquettes-shaka-smart-voted-mens-ap-coach-year/

What is a wing? That's a 3, isn't it? For years, we've had 6'7" guys who shoot 27% from three and 65% free throws who tried to be IU wings (and failed). Some people called Jordan Geronimo a wing. There were others. Connor can play both point and shooting guard. 6'4" with a lot of bounce. Hits nearly 90% free throws. He was my top choice for the portal, if he entered. He's much better than either freshman guard we have coming next year.

Connor is certainly good enough. He would start at IU, as he did the second half of the season for UW. Why would IU not want someone this good, with only upside ahead for the next 3 years? We need starting guards who can score. Connor is that. He also brings terrific energy and fun to the game. He just loves the game.

Davis started 18 games for the Badgers this past season, but was replaced midway through by freshman Connor Essegian of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Davis averaged 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He shot 31% from three, and hit 60% of his free throws.

This guy looks like the Michigan State brawlers that push teams around every year. Glad he'll be at Indiana. Payton Sparks: "Committing to IU was a dream for me. I haven’t stopped smiling the whole day.”

I posted the article yesterday. Please see a mod and have your "likes" transferred to my account.

Payton Sparks: “IU has always been a dream school growing up. I watched all of the greats come through. And just being able to get a chance to even come to IU has been mind blowing for me. It’s been crazy. IU was just a dream school for me and I couldn’t pass up on that chance.”

This has probably been posted elsewhere, but it never gets old. I love that they put Painter on the graphic.

Rick Pitino has visits with some of the guys on our portal list: https://nypost.com/2023/03/27/st-johns-rick-pitino-visits-nick-timberlake-chris-ledlum/

"Cupps is way better than Smith." ~ Purdue7 March, 2023

Gabe Cupps named Ohio's Division 1 Player of the Year. By PGC Basketball. I don't know who PGC Basketball is, but I'm sure they're more legit than the Helms Committee was in the 1930's. Gabe is also at Flory Bidunga's game tonight (thanks to DC2345 for that info). This kid is awesome.

A reply to "I want to die" after the 'Bama loss.

Ooh, ooh, let me guess! He wants to be a wing, and all he needs is confidence?

Nice list with IU interest players, which TheDailyHoosier will update as new names come in. Good site to watch. For the rumor mill, it also includes the mysterious: Ivy League player who could enter the portal Ivy League player who could enter the portal Big East player who could enter the portal Big Ten player who could enter the portal ACC player who could enter the portal https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-basketball-offseason-transfer-portal-tracker-departures-additions-and-prospects/

Northern lights in Madison last night. I didn't take the picture, but they were visible across much of the country. This is what I saw from my deck.

Check Asa's recruiting thread this week about him making the National Honor Society, and a positive recruiting opinion. Not saying this is who DC means (I'm not asking, DC), and we don't necessarily "lead" but we're doing well in Asa's recruitment, according to some.

I will if I run into him

6 inches snow expected this Saturday, March 25, in Madison, Wi. Maybe this will nudge Connor Essegian to Bloomington's warmer weather.

Congratulations to Asa! He made the National Honor Society at Montverde in Florida. No inside info, but I read IU is doing well in this recruitment. Not saying we do or don't lead, but at least doing well. More than just a name on his list. 6'9" 200 lbs. Ranked #8 in the country overall, and the top forward. One site lists him as 6' 10".

Sorry if already posted elsewhere: Rick Pitino is telling most St. Johns players to leave because he doesn't want them. Maybe all but one to go. He will recruit the transfer portal hard. Woodson and staff have a 2 year head start on Pitino. Both teams need up to 4 new starters, plus benches. Who will recruit better between now and next season? https://www.foxnews.com/sports/rick-pitino-most-st-johns-players-wont-be-on-team-next-season

Thanks, DC! Appreciated. Regarding the names not on the list: I'd trade all of them for one Connor Essegian. One known talent vs a bunch of maybes. So often, we as fans describe players as glue guys, role players, someone who might make a big jump next year, might contribute by his senior year, or my personal nails-on-blackboard: a kid who "just needs confidence." While there are many examples of players who did develop and even went to the NBA, there are lots who just took a roster spot for 4 years with almost no on-court contributions. I like Cupps and Newton, but there are big questions for both. Wasn't Newton injured for an entire year? He played at the end of this season, but he's an unknown. I'm glad Cupps is coming. Great kid. But is he big enough for the BigTen? We may not get production from either of them. We'll see. (Disclaimer: I thought Steve Alford would be a total bust.) Lots of questions. But right now, we are weak at every position. Really weak. Good news is I expect Woodson has known this for months.

"one on Purdue's roster is coming here." ~ Coach Robby, March 20, 2023