Euroclydon

Welcome to OB and his family. Congrats to CMW and staff. 

Watched the highlight reels again. OB is a monster. IU hasn't had this combo of size, strength, and ability in a long time. I do think we need to acknowledge what he brings to the table.

He's a space eater. An old school big. He seals the defender and finishes. He's not bouncy. If he gets near the basket with his feet under him he'll dunk the ball and his opponent, but he won't be a TJD who can jump twice before the defender gets off the floor once.

On defense, he will wall up. The opponent is going to bounce off of him before he gives ground. Still, he doesn't rack up fouls like someone we know. If you go right at him he can block a shot but he's typically not going to cover wide areas. Again, he's not TJD who erases his teammates mistakes all over the place. A different type of athlete, but still impressive for his size.

IU still has work to do. If OB or MR miss time it really puts them in a tough spot. They need someone with size who can defend and help on the glass as insurance. If nothing else you need five more fouls to work with in an emergency.

2 minutes ago, Joe_Hoopsier said:

No matter how hard you are trying to hide your real feelz in this post... you are not hiding anything. It glows like the sun.

HO HO HO HOOSIERS !!

No idea what that means. Weird.

No idea what next season looks like yet, but they are trending in the right direction. 

CMW was feeling the heat as the season ended. It may appear the success in the portal has cooled things off for him. In reality, you spend this much money and add this many top portal players, it may actually turn up the heat.

Side Note: I'm calling out everyone involved in getting these guys in shape and healthy. If they start the season with a bunch of key injuries, something needs to change. 

We need a reset on who is now being targeted.

A big seems to be priority as insurance and depth. Someone who can at least defend and rebound. Another shooter or just a scorer in general. A lock down defender could be useful. 

The portal will be closing so some of these guys need to make a decision before the doors are closed and they are on the outside looking in.

Practice should certainly be entertaining.

Another big and then best player available. Maybe a project willing to redshirt. 

The portal makes all of it presumptive. After next season they will have to start all over again.

The next step up for IUWBB requires them to add the size and skill on par with SC, LSU, and UConn. They need multiple M Holmes level talents. 

If Rice or Carlyle have the ability to create their own shots, it's a step in the right direction. IU has missed that as an option. Trey was the closest thing they had with his drive and floater. Then consider if Rice or Carlyle can also create open shots for others, it's even better.

The bonus is allowing Trey to move to his more natural position could  pay big dividends. When JHS  was the primary ball handler it allowed Trey to spot up for open looks. He had his best season offensively. It also allows him to get back to being disruptive on D. I believe he expended a lot of energy trying to be a point guard, which he is not.

Today they are much closer. Still need a shooter. Still need one more legit big. Must have insurance options who can step in for injuries.

Finding guys willing to accept a role is going to be the challenge now. The big from Drexel not looking to go up against OB for playing time. Probably makes sense because of the investment IU made in OB.

Still, you're leaving Drexel and expecting to be the starter by default at a power conference program? Possible I suppose in today's crazy NIL world. Is it likely? What about practicing against better players if your goal is the NBA? Maybe that's not what they want. Maybe IU already discussed money and it wasn't what he expects.

It really seems every player in the portal now expects to he treated like a five star super recruit. But several of them will not be on a roster when the music stops.

Faculty running wild and not happy when someone says no. 

We won't know what they have until the games start. On paper (I know) they are starting to look solid.

As of today, we don't know it they can guard anyone. We don't know if anyone can consistently shoot from the perimeter. We don't know if Malik is capable of defending without fouling. We don't know if anyone other than OB wil attempt to rebound the ball. We think they found a point guard, and we think they have a physical presence inside. Too many questions today.

The plan should be get the talent first. That's a work in progress but so far it's looking good. Then see if the coaches have a clue on how to use the talent. CMW gets credit for taking steps to rebuild. But if they don't defend next season and still can't shoot, he's got to go. Spending too much to get poor results. Season four is make or break.

Interested in how the offense will run with Rice at point. I appreciate what X brought in terms of toughness but his leadership ability and decision making were not consistent.

You never knew when X would lose focus. I won't miss the distracted sparring with the other team or the technical fouls. 

X will be added to a long list of "what ifs" at IU. What if he didn't have the injury woes? What if he could keep his composure? 

Agreed shooters still needed. Also, if you really want to compete you add one more rebound a D big. Can't go in with one 7 footer who rebounds and Malik who is not committed to rebounding. You need the depth.

We know uk will get a coach eventually. The problem is the longer it goes the more it eats into uk fan's psychey. How can anyone say no to them?

We also know once they hire someone their fans will declare it the best choice; their real first choice; and the savior. It's too predictable.

You have to wonder what Caleb Furst was thinking last night. Three years in and he was a non-factor. He played one minute in the title game. I don't think he played at all against NC state. Just a spectator for the tournament. He could have contributed at IU. I think the kid can play. 

3 minutes ago, Stlboiler23 said:

Most people would be pretty pumped about that no?  

Uh, no. Not if your program has actually won the championship. But we get why you don't understand. 

Looks like some of the top options saying no thanks. I wonder if the next coach wants that lifetime contract and Cal money?

Runners up? Fantastic. Way to go.

For two straight seasons purdue had the best player on the court in every game and couldn't get it done. 

Same story for Uconn. It appears to be a game then it's over before you know it and it's not really close. 

Going to miss that elbow shiver from Edey and the no call. Nice if you can get away with it.

47 points for purdue with about five min remaining in the game. That's the story.

Reminds me of the women's final yesterday. You may have the best player on the floor but the better team usually wins.

Slipping away from the boilers. Edey looks gassed. Nobody else doing much. Uconn has so many options it's ridiculous 

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Edey hasn't been pushed like this often this season. Painter needs to give him a rest but can't afford to now.

Edey looks great so far on both ends. Let's see how long he can maintain this pace. Eventually he has to sit. I think Uconn knows he can't keep up the pace.