Euroclydon

Another quality guard. Physical, athletic, and quick. Congrats to Jakai and his family.

Congrats to Gabe and his family. Congrats also to CMW and his staff. Another great addition. Job 1 for any offense - get the ball up the court and into your offense. Done and Done with GC. I do believe he is more than that and will prove it. He can shoot it. The only question I had was weather he has the size to defend. The last report I came across said Cupps is 6'2 170, so by the time he suits up for IU he should be closer to 175 or more. Hulls was shorter at 6'0 and around 180.

Rebounding. IU can't be close to even in rebounding against that team.

In a mismatch game I'm looking for how many easy baskets and open shots IU can get vs how many late shot clock attempts they are forced to take. Also looking for the reverse on D. Does the other team get open or challenged shots? Do they have to take forced late shot clock attempts? Finally, does IU control the boards? Hoping for a clean game but expecting some sloppy play early.

After two exhibitions against lesser teams we still have a lot of questions. We see the talent and potential but not a remotely close to finished product. So what do we think we know? TJD and Race will lead the way. JHS looks to be as advertised. MR has much better footwork than expected. X is not sharp yet. The rest are showing signs of improvement. I want to say the second team will be able to hold or increase leads unlike last season. It may end up being the key to their success. The depth this season is night and day from last season. What I need to see is a mentally tough defensive monster that can take their show on the road, and a team that can find ways to score even if the three pointers are not falling. They need to kick it into high gear fast with the schedule they face. No easing into the season. Go Hoosiers!

Good start. Let's see how they improve from one game to the next. Hopefully they can clean up a few things and maybe get healthy.

Agree with some others, it's difficult to take much from an exhibition game against an inferior opponent and especially when your best player and another key contributor is out. That said, here's what I saw... Offense was very deliberate. Not a great deal of just running up the court forcing shots for the sake of taking shots. Unfortunately, we can't tell what the true rotation is without TJD and Bates playing. Most see to have the green light from three. Race looked good but I wonder if he will float around the perimeter more this season, which takes him off the boards. MR's footwork was impressive and when he gets to his left hand he's hard to stop. Sound familiar (TJD)? All the bigs that played put the ball on the floor at one point or another. X was out of sorts but still had moments. He may struggle with the adjustment of playing with JHS since he's not a spot up shooter and is at his best attacking downhill. Defense was solid but there wasn't much of a threat from Marian to worry about anyway. I noticed MR taking a charge and attempted to take more than a couple. Rebounding was good but not great considering the opponent. Defensive rebounding will be a big part of his team's success. The lineup appears to be set: TJD, Race, X, JHS and Kopp. I'd be shocked if that's not the starting five for the majority of the season barring injury. Even though Bates and Jordan are better athletes than Kopp, CMW seems to like Kopp starting and that won't change unless someone beats him out or Kopp isn't getting the job done. But that's another question that cannot be answered until they are all healthy and play better teams. Good start though. Go Hoosiers!

Nothing new in the past week that I've seen. Really like this kid. Seems like a great fit and fills a real need going forward. Also like his family. Hope he can see how much IU and the fans are committed to him and his family.

With so much success in the 22 class and a great start to the 23 class we may have gotten carried away. Actually, it is nice to be shocked when highly rated recruits do not go with IU. They can't sign all of them and the good news is they still have the likely top priority (A Page) going through the process. As others noted, with the transfer portal you are never far from finding success even if Plan A does not work out as you hoped.

First time to really see Cupps play other than highlights, which can be misleading. First, that team was impressive. They share the ball, keep moving, and can shoot it. They actually try to play defense. If I heard correctly, the other team had not been together as long, so take that into consideration. Still, Cupps can impact the game in multiple ways and he actually took a charge. He's definitely a PG. At no point did it look like he was trying to do anything other than set the offense and run the team. A nice shot and great vision. Finished a couple at the rim. Played under control. Somewhat surprise he has a decent first step and was able to get by the defender baseline and into the lane. On defense,where I have the most concern for his future, he did not appear to be a physical mismatch in favor of the other team. When I heard 6'2 165 that was the first thought - how can he compete defensively. My guess is he is bigger than that today and has over a year to add on. Usually when I watch an IU recruit in these types of games they tend to blend into the background. Of late, that's changed. JHS and Malek were noticeable. Gunn looked good in the all start games. Cupps may not be flashy but you could tell he was in the game and in a positive way.

A lot has changed in a year... - Non-conference schedule is significantly stronger - IU is now a favorite to win conference rather than middle of the pack or lower - Depth at most positions is seemingly deeper and more dynamic - We have a good idea of how CMW will coach and run the team going into this season - How NIL will work is clearer (for better or worse) - Recruiting has elevated to another level - TJD appears to be more vocal But as others have noted we still don't know if this team can shoot the ball.

CMW ready to play anybody. This does several things including changing the mindset of the team - be ready or get embarrased. Hypes the fanbase. Puts recruits on notice - come to IU and you will play on the biggest stages in college basketball. And if you play the top teams you better continue the recruiting success.

Cal has no interest in true road games anywhere. He avoids them as much as possible. My guess is he will never step foot in Bloomington, IN again. That may be the least of his concerns. Another subpar season or first round tourney loss (with the national player of the year on his team) and they'll bury him somewhere in the 'hollers'. What people forget is uk is the one that keeps changing the game locations. From home to neutral court back in the early 90's where it stayed that way for a decade or more and then uk caused it to go back to home games. A "scheduling conflict". Then Cal got his feelings hurt and demanded neutral court again. Honestly don't care where they play. Seems like it's a game that should happen every season for the fans but if IU can play Kansas, Arizona, or Louisville I'd be fine with that too. What's clear is CMW is not ducking anyone. That's great news for the fans and the program. It also means he better keep up the recruiting success if he want's to have a chance to compete in these games.

Keion "Time To Be Selfish" Brooks on the move. Good luck to him. Very happy his college career ended up not including IU.

X, TJD and Race will start.Trayce is a lock. Race didn't come back to sit. X is still on the team, so he starts. There are two starting spots open, as I see it. Woodson won't take the focus off defense but he needs a shooter or scorer on the floor opposite Trayce. Kopp may start again but if any other option show a developed outside shot or ability to score they will take that slot because Miller is not great defensively and does not rebound. Tamar has more physical tools. If he develops his offense and defend, he's the best option because of his length. Jordan may be the most ready on offense and defense. His physical skills make him special and there were times last season he looked like the best player on the court not named Trayce. JHS should play early and often. Start? I hope so. If IU wants to go deep into the big dance he needs to be a big part of it. Another guard who can get his own, big, physical and strong on D. If he hits anything outside or can get to the rim he needs to be on the court. The positive is IU has a lot of options.

Huge. Most talented IU team in years top to bottom. Hoping TJD brings that highlight jump shot with him. We know what we have with TJD, Race, X, Kopp and most of the returning players if they play at their same levels. But we are hoping the younger guys take it up a notch or two. Tamar could be a monster if he gets his game together on either end of the court. Trey could be fantastic if he has adds a jump shot. Jordan may end up being the most physically talented player on the team. Leal and Duncomb could both see big jumps in improvement that help the team. The additions of JHS, Malik, Kaleb and CJ is what makes this exciting. They give IU more athleticism and overall basketball skill than they've had on the bench in many years. As good as they were defensively much of last season i think they will be better next season. JHS bring another level of D at guard in a bigger more physical body. It really comes down to who on the team can develop a consistent outside shot or becomes a consistent scorer opposite of TJD. It's on in the B1G

At first I was concerned because CMW made it clear he wanted bigger more athletic guards and GC does not fit the description. But the more you see and hear from the kid the more you like him. Coach on the floor type who knows how to lead a team. Cupps is about 6'2 165 by most recruiting sites. Compare that to K Lander, who IU listed at 6'2 and a very generous 185, and you get the sense he will need to hit the gym before arriving in Bloomington. But I wouldn't count him out regardless. Other's have had success at that size in college. Bobby Hurley (No, not saying he's Hurley) was 6'0 165 at Duke and that may have been when he graduated because I'm not sure he was 165 as a freshman. If Cupps can control the ball and knock down shots he'll help the team. The bigger challenge will be on defense and that's something he's going to have to figure out because teams will attack him. Look forward to seeing him develop and be a part of this team. He has the personality and leadership skills that draws other recruits to want to be on his team. By the time it's over he has the potential to be one of the all-time fan favorites.

IU finally has depth at all positions, especially if TJD comes back. Maybe not the elite size inside of some programs but if you have 6'9 TJD and Duncomb with 6'8 Race, Banks, and Malik... that's enough to win a lot of games. Plus the size on the perimeter compares to upper tier teams, so you won't see IU getting physically mismatched all over the floor. Just as important as the added size and depth, they are athletic and there's a difference. Guys like Durr, DDavis, Jerkin and a cast of thousands in the 6'10 to 7'0 range have come and gone over the years and they all had something in common - they were slow, not athletic, or more project than player. Either due to injury or just not being that good they couldn't help the team more than a few sport minutes here and there offering little to no productivity. Can't see that happening with this group. We know TJD and Race can play. We believe Malik and Banks bring more athleticism and basketball skills to the table. And Duncomb has had a year to bulk up and prepare to contribute. Very interested in seeing what he can bring to the team next season. So even if TJD moves on they will have guys who can play. If they add Dexter Dennis, assuming he is more defensive stopper than offensive weapon, IU could have at least four high level defenders with TJD, JHS, DDennis and Galloway. That's not counting what X, Race and JG bring already and the potential of Malik, Banks, and Bates who are all potential defensive stoppers. IU has the chance to take a big step up defensively, which would be incredible to see, and then it's a matter of how much they can do on offense. I'm guessing CMW believes they will shoot better but even if thy don't it's going to be tough to score on IU.

Good luck to Rob. Hope nothing but the best for him. Maybe a new program can help him realize his full potential, which I don't think he has come close to so far.

Checked three different two round mock drafts and Kofi was not on any of them. Seemed odd but very glad to see him go on his way and out of the B1G. Just as happy Frazier is finally gone. Also checked Oscar T from uk and he varied from pick 35 into the 50s. As for Trayce, he was in the 40s. They seem to be suffering from the NBA's three and D trend. In the past, these types of players would be more valued but neither of them can shoot consistently from the perimeter. Neither of them are great ball handlers. So, none of them fit neatly into today's NBA mold. They are more in line with bench fodder. We have been saying all along TJD doesn't really have a position in the NBA. He's a 6'9 post presence who struggles scoring over size, has no jumper and his handles are not great. If he developed any kind of shot from 15 or more feet it would be huge for his draft value. Final Note - uk fans believe Oscar is back. He won the player of the year award this season. There was a time when kids would not risk coming back after winning player of the year because you can't top it individually and the risk of injury is too great. Now it seems these guys are realizing just being big and strong doesn't cut it in the NBA. You have to have more of a game. Although it appears Kofi is going to take his shot now. Depending on how it works out for him it will be very telling for all big men going forward.

The NIL seems destined to blow up at some point. Big programs with deep pocket donors will eventually make it untenable. Then what? Salary cap? And where is title 9 in all this? Will a young lady on the tennis team need a Porsche and million dollars to prevent her from suing everyone? The NCAA lost control and there is no getting the tooth paste back in the tube. The days of the NCAA as an institution seem destined to end in a fiery legal barrage. Then NCAA basketball as we know it will end. Where there is no vision, the people perish.

I don't think TJD would worry if IU added three more 5 star recruits. I'm referring to those mentioned previously by others as possibly leaving because of MR committing. Specifically, Duncomb and JG. If adding a five star scares you and you think transferring is the best option for playing time, it will likely be to a lower rung team.

Great addition. Congrats to Malik and his family. Congrats to CMW and the staff for another big time recruiting accomplishment. The funny thing is, when other programs land a top level recruit they don't seem too worried about who that may impact and cause to leave. I never read anything from Duke, Kansas, UNC, etc. fretting over who may decide to leave if they add another five star recruit. The question I ask is - if a current player decides they can't stay on the team if IU adds a great player, does IU really need them? Another question would be, what Power 5 conference team will you transfer to where you can just step in and be a starter getting lots of minutes with no competition for other great recruits if you don't think you can compete at IU?

I did see where Jefe Jabrohns put out an update saying it was a "very good official visit". Of course, you have to subscribe for that kind of insight but I'm sure it's worth it. As you know, it's rare for a recruit to take an official visit and then suggest it was good after the fact.

Great news about Race. As someone noted, if he can develop a reliable 15 - 16 foot jumper it goes a long way toward making his life easier and the team better. He struggles scoring over size with his back to the basket and that's not likely to change. Huge news for IU though. Now instead of needing to add multiple bigs they can likely get away with adding just one more and being somewhat competitive even if TJD goes pro. TJD 6'9, Duncmb 6'9, Race 6'8 and Banks 6'8. Would like to add one more 6'9 or better who can really battle inside but I believe they can compete with this group for the most part. If they lose TJD and fail to add a legit player to at least defend and rebound it's gong to be a lot tougher sledding.