Euroclydon

I give credit to Dolson for completely rebooting IU basketball. A solid coaching hire with an IU background, hiring Matta, paying a lot more for assistant coaches, and letting CMW have the ability to set things up the way he wants them is working wonders. Maybe the prior coaches had the flexibility to do the same things but they sure did not have the vision or willingness to try something new. Maybe it was Glass holding them back. I'm just glad IU seems to be willing to shake things up in a big way. Yes, they have to win but at least it feels like they have a plan in place and based on the results to this point, it's working.

IU needed more experienced size and 7 ft 250 lbs checks the box. If all he can do is keep TJD from having to muscle every big in the conference for 40 minutes, it's a positive. If he can play defense enough to let Race and Geronimo stay in their position and not pretend to be a 5, it's a positive. If what he brings to the table allows Duncomb to develop without being thrown in the deep end on day one, it's a positive. If he can stay in the rotation it's likely more than Brunk would have been able to do for a whole season, and that's an improvement. I'm not sure what he can do - haven't seen him play. I do know this, he put up 14 pts and 7 reb against #8 Houston in February. If he can play a role on the team and add some rebounding inside, it makes IU better. That's what they need.

One thing CMW may want to do is balance out the classes. You don't want five in one class (current juniors) and six in another class (current freshmen). Of course with the transfer portal being out of control it may not be an issue, but it could be a problem down the road. I'm not sure anyone would consider a redshirt these days.

Writing was on the wall that the roster was not set. Multiple coaches had mentioned they are still looking at the portal and you wouldn't do that if things were going to stay the same. It was just a matter of time and who would be leaving. I'm hoping they add more size. What seems to be missing is another veteran athletic big or another inside/out player with more to offer than Hunter. Can't imagine another guard being added unless more leave. As for Jerome, we all pulled for him to overcome his health issues and succeed. It just didn't work out. My impression is he may not fit in with the new system and he either realized that or the coaches were honest with him and suggested moving on. If you were to gauge his game to this point you would have to admit there are a lot of holes in his skill set. He may continue to develop the further he moves on from his leg issue but he is not a great ball handler, not a great shooter, not strong enough inside, and more than anything he was not a great defender. My guess is he ends up playing at a mid-major or lower level and having some success. Best of luck to Jerome.

More likely to put uk over the foul limit. Like most on the Iowa teams of late, his offense is only out performed by his lack of defense. The wildcats are looking for shooters as much as IU is, but Cal's best teams were strong on defense. Frederick does nothing to make them better defensively.

Now that the dust has settled I'm feeling a little bit of a let down. It was nice having positive news breaking for IU virtually every day or two. You start to expect something good is about to be announced. I still think it's possible the roster could change but for now it's nice to see IU set with coaches and players while other programs are still scrambling. What I hope to hear in the coming weeks... * Possibly add another big who fits the system for next season, even though it means someone would have to leave * Announce changes to future non-conference scheduling with more top tier teams being added * Add a 2022 or 2023 top recruit

That's A Wrap: Kristian Lander

I think CMW will be more open to kids earning playing time and starts. By all accounts he is being very open (a.k.a. "real") about what he is looking for and his expectations, so it's really on the kids to put in the work and prove they deserve the time they get. That has to be good for IU overall. Note: I read the wrap on Kristian Lander and the thing that struck me most was his dad's comments. It has to be the most logical and mature approach of any parent I've heard in a long time. Wish more parents could see big picture like he does.

I think we are getting a picture now of what it's going to be at IU. My hope yesterday was they add one more big to battle inside but it's clear CMW is saying we're surrounding you with shooters and if you want to play multiple bigs we're going to run by you or shoot lights out from distance and force you to react. They'll trade 2's for 3's. The B1G will have to adjust to be more like the NBA now and less reliant on bigs bullying the other team inside. The season cannot get here soon enough.

Congrats to Tamar and his family. Welcome to Indiana basketball. Big congrats to CMW and his staff. They are getting after it at a level I'm not sure anybody could have predicted this quickly. Dolson took a lot of criticism leading up to hiring CMW but as of today he's looking like a genius. My hope is they add another big to help inside, preferably a shot blocker. If not, at least someone who can play inside and out. The B1G is physical and comes at you with size in waves. It would be nice to finally have a team that is not pushed all over the court and completely outmanned inside during conference play. Note: The idea of Lander, Leal, Galloway, Rob, XJ, PS, and TB going at it every day in practice would be worth the price of admission by itself. The possible combinations are endless. It will be interesting to see who rises and what pace they end up playing at.

With Brunk gone IU really needs to focus inside. They should be going after John Harrar. He's not a giant but at 6'8 230 or more he's one of the physically strongest players in the conference. Archie mentioned it last season. Nothing over special about his game but at least he can hold his ground and he average 8 pts and 8 reb last season for Penn State.

Good luck to ArMOM Franklin. I'm sure they will be happy in Virginia. IU did what they could and made it clear they wanted all of the players in the portal back. They got 4 of 6, which is incredible. Fife made the best statement - IU has a new approach. You should want to play at IU and if you don't want to be there they will win with our without you. Now they have time to evaluate and hopefully pick up some players that truly want to be on the team.

Glad Franklin made a decision. Based on the timing with Race I'd guess they were give a deadline by CMW. Time to move on. The good news is there are quality players still in the portal.

Wow! This is incredible. Dane was my realistic choice to be the next head coach at IU. When that didn't happen I figured it was not meant to be. Now it seems to be a real possibility down the road. Mike Woodson is the bridge to IU's past. Dane is a bridge to IU's past with college recruiting and coaching experience after learning from Knight and Izzo. Add what Kenya and Thad bring to the table and IU has to be considered among the best coaching staffs in the country. Oh yeah, Kristian Lander is coming back. Talk about a good day for IU basketball. Update: AND... IU is still the last undefeated team.

Timing is everything. So many in the portal- how do you prioritize and how long do you wait? Same issue with the IU kids that put their names in. How long do you wait on them? Have to believe the discussions have already been held with CMW. IU is not in position to wait it out if kids want to join the program.

Lander would seem to benefit the most from Woodson running the program and a 4 out 1 in offense. For as much as he talked preseason about pick and role with TJD, it never materialized. Mostly because nobody had to guard IU outside and could jam the inside. The spacing should open things up for Lander and his quickness. That said, he still has to get stronger and improve his shot no matter what offense or defense he is in.

I can't imagine this is what the NCAA wanted from the transfer portal but it seemed an obvious result once it got going. Then they amplified it this season with the one year wild wild west option to move anytime and without sitting. It makes me wonder if they intended the portal as an appeasement for the growing push for player payment and ownership of their image/likeness. Either way it's reeking havoc on programs and coaches. There has to be some sort of compromise that works better.

It does seem like the "writer" had his feelings hurt or at least a grudge. Someone pointed out recently there are few real journalists left today. It's all content creators and opinion pieces. In other words, let me say something to get people to click on the articles. This guy is trying to have a hair pulling fight and does seem very petty. I don't suggest clicking his article and rewarding lazy work that brings nothing to the table.

It's going to be interesting. Could it be IU is changing the game? What's important to the players? Getting to the NBA. Maybe IU is building a separate supporting staff focused on player prep and gathering feedback from those in the know with the NBA. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if they bring in Dale Davis as a "big man coordinator". Whatever works. Flip the script on the rest of college basketball.

Constantly is false. I've never called out posters on this forum until now and it's not even you specifically, though you seem to want to debate it as if these things are not happening. Look back and you will see not one posters name was mentioned. However you're, in my opinion, part of the problem if you are ok with bashing this hire. How many times through the past three coaching searches have you read about the concerns coaches have with IU fans and unreasonable expectations? The amount of negative sludge that's been tossed out when it comes to IU hiring a coach is relentless. That has to stop. IU should be one of the best jobs in the country because of its fans, not in spite of them. Most of the fans get that. It's the small group of anti-IU zealots and/or troll that claim to be fans causing a lot of that perception.

You say not everyone but there are plenty and it's pretty easy to figure out who they are when you see the same names over and over just ripping into IU. If you're criticizing a new coach when the ink isn't dry on their contract and they haven't held their introduction yet, let alone not having coached game one, then I think loser is the most accurate label. If that touches a nerve, so be it. It may be time for self-reflection. We talk about IU needing to change. Maybe the fanbase needs to change. Maybe we don't need those who never have anything good to say about IU basketball and those who appear to be rooting against the program. If it looks like he can't get it done as we go through the season, there's time to criticize. But right now is not that time. Mike Woodson will rise or fall based on his performance but for today he's earned the right to have full fan support.

What's ridiculous is the collection of those who bash IU at every turn. It wouldn't matter who they hired. There are some who's only goal is to criticize IU and you can see the same names pop up in every topic to do nothing more than rip the program. They are not fans.

The whining and complaining is endless for some. No matter what IU does they are upset. Maybe it is time to start with a clean slate and remove the trolls. The same losers complaining Woodson is too old at 63 would be thrilled with Dana Altman at 62 or John Beilein at 68. They are not interested in giving Woodson a chance to show what he can do as a coach and recruiter. If you think it is that bad I'm sure most of us would welcome your resignation from this forum. It would truly be addition by subtraction if some of you were no longer participating as Indiana fans. The same losers should take this opportunity to spend all their time following the Celtics and waiting for the day Brad Stevens decides he wants to coach at IU. Probably going to be a long wait. Good luck to you.

What do you want to see in assistants/staff? A big time recruiter with relevant connections today, someone with recent success. Someone younger would be nice but it is not the most important factor. I've seem others mention Michael Lewis. I read Kenya Hunter may stay on. I'd still like to see Dane Fife brought in as the lead/heir apparent. An Xs and Os guy or a specialist on shooting. Again, someone with recent success. Maybe another NBA coach/former player to appeal to recruits. This only works if they can truly coach or recruit. I like that Matta is on board to help Woodson navigate the college game. Keith Smart on the bench would be interesting, if he would be open to it. It's wide open but will be crucial to have the right coaching staff surrounding MW.

Time to list out possible assistant coach candidates, or the qualities you want to see them add. They need a recruiter who has some connections to recruits today or a history of success. They could use one that is "younger" and connects to kids today, but i wouldn't consider it a top priority. Mike Lewis comes to mind and has been mentioned by others. I still think a guy like Dane Fife, if named lead assistant/heir apparent, would be great in that role and could be groomed to take over the program. I read Kenya Hunter may be kept on. How about a specialist? An Xs and Os guy, although I think with Woodson and input from Matta you can develop an offense and defense. Maybe a guy that develops bigs or shooters.