Euroclydon

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.

The guys who coach the kids in high school and AAU know who he is.

Out of the realistic options this is probably the best option. Woodson is relevant in that he's got NBA experience as a player and coach. And it's recent ecperience as a coach/assistant in the league. That carries more credibility than Archie or Crean ever had. The fact he is an IU guy and connects to the better days provides some hope. I'd hope the fanbase would support him and the players. If he can teach them to shoot FTs that's more than Archie.could do. If he teaches them to play D that's more than Crean could do. If one of the "homerun" guys showed interest they would be on their way to Bloominton now. I'll take the guy that wants to be there and doesn't require begging and pleading through the media.

Good week for IU so far. They moved up in the NET into the low 40s, and last night Rutgers and Wisconsin both lost. That puts them within striking range of overtaking them. It would require IU really getting on a streak but it's within the realm of possibility. Getting to the 6 or 7 seed and the other side of the bracket can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. But overall, avoiding that 8/9 game and a rested Michigan team the next day seems like a good goal at this point.

I followed the link cybergates provided above to see who IU has actually offered in 2022. If correct, I see plenty of guards and small forwards offered but only two power forwards and two centers (one of them showing as "cool" right now). That seems odd. I understand more can be offered but if the list stays at four it means Archie cannot miss on more than one or two. If there is one thing IU needs to address it's the consistent lack of size on the team. If you only have three guys 6'8 or better then you really can't have an injury (Brunk), which is unrealistic. The best teams have 4 to 5 guys 6'9 or better that can play or are developing for the future. The clock is ticking on TJD and we do not know what Brunk will end up doing. Race has been a surprise but at 6'8 he cannot battle the B1G monsters every night. Reminds me of how hard Juwan Morgan had to play his last two seasons against much bigger players.

Justin Smith and Arkansas play at uk tonight. I forgot about Smith so I took a look at his stats. He's pretty much the same player he was at IU. Interesting he averages less minutes than he had at IU last season. He's putting up decent numbers with 11 point and just under 7 rebounds, but nothing spectacular. He still can't shoot the 3 pointer (20% - actually his worst season) or FTs (58%). His team is 14-5 in a down year for the SEC, so he's probably happy with the move.

Time for a new update - CJ Gunn

Would like to see IU get in early on some transfer and juco options in the 6'9+ range. As it stands today, some think TJD will return next season and many believe it's likely Brunk will return. That would be great but if it does not pan out you are looking at Race and Duncomb (Fr) with Geronimo as the only other "big" on the team. That won't work. Archie can't afford to miss out on any more bigs. He really needs to add size for 2021/2022, because his job may depend on it. But he absolutely has to get some size lined up for 2022/2023 because you're not going to have TJD at that point.

It's always interesting to see how these kids grow from the time of their verbal commitment to when they get to game one of their freshman season. Today CJ looks wiry and about as slim as you can get. In 16 months or so I'd expect one of those, for lack of a better word, glamour shot photos of him looking semi-hulk like with an extra 15 lbs of muscle. Its a process but I'm excited about another Indiana kid becoming a fan favorite at IU.

Archie is definitely adding size at guard. Gunn, Franklin, Galloway and Stewart all 6''5 and Leal 6'4. Now add size inside in the 6'9 to 7'0 range. Can't compete consistently with one 6'8 and one 6'9. Gotta have more.

Congrats to CJ and his family. Congrats to Archie and his staff.

uk cancelled the Texas game and shut things down for 48 hours. It's interesting because things are so bad their fans have been begging to shut down the season to avoid more loses. You have to wonder if cal wanted no part of Texas and saw this as a great opportunity to get out of it.

Rankings in general should be taken with a grain of salt. This year they are more meaningless than usual with Covid. Less opportunities for kids to show improvement and less opportunities for the "experts" to watch them. I still maintain if you are paying for recruiting information you are wasting your money and not just because the "expert" was a gym teacher last week until the budget cuts were announced. As for CJ Gunn, he can help this team. IU has relied on undersized guards for a long time. It is clear they are making an effort to get the bigger, more athletic kids at that spot. It is absolutely needed in the pack line. Closing out with 6'4/6'5 is better than the 5'11/6'0. If you have Franklin, Leal, Galloway (all in the 6'4/6'5 range) and add Gunn at 6'5 you get kids who can challenge shots and won't get completely destroyed when they switch.

In today's recruiting world the book is never closed. They have one guy still on the radar and whether he signs or not they will be looking to add. They really need some size. The good news, depending on how you view it, is there are always guys looking to jump from one program to another and it sounds like the rules will be changed to make that even easier.

Could the confirmation of the Lander reclass lead to the next domino to fall? Making the always dangerous assumption - it's possible Archie had plans in place based on whether Lander ended up reclassifying or not. Now that we know Lander will be on the roster Archie can address other team needs. He's probably had those conversations with potential recruits who may be ready to pull the trigger now that we know what Lander is doing. To be clear, I wouldn't suggest another verbal is "imminent", it's just speculation.

TJD has been pretty clear about what he's doing. Hasn't waivered at all. I'm interested in what he looks like when they get back to it. I'm guessing he adds 10 lbs of muscle at least by the start of the season. That with an improved jumper and he's in beast mode.

IU sets the stage with Duncomb. He will be a great addition and the fact he already has some size is a pleasant change. Yes, he will have to get stronger but he starts in a good place. The important thing is they are addressing what is clearly going to be a need as Brunk graduates and TJD likely goes pro after next season. They still need another big or two regardless. You can't get through a season in the B1G without 3 or 4 legit bigs. Too much home cooking on the road leading to foul trouble, too much opportunity for injury, too much to ask of a freshman, and frankly too many top tier teams annually run 3 to 4 legit bigs at you already. If you want to compete at the highest level you better have bodies that can come in and stand their ground. You rarely see an MSU roster without 4 or 5 guys 6'8 to 7'0 and 225 lbs or better. Some play and some wait their turn but they are always there.

Archie getting it done again. Another solid recruit and much needed big. I'm hopeful he's closer to the 6'9 235 some suggest rather than the 6'8 215 others list him as currently. It would be nice to start adding guys with the body needed to succeed in the B1G.