IU 2022-23

[EasyEJay]

On 3/1/2023 at 9:38 AM, EasyEJay said:

Many times this year where I’ve thought man , where would IU be if Xavier Johnson was healthy? Last night was one of them may have limited Perkins . Biggest issue lastnight was IU just flat didn’t have a wing athletic enough or a guard big enough to guard Murray . There was a lot on the line for IU to come out that flat , not that I’m surprised they got beat just played that horrible. Should be the last time the national media falls in love with them 
 

consistent guard play gets you deep in March and the only Big Team that has anything close to that IMO is Maryland with Jamir Young . Audgie and Bouie are close for NW but got exposed vs Maryland . 
 

Honestly won’t be surprised if not a single Big Ten team makes it past the Sweet 16 . 

 

[EasyEJay]

Bates and Duncomb in the portal so Easy is 2/2 right now . Like I said I expect Geronimo to go as well . 
 

also IU adds native Hoosier and Ball State transfer Payton Sparks 

 

[EasyEJay]

3/3 ! 

[Irishman]

Thinkin someone should buy a lottery ticket at this point. 😂

Not surprised by the guys leaving. Nice pickup with Sparks. 

I saw this story, and a friend had said that IU was one of those programs. I hope that is not the case though. 
https://sports.yahoo.com/fau-coach-dusty-may-middle-111112775.html 

 

[EasyEJay]

Post Sparks commitment, IU has taken some major swings on top portal talent and whiffed.

Seemed as though Love from UNC was set to be down to IU and Mizzou post zoom meeting IU falls off in favor of UM. Timberlake has never materialized anything post zoom/in home visit. All early reports seemed to indicate that Jamison Battle from Minn was an almost lock for IU and now things have shifted towards him going to Ohio State. Zoom meeting with Shedrick and Knecht seem to be as far as things will progressed right now.

However a big week on campus as the dead period ends with 2 guys 7'0 center and former McDonalds AA Ware and Harvard Transfer Ledlum (18.8ppg) will both be on campus for official visits.

With 4 open scholarships and a long way to go its important to stay patient but IU definitely has major holes to fill and has to fill them 

[EasyEJay]

23 hours ago, EasyEJay said:

Post Sparks commitment, IU has taken some major swings on top portal talent and whiffed.

Seemed as though Love from UNC was set to be down to IU and Mizzou post zoom meeting IU falls off in favor of UM. Timberlake has never materialized anything post zoom/in home visit. All early reports seemed to indicate that Jamison Battle from Minn was an almost lock for IU and now things have shifted towards him going to Ohio State. Zoom meeting with Shedrick and Knecht seem to be as far as things will progressed right now.

However a big week on campus as the dead period ends with 2 guys 7'0 center and former McDonalds AA Ware and Harvard Transfer Ledlum (18.8ppg) will both be on campus for official visits.

With 4 open scholarships and a long way to go its important to stay patient but IU definitely has major holes to fill and has to fill them 

Indication from a frantic IUBB Twitter is both visits went really well and could get commitments as early as today ? ........... We shall see, also Knecht had an in home that went very well . If Woodson and company could pull all three that is a drastic change in the dynamic of the roster moving forward . We will see how everything meshes together BUT a much needed talent has possibly been added * fingers crossed . 

[Irishman]

Sealed the deal

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/Article/Transfer-portal-recruiting-news-Indiana-lands-Oregon-7-foot-freshman-Kelel-Ware-a-5-star-prospect-out-of-high-school-208033917/ 

[EasyEJay]

Big time get that probably seals up the front court Sparks , Reneau , and Ware. 
 

Ledlum from Harvard seems to be a done deal just waiting to announce (knock on wood) . 
 

leaves IU to focus on Knecht and/or other back court pieces . I would love for them to make a strong run at El Ellis from U of L if he doesn’t stay in the draft . Really solid combo guard who would look nice in a Mike Woodson offensive . 
 

solid job so far of Woodson and the IU staff hopefully they can get the new pieces to gel nicely over the summer 

[EasyEJay]

Well it seems that transfer portal mania has come to a dead stop for IU basketball.

Many seemed to think that the commitment of Kel'el Ware was going to start a domino effect of inbound transfers for the Hoosiers that has yet to materialize based on vague by grad assistants and analytics of targets social media follows........... 🙄

While IU still seems to be in the lead for Harvard Transfer Ledlum , but IU has yet to get traction with any other recruits. Wild rumor that Purdue commit instate Brownsburg player Kanon Cathchings was prepared to announce his de-commitment from PU and flip to IU, while it is intriguing that he took "Purdue commit" out of his social media bio and re-uploaded to Instagram his IU visit pictures nothing as been made public.

Again I get tis still early but IU needs desperate help in the back court especially considering Johnson has not officially received his hardship wavier. I will admit I'm not a Peegs subscriber so I'm sure Rabjohns has been peddling names left and right to fill this void right now but as we move towards the month of May Hoosier fans will continue to get anxious myself included 

[EasyEJay]

On 4/19/2023 at 2:03 PM, EasyEJay said:

Again I get tis still early but IU needs desperate help in the back court especially considering Johnson has not officially received his hardship wavier.

Johnson does indeed receive his hardship waiver he will be IUs starting PG come October/November. Polarizing at times sure BUT beats all other alternatives at this point, and I have confidence he will be able to lead whatever team gets put together over the next month. 

Also preparing for Dexter Dennis 2.0 as IU announces its hosting Miami (FL) grade transfer Anthony Walker. Came off the Bench for the Hurricanes this year , saw his productivity decline over the course of 4 years in Coral Gables. less than 3ppg this year and but is 13 ppg for a career (had 7 in 16 min in sweet 16 win vs Houston)  for a career 6'9 forward also shot around 20 percent from 3. Not really sure the staffs thinking behind this guessing they have seen something through the tape and have done their due diligence but lets be honest no where near the portal news IUBB fans were hoping for .........

Edited April 27 by EasyEJay
wrong info on career ppg

[Irishman]

Things that make you go mehh

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2023/04/29/indiana-basketball-gets-anthony-walker-from-miami-in-transfer-portal/70166310007/?fbclid=IwAR0TAXEymDhvxNKrutEmMBug7N_AMUlLSCt8SsMPYaEZO5u0QlPY9nGWG9s 

[EasyEJay]

12 hours ago, Irishman said:

Things that make you go mehh

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2023/04/29/indiana-basketball-gets-anthony-walker-from-miami-in-transfer-portal/70166310007/?fbclid=IwAR0TAXEymDhvxNKrutEmMBug7N_AMUlLSCt8SsMPYaEZO5u0QlPY9nGWG9s 

I thought the same initially , until I read an article that IU fans should consider Walker and 1 for 1 trade for Geronimo. From that prospective I like the addition he adds front line depth. I watched Highlights from COVID season he was a solid contributor (think more athletic Race)   averaged 10ppg 5rpg . Seems good enough to guard positions 3-5 which is HUGE for IU. Kopp got Much better in that aspect this season BUT I thought that's where we struggled against teams with guys like that (i.e. Kris Murray) 

In other Portal/recruiting news , IU joins a host of Schools (St. Johns, Kansas, and UofL) as a new group of finalist for 5-Star Duke Decommit Mackenzie Mgbako Lights out shooting swing man is EXACTLY what IU needs on this roster, man if IU could land this kid I would NEVER questions the recruiting ability of Woodson and his staff again LOL.

Also IU was one of first in contact with Dingle 6'3 transfer guard from Penn. Love this kids game after watching Highlights, and when Penn played power 5 conference teams? he average 22ppg to go along with his 2nd in the NCAA 23ppg for the whole season. with NBA goals hopefully IU can sell him on look what he did for JHS . 

[EasyEJay]

On 5/1/2023 at 9:01 AM, EasyEJay said:

n other Portal/recruiting news , IU joins a host of Schools (St. Johns, Kansas, and UofL) as a new group of finalist for 5-Star Duke Decommit Mackenzie Mgbako Lights out shooting swing man is EXACTLY what IU needs on this roster, man if IU could land this kid I would NEVER questions the recruiting ability of Woodson and his staff again LOL.

Unreal honestly Mike F-ing Woodson man ! Huge get doesn’t even begin to describe this wow . Much needed addition and this roster starts to look like one that might be fun to watch in February and March *fingers crossed* 

[EasyEJay]

Mike Woodson continues to blaze the recruiting trial. Well known College basketball recruiting insider on social media who goes by the name Trilly Donovan (96% prediction rate) made it known today that he believes Woodson's Hoosiers will land 2024 5-Star Guard Boogie Fland (over Uk and Bama) and 2024 5-star SF Liam McNeely (over Kansas) .  

Woodson and his entire staff are heading to New York (for Fland) and Florida ( for McNeely) today and also remain in the hunt to land McNeely's 5-star C teammate Derik Queen. If Woodson pulls off the Trifecta on these 3 or even just 2 of the 3 it will be one of the biggest single classes IU has landed in its History. It clear that Woodson continues to move towards putting IU back on the national map and this program is 1 late March run away from exploding like it hasn't seen since the early 90's . 

(Ok I'll pump the brakes) 

- Just an excited Millennial IU fan! 

[Impartial_Observer]

23 minutes ago, EasyEJay said:

If Woodson pulls off the Trifecta on these 3 or even just 2 of the 3 it will be one of the biggest single classes IU has landed in its History.

Bold statement. 

[EasyEJay]

30 minutes ago, Impartial_Observer said:

Bold statement. 

Ill admit I'm not an encyclopedia of Recruiting history, and I know there is a pre-rankings era to consider, BUT id love to be filled in about how many times IU was able to land 3 top 30 recruits in a single class, had to be rare even in the peak of Knight days. I'm also well aware recruiting ranking don't by any stretch relate to success at the college level as well. 

Just a pretty impressive feat for any college coach regardless of program. 

[Impartial_Observer]

3 hours ago, EasyEJay said:

Ill admit I'm not an encyclopedia of Recruiting history, and I know there is a pre-rankings era to consider, BUT id love to be filled in about how many times IU was able to land 3 top 30 recruits in a single class, had to be rare even in the peak of Knight days. I'm also well aware recruiting ranking don't by any stretch relate to success at the college level as well. 

Just a pretty impressive feat for any college coach regardless of program. 

I’m more inclined to be impressed by what’s left hanging when they leave. 

[Irishman]

22 hours ago, Impartial_Observer said:

I’m more inclined to be impressed by what’s left hanging when they leave. 

and not just a Big Ten Regular Season Champion Banner either. 

[EasyEJay]

5- star Liam McNeeley commits to IU over Kansas . 
 

attends Montverde Academy in Florida (HS of JHS and Malik Reneau) . 

[EasyEJay]

IU swings and miss on 5-star Boogie Fland who commits to UK over the Hoosiers . 
 

that’s the world of national recruiting while IU seems to be just about done only left is 5-star Derik Queen whom most believe is Maryland bound despite being a teammate of McNeely .

it’s a little concerning with only 1 signee in ‘24 but also important to keep in mind that 3 of IUs 5-stars under Woodson were previously committed elsewhere at some point . With the transfer portal as well roster construction is a totally different animal these days . 
 

with Hoosier Hysteria just hours away it’s time to shift the focus to this season unknown and excited to see how this season plays out ! 

[Impartial_Observer]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:55 PM, EasyEJay said:

Unreal honestly Mike F-ing Woodson man ! Huge get doesn’t even begin to describe this wow . Much needed addition and this roster starts to look like one that might be fun to watch in February and March *fingers crossed* 

That didn’t age well. 

[EasyEJay]

23 hours ago, Impartial_Observer said:

That didn’t age well. 

What didn’t age well ? A college kid being charged with 2 misdemeanors ? I’m totally shocked 😮!  dumb? Yeah. a big deal ? Probably not fine and community service maybe a suspension for a game or 2 from Woodson . Learn your lesson take your punishment and move on . 
 

when he drops 18 6 and 3 with 4-7 from 3pt range against Kansas the manger of that Taco Bell will probably apologize to him and offer an NIL deal . 
 

but here are some hilarious social Media posts about the incident . 
 

[EasyEJay]

On 10/24/2023 at 8:32 AM, Impartial_Observer said:

That didn’t age well. 

Update: Mgbako will face one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass , typically a fine in the state . 

Meanwhile in the world of recruiting IU  continues to make a push for 5-star C Derik Queen (teammate of IU committ Liam McNeely) original reports said Queen was down to IU and Maryland and would announce Friday, this was reported before Maryland and Houston  had a last chance to pitch to Queen causing many to wonder if IU had swept in a stolen Queen from the terps.  No date is set as of now and honestly I thought of the 3 priorities IU stood the least chance with Queen but obviously as we saw with Fland things can change quickly 

If IU ends up with a one man class for 2024 , it could be a very INTENSE portal season for the Hoosiers next spring !

With that said excited to see what the new look Hoosiers are all about Sunday in the first exhibition match up with Uindy at SSAH . 

[Impartial_Observer]

You don’t see this situation as an endless series of bad decisions? Granted I’m 58 and have never been arrested, are misdemeanors hip with the kids today?