2020-21 Indiana Athletics thread

[Bball]

Parker Stewart has announced he won't return to IU next season. (While technically a senior, he has one more season of eligibility remaining).

[D-BONE]

I tend to think I lean toward the idea this was a Dolson hire that was thrust upon Woodson. As was probably Thad Matta fitting this bill too. Now that Woodson has the gig, a year under his belt, a NCAAT berth, and a lot of Knight fans drooling over him, he's exercising his leverage.
He's not interested in an heir apparent.
He's not interested in anyone seeing him as a stopgap or transition coach.

Matta is probably safe to continue earning/getting his check because we all know, Matta is not interesting in coaching again, and Woodson is probably free to ignore him. So he's no threat to Woodson, nor a PR threat for people to speculate about when Matta could be taking over.

Dolson probably did tell or imply to Fife that he'd be in line to follow Woodson in a couple of years. It's hard to imagine Woodson being more than a 3-5 year hire as far as what could be counted upon. A 63 (now 64) year old Woodson might think he can coach until he's 85, but an AD hiring someone like Woodson would probably be more thinking 70 would be about all they could realistically hope for. If he's successful, and can coach beyond that, and wants to, that would be gravy. But reality becomes a factor when you start talking about coaching college into those later years.

Maybe Dolson wanted to hire Fife outright, but the Woodson/Knight contingent had too much influence. You could see how it would make sense. Why hire a guy with Knight-era connections who is retirement age already versus another who could lead the program for a significant stretch if successful. The whole Matta thing still seems nonsensical to me. Anybody know what he actually does?

[D-BONE]

Neither of Stewart/Durr was of any consequence this season. Continuity is still a concern, of course. Lander is more of a too bad it didn't work out given the level of his billing coming in. Overall, you'd have to call the season a success due to the late season BTT run and subsequent NCAA berth. But this all seems like a rather ominous post script though.

[Bball]

Since one of the issues being mentioned is Fife bringing right-wing politics to the lockerroom, among other issues, yet how was that not an issue for 10 years at MSU?
After some thought, I think we all know people who in the last few years became very political. Posting (negatively) about the opposite party, talking conspiracies. And very empowered to do so. In many cases, people that you wouldn't have even known their political thoughts 10 years ago. And now they are flying political flags. And any disagreement or pushback just makes them louder now.

Point being... I guess it's possible Fife could fit in that group too. From quiet about his politics to someone that brings it to work. And being surrounded by people that probably don't agree, might just lead to the talk growing louder.

I have no idea if that is something that happened, but it is something that definitely has happened to other people. Maybe Fife wasn't immune to it either and maybe that, at least a bit, could explain how he managed to get several years under his belt at MSU before coming to IU and having it all blow up within a year. And bringing politics to the dinner table, as has been stated, could be explained.

[PacerDude]

Durr hits the portal...

Opens up a useful roster spot.

[Bball]

Rob Phinisee hits the portal...

[D-BONE]

Rob Phinisee hits the portal...

Little tougher than Durr, Lander, Stewart for me just given his loyalty through 4 years. But, he's a guy where it always seems to be you have a handful of really nice games, but never can put it together consistently. Then an injury. And so forth. Little bit sad and thank him for 4 years. But if we replace with someone who can contribute consistently...

[Bball]

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson announced that assistant coaches Kenya Hunter and Yasir Rosemond will assume new roles as associate head coaches and Brian Walsh, the program’s team and recruiting coordinator, will be elevated to the position of assistant coach.

“I think it’s extremely important for our program that we continue to build on what we were able to accomplish this season and my first priority was to heighten the roles of Kenya and Yasir and allow Brian to broaden his responsibilities with an on-floor coaching role,” said Woodson. “I like the direction we are headed and appreciate their efforts and collaboration in helping the Indiana University basketball program reach its full potential.”

https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-basketball-mike-woodson-promotes-brian-walsh-to-vacate-assistant-coach-position?fbclid=IwAR0BlyN9dW4nOaVcZncXdD6M1kK15lwffH0qqswhYCL4Lm6Wz61Kvx6oIfY

[Sollozzo]

Watching these teams who go far really shows just how far away IU still is. These teams who go far are filled with long athletic players who can drive it in and score, or kick it out to guys who actually nail their threes. IU’s offense and the type of players we have right now just don’t even come close to cutting it at the elite level.

[Trader Joe]

Watching these teams who go far really shows just how far away IU still is. These teams who go far are filled with long athletic players who can drive it in and score, or kick it out to guys who actually nail their threes. IU’s offense and the type of players we have right now just don’t even come close to cutting it at the elite level.

Cupps, Gunn, and Hood-Schifino will be such a refreshing recruiting trio. 3 good shooters and athletes on the perimeter. Cupps shot like 48% from 3 in high school or something and Lebron is absolutely in love with him. Gunn a total gunner too. Hood-Schifino a really well rounded combo guard.

If they can land the 5 star forward that just decommitted from Florida and played on Hood-Schifino's AAU team, IU would be looking really nice from a talent infusion standpoint.

[Sollozzo]

Cupps, Gunn, and Hood-Schifino will be such a refreshing recruiting trio. 3 good shooters and athletes on the perimeter. Cupps shot like 48% from 3 in high school or something and Lebron is absolutely in love with him. Gunn a total gunner too. Hood-Schifino a really well rounded combo guard.

If they can land the 5 star forward that just decommitted from Florida and played on Hood-Schifino's AAU team, IU would be looking really nice from a talent infusion standpoint.

Fingers crossed. I’m sure Woody is watching these games and knows the types of players he needs to get if we want to take it to the next level.

This has been a great tournament. Upsets, close games, etc.

[Bball]

At this point, I'm just going to expect little and hope to be pleasantly surprised. Hopefully, Woodson will show some inclination to play the incoming freshmen, live with some mistakes, build them up, and hope to have them ready for a stretch run. A stretch run that has tripped IU up for a few years now.

[Sollozzo]

Wow, just saw a blurb on IndyStar that Matta is going back to Butler to be the head coach. That was short lived at IU.

[Bball]

Wow, just saw a blurb on IndyStar that Matta is going back to Butler to be the head coach. That was short lived at IU.

Just saw it myself.
I was under the impression his hands-on coaching days were behind him and he'd taken himself out of the running for the IU gig... but happy to get the chance to take an associate of consulting position at IU.

But apparently, his input wasn't really used or asked for anyway. It did cross my mind that he might take the Butler job, but then I kind of dismissed it based on the first part of the above.

[Bball]

And Xavier Johnson was arrested for reckless driving and resisting arrest.