Bryant Returning for I.U.
- Thread starter bunkF
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It is good news for them but I've read some ridiculous reactions to it already like they are going to be better next year than they were this year. I think they are going to miss Yogi much more than they want to believe.
I also read that this gives them the best frontcourt in the Big Ten next year which I also disagree with. I'd take Haas, Swanigan, and Edwards over theirs and I think a case could be made for Wisconsin too.
I also read that this gives them the best frontcourt in the Big Ten next year which I also disagree with. I'd take Haas, Swanigan, and Edwards over theirs and I think a case could be made for Wisconsin too.
They will be very good, but I agree they will miss Yogi more than they realize. I think they'll also miss Beilfeldt and Zeisloft much more than they realize as well. All three of those guys made huge shots/plays to keep them in, or win, games this past season.
I think it belongs here since they are our biggest rival. They will miss Yogi, but assuming Crean is better at getting a PG ready than Painter, they will likely be a top 10 or so team and potential repeat B1G champion. That said, I haven't paid attention to recruiting outside of hearing MSU is bringing in their best class in years and obviously our class with Edwards, so I don't know who all IU is adding.
Edit: They have a 3 star shooting guard who is 6'1... also offered by Zona so must not be too bad. They also add a guy ranked 30ish and a guy ranked around 60. I'd say top 10 seems about right.
Edit: They have a 3 star shooting guard who is 6'1... also offered by Zona so must not be too bad. They also add a guy ranked 30ish and a guy ranked around 60. I'd say top 10 seems about right.
I also think we're going to miss Yogi a lot more than many people suspect. It's hard to overstate how much he meant to this year's team -- and how hard-to-come-by PGs of his caliber are.
Of course, I certainly hope that Rob Johnson and Josh Newkirk (Pitt transfer) can step in and make for a high-caliber backcourt. But they've got some big shoes to fill.
On the flipside, and unusually for us in the Crean era, we should have a terrific frontcourt.
Funny all you heard over here is Yogi drives and makes a turnover. Ronnie is better. Yogi was very good, but JBJ and Robert Johnson will be a very good shooting backcourt.
If you think Haas, Swannigan, and Edwards are better than Bryant, OG and company, well you are prob the only person in the country that can say that with a straight face....
Who is "and company"? LOL Your guys got some healing up to do too...........back to peegs with ya
I agree about the over reaction, but some of it was from the media. I've seen a couple say it immediately elevated IU to title contention. Yogi isn't going to be that easy to replace. I think we might be like PU this year. Really good, but lacking a bit in the point guard position. And of course, staying injury free... The opposite of this year, will be a big key.
And company is Collin Hartman, Juwan Morgan, and incoming freshman Deron Davis, who is 6-10 and rated about like Thomas was coming out of school.
The physical tools are not that far apart. The mental tools are. Ronnie appeared to not be as interested in scoring as Yogi in high school (most videos fo Yogi showed a combo or 2 guard looking to score), but that soon changed. Yogi was also blessed that his last two years were aided by the rule changes. Kid worked hard, improved and got a tail wind with the rule changes and ended up doing more than he would have years before...not that he wouldn't have been good, because he would have...just not as good as he ended up being. Yogi being gone completely changes the team...we shall see how the pieces go together. I suspect a good team, but different...
Some did think RJ was as good as Yogi. I thought it was ridiculous at the time, and all the more so now. However, I would take our frontcourt over yours. Morgan is a bench guy, Hartman is far from a good B1G player, OG was a decent frosh but couldn't crack 5 ppg over the season and closed with a whopping 9 combined to finish the year in his last 2 games. Bryant is talented, but we bring back over 30 ppg and 17.5 boards with our 3 frontcourt guys you named, while your "big 3" averaged 10 points and 6 boards less. I can say that with a straight face.
All that said, I think IU might be better overall to be honest, but it's not because of your frontcourt. It's because your coach can actually land, develop and keep talented guards, something CMP hasn't been able to do in years, literally.
Hartman and Morgan scare no one. Who know's on Davis. Could be really good or not, time will tell.
48. Guys like you read a few posts on rival board supporting their players over yours (no surprise) and ignore the myriad posts that disagreed. Then you want to use those few statements as your evidence for your position regarding a completely different set of players three years later. Just argue the merits of your guys (they are good) instead jumping in with arms flailing.
I like Haas on the block against Bryant (barely) but Bryant has some perimeter game that Haas will struggle against. Edge Bryant.
I like Swannigan over the freshman power forward. The year of experience will be valuable.
While I would love to have OG here I would not play him over a Junior year Edwards. I'd play them together though.
Arguing further down the depth chart of bigs is of little value.
The real deciding factor between the two teams will be at the 1 and 2 positions. Without improvement neither team has the guards to be a final four team. We shall see if either can improve.
You haven't been watching IU much then. ( not that you should). Hartman does all the glue things. OG took a lot of the glory , but Morgan was a warrior and played hurt all year, especially near the end. And for the guy that mentioned OG couldn't crack 5 points per game, must not have watched OG at the end of the year. He would probably be drafted , according to experts , if he went out now. My guess is he will improve. I'd take our front court over anyone, but still have concerns about filling Yogi's spot.
Doubt that it's from reading rival boards, more like sports writers, all Greg Doyle, and a few national guys saying we'd have one of the best front courts in the nation, rivaling UNC's this year. Haas is going to need to work on his conditioning if he's planning on being the main guy this year. He always looks winded after just a few minutes to me.
What is your guesstimate starting lineup for IU?
My very uneducated guess is as follows:
Bryant, Hartman, OG, Pitt guy, Johnson
I was just stating what Hoosier48 said
is that the 6'10" guy? Is he a Mobile PF or is he a center.
I think Bryant moves to the 4 where he'll be more effective. I also don't believe the departure of the Yogi Troll will be that huge of a loss as he cost IU a few games by his desire to be the late game hero. What will hurt IU, unless Crean suddenly figures out how to play a 'Cuse zone defense is Blackmon who gives more than he gets.
He's a mobile 4. Thomas will stay at center. Just reread an article where he talked about playing with Thomas. He weighs about 240. I think they will both play most of the time. Honestly have no clue about starters. With the pace IU plays though, there will be several guys with 20 minutes or so. Davis is also supposedly a very good defensive player who blocks a lot of shots. Have heard some good things about Newkirk ( pg transfer from Pitt). He had surgery and sat out, but was practicing with team by end of year. Also will need to see how Blackmon looks after three surgeries.
That's as good as my guess... But I'd say Blackmon starts with Newkirk playing a lot. Also still slight possibility Troy returns. He's def going to test waters, but if everyone tells him to return, I suppose he might. Doubtful tho...
Davis (6'10" guy) is a mobile power forward. He's very similar to Bryant as far as his skill set, but more mobile. Crafty around the basket and skilled enough to stretch the floor. I'd be willing to bet he'll come off the bench for Bryant and we'll keep Hartman at the 4.
I'd say IU's starting lineup will be Johnson at point, Blackmon at the 2, OG at the 3, Hartman, and Bryant.
Johnson showed the ability to be a capable PG this year. He doesn't have Yogi's handles but he has the IQ and the shot. Blackmon is the question mark to me. OG and Hartman are glue guys, but reports are that OG is a worker so he could have a big year. You know about Bryant. Newkirk will probably start in some 3 guard lineups when we want to push it. He excels in transition. Curtis Jones, a combo frosh coming out of Huntington Prep, had a hell of a senior season and could be an important piece. The last two guys from that school (Vonleh and Bryant) worked out pretty well for us.
Hope we get to play twice this year. Looks like fun games to me.
Agreed. That should be a protected rivalry. Home and home every year.
Funny how you obsess so much over what is said here -- hanging on every word. Almost like a little brother would do.
BTW, Ronnie hasn't played for Purdue in over 2 years. Let us know when you come down.
I think most already thought that. Caleb is very skilled but he does not possess that insane level of pure athleticism which causes NBA people to draft on potential alone. Caleb will have to prove that he can be dominant to move up draft boards.
Fair enough, I am guilty of only peeking and posting once in a while and not reading all post.
Well, the Trolls have settled it...IU wins another Championship. Frankly, I believe in their coach and that the loss of Yogi will really hurt them...IMHKO, maybe IU finishes fourth? I do believe that the talent is there for IU to really go far into the Tournament next year...that's talent and not team.
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