It is very exciting. “This entire discussion illustrates just how deep and talented this team may end up being…with this team, next 2 up may not be a very significant drop.” You are probably right, there doesn’t appear to be a big drop-off amongst most of our roster (at least that’s how it looks right now). However, I would caution there is a devil’s advocate, and perhaps realistic, way of looking at that. There is talent on this roster but the lack of a drop-off might be an indication that this roster lacks elite talent. A lot of good but nothing great. Nobody capable of taking over in a tight game against a big-time opponent. I don’t know if that’s the case or not. Maybe Will can fill that role. Maybe Yogi can do it, or Noah becomes that or someone else. Anyway, having a bunch of similar guys might just mean no one is that great. Just something to keep in mind for those who are convinced this year’s team will be better than last year’s.

That would be a pretty darn small lineup. Which CTC seems to like to go with small lineups sometimes IDK really, I just think Devin will surprise and crack the 9 man rotation. I do agree with Kyl470, the rotation won’t realistically be more than 9. This entire discussion illustrates just how deep and talented this team may end up being. The injuries to Troy & Luke could be catastrophic in prior years or for other teams. With this team, next 2 up may not be a very significant drop. Everyone raves about AE’s athletic ability an shooting touch. Maybe he fills in well?
Bottom line, I’m really excited to be an IU Fan!!!!!!!!!

I understand that but if Devin is playing power forward and guarding a shooting guard, who is everyone else guarding? That would be my issue with that lineup. Let’s say Sheehey at the 3, Gordon at the 2 and Yogi at point. Devin Davis is 6’6″ and a freshman (doesn’t have his “man” body yet) and I think having him at the 4 would give us some size problems. Who knows though, anything is possible with so much versatility and so many unknowns heading into the season.

Your absolutely right. In the biggest games, we should be surprised to see more than 9 players getting significant time. And those nine are certainly the most likely of the bunch, unless Austin is a go and has continued develop even further.

Yes, Watford was often guarding SG and even some PGs as a PF

It is hard to argue with you on the rotation being limited to 8-9 players playing more than 10 min a game. I just think Devin will surprise people and be one of the 8-9 in the rotation. Early in the year, Luke & Troy are sidelined with injuries. Another injury will probably happen. I don’t know who will fall out of the 9 you mentioned, but I think 1 will and I think Devin will be a Calbert Chaney type surprise.

I would actually say that the difference is the lack of liability. They have no physical liabilities. I hate to bring back this dead horse but our biggest liability last year was Jordy. Love the guy but being honest. Attitude (mostly that of Payne and Appling) will be the biggest challenge for this MSU team. They are my among my top picks to win it all.

Let’s be serious for a second. How many guys do you honestly think will be in the rotation? I can’t recall any successful team that played 10+ guys unless they were an all out pressing team which up to this point IU has not done under Crean. My guess is they use a 8 or 9 man rotation during Big 10 play. I see Yogi, Gordon, Stanford getting the guard minutes, Will, Troy, Hollowell getting the wing minutes, and Noah, Luke, and Hanner getting the bigs minutes. That is 9 players so unless foul trouble happens I don’t see anyone else on the team getting major minutes. Maybe Austin if he comes back healthy.

Thank you CreamandCrimson for pointing that out.

Kinda falls in line with my thinking.

My two favorite teams: IU and whoever is playing Calislimy & crew.

Trey Lyles has his choices down to UL & pUKe…..boy there’s a real surprise. dws Still insisting that there was ever another destination other than the big blue cesspool.

If Kentucky doesn’t make the tournament this season Calipari will be the worst coach of all time. They have way more talent than they had last season and I see absolutely no way they don’t make it to the Big Dance.

So…he’d be playing power forward and guarding the shooting guard?

I’m betting on the lack of character that Painter, Hammons, and others have resulting in an implosion. The wheels fall off so-to-speak like us with Sampson. Instead of illegal recruiting Purdue will have to deal with extra marital issues, drugs, bad grades, etc.

I agree, Devin loves to rebound,

Yep, U of L should be awfully good. This will be the year for VanTreese(a Hoosier) to make a big impact.

Not with all those freshmen that haven’t played together. They should be decent, but i think it will be another 1st round flame out in the NIT for them.

Although I agree with most of what you have said, Devin will never play the four, only the two (if he can improve his ball handling/security) and three.

I disagree on Devin. I think you will see he will get Remy type minutes as a Freshman. I know he isn’t hyped, but when you go back and listen to what players have said about him, they rave… I agree Sheehey & Williams will dominate minutes at the SG or SF, but I could see Devin coming in to play the PF, moving Noah to Center, and using Devin to guard some SG’s.

Biggest difference between this team and us last year? Senior PG.

Depending on how dominant Andrew Wiggins really is, Kansas could handle pUKe in the tourney. If I had to make a prediction right now I’d say Louisville for the repeat or Izzo will grab another title. Maybe FGCU though… Lol!