Hopefully, CTC will also realize that it is time to coach.

I thoght about this and my argument is I’m a homer. Also JBJ unproven but definitely a pure blood, YF has proven himself, RJ was ranked a top 10 guard in the class. I am very optimistic about this team. Chemistry on last years team was awful which the reason i suspected that we had the in season transfer. But, guards win games also the have the ball when the clock is running down. I suspect we will win a lot of very close games but we will also get blown out a few.

For the record and for what it’s worth, if TC plays a 4-guard lineup for extended minutes in any game, he will help prove that the pre-season rankings were accurate–and perhaps even a bit generous regarding where they placed us in the B1G. We may well light up the scoreboard better than last year, but there are way too many “what ifs” and unknowns facing these guys regarding DEFENSE & REBOUNDING not to mention the pace of the game and a few loose ends at the offensive end to wrap up. I just don’t see it happening with this crew. If Troy is 1 of the 4 “guards”, he alone could be the difference maker.

How do you support the comment about IU having 3 of the best guards in the country? No argument that we have 1 of the better guards in the country and 2 who MAY become among the best in the country at some point in time. Tyler Ulis, DeAngelo Russell, and Isiah Whitehead may have something to say about who the “best” freshman guard is in the NCAA..

If it’s fair to dis OSU for what you perceive to be a lack of player development, excluding Victor Oladipo, please list the players who have left IU with a better rating than when they arrived? There are 6 Suckeyes in the league; IU has 3.

Anytime. It’s a pleasure when someone takes the time to post thoughtful analysis. Makes my enjoyment of this site and the game that much better.

My point is this: what player has left osu with a better rating than what he entered? I don’t see any evidence of player development at osu.
Whereas, player development is a strong point at IU.
I am hoping that HP and TW both got the memo!

Thanks.

Excellent observations.

I agree with your statement Ken, although if our team having a great year is third or fourth in the B1G, that is not exactly moving the program in the right direction.

You know Loop, I try to balance my optimism with reality but I have a hard time doing that with Hanner because of exactly what you just said. I really think he could take over a game if he had the confidence! I think we’ll see some of those games, at least I surely hope so. But he has to believe himself that he can do it. But man, I really think he can be a beast if he let himself. LOL

No problem. My concern with HMP is that he has appeared to be behind the 8-ball, so to speak, from the first day he set foot on campus, and that his inability to significantly improve hasn’t helped perception any that he was overrated out of HS. I see a guy with top-tier athleticism and a Div. III-level game. While it’s unlikely his skill set ever catches up, hr needs to make enough strides to warrant being litlke more than a spot-minutes player on a team that desperately needs his improved services.

Go, Hoosiers!

I do agree with you and I really hope it works out that way.

Thanks for clarifying. I see now where you’re coming from. I can only speak based on what I’ve read about Hanner over the last year and a half or so, and I rarely see overhyping, certainly not on ITH, which is what prompted my comment. I’m not implying in any way that I think you are implicating Hanner, just to be clear. If anything, I think you are saying that Hanner is in part a victim of the hype surrounding him (from ESPN quarters at least) and that we should treat his situation on its own terms.

I’m referencing his ESPN Top 100 ranking in 2012 (which I’m sure Dakich was, as well). I know he played with Yogi on the summer circuit in HS, and was made to probably look much better than he really was, as a result. I don’t think he has realized before now just how much work it takes to play at the highest level, so this year is basically his freshman season but with the knowledge he has picked up over the past two. In a sense, both he and Yogi, being the only two members of “The Movement” left, have suffered from unrealistic expectations — Yogi, in particular. Both are only juniors, but you’d think that last season was their senior one, given how they were criticized. Lucky for them, they’ve got 2 seasons left. Yogi could be an all-time IU great, if he wants to be; Hanner will be something decidedly less spectacular, but could really make strides if he buys-in defensively and makes defense his calling card. Maybe he can get the Drisell Award, or the NABC, if he reaches his potential.

I could not agree more!

IU has to play Hanner with one PF, Devin or Emmitt, for 1/3 of each game to be great. We need for the Coach to realize this! That still leaves 2/3 of each game for the 4 guard or 4 small (Troy) lineups!

Hanner was ranked #43 by Rivals in 2012 ( Yogi #19, Jeremy #41, Hammonds-Purdue #77, Harrell, Louisville #82).

I’m not sure where he’s been “overhyped”, but I do know that Hanner played in the shadows of Noah last year, and played only 7.7 minutes per game. In those minutes he averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. Interpolating these numbers to 25 minutes per game would give us 9 points and 7 rebounds per game, and that’s not including added improvement between seasons. I know interpolations are simplistic, but they are based on stronger evidence than just about any other claim we are making about Hanner. I’ll take 9 points and 7 rebounds from Hanner this season. He will reduce his fouls, just like Noah did last season.

Absolutely! But he must play 25 minutes/game, every game! Even when he is struggling!