DeVries has many times talked about developing a team from the bottom up with freshmen. Reality is we are in new age and trying to duplicate the Purdue model is not one that will many times be successful.Maybe another way to comment on the discussion is to say, name all the graduating seniors who played big freshman minutes for the same team? Purdue has 3. Who else? Cooper from MSU? At least he was a true senior. But players who play 4 years at high minutes is downright rare to find now.
So there are 3 scenarios that work for the 3 incoming freshmen:
1.) they dont play alot and stick around because its their best option.
2.) they play back up roles to transfers who have an exceptional season.
3.) IU pays enough to not only return them as sophomores, but also pay more for the following Chase Branham class of 27.
Another way to put it, we wont see these 3 as seniors unless DeVries does an A+ job of coaching and winning.
Your scenario #3 may well be the best approach if he hopes his idea to succeed... "we wont see these 3 as seniors unless DeVries does an A+ job of coaching and winning" plus I'll add paying them.
Considering the amount of roster holes at the moment, this question of minutes for freshman may be a bit premature don't ya reckon?
A good friend will bail you out of jail, but your best friend will be sitting next to you in the cell saying "that was f***ing awesome"
I can only imagine how Bob Knight might answer: "Coach, how many minutes might the incoming 3 freshmen play in the upcoming season?".
I will humor the intent behind the discussion and just say that in 2027, the danger is losing freshmen who play well or play extended development minutes.
Say all 3 play 25-30 minutes a game and score between 6-11ppg. What keeps them in Bloomington after the season in this day and age?
The current model suggests development occurs on other "lower tier" D1 teams before a player transfers to the Big Ten when they are ready to make a run for it.
You've got a football coach who has gone 27-2 in 2 seasons with a national championship who cant convince a 5 star freshman in his own backyard to come to Indiana. What does that tell you about the state of affairs with NIL and player contracts?
The only metrics will be how much the players are paid and whether they not only win next year, but are then projected to win more in 27-28.
If DeVries wins 25 games and looks like they have a chance for a conference championship the following year, he might be able to convince a few good players to stick around. Otherwise, we are looking at a potential cycle of unresolved and recurring mediocrity in basketball.
@bigmike The scenario of winning will only make those players more expensive, assuming they legitimately contributed to the winning. Maybe even if not. There are posters on here who will discount any transfer player from a program that isn't "a winner."
Keeping players for 4 years at a school is something of the past. I nevertheless feel DeVries must get some production out his freshmen recruits if he expects to win 20+ games and exit out of the bottom half of the Big 10. We'll see what happens in the next few days but my best guess is the '26 portal haul will not have 7 high level players. Other than Sisley's minimal contribution, IU has nothing coming back from 2025-26. If the three frosh simply keep the bench warm, DeVries may have been lucky to survive the injury bug. I think he's going to need some minutes out of those kids.I can only imagine how Bob Knight might answer: "Coach, how many minutes might the incoming 3 freshmen play in the upcoming season?".
I will humor the intent behind the discussion and just say that in 2027, the danger is losing freshmen who play well or play extended development minutes.
Say all 3 play 25-30 minutes a game and score between 6-11ppg. What keeps them in Bloomington after the season in this day and age?
The current model suggests development occurs on other "lower tier" D1 teams before a player transfers to the Big Ten when they are ready to make a run for it.
You've got a football coach who has gone 27-2 in 2 seasons with a national championship who cant convince a 5 star freshman in his own backyard to come to Indiana. What does that tell you about the state of affairs with NIL and player contracts?
The only metrics will be how much the players are paid and whether they not only win next year, but are then projected to win more in 27-28.
If DeVries wins 25 games and looks like they have a chance for a conference championship the following year, he might be able to convince a few good players to stick around. Otherwise, we are looking at a potential cycle of unresolved and recurring mediocrity in basketball.
Back in the day, Bob Knight taught a fundamentals of basketball class. In class I had the commonsense to not ask coach how many minutes his freshmen were going to play. I'm trying to imagine what his response would have been.