Hahah- he showed some signs last yr- struggled w defense and admitted as much when season ended - said he needs to get stronger
the kid was a starter on a national champ Montverde team
What you are saying may well be accurate. Jeff Rabjohns has reported Indiana is done with the "heavy lifting" on the roster. TJ Inman has also been very consistent in reporting that major additions to the current 10 aren't expected. TJ posted the following on the forum ---I hope the staff is serious about these last 3 positions. I hope they are not satisfied, but I fear they are. Prove us all wrong, and we won't question you in the future.
Seriously? I've read this closing blurb a dozen times and EVERY time I laugh out loud. In what bizarro world or alternate reality do you reckon that the staff of a program like IU isn't serious about roster positions? A reality where a second year head coach that eked out a record 4 games over .500 and missed the NCAA is somehow satisfied with 3 spots left to fill? A world where they give any sort of shiites or fecks about the "questioning" of some random "us or we" clamoring to be proven wrong?
I'm not sure what leads you to believe any of this, but if it's drugs I'll have what you're having...
Well.....I've got 5 pieces of evidence that support my suspicion that DeVries doesn't care much about positions 10-13: they are named Drake, Harris, Ristic, Acimovic, and Wang.
In mid-January 2026, CDD indicated that Harris & Drake would likely be back playing in short order. He never mentioned them thereafter. He was positive in his public statements about Acimovic & Ristic. Thereafter they were basically treated as walk-ons. Now we're talking about taking a kid that does not have sufficient talent to be a 5-10M rotation player in a position of need. Why would we do that?
About 2 weeks ago, at the conclusion of the portal haul, Jeff Rabjohns tweeted out a message to the effect that IU 'had its roster,' any additions thereafter would be less than dramatic.......essentially this is it, don't get your hopes up for much more. He is known to be friends with Carr. Since then there has been an continuing discussion on BTB whether he had inside information or was essentially full of shit.
What I have noticed since his message has been an almost complete lack of reported interest is any remaining quality players in the portal. I did read that we were talking with Josiah Parker of FAU, a PF rated 95th on the 247 portal. He would be a nice addition, but I've seen nothing further about him.
This is where the addition of Wang comes in. It makes no sense if there is serious interest in improving the position to add the depth to move us up 2-3 positions in the BT. I think most IU fans see 3 remaining positions of need: a back-up 4/5 to play 5-10M/game; a taller wing; and a back-up PG, and assume we would be serious about putting together a better roster. And that the only reason we would not do so is because we are now broke. However, Wang is perfect if the intention is to add roster filler while keeping the fans pacified. We can't keep three roster positions open. Isn't that what happened last year?
There are other factors at play here, namely dealings with the portal players and their agents, and recruits. If you introduce serious competition to guys like Harris, Lindsay, and Mustaf, or decide not to play guys like Moody & Karvala (Manhertz is redshirting), you risk pissing them off, breaking ties with agents and losing recruits to the portal next spring. DeVries is a player-first coach that talks a lot about his team being connected. Why rock the boat by pushing for more competition? Why not be happy with what you've got? And you have a lack of resources as a ready-made excuse. So I am concerned that there might really be NO interest in further improving the roster, other than to add practice players. That we have our roster, and will run with it. "Establish our culture". And that the focus will be on finishing 6th-9th in the BT and making the tourney, and everybody keeps their jobs and stays fat & happy for another year.
"I don't expect Indiana to grab any more headline type players. IU is going to round out the roster and fill all 13 scholarships..
I would not be surprised if one or two of those additions are international prospects.
One thing to note: true proven depth is nearly impossible to get right now. As expensive as starters are right now, it is incredibly tough to get and retain depth pieces that you have confidence in. Look around at rosters of most schools and you'll see that VERY few programs have proven depth. You have to quickly develop guys like Trent Sisley, Prince Alexander-Moody, Vaughn Karvala and Trevor Manhertz and get positive impacts from a couple of them."
Very possible the current 10 players fight out for the 8 or 9 man rotation spots.
Agree- let the frosh, who are highly touted, be the back up guys- keeps them happy, develops them, and you possibly get everyone back- especially if the new rules are in place- fill the last 2-3 spots w decent 1 yr guys that can play 5-8 minutes if needed and they leave next yr making room for a few hs recruits
Using Priller and Gelon was lazy, and for sure hyperbolic on my part. I should have thought more deeply about it, and picked some guys that were D1 levels of talented, that really never contributed. That's the frustration here, for me. I'm not recalling really any big, slow, plodding, shooting specialists in the B10. Maybe there are some?! But if there are, there surely aren't many. And none play on contending teams. I think there's a reason for that. The conference is too physical, too big now, too athletic. Wang's production against good teams out their way is encouraging, and maybe that ends up helping preconference and in the NCAAs. I just don't see it being effective in the B10.
And I'm not naive and thinking the choice was a guy like Wang, and someone like Coen Carr. There are just tons, and tons, of 6-6 to 6-7, strong, athletes out there that IU could get for equally as cheap, I'm sure. Caedmon Bontrager from IWU, active, athletic... not going to challenge for main rotation minutes by any means, but could guard multiple positions, rebound well, and be a physical guy in practice to push Sisley, Sherrell, etc... And I'm sure there are dozens of guys as good or better than him in NAIA, D2, low D1, they could get, that bring similar attributes.
Anyway... if Wang does choose IU, I hope that I end up looking like an idiot with this take. Maybe I already do? But the overall point is I don't think he moves the needle for us in the B10. And I think strength and athleticism, from wherever it can be found, would.
The last 10 or so pages of this thread remind me of last year's Portal discussions. You have the condescending dudes who label anyone with concerns as idiots, Debbie-downers, never-happy antagonists. You have the people who look at things from a realistic stand-point and you have the guys who are never, ever happy w/o a NC.
How did last year work out? Weeding out the folks on the far end of each spectrum, we had the dudes who didn't think we had enough to compete to IU's "standards." An argument over those "standards" should be another thread.
Put me in with the folks who are concerned with THIS YEAR'S efforts. I am afraid we've spent (it's not my money but I'm emotionally invested) a bunch of money to come up incomplete. I think we need another STUD down low. I'm worried Yigi, Yugi, WTF nickname we are gonna give this guy, won't play at a high enough caliber to get it done. That leaves a ton of responsibility on Sherrell's shoulders. What if he gets worn down, gets hurt, gets pissed b/c he's the only one battling hard against the likes of MSU and Michigan?
I like where we are a whole lot better than where we were this time last year but man, the bar is low in that regards. I want to compete against the Kansas', UK's, U of L's of the world. I want IU back on the main stage. Yes, it takes time, but in this day and NIL age, it can happen quickly.
It's my HOPE that Yigi works hard and takes a big leap upward. It's possible. I don't think he can get to Mara-level, but we don't exactly need that either. I HOPE that one or two of the Freshman will surprise. I HOPE that Sisley works hard and shows more of his potential next year.
Hope isn't a good business model, tho, and I would really like to see one more STUD big added to the roster. Maybe not STUD along the Sherrell lines, but somewhere between Yigi and Sherrell. I know it's getting late in the game, but maybe Carr/CDD can pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Might not have to worry about Wang, the people at 247 Sports are reporting he's seriously considering U Mass. Got to think Massachusetts can provide far, far more playing time than IU.Using Priller and Gelon was lazy, and for sure hyperbolic on my part. I should have thought more deeply about it, and picked some guys that were D1 levels of talented, that really never contributed. That's the frustration here, for me. I'm not recalling really any big, slow, plodding, shooting specialists in the B10. Maybe there are some?! But if there are, there surely aren't many. And none play on contending teams. I think there's a reason for that. The conference is too physical, too big now, too athletic. Wang's production against good teams out their way is encouraging, and maybe that ends up helping preconference and in the NCAAs. I just don't see it being effective in the B10.
And I'm not naive and thinking the choice was a guy like Wang, and someone like Coen Carr. There are just tons, and tons, of 6-6 to 6-7, strong, athletes out there that IU could get for equally as cheap, I'm sure. Caedmon Bontrager from IWU, active, athletic... not going to challenge for main rotation minutes by any means, but could guard multiple positions, rebound well, and be a physical guy in practice to push Sisley, Sherrell, etc... And I'm sure there are dozens of guys as good or better than him in NAIA, D2, low D1, they could get, that bring similar attributes.
Anyway... if Wang does choose IU, I hope that I end up looking like an idiot with this take. Maybe I already do? But the overall point is I don't think he moves the needle for us in the B10. And I think strength and athleticism, from wherever it can be found, would.
The point you bring up about a Coenn Carr type player is an interesting one. Many think of Carr as being a big inside player and are surprised when they find out he's only 6'6". The guy is physical, athletic and can jump out of the gym. He's versatile and strong enough to guard bigger players. An active physical 6'6" 225 pound player is very useful when you have a 2 big line-up and one of the bigs is on the bench.
When the 2025-26 season started I had expectations DeVries might be that athletic type of 6'6" / 6'7" player. After a game or two I knew I had only been hoping as Tucker lacked the foot speed, quickness, and athleticism.
The last 10 or so pages of this thread remind me of last year's Portal discussions. You have the condescending dudes who label anyone with concerns as idiots, Debbie-downers, never-happy antagonists. You have the people who look at things from a realistic stand-point and you have the guys who are never, ever happy w/o a NC.
How did last year work out? Weeding out the folks on the far end of each spectrum, we had the dudes who didn't think we had enough to compete to IU's "standards." An argument over those "standards" should be another thread.
Put me in with the folks who are concerned with THIS YEAR'S efforts. I am afraid we've spent (it's not my money but I'm emotionally invested) a bunch of money to come up incomplete. I think we need another STUD down low. I'm worried Yigi, Yugi, WTF nickname we are gonna give this guy, won't play at a high enough caliber to get it done. That leaves a ton of responsibility on Sherrell's shoulders. What if he gets worn down, gets hurt, gets pissed b/c he's the only one battling hard against the likes of MSU and Michigan?
I like where we are a whole lot better than where we were this time last year but man, the bar is low in that regards. I want to compete against the Kansas', UK's, U of L's of the world. I want IU back on the main stage. Yes, it takes time, but in this day and NIL age, it can happen quickly.
It's my HOPE that Yigi works hard and takes a big leap upward. It's possible. I don't think he can get to Mara-level, but we don't exactly need that either. I HOPE that one or two of the Freshman will surprise. I HOPE that Sisley works hard and shows more of his potential next year.
Hope isn't a good business model, tho, and I would really like to see one more STUD big added to the roster. Maybe not STUD along the Sherrell lines, but somewhere between Yigi and Sherrell. I know it's getting late in the game, but maybe Carr/CDD can pull a rabbit out of the hat.
you and I are on the same page... are we improved from last year on paper ... yes. But we are thin and lacking that last front court player. A difference maker to use in tandem with Sherrell or yigi. And then they have to be coached and motivated..which is where I think we also have issues. I too want IU back on the main stage. And you're right in the NIL era they can be done in one offseason. And we are now in year 2 of this rebuild... and I fear we are not yet going to make it to the main stage.
@redandrowdy I don't think IU needs a stud with any of their last 3 spots. Obviously that would be great, but we've established a rotation that should be capable of competing with most of the best teams in the B10. But, we are thin in a couple areas, yet. 1) Post depth. I personally don't see Wang as any sort of B10 caliber post player. He's tall. But he isn't going to guard, bang, rebound, etc... in the B10. We need a strong athlete that could. 2)Wing strength and athleticism. Currently, I'd say Mustaf might be the only guy that fits that description, and he'll probably spend a lot of time guarding opposing teams best perimeter playmakers. It would be nice to have a 6-5 ish "dawg" that you could throw out there to guard and rebound, when needed.
I think we have a dynamic playmaking lead guard in Burton. We have a microwave type scorer in Lindsay. We have a solid 2 way guard in Mustaf. We have a very solid shooter, with some length, in Harris. We have a top end big in Sherrell. We have a rim protection and effective rebounding in Sherrell and Yiggy. I think Sisley should provide some versatile depth for either wing or post play, wherever its needed. And I think its a fair assumption that at least one of the freshmen will break through and be main rotation contributors. My best guess on that would be Moody. And if it is Moody, he'll add a playmaker to the backcourt.
I personally think its a team and roster that should start pushing for top 3rd of the conference. I think to solidify that, and create more realistic opportunities to push for top quarter of the conference, adding a couple B10 caliber athletes, to help defend and rebound in key spots, could be what helps us pick up those extra 2-3 conference wins that will be the difference between 3rd place and 7th place... types of finishes.
If they are fortunate to get a "stud", really any sort of starter caliber player... especially if its a big... I think that raises their floor to top half of conference. And raises their ceiling to winning the B10. That hole in depth, and the question marks, that one more stud would solve, are pretty huge.
Feels like across the CBB world, not just for IU, the portal has slowed to a near halt these last two weeks. Which is odd because, to my knowledge, every team is still trying to round out rosters and most have glaring needs.
If you could hand pick a recent former Hoosier to drop from the sky onto this roster as a great fit, who would it be?
OG? Bryant? Troy Williams?
I m still waiting on a list of available players that are athletic dawgs, that would be willing to come here for 8-15 minutes per game? You see guys that IU needs going to places like Memphis, Miss St, etc bc they want to start - I just dont see anyone left in the portal that would be any sort of diff maker.
The last 10 or so pages of this thread remind me of last year's Portal discussions. You have the condescending dudes who label anyone with concerns as idiots, Debbie-downers, never-happy antagonists. You have the people who look at things from a realistic stand-point and you have the guys who are never, ever happy w/o a NC.
How did last year work out? Weeding out the folks on the far end of each spectrum, we had the dudes who didn't think we had enough to compete to IU's "standards." An argument over those "standards" should be another thread.
Put me in with the folks who are concerned with THIS YEAR'S efforts. I am afraid we've spent (it's not my money but I'm emotionally invested) a bunch of money to come up incomplete. I think we need another STUD down low. I'm worried Yigi, Yugi, WTF nickname we are gonna give this guy, won't play at a high enough caliber to get it done. That leaves a ton of responsibility on Sherrell's shoulders. What if he gets worn down, gets hurt, gets pissed b/c he's the only one battling hard against the likes of MSU and Michigan?
I like where we are a whole lot better than where we were this time last year but man, the bar is low in that regards. I want to compete against the Kansas', UK's, U of L's of the world. I want IU back on the main stage. Yes, it takes time, but in this day and NIL age, it can happen quickly.
It's my HOPE that Yigi works hard and takes a big leap upward. It's possible. I don't think he can get to Mara-level, but we don't exactly need that either. I HOPE that one or two of the Freshman will surprise. I HOPE that Sisley works hard and shows more of his potential next year.
Hope isn't a good business model, tho, and I would really like to see one more STUD big added to the roster. Maybe not STUD along the Sherrell lines, but somewhere between Yigi and Sherrell. I know it's getting late in the game, but maybe Carr/CDD can pull a rabbit out of the hat.
we've literally signed 2 of the top 7 bigs in the portal. And while those are currently our ONLY two bigs, what high quality big is going to want to join them? And that's if there are any high quality bigs out there anyway (there aren't really).
https://www.on3.com/transfer-portal/industry/basketball/?status=best-available
4 that I see would fit the bill:
Fuchs
Randolph
Wicks
Robinson
4 that I see would fit the bill:
Fuchs
Randolph
Wicks
Robinson
Those guys might be fine depth, but that isn't really how I interpreted R&R's complaint. He's pretty much saying the 7th best C in the portal is going to be a bust, so we need someone better than him.
