then you need to look at who will our top 8 guys be next year... and that tells you there are some minutes.
To channel Cig, a player who is actually good, will come in and compete for minutes anyway. They will find a way to be on the court.
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Myles Rice returning?
That's the chatter on the interwebs. Strongly hinted at by Myles himself.
Informative writeup listing a top 10 of portal players still available.
Curious there's a Turkish guard who played his freshman season at Penn St. at #10.
https://share.google/ug1IFzXUQR9BnLyIH
Lots of crazy stuff on Myles Rice returning to IU. Seems to me that his return would be to Washington State where he had his major success.
Myles Rice returning?
That's the chatter on the interwebs. Strongly hinted at by Myles himself.
oh Lord please no
@bigmike hard to judge him based off the culture and climate he played under during the Woodson era. He was really good at WSU... very average at both IU and Maryland, though. At IU, he often seemed disengaged, and for sure was not a very consistent player, in really any way. Had some moments that showed his potential where you could see the WSU NCAA tournament Myles... but far too many lulls. I worry about a player like that, playing for CDD... as that's one of the biggest concerns I have from CDD's first team... too many players being inconsistent with effort and focus. We need as many natural motor and energy guys, as possible, I think. Myles is not that... or hasn't been at IU or Maryland.
Concerning Rice.
If you are filling your bench out with a 24/25 yo player, a senior, with high major experience on the cheap, that has the potential upside to be a solid contributor, and an additional ball handler, there's certainly worse things to be all up in arms about imo.
Some questions.
1. Can he stay healthy?
2. Does adding another non shooter with questionable defense hurt more than it helps?
3. Does adding a senior take away from the youth momentum building toward '27 and '28?
4. Is Devries convinced Rice can fit a defined bench role?
5. Does getting Rice on the cheap free up cash to make another more significant portal or foreign add?
If you haven't had an opportunity, check out the 18 minute interview video with DeVries posted on this site.
When asked about filling the balance of the roster DeVries spoke about the priority of adding interior depth.
The size depth issue is apparently an important one for the staff.
Myles Rice - nothing like bringing the experience from a winning culture such as 12-21 Maryland.
We could do worse. But does he help? He's not bad when healthy.
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@openwheel A priority for almost all collegiate athletes is the desire to play. I'd say a prime reason why Alberto Mendoza left IU is Josh Hoover. Alberto doesn't want to sit on the bench and he recognizes Josh will be the man. I am in no way minimizing Alberto's competitive nature. He's making a realistic decision.
When looking at IU basketball, a potential big transfer realizes Yigitoglu and Sherrrell have been identified as the the main guys. A player signing on with the Hoosiers understands his role as a big will highly likely be limited as a result of Yigi and Sherrell being on the roster. A potential point guard sees Markus Burton on the roster and understands Markus is the anointed point guard.
I love Cignetti's brashness and for what he has achieved he has the right to say whatever he so desires. I do feel that sometimes it's not so easy to simply compete for minutes and then play. A player can compete but can be blocked by superior talent.
Somehwat of a case in point, Charlie B. didn't really get to play until Sarratt was hobbled.@openwheel A priority for almost all collegiate athletes is the desire to play. I'd say a prime reason why Alberto Mendoza left IU is Josh Hoover. Alberto doesn't want to sit on the bench and he recognizes Josh will be the man. I am in no way minimizing Alberto's competitive nature. He's making a realistic decision.
When looking at IU basketball, a potential big transfer realizes Yigitoglu and Sherrrell have been identified as the the main guys. A player signing on with the Hoosiers understands his role as a big will highly likely be limited as a result of Yigi and Sherrell being on the roster. A potential point guard sees Markus Burton on the roster and understands Markus is the anointed point guard.
I love Cignetti's brashness and for what he has achieved he has the right to say whatever he so desires. I do feel that sometimes it's not so easy to simply compete for minutes and then play. A player can compete but can be blocked by superior talent.
@bigmike I think expectations on the role would be key for someone like Myles Rice. He obviously becomes more and more valuable, the further down the depth chart the mutual expectations are. As the backup ball handler behind Burton. He could be a pretty valuable 15 mpg guy... and potentially a viable fill in should Burton's injuries linger on in to the season at all, or obviously if they resurface after he does come back. That alone could solve a lot of his effort and focus consistency issues. Shorter bursts of PT, when he knows he's needed by the team... with him knowing and being o.k. with that role... is quite a lot different than starting and playing 30 mpg.
@bigmike As for a 3rd, and/or 4th big... I have to think CDD and the staff can, and should, be able to paint much more playing time and role opportunities than it might seem on the surface. Especially for the 3rd big. Florida had 4 bigs, that all played a fair bit, and were featured a lot. Purdue had 3 bigs that played a fair bit. Plenty of examples of successful programs featuring a stable of main rotation bigs larger than 2 guys.
@iunorth yeah, if CDD thinks Rice is a good fit and he comes in understanding it's likely a backup role, I'd have no problem with that. More akin to Grant Wilson as a QB coming here understanding it's likely only a backup gig. Glad to hear CDD is still looking for post depth. Secretly I'm hoping for a 6'10"ish guy who can shoot a bit. Ironically, this roster is one that I think Bailey would have fit well with.