For me this has been one of the strangest portal transactions -- Sananda Fru to Marquette.
Ultimately so many places for these players and when the budget for one school is tapped out, move on to the next offer.
@gthomas Just to be clear...if IU went 25-10 on the season, you would be saying Darian DeVries should be on the hot seat? For context...here are some teams with double-digit losses: Wisconsin (24-11 and a 5 seed), Kansas (24-11 and a 4 seed), Louisville (24-11 and a 6 seed), Texas Tech (23-11 and a 5 seed), Alabama (25-10 and a 4 seed), Tennessee (25-12 and a 6 seed). Purdue and Illinois lost 9 games, Iowa State and Florida lost 8.
If you offered me a record of 23-11 with a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, I am taking it 15 times out of 10. Particularly if I know that the core of the team COULD return for another season together and I was adding a dynamic shooter (at minimum) as a freshman. In a scenario like that, there is absolutely no reason to have DDV on a hot season of any kind...in my opinion. Now, if there are no major injuries and they go 19-14 or something and barely squeak into the 76-team NCAA Tournament? I would feel very differently.
I will say, I do hope IU schedules some challenging non-conference games. It does not need to be a murderer's row but I would love to see a true marquee home game (I'm just spitballing here...UConn for Mullins homecoming? St. John's for Pitino at Assembly Hall? Gonzaga? Maybe Carr knows Michael Malone enough and gets UNC on the schedule?), a secondary home game similar to the Kansas State one (Creighton, Cincinnati, N.C. State, LSU...that type of program) and then a true tough road test in addition to the games against Kentucky (Lucas Oil) and Syracuse (Gainbridge). Then your other six to seven non-conference games would be home games ideally against teams in the 100-250 range (Toledo, Bowling Green is rumored, Murray State, Middle Tennessee, Kent State, etc.).
I think 23-11 with a 5 seed would obviously be progress, especially if those losses are against equal or better competition on the road and are hard-played games and not blowouts. Our expectations should be higher than that ultimately, and so if that's our record and results next year we should expect continued improvement after that, not a plateau or backsliding. I don't know if we can count on being able to buy players indefinitely, I cant' see that being sustainable, so we have to quickly get back to where the program is attractive on its own merits and not just because we have bags of cash.
Can you name me 3 schools that are in that situation currently? I can only think of one.get back to where the program is attractive on its own merits and not just because we have bags of cash.
Can you name me 3 schools that are in that situation currently? I can only think of one.get back to where the program is attractive on its own merits and not just because we have bags of cash.
I mean, if NIL budgets become regulated or for some reason are less available across the board then players are going to give more weight to the coach, the development opportunities, and the results on the floor. You don't think there are more than three schools that have a respected coach, established and recent history of high performance in their conference, and regular tournament success?
@tjinman1987 Fair point; I should have clarified. If the record is similar to this season's (18-14, 19-13), yes, he should absolutely be on the hot seat going into his third year. If the money spent results in such a record, DD shouldn't skate.
Jmo.
Can you name me 3 schools that are in that situation currently? I can only think of one.get back to where the program is attractive on its own merits and not just because we have bags of cash.
I mean, if NIL budgets become regulated or for some reason are less available across the board then players are going to give more weight to the coach, the development opportunities, and the results on the floor. You don't think there are more than three schools that have a respected coach, established and recent history of high performance in their conference, and regular tournament success?
Those coaches aren't getting players for free. There may be a handful of guys out there taking a 'discount' for very specific situations. Any coaches that fit your criteria are also loaded with money.
https://twitter.com/EvanMiya/status/2044838234719756516?s=20
I would have hoped for a little higher than top 35
@hoosiers94 I just saw one of the “ way too early” top 25 rankings that has IU at #15.
Following is a comparison of 247Sports Player Portal Rankings for IU between the 2025 & 2026 hauls:
2025: 18 DeVries, 45 Wilkerson, 63 Bailey, 102 Dorn, 105 Conerway, 112 Miles, 160 Harris, 198 Enright, & 505 Drake
2026: 11 Sherrell, 23 Burton, 36 Yigitoglu, 85 Mustaf, 184 Lindsay, & 193 Harris
The rankers don't always get it right but there's no doubt in my mind there's far more talent in the 2026 class.
Yes, roughly I would have guessed somewhere in the low 20's.https://twitter.com/EvanMiya/status/2044838234719756516?s=20
I would have hoped for a little higher than top 35
The IU staff has moved with light speed to add 6 quality players to the roster this week. On another future expectations question, do you expect the remainder of the roster to involve some value shopping? For instance, add 2 or 3 international players to the 10.@gthomas Just to be clear...if IU went 25-10 on the season, you would be saying Darian DeVries should be on the hot seat? For context...here are some teams with double-digit losses: Wisconsin (24-11 and a 5 seed), Kansas (24-11 and a 4 seed), Louisville (24-11 and a 6 seed), Texas Tech (23-11 and a 5 seed), Alabama (25-10 and a 4 seed), Tennessee (25-12 and a 6 seed). Purdue and Illinois lost 9 games, Iowa State and Florida lost 8.
If you offered me a record of 23-11 with a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, I am taking it 15 times out of 10. Particularly if I know that the core of the team COULD return for another season together and I was adding a dynamic shooter (at minimum) as a freshman. In a scenario like that, there is absolutely no reason to have DDV on a hot season of any kind...in my opinion. Now, if there are no major injuries and they go 19-14 or something and barely squeak into the 76-team NCAA Tournament? I would feel very differently.
I will say, I do hope IU schedules some challenging non-conference games. It does not need to be a murderer's row but I would love to see a true marquee home game (I'm just spitballing here...UConn for Mullins homecoming? St. John's for Pitino at Assembly Hall? Gonzaga? Maybe Carr knows Michael Malone enough and gets UNC on the schedule?), a secondary home game similar to the Kansas State one (Creighton, Cincinnati, N.C. State, LSU...that type of program) and then a true tough road test in addition to the games against Kentucky (Lucas Oil) and Syracuse (Gainbridge). Then your other six to seven non-conference games would be home games ideally against teams in the 100-250 range (Toledo, Bowling Green is rumored, Murray State, Middle Tennessee, Kent State, etc.).
We don't know what kind of money remains in the portal budget and I realize surprises could happen.
Well, this good to know. The doom and gloomers here saying hang top 15 next season or it will be disappointing, clearly think DeVries is one hell of a coach, to move us up at least 20 spots!Yes, roughly I would have guessed somewhere in the low 20's.I would have hoped for a little higher than top 35
And I thought they didnt like him...
Anyway, Im all good with Coach and Carrs rankings over those.
,
Can you name me 3 schools that are in that situation currently? I can only think of one.get back to where the program is attractive on its own merits and not just because we have bags of cash.
I mean, if NIL budgets become regulated or for some reason are less available across the board then players are going to give more weight to the coach, the development opportunities, and the results on the floor. You don't think there are more than three schools that have a respected coach, established and recent history of high performance in their conference, and regular tournament success?
Well, Bidunga left KU. Reibe left UCONN. Michigan had a top 3 NIL budget, allegedly.
Remaining Needs: Still need another core rotation caliber big, in my opinion. And then a strong, physical, guard/wing player.
Got three strong physical guard/wings in Mustaf, Harris and Lindsay. IMHO IU needs a b/u PG. Unless you want to rely solely on a Fr combo guard.