@evanalvarez8 he better be A dude, because we don’t have anyone else and paid him close to Braden smith money lol.
The money stuff is still so weird to me in college sports. I know I need to adapt and get with the times, it's just weird sometimes imo. I'm happy they're getting paid, certainly, but seeing guys sign contracts and make millions is still kind of crazy.
That said, I do hope he plays well. He is vital to the squad
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@cavanagh DeVries wasn't my first choice, but I like almost everything he's done since he's been here, and I like the direction he's taking the team with style of play. He also really seemed to prioritize getting team-first guys who had complete skillsets with shooting/scoring, handle, passing, etc... He seemed to pass on some guys I thought could help us, but I think it goes back to the type of player he was looking for.
It's also refreshing to have a guy who thanks fans, and is patient with the media and answers their questions thoughtfully without being pissy or a spaz. Giving him, and his staff, a fair shot to prove themselves is all anyone can ask.
@cavanagh I think many are forgetting how good Tucker DeVries is. Obviously no clue how his injury will impact him, but if he's anywhere near his normal self, he's the best overall player on this team. If Tucker had hit the open portal market, he would have been projected very close to the number 1 overall portal guy, I'm sure. And would have commanded A LOT of money.
We'll see what guys like Conerway and Wilkerson end up doing, when we get in to the meat of our schedule...but we already have a good idea on what Tucker will do.
@iunorth I was glad to hear someone who was there, comment on how well he fought and defended some of their bigger post guys. Just based off that, I'm guessing he'll be on TKR when we face PU, at least to start, leaving Bailey and Alexsis to focus on their 5s. I think that's a good strategy too, because TKR to me is more dangerous with his spins and drives vs post game and I think a quicker defender will work better.
@kkott For sure. He didn't shoot it well, and if that continues in to the season, it will obviously limit how good he'll be perceived to be. But I think as long as he's able to play, he will push to be a double digit scorer, and he'll be a 5+ rebound per game guy, and a 3-4+ assist per game guy. If his shoulder heals up, and/or if he just shoots it better and gets back to what he was before his injury... he'll be a 15, 6 and 4 type guy... and in the B10, that'll be First Team All B10 level numbers.
And those are just the offensive stat examples that everyone likes to focus on. If he can be a guy that can effectively guard guys like TKR... With how our roster is setup, that will be a huge contribution. And then just the coaches son, 5th year in his program, leadership traits. I think because he's CDD's son, and it was a foregone conclusion he'd follow him, and that he was injured and didn't play a full season last year...many either don't know, or its just not at the forefront of their mind, how good of a basketball player Tucker is.
I think you got a good handle on a PUke gameplan. TC on Smith is gonna be a fun watch as an IUBB fan.
@iunorth I loved the adjustment they made in the 2nd half getting Wilkerson and DeVries to drive it. Read/heard they had like 5-6 and 1s in the 2nd half alone... the old-fashioned 3, plus you get a foul out of it! Lots of guys in our recent past that I used to get so frustrated with that they wouldn't adjust and drive the ball when their outside shot wasn't falling. Thought that was a great adjustment, and in addition to the and 1s, it lead to the game-winning basket on the drive and dish to Bailey. I think we're in agreement, that 1) Tucker hasn't forgotten how to shoot and is probably going to return to being a solid outside threat, and that 2) he's also going to find other ways to impact and help the team regardless if his shot is falling or not. Among the least of my concerns.
I'm not pissed. Just not convinced ...
what does get me riled up is sunshine pumpers. I can acknowledge positive accomplishments but I also acknowledge negative ones too. It's called reality.. the sun will rise tomorrow... that's for sure.
this is agree with 100. He is light years ahead of Bigfoot and Lil Archie. He acumen and etiquette etc is spot on thus far. I don't mean to put him or the new roster in the line of fire. They haven't done anything wrong. There just haven't done anything yet to convince me. At this point after 25 years I'd like to see results before I jump all in ...
I think you got a good handle on a PUke gameplan. TC on Smith is gonna be a fun watch as an IUBB fan.
Let's hope! Overall I think we've done a pretty good job on Smith, but he's had a couple good games against us too. As we saw in the NC game, a really good, physical, active defender can take him out of his game. Hoping between Conerway and Enright, we have that covered.
@kkott yep he will get a fair shot. Hell if he beats UK or UL we will want to give him a lifetime contract. That said, I think his leash is shorter than anyone we have had in the past . Win or go home going forward with pay for play.
@cavanagh I'm all for not giving extensions prematurely. When I hear people talk about program goals, it's finishing at the top of the B10 and advancing in the tourney past the first weekend. When we see those results, or at least on track for them, then they could be thinking about extensions.
oh we are on the same page Cavanagh. And I am flat ass tired of sunshine pumpers telling me this is the year or this is the coach. I'll beleive it when they produce it. The fact that our supposed "best shooter", Tucker shot an abysmal percentage .. in the 20 percentile area over the course of 3 games and we are supposed to shrug it off. Yeah sorry as possible as it is he's just recovering it also just as possible the injury adversely affected him and he won't be the same. We just don't know yet. I'm not predicting doom I'm just embracing both sides of the equation. Unfortunately most of us didn't get to see the team play. Once I can do that I will be able to deduce the scheme, effort and chemistry. Suppose most of us will. But I won't take some PR statement at a podium as gospel. Because Today they all say positive things no matter what. Eye test will tell. And wins will tell.
That's how shooting works, a 40% shooter doesn't shoot 40 percent in every game or every 3 game stretch. It consists of deep valleys and high peaks. Look at Goode last year, he was horrible through Nov/Dec but one of the best shooters in the conference Jan/Feb. Ended up shooting 47% in the last 18 league games at high volume.
As bad as sunshine pumpers are in the off season, the habitual whiners and complainers are far worse, especially those who are perpetually malcontent ..
@seyton Kudos to you for the stats as they provide some interesting analysis to these games. A couple items stand out for me. (1) For the 2025/26 season, the IU team will shoot the 3 better than they did in PR. (2) Tucker DeVries will shoot far better than he did in PR. (3) Enright will keep his foul propensity in more control during the regular season because if he doesn't much bench time awaits him.
@tmp Tucker and Lamar will be the best shooters on the team, PR was just a glorified bonding trip. That is about all I know right now.... But I am getting excited....... spring, hope, and all that BS.
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