Given Drew's background (Butler, Valparaiso, etc.) and his father's history coaching in the state, I would have figured Indiana would have been a major possibility if he ever wanted to leave Baylor.
seems like a great fit, especially with some of the shine wearing off Dusty May,
Per rumblings, it sounds like a big factor here was Woodson being lazy and putting little to no effort in to staying in contact and building the relationship once he had the kid's commitment. Probably got outworked big time during the in-season months by Bill Self and Kansas.
I have no idea who's running things at Indiana. I get that Mike Woodson is like royalty, but this season was a disappointment and especially in some of the larger margin losses. There were times this team just lacked effort. And whoever's decision it was to not go to the NIT is WRONG. If it can help a few players get more game time in,it's worth it. IU is in a worse spot than when Archie was fired.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are trending up. It would be nice if Diebler could pull a Thad Matta and pull a couple stud prospects from the Hoosier state while there is uncertainty and underachievement with Woodson.
So the major question in Columbus is was Diebler that good that they were 100% behind him, or could they just not get anyone else to come? Obviously Diebler's body of work the last few weeks won him the opportunity, but wouldn't a guy like Lamont Paris at South Carolina made sense? Ohio kid, big ten ties? My question with the Buckeyes is why did they suddenly play hard for Diebler and didn't for Holtman??
One thing I hope Diebler improves upon is Holtmann’s hesitation to play young players while handing the team to mediocre transfer portal players simply because they have experience, not because they were more talented. That lack of development might be something Woodson has in common with Holtmann.
I'm amazed how fast OSU fans turned on Holtman. I like Holtman, I liked him enough that I'd rather seen him hired than Archie Miller years back. I hope it works out for Diebler, but I also wonder if the guys just were so anti-Holman that they played hard for Diebler or anyone who was the coach.
You are 100% correct. Lost in the NCAA Men's tournament is there are 3 big midwest fanbases who are not going to be tuned into the tournament quite as much as normal. Michigan, Indiana and Ohio State. I know alot of people like the underdog and the mid majors, but there are alot of schools that don't move the needle when it comes to ratings. Really pay attention to the Friday night/ Saturday night games for ratings. Teams like Florida Atlantic, San Diego State, BYU, Stetson, Duquesne, Grand Canyon, Charleston, Dayton, Longwood, Oakland, Utah St. Samford, Akron, and that's not all of them. Lots of very non descript teams on the big stage.
*uck Xichigan!!!
Much like the big ten is better in football when Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are all good, big ten hoops is better when Indiana and Michigan are good.
Again *uck TTUN. Hope the cheatin bastards lose every game football and bball.
No.
IU still has the banners to hang over Purdue's head, but you are right, over the last 20 years, Purdue has been the big brother for the state. Heck remember when Notre Dame was relevant?? How in the heck is Notre Dame basketball not better? I think because Purdue hasn't won national championships, Keady and Painter both have got more extra rope than the normal program. You have to love Purdue's culture though. They get guys that are committed to being there 3-4 years minimum. Other than Ivy a few years ago, they have lifers. Imagine this year's IU team with Braden Smith at the point?? I'll guarantee you he would had been worth 5-6 more wins easily. Our PG spot is so jacked up.
Let's hope this kid is everything he's billed up to being. We really need to hit on some recruits.