Indiana could be a train wreck next year. They have a lot of talented recruits, but they'll need a lot of them to pan out quickly.
They do have a lot to replace but most of their talent is young, and they were without Jerome Hunter, who was expected to be a pretty big contributor as a freshman.
As an IU alum and IU b-ball fan I don’t see how we get better next year...and we sucked this year. Losing Romeo really hurts because he was the one player that could consistently create off the dribble. Losing him and Morgan is huge...that’s 60-70% of our offensive production gone. No real 5 star studs that are ready for prime time coming in. I live in California now so I’m not as connected to the local sentiment as I used to be...but from what I’m hearing rumblings are already starting that Archie could be gone next year if he doesn’t make the tourney.
Respect to Romeo for toughing that out and playing the rest of the year.
But then again, Fuck Indiana.
For some reason, I hate Indiana fans. They've done anything of note in any sport in 30 years, but they have a dickish nature about them anyway...
I have family from Bloomington (mom's side) and both my parents were at IU during the Knight Glory days.
The people there are pretty aware of where their program stands at the moment. Obviously they're very passionate, but they don't think of themselves more highly than where they rightfully are
They've had a Top 5 soccer program for 40-ish years.
That's not really "for some reason." IU fans are dicks. They take basketball so seriously, but also know nothing about it. I had multiple people on the r/CBB subreddit harassing me and telling me that IU was going to finish top 3 in the B1G, above Michigan, and trying to bet me in DMs. They treated Romeo like a god and I'm so happy they fell on their faces
Indiana definitely doesn't "know nothing" about basketball. And in their defense, that was a pretty common sentiment amongst basketball analysts in the pre season.
I am not an Indiana fan, but almost all my family is from Indiana and most of my parents/aunt's/uncle's went there. They're definitely not snobby about their program.
But they know a lot about basketball. It's Indiana.
Oh dear...this is profound ignorance. My family is from Northern Indiana...we lived there through my 8th grade...moved to Pinckney...was honorable mention all-state as a sophomore. I am likely the shortest person (by a fair amount) in the world to ever be named to such a team. "We" know the game. My first college roommate was from Loogootee-a small Southern Indiana town of about 2,000-about an hour south of Bloomington. Their gym holds nearly 5,000...it is standing room only at their home games. Year after year, in the single class system they went deep into the state tournament-even the final four and runners-up one year...Larry Bird was from nearby French Lick. Bird is exhibit A for Indiana HS basketball but I grew up watching Rick Fox, Scott Skiles and Shawn Kemp come out of our northern area. And I watched little Westview go toe to toe with Kemp's powerful Concord teams-and win their fair share...these battles were classic basketball. I moved back to Indiana for my senior year-our very tiny school split with tiny Westview-who had a future college All-American.
You want to learn about basketball ignorance-just watch this blog-it is profound...and y'all think you are knowledgeable...oh my!!! Watch the game and enjoy it...don't be cry-babies.
Great post, wish I could upvote you. (Is that function broken?)
I went to a high school (Eastside) in the same conference as Westview. Those boys could always play ball. Half of the team is converted Amish or Mennonite but can play some ball.
Lol exactly. My dad is from Northern Indiana and my mom is from Bloomington. My parents were well aware of Kemp and Sean May well after they were out of Indiana.
Bloomington South won the title in 2011 I believe, and every store in the mall had state championship gear. And it was like some Gildian shirt at Target, like all of the big time sports apparel stores were selling brand name gear with the state championship stuff.
They know basketball down there
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Washington, IN or Barr-Reeve. Big time high school basketball played at those schools. More so Barr Reeve now but they’re just down the road from Washington and Loogoottee. I’m amazed when I go out of state and play ball. People not from Indiana are legit clueless when it comes to basketball. I’m always so surprised by that, because in Indiana basketball is life. You can’t drive 100ft, unless your in a huge city or field full of corn, without seeing a basketball goal somewhere. People live and breathe basketball in Indiana. Now the Hoosiers are obviously a middle tier Big Ten team right now and have been for an extremely long time, but almost everyone I know understands that. But they want IU to be near the top again because they care so much about it.
Perfectly said! Theyre dying to be relevant again (like 2013), but they definitely don't think they're hot shit all the time.
But a vast majority of Indiana fans are from the state, and they live and breath basketball. They know the sport down there. I mean the dude who created basketball even said that Indiana is the real home of basketball
Dick (njvictor)meet Dick.
I blame 90% of Romeo’s (and Indiana’s) struggles on Archie.
Nah, Romeo had all the chances and opportunities to be the alpha on that team and just didn't pull through
Hope he enjoyed his few months in college.
Will be a top draft pick, still not sure if he’s any good. Thumb injury could explain some struggles. He needs to develop an outside shot or he won’t do much at the next level.
That’s what was so baffling all year, until this injury was confirmed. He shot the ball well in high school but suddenly couldn’t shoot this year. I kept thinking there had to be something wrong with his wrist because no one wears tape that goes across the palm of their shooting hand unless it’s absolutely necessary.
What a lame excuse.
Last time I checked, you don't really shoot with your thumb
You ever tried to shoot without one?
Every time you post you prove how much you know basketball over those stupid Hoosier fans.........
Explains a lot, he has a good stroke and can get to the hole with the best of them...twss.
Great athlete. Not a great overall ball player. And a less than good shooter. I think this decision will prove bad for him 5 years down the road. Outside of 7 feet this kid can’t make a shot.
Watching him this year, you just kept waiting on him to breakout but it just never happened. Expected him to be a guy that would just take over games at some point, which he did at some points, but not nearly enough. His body language gave off the appearance that he was disinterested at times and he plays with a low motor. And despite all of that, he will be a high draft pick and will be provided the opportunity to have a career in the NBA.
Unfortunately looks like we are losing someone early too, not named Mathews.
i guess that explains the disappointing production.
it doesn't explain the disappointing effort, however.