College Basketball 2007-2008

[Bruno7481]

Lots of rumors going round that Damon Bailey is being added to the staff as an assistant, or Dakich's old role.

[Wilson A2000]

What is so bad about Dakich that the players don't want to play for him?

[Jon]

Scott Skiles as new IU head coach? I always thought he would be a better college coach than NBA coach.

 

Why does an anonymous donor have to pay half a million? Why wouldn't the university pay?

It's pretty common for boosters of a large program to donate large amounts of money just to pay a buyout of a coach they don't like.

 

But wouldn't IU buy him out regardless of the booster? But if the booster knows that something might be happening with Samson and he offers half a million, it is hard to turn that down. I just didn't know that boosters could be that direct with the money in that it can go directly where they want it.

Yeah, boosters absolutely love to offer up large donations to get rid of coaches. I'm sure it gets pretty out of hand behind the scenes.

 

In this case, the donation probably sped up the process if nothing else.

[Wilson A2000]

So possible suitors are Bob Knight and Scott Skiles. Anyone else? Also, you think Knight quit TT knowing that there was a good chance Samson would be out and that he would get another shot at a national championship?

[CubColtPacer]

So possible suitors are Bob Knight and Scott Skiles. Anyone else? Also, you think Knight quit TT knowing that there was a good chance Samson would be out and that he would get another shot at a national championship?

 

Knight is never coming anywhere close to Indiana. That sounds good nationally, but most people are in the area know it's not going to happen. He has had lawsuits against the university for years. The school can't even get over their hatred of him to honor him in any way, let alone hire him. Plus Bloomington would go into civil war if he was rehired. People would actually take up arms and take to the streets and fight it out (a bit of an exaggeration, but it's basically true).

 

Skiles isn't a serious candidate either. He's a darkhorse, but no favorite.

 

The rumored candidates continue to be Bennett, Miller, or Brownell. Anybody else has to be considered a darkhorse at this point, although Greenspan has always had a very close to the vest coaching search.

[CubColtPacer]

What is so bad about Dakich that the players don't want to play for him?

 

It's nothing necessarily bad about him. It's just that the players don't know him very well. He only joined the basketball department over the summer, and he only became an assistant in October or November when IU's assistant Senderhoff resigned.

 

On the other hand, McCallum was a key in recruiting several of the players, so they feel a much closer bond with him than Dakich.

[Keener98]

:wave: Kelvin, nice knowing ya :rotfl:

[snoodmonger]

So possible suitors are Bob Knight and Scott Skiles. Anyone else? Also, you think Knight quit TT knowing that there was a good chance Samson would be out and that he would get another shot at a national championship?

 

Knight is never coming anywhere close to Indiana. That sounds good nationally, but most people are in the area know it's not going to happen. He has had lawsuits against the university for years. The school can't even get over their hatred of him to honor him in any way, let alone hire him. Plus Bloomington would go into civil war if he was rehired. People would actually take up arms and take to the streets and fight it out (a bit of an exaggeration, but it's basically true).

 

Skiles isn't a serious candidate either. He's a darkhorse, but no favorite.

 

The rumored candidates continue to be Bennett, Miller, or Brownell. Anybody else has to be considered a darkhorse at this point, although Greenspan has always had a very close to the vest coaching search.

 

Besides the point that, at this point, Knight would not be much of a step forward. He's way too old, and I don't think he's much interested in recruiting. You'd be looking for another coach in 2-3 years, probably.

[CubColtPacer]

Can anybody point me to any links regarding Scott Drew's recruiting questions? It would help in another discussion I am in.

[Exile on Waveland]

So possible suitors are Bob Knight and Scott Skiles. Anyone else? Also, you think Knight quit TT knowing that there was a good chance Samson would be out and that he would get another shot at a national championship?

 

Knight is never coming anywhere close to Indiana. That sounds good nationally, but most people are in the area know it's not going to happen. He has had lawsuits against the university for years. The school can't even get over their hatred of him to honor him in any way, let alone hire him. Plus Bloomington would go into civil war if he was rehired. People would actually take up arms and take to the streets and fight it out (a bit of an exaggeration, but it's basically true).

 

Skiles isn't a serious candidate either. He's a darkhorse, but no favorite.

 

The rumored candidates continue to be Bennett, Miller, or Brownell. Anybody else has to be considered a darkhorse at this point, although Greenspan has always had a very close to the vest coaching search.

 

I'm pretty sure Coach Knight hasn't even said the word "Indiana" since his dismissal. He refers to his previous coaching stops as "Army and the Midwest." He's not coming back. IU needs to move forwards anyway.

 

I've heard those three candidates as well; Skiles is probably the top "darkhorse," whatever that's worth. I'd be very happy with any of those choices. Much, much happier than when Sampson was hired. Could be two Bennett siblings at IU, though my gut says Tony won't be coming.

 

I agree there's nothing wrong with Dakich, it's a lack of familiarity. He's a better coach than McCallum, however. It's not close. I stand by my statement of him being the best coach on the staff, including Sampson.

[Exile on Waveland]

Can anybody point me to any links regarding Scott Drew's recruiting questions? It would help in another discussion I am in.

 

No, sorry. All I have is what I've heard from coaches in the area. I know that holds very little water -- great, some random internet dude says he heard Drew was dirty. But high school coaches, en masse, think he's shady. I don't think that would bode well for in-state recruiting, much less IU's reputation post-Sampson. From what I've heard, I really, really don't want Drew.

[XZero771679666304]

People here at UNM are afraid IU is going to come after Alford, but I try and assure them that probably won't happen.

[CubColtPacer]

Can anybody point me to any links regarding Scott Drew's recruiting questions? It would help in another discussion I am in.

 

No, sorry. All I have is what I've heard from coaches in the area. I know that holds very little water -- great, some random internet dude says he heard Drew was dirty. But high school coaches, en masse, think he's shady. I don't think that would bode well for in-state recruiting, much less IU's reputation post-Sampson. From what I've heard, I really, really don't want Drew.

 

Oh, I believe you. I was able to point the person to the story about how Drew uses negative recruiting, which isn't technically illegal but drives other coaches crazy.

[rawaction]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

[CubColtPacer]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

[Exile on Waveland]

Can anybody point me to any links regarding Scott Drew's recruiting questions? It would help in another discussion I am in.

 

No, sorry. All I have is what I've heard from coaches in the area. I know that holds very little water -- great, some random internet dude says he heard Drew was dirty. But high school coaches, en masse, think he's shady. I don't think that would bode well for in-state recruiting, much less IU's reputation post-Sampson. From what I've heard, I really, really don't want Drew.

 

Oh, I believe you. I was able to point the person to the story about how Drew uses negative recruiting, which isn't technically illegal but drives other coaches crazy.

 

I'll also be disappointed because I don't think he's clearly the best candidate at all. From what I've seen -- and it's not a whole lot -- I'd rank him behind Brownell, Miller and Bennett. I've heard nothing bad about those three. Well, honestly, I haven't heard much on Miller or anything on Bennett. Coaches seem to love Brownell. Not Tony, but Kathi Bennett was well respected around here. I'm a little unsure how she felt upon resigning and how that might affect IU's pursuit of Tony, if they decided to go that route. She assured everyone it was on her terms, but you never really know.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

 

I usually tend to be a hardass about these things, but I think these are extenuating circumstances. The players, especially DJ White, have been through more than most college athletes. I'd chalk this up to 18-22 year-olds acting like 18-22 year-olds. It was an emotional day for them, I'm sure. Second such day for White. Some will view this is soft, but every situation isn't the same.

[rawaction]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

 

I see your point, but what excuse do they have for skipping practice when they knew this was gonna happen? It seems to me that skipping was a reaction to their guy, McCallum, not being named interim. It's an F'd up situation and everyone is screwed.

[Andy]

I'd bet that IU's 7 players still beat NW by double digits

[NCCubFan]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

I don't see the players being left behind. They shouldn't have missed practice, but there's plenty of precedence for only benching a player for the first half for missing practice. These are extenuating circumstances, so certainly they wouldn't be punished MORE than many others who commit the same infraction.

[NCCubFan]

Scott Skiles as new IU head coach? I always thought he would be a better college coach than NBA coach.

 

Why does an anonymous donor have to pay half a million? Why wouldn't the university pay?

It's pretty common for boosters of a large program to donate large amounts of money just to pay a buyout of a coach they don't like.

If I recall some IU boosters offered to pay to buy out Davis' contract too about a year before he was finally let go. Fequently I think the idea is that it's the boosters who most want the coach gone, so they're willing to pay for what they want. Otherwise the coach may not be fired because the school would be unwilling to pay a former coach as well as the current coach.

[Guest]

Unnamed boosters were the ones who got us rid of Lavin and Dorrell. Granted those unnamed boosters were probably the reason we were saddled with Dorrell, but hey, they're both gone.

 

I hope your gut is right about Tony Bennett, Exile. :)

[pitchcs]

So long Kelvin......douche.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

I don't see the players being left behind. They shouldn't have missed practice, but there's plenty of precedence for only benching a player for the first half for missing practice. These are extenuating circumstances, so certainly they wouldn't be punished MORE than many others who commit the same infraction.

 

I'd argue precedent doesn't even matter. Decisions of other schools aren't binding on IU; hell, even former IU decisions aren't binding. Every situation is different. Coach Knight disciplined players differently for the same indiscretion, and it wasn't to play favorites.

 

Skipping practice is unacceptable, so there must be punishment. If it's not starting and checking in at the first stoppage, or even if it's laps at practice that's fine. Let them play though. No need to ruin their season even further by ostensibly forfeiting a game at Northwestern.

[brinoch]

IU pretty much has to travel tomorrow without the players who skipped practice today. Skipping practice is bad enough, but it's clearly a slap in the face of the remaining coaches and the entire university. I think you will see 3 scholarship players for IU tomorrow in Evanston. Gordon, Stemler and Mike White along with walk-ons Taber, Finkelmeyer and Ahlfeld.

 

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench.

 

I see your point, but what excuse do they have for skipping practice when they knew this was gonna happen? It seems to me that skipping was a reaction to their guy, McCallum, not being named interim. It's an F'd up situation and everyone is screwed.

 

WTHR is reporting that all players were at the walk-through tonight.