Exile on Waveland

Ditto.

The back surgery was, um, fortuitously timed for his overall winning percentage.

wtf If you look at this in a vacuum only -- which is difficult because of various strange/negative happenings with the program -- this is likely a positive. At this point, I think an open scholarship for 2011/12 has more value than Matt Carlino. Now, a similar situation with Austin Etherington will lead to a different opinion. So how good is Carlino? He's supposed to be interested in UCLA. Carlino is a good player. He's pretty athletic, has good size, and is smart player. He'd likely be a combo guard off the bench, with the potential to eventually start, at a program of UCLA's caliber (I'm counting this year as an aberration). He played great as a freshman in Arizona and was likely over-hyped because of that. He was quite good, but not outstanding, this year at Bloomington South (13 points per game, 40 percent from 3). If Indiana was in a better position, I'd be happy to take him. I'm not yet sold some of the teams Carlino is reportedly interested in will be as interested in him, though. I do think with his recent comments about the weather that he's likely to end up back west somewhere.

Duke has 3 times the McD All-Americans Texas does most years(note numbers a total estimation and may be completely made up) Oh, c'mon. You know very well -- in fact, I think you've even mentioned it before -- that many of Duke's McDonald's All-Americans are such because they are committed to Duke, not because they're actually worthy (the same principle often applies to actual rankings, as well). Further, while it's hilarious to say "Duke hasn't been to the Final Four since 2004, ahahah" -- what a loser, he went five whole seasons without a Final Four -- Duke won 27-32-22-28-30 games over that stretch. Barnes has had four double-digit losses in the last six years, Coach K has had two since 1984 (not including the partial season he missed due to his back). I'd also argue Barnes has had more actual talent over the past six-eight years. This is a really stupid comparison and I'm going to stop now.

I'm hoping Baylor and Butler because it would be something different (and I hate Duke). Seconded about Baylor, I hate Duke as well, but, Baylor' far more fun to watch. Couldn't disagree more. Baylor is awful to watch.

And 4/5 of the starting lineups would be white. That's just not true. Butler's from Indiana, so they must be racist and all white, right?

Tom Izzo. There's a reason. Izzo's a great coach, but his team isn't unbeatable. I'm not even saying it's likely we win, I'm just saying after beating UK, Kansas and Ohio State so far this year, we're more than capable of beating a Michigan State team that isn't as good as any of those three teams. I will: it's likely Tennessee wins.

You guys (plural)? I just said Butler's leading. I think he'll end up there.

He's actually not from Bloomington, though. He's from Arizona and only moved to Bloomington last year subsequent to committing to IU (which makes this situation all the more perplexing/disconcerting). Regardless, there are better available guards in Indiana in the Class of 2011 than Carlino (Rivals #122): Marquis Teague (#2) and Jeremiah Davis (#40). Cody Zeller (#35) is also available. That's to say nothing of the loaded Class of 2012 (including guards Ron Patterson, Gary Harris, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Yogi Ferrell, etc). Indiana is in a serious scholarship crunch -- at exactly the worst time -- with scholarships filled almost exclusively by role players. I don't have a looking glass into Carlino's future, but losing another prospective role player isn't earth shattering. At this point in time, one in the hand isn't worth two in the bush. Top-150 guards pretty much grow on trees. Scout's still got him as a 4 star, I think this is a bigger deal than you think. Beyond the loss of the indivudal player, I think it looks bad to have guys de-committ unless you immediately follow with a replacement. I don't see IU having much of a chance for the 3 recruits listed above. 1. I think it looks really bad. Really, really bad. 2. Having seen him play multiple times, not only do I feel pretty comfortable saying he's not what I'd consider a four-star player, he's also pretty redundant to what IU has currently and likely will have in the future. I wish he was had been eligible the last two years and next year, I just don't think that sentiment extends to the four years he actually would be. 3. I don't think IU has much of a chance with Teague. However, Rivals/Peegs puts them in the top-two for Davis (along with Michigan State) and at least top-three (Butler, North Carolina) if not top-two (Butler) for Zeller. While I think Michigan State and Butler are the respective leaders at this point, IU certainly has a strong chance at either. I thought Zeller was leaning toward IU w/ Davis leaning toward Michigan St. I also thought they were at least still being considered by Teague. Teague is still considering IU, but I just can't really envision him winding up in Bloomington with the state of the program. Zeller may be leaning to IU, the Butler thing is more of a gut feeling on my part.

He's actually not from Bloomington, though. He's from Arizona and only moved to Bloomington last year subsequent to committing to IU (which makes this situation all the more perplexing/disconcerting). Regardless, there are better available guards in Indiana in the Class of 2011 than Carlino (Rivals #122): Marquis Teague (#2) and Jeremiah Davis (#40). Cody Zeller (#35) is also available. That's to say nothing of the loaded Class of 2012 (including guards Ron Patterson, Gary Harris, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Yogi Ferrell, etc). Indiana is in a serious scholarship crunch -- at exactly the worst time -- with scholarships filled almost exclusively by role players. I don't have a looking glass into Carlino's future, but losing another prospective role player isn't earth shattering. At this point in time, one in the hand isn't worth two in the bush. Top-150 guards pretty much grow on trees. Scout's still got him as a 4 star, I think this is a bigger deal than you think. Beyond the loss of the indivudal player, I think it looks bad to have guys de-committ unless you immediately follow with a replacement. I don't see IU having much of a chance for the 3 recruits listed above. 1. I think it looks really bad. Really, really bad. 2. Having seen him play multiple times, not only do I feel pretty comfortable saying he's not what I'd consider a four-star player, he's also pretty redundant to what IU has currently and likely will have in the future. I wish he was had been eligible the last two years and next year, I just don't think that sentiment extends to the four years he actually would be. 3. I don't think IU has much of a chance with Teague. However, Rivals/Peegs puts them in the top-two for Davis (along with Michigan State) and at least top-three (Butler, North Carolina) if not top-two (Butler) for Zeller. While I think Michigan State and Butler are the respective leaders at this point, IU certainly has a strong chance at either.

Don't a lot of kids want to get away from home? Yes, of course. But see above. Bloomington's not home for Carlino. Ah gotcha, I just meant in general. I thought raw was making a more general point beyond Carlino. On second though, you're almost certainly right. Apologies.

Don't a lot of kids want to get away from home? Yes, of course. But see above. Bloomington's not home for Carlino.

He's actually not from Bloomington, though. He's from Arizona and only moved to Bloomington last year subsequent to committing to IU (which makes this situation all the more perplexing/disconcerting). Regardless, there are better available guards in Indiana in the Class of 2011 than Carlino (Rivals #122): Marquis Teague (#2) and Jeremiah Davis (#40). Cody Zeller (#35) is also available. That's to say nothing of the loaded Class of 2012 (including guards Ron Patterson, Gary Harris, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Yogi Ferrell, etc). Indiana is in a serious scholarship crunch -- at exactly the worst time -- with scholarships filled almost exclusively by role players. I don't have a looking glass into Carlino's future, but losing another prospective role player isn't earth shattering. At this point in time, one in the hand isn't worth two in the bush. Top-150 guards pretty much grow on trees.

Two people voted for Michigan -- I'd say almost indubitably the Big Ten's flagship school/program -- so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

wtf If you look at this in a vacuum only -- which is difficult because of various strange/negative happenings with the program -- this is likely a positive. At this point, I think an open scholarship for 2011/12 has more value than Matt Carlino. Now, a similar situation with Austin Etherington will lead to a different opinion. Is there any validity to Etherington leaving? I saw it on the free peegs board, but I haven't had my toilet paper confirm the source yet. Honestly, who knows? I have heard the rumor, but only from peegs randos and not from any credible source. Doesn't mean it won't happen; I sure hope it doesn't though.

wtf If you look at this in a vacuum only -- which is difficult because of various strange/negative happenings with the program -- this is likely a positive. At this point, I think an open scholarship for 2011/12 has more value than Matt Carlino. Now, a similar situation with Austin Etherington will lead to a different opinion.

Picking nits, but no he wasn't. DJ Richardson won one vote, and Drew Crawford won the other. Huh, not sure why I thought he was. Regardless, that's not picking nits. That's a rather serious factual error. He was on the all-freshmen team, probably unanimously cause friggin Barlow made it Yeah. The freshmen weren't really that impressive this year, and the early season clear-cut favorite for Freshman of the Year didn't play a single conference game.

I want to be clear I don't think Watford is dogmeat or something. He's going to be a good player at IU. I'm thrilled to have him. But he showed absolutely no explosiveness whatsoever this year. Elston had probably twice as many dunks this year in half as many minutes. That's not completely dispositive, but at least circumstantial.

Picking nits, but no he wasn't. DJ Richardson won one vote, and Drew Crawford won the other. Huh, not sure why I thought he was. Regardless, that's not picking nits. That's a rather serious factual error.

I don't really disagree with much your assessment. Elston is poor defensively (I think "lost" is an even more descriptive term) and didn't shoot well from the line whereas Watford was excellent there (I think Elston likely will shoot better in the future, but that's speculative). You did, however, leave out jumping ability in Elston's advantages, which is a clear advantage. I think the main discrepancy isn't our opinion of Elston, but our opinion of Watford. I think he's more of a tweener than even Elston. I am dubious that Watford can gain enough weight/strength to be an effective four, and I'm even more dubious he'll ever be quick enough to guard (or penetrate) against threes. I'm also not terribly fond of what I consider a very bulky jumpshot. I know I'm in the minority opinion on this -- he was Big Ten Freshman of the Year and all -- but I look at Watford's game and how he's considered a great hope for the program and, honestly, I shudder a bit.

Interesting. I like Elston, but I definitely see Watford as the better player both now and in terms of potential. I think the only advantage Elston has over Watford is range. ETA: Elston is also stronger right now, but I expect Watford to bulk up. Elston is way, WAY more athletic than Watford. He's quicker and much springier off the floor. Elston was, however, completely lost on defense this year and methinks he may not be terribly bright (or at least not yet much of a basketball mind). I think the main difference between the two was playing time/opportunity, which I believe Elston's lack of minutes to have been a grievous error on Crean's part. Elston was more effective while on the court than Watford (and arguably moreso than anyone not named Maurice Creek). Pomeroy's advanced stats comport with this opinion: offensive rating (98.0-92.3), effective field goal percentage (50.0-39.8), true shot percentage (52.4-47.7), offensive rebound percentage (13.1-7.7), defensive rebound percentage (18.2-16.5), block percentage (2.8-2.3), and steal percentage (2.6-1.1). (To say nothing of Watford leading the history of the world in getting his shot blocked.) Elston's athleticism -- coupled with a very minimal distinction in skill level, if at all, between the two -- give him the higher upside, and he was actually the more productive player when on the court this year.

Pritchard and Bawa? That seems to be the latest version, lol. I heard Pritchard mentioned awhile ago but blew it off, cause it makes no damn sense. Bawa I could see if he had an inflated opinion of his abilities, but he was always going to be a project, and if he was expecting to play much as a freshman, somebody was putting some stuff in his head. Is the assumption that these transfers are all due to on the court issues, or is this more of an Iowa situation where the connection isn't there? My guess would be court issues. Crean has at least 3 different bigs on his recruiting radar for next season and these are mostly recent developments (Abraham for example). Our frontcourt situation is just such a mess outside of Watford so I think he is going for immediate help there. And if we do end up adding say 2 big guys to go with Oladipo and Sheehey then obviously a scholarship(s) has to open up. Allegedly Crean had private meetings with 3 players in the last week which people presume to mean one or more of those kids might be leaving? I don't believe every rumor I hear though. Personally I would make Doc pay Jeremiah's way, lol. It isn't like he can't afford it. That would free up a scholarship. :-)) Pritchard would be better served playing at a MAC school or something IMO. He just seems overmatched in Big Ten play although he has his moments like his first half against Purdue in the first IU-PU game this season. I stand by it: Elston > Watford.

I'd be pretty careful about citing the preamble if I were a conservative. It gives the government a directive to promote the general welfare. Congress doesn't need the preamble for a directive to promote/provide the general welfare. Because, you know, it's actually in the text of the document as well.

Kind of busy right now and not a whole lot to say anyway. The player at LB I liked is long gone (Daryl Washington) as are most the CB's I'd want to take in the second. All three DT's I mentioned are available, but seems like one would be left in third. Unless I'm missing someone obvious, I'm not much help. I don't see anyone obvious. The Colts love Big 10 players, they aren't afraid of players coming off injuries, and they love players who can be versatile on the line. This player will play on some run downs at DE, possibly some passing downs at DT, and also be a backup in case one of Freeney or Mathis gets hurt. He's not a Colts type of defensive end from the past, but he'll be a nice complement. The Colts select Corey Wootton out of Northwestern. Nice. I really like Wootton and would be very pleased if the Colts went in that direction; he could offer versatility (a la Brock, in a way) while adding size and uniqueness (at least for the Colts).

Kind of busy right now and not a whole lot to say anyway. The player at LB I liked is long gone (Daryl Washington) as are most the CB's I'd want to take in the second. All three DT's I mentioned are available, but seems like one would be left in third. Unless I'm missing someone obvious, I'm not much help.