Disqus - Latest Comments for LTTelamon

Re: Remember the name: D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera

LTTelamon — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:45:04 -0000

In the 1980s, yes. That idea is broken. The reason it's broken is because times have changed; it's suddenly very reasonable for kids to go to college halfway across the country and still feel close to home because plane flights are somewhat reasonable and cell phones are ubiquitous. I'm not sure that home schools automatically have the edge now that they used to have in that era. Now recruiting considerations are different. It's all about who can get you to the NBA, who can develop you best, who you'd be most happy playing for.

Re: Remember the name: D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera

LTTelamon — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:38:42 -0000

"But I think we all can agree that one of the problems in recent years is the stockpile of talent from the state that has ended up elsewhere."

See, but that's my point: if Crean goes out and gets talent, I don't care where it comes from. There seems to be this operating presumption that a top 10 talent from Indiana is somehow better than a top 10 talent that comes from somewhere else. I think this perception is extremely short-sighted. Look at North Carolina's roster this year, for instance - only one guy from North Carolina gets double digit minutes on that squad, and he's a role player. Clearly they're an elite program. I think that at least gives credence to the idea that it's perfectly possible and reasonable to recruit a talented roster from out of state and be a good team. But for whatever reason, that isn't good enough for this fanbase, and it honestly mystifies me as to why. I want to be careful to say I don't have a problem with recruiting instate per se - I just don't understand why many fans claim it to be some sort of categorical imperative.

...and not to nitpick, but you did say it was the only way, because you said it was "essential".

Re: Remember the name: D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera

BigA — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:53:09 -0000

I never said it was the "only" way, but when you have top 10 talent nationally in your back yard, that has to be your primary focus. And rest assured, at the top of the priority list for Crean is getting guys like Teague and Smith-Rivera to Bloomington.

I think you took what I said and jumped to some conclusions. I never questioned Crean's ability to recruit outside of the state. He's already proven he can go get players like Watford and Creek. And I hope that continues to be the case. But I think we all can agree that one of the problems in recent years is the stockpile of talent from the state that has ended up elsewhere.

Re: Remember the name: D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera

LTTelamon — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:58:14 -0000

"In order for Tom Crean to bring the program back to national prominence, it’s going to be essential to lock down the state of Indiana."
I really don't agree with this. If he brings in good quality players, who cares where they come from? Is the sentiment here really that Crean isn't a good enough recruiter to get talent from other states? Sure, I agree that if high quality talent from Indiana wants to come here, maybe we have an edge with them. But I don't understand why you suggest here that the only way Crean can restore the program is to restock it with local players. Surely that isn't the *only* way. Maybe it's the way you prefer, and maybe it's an easier way than some others. I disagree, though, that it's any more than an issue of convenience.

Re: Good, Bad and Ugly: IUPUI

BigA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:45:16 -0000

He might not be much of an option to score, but he's arguably the best ball handler on the team and hey, that's going to merit significant playing time. Once he gets a bit more acclimated to the college game, he might look to score a bit more in certain situations.

Re: Good, Bad and Ugly: IUPUI

LTTelamon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:51:19 -0000

Daniel Moore is not an offensive option. As such, as well as he may be able to pass, he's hurting us as much as he is helping on the floor. There were multiple possessions tonight where Moore passed the ball around the arc, only to receive it back wide open... and do nothing but pass back to the guy he just got it from. Look, I like Moore - he plays hard, he passes well, and he's a tenacious defender - but to say he's a scholarship player is to overstate his talents.