Big Ten Basketball 2024-2025

[IUFLA]

New year, new thread  

[IUFLA]

Found this Big 10 portal report card imbedded in the link  @Reacher posted in the other thread...

Indiana: A+
Players In: Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford), Luke Goode (Illinois), Langdon Hatton (Bellarmine), Myles Rice (Washington State)

Players Out: Kaleb Banks (Tulane), CJ Gunn (DePaul), Payton Sparks (Ball State)

Indiana brought in a transfer class this spring that should set the standard for roster-building in the NIL era. Mike Woodson’s group ranks second in the nation, according to 247Sports, and these five new Hoosiers should have Indiana firmly in position to compete for a Big Ten title after a disappointing 2023-24 season.

The centerpiece is center Oumar Ballo, the former Arizona Wildcat who was arguably the top name to enter the portal this offseason. Ballo was a monster for the Pac-12 regular season champs, averaging 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds on top of earning Pac-12 All-Defensive team honors. Kanaan Carlyle dropped 28 points for Stanford in an early season upset win over Ballo’s Arizona and he brings some much-needed creativity at the shooting guard position. Myles Rice, the steady-handed point guard who spearheaded Washington State’s return to March, will likely fill in beside Carlyle in the backcourt. Goode and Hatton fill out the class as elite role-players for the Hoosiers. Goode brings three-point shooting at the forward position, and Hatton adds another versatile presence in the paint to complement last year’s leading scorer Kel’el Ware.

Purdue: D+
Players In: None

Players Out: Mason Gillis (Duke), Ethan Morton (Colorado State)

At the moment, Purdue stands as the only team in the Big Ten yet to bring in a transfer. While Purdue only lost two guys, tied for second fewest in the Big Ten, one of those is reigning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Gillis, who takes his 46.8% three point shooting to Durham. Morton was a role-player mostly used for defense throughout his four years with the Boilermakers, but lost his role down the stretch of last year’s season.

Without an incoming transfer, Head Coach Matt Painter will rely on his three returning starters, led by All-American point guard Braden Smith to remake an attack that will look completely different in the absence of two-time reigning Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey. The best coach in the Big Ten has earned enough benefit of the doubt in recent years to avoid a worse grade than this, but given the glaring need to replace Edey’s production along with the fact that Painter hit a home run in the transfer portal last season with the addition of Lance Jones makes our staff reluctant to grade Purdue any higher than this

I don't see how you don't bring in anybody and get a D+...Bridesmaid points maybe?  

But it looks good to me...

Edited June 23 by IUFLA

[Reacher]

Big get for IL 

https://www.si.com/college/illinois/five-star-forward-will-riley-announces-commitment-to-illinois-fighting-illini-01j0y38tnngf

[IU Scott]

24 minutes ago, Reacher said:

Big get for IL 

https://www.si.com/college/illinois/five-star-forward-will-riley-announces-commitment-to-illinois-fighting-illini-01j0y38tnngf

I was watching a recruiting podcast and one of the guys said that Riley has a looking to reclassify to the 24 class

[IUFLA]

2 hours ago, Reacher said:

Big get for IL 

https://www.si.com/college/illinois/five-star-forward-will-riley-announces-commitment-to-illinois-fighting-illini-01j0y38tnngf

I think they need all the help they can get...

[cybergates]

23 hours ago, IUFLA said:

Found this Big 10 portal report card imbedded in the link  @Reacher posted in the other thread...

Indiana: A+
Players In: Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford), Luke Goode (Illinois), Langdon Hatton (Bellarmine), Myles Rice (Washington State)

Players Out: Kaleb Banks (Tulane), CJ Gunn (DePaul), Payton Sparks (Ball State)

Indiana brought in a transfer class this spring that should set the standard for roster-building in the NIL era. Mike Woodson’s group ranks second in the nation, according to 247Sports, and these five new Hoosiers should have Indiana firmly in position to compete for a Big Ten title after a disappointing 2023-24 season.

The centerpiece is center Oumar Ballo, the former Arizona Wildcat who was arguably the top name to enter the portal this offseason. Ballo was a monster for the Pac-12 regular season champs, averaging 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds on top of earning Pac-12 All-Defensive team honors. Kanaan Carlyle dropped 28 points for Stanford in an early season upset win over Ballo’s Arizona and he brings some much-needed creativity at the shooting guard position. Myles Rice, the steady-handed point guard who spearheaded Washington State’s return to March, will likely fill in beside Carlyle in the backcourt. Goode and Hatton fill out the class as elite role-players for the Hoosiers. Goode brings three-point shooting at the forward position, and Hatton adds another versatile presence in the paint to complement last year’s leading scorer Kel’el Ware.

Purdue: D+
Players In: None

Players Out: Mason Gillis (Duke), Ethan Morton (Colorado State)

At the moment, Purdue stands as the only team in the Big Ten yet to bring in a transfer. While Purdue only lost two guys, tied for second fewest in the Big Ten, one of those is reigning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Gillis, who takes his 46.8% three point shooting to Durham. Morton was a role-player mostly used for defense throughout his four years with the Boilermakers, but lost his role down the stretch of last year’s season.

Without an incoming transfer, Head Coach Matt Painter will rely on his three returning starters, led by All-American point guard Braden Smith to remake an attack that will look completely different in the absence of two-time reigning Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey. The best coach in the Big Ten has earned enough benefit of the doubt in recent years to avoid a worse grade than this, but given the glaring need to replace Edey’s production along with the fact that Painter hit a home run in the transfer portal last season with the addition of Lance Jones makes our staff reluctant to grade Purdue any higher than this

I don't see how you don't bring in anybody and get a D+...Bridesmaid points maybe?  

But it looks good to me...

Anyone know who had Braden Smith as an All-American? I can't find anything other than an AP Honorable Mention.

[IUFLA]

1 minute ago, cybergates said:

Anyone know who had Braden Smith as an All-American? I can't find anything other than an AP Honorable Mention.

Maybe a presumption that he's going to be on some preseason lists? I'm thinking he probably will be...

[Reacher]

Bringing this to the current thread-

Anyone thinking Ballo will be Big Ten player of the year? 

Should any of our other transfers cracked the top 10?

Doesn't look like IU got much respect. Heck, Roddy Gayle made the list twice! 

https://www.insidenu.com/2024/6/21/24180079/instant-impact-a-look-at-the-top-five-most-intriguing-mens-basketball-transfers-in-the-big-ten

[cybergates]

24 minutes ago, IUFLA said:

Maybe a presumption that he's going to be on some preseason lists? I'm thinking he probably will be...

I would agree that he will/should be preseason AA based on last year and the number of AA's not returning to CBB next season.

[tdhoosier]

1 hour ago, Reacher said:

Bringing this to the current thread-

Anyone thinking Ballo will be Big Ten player of the year? 

Should any of our other transfers cracked the top 10?

Doesn't look like IU got much respect. Heck, Roddy Gayle made the list twice! 

https://www.insidenu.com/2024/6/21/24180079/instant-impact-a-look-at-the-top-five-most-intriguing-mens-basketball-transfers-in-the-big-ten

It's crazy to say, but I don't think Ballo with get the minutes needed to be POY. His numbers may also not be as impressive on the stat sheet because we won't need him to score. That said, we do need him to rebound and give us a greater number of second (and third) chances on the offensive end.....thus, he alone should be a reason for an increase in 3 point attempts.

[IUFLA]

12 minutes ago, tdhoosier said:

It's crazy to say, but I don't think Ballo with get the minutes needed to be POY. His numbers may also not be as impressive on the stat sheet because we won't need him to score. That said, we do need him to rebound and give us a greater number of second (and third) chances on the offensive end.....thus, he alone should be a reason for an increase in 3 point attempts.

I don't think it's crazy at all...I kinda expect Ballo to stay right around his scoring and rebounding averages from last year (13 ppg 10 boards) and POY is usually scoring oriented...The last Big 10 POY to average under 15 ppg was Kalin Lucas in 08-09

[tdhoosier]

I just hope to see a lineup of 

Ballo
Goode
MM
Carlyle
Rice

Let it rain 3's. And with all that space in the middle, just let Ballo go crazy with offensive rebounds and put backs/kick-outs. 

I just can't see Woody letting that happen though. 

 

[IUFLA]

1 hour ago, Reacher said:

Doesn't look like IU got much respect. Heck, Roddy Gayle made the list twice! 

I'd say Myles Rice has a beef...

[5fouls]

2 hours ago, cybergates said:

Anyone know who had Braden Smith as an All-American? 

@Stlboiler23, @Purdue7, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  

[ledies22]

3 hours ago, 5fouls said:

@Stlboiler23, @Purdue7, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  

[Drroogh]

3 hours ago, 5fouls said:

@Stlboiler23, @Purdue7, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  

Mr and Mrs Smith are still working that out in court!😂

[Reacher]

5 hours ago, tdhoosier said:

It's crazy to say, but I don't think Ballo with get the minutes needed to be POY. His numbers may also not be as impressive on the stat sheet because we won't need him to score. That said, we do need him to rebound and give us a greater number of second (and third) chances on the offensive end.....thus, he alone should be a reason for an increase in 3 point attempts.

I don't see Ballo as POY either. Don't think many IU fans do. I expect him to be very solid and likely the best center in the conference but as @IUFLA stated, that doesn't necessarily equate to POY. 

[IUFLA]

25 minutes ago, Reacher said:

I don't see Ballo as POY either. Don't think many IU fans do. I expect him to be very solid and likely the best center in the conference but as @IUFLA stated, that doesn't necessarily equate to POY. 

Oh, I definitely think he's the best 5 man in the Big 10 next year...I asked in another thread, who's going to guard him? Reese? Crowl? Freeman? MSU's Cooper or Kohler?Those 2 7 foot dweebs Purdue fans on here are touting? Anybody from Illinois?

The kid from Northwestern, Nicholson, might be able to bang with him a bit, but he's not the most athletic guy around...And I haven't seen Goldin kid for Michigan (via Florida Atlantic) play much...But Oumar is a man...

And then there's Malik  

[Reacher]

1 hour ago, IUFLA said:

Oh, I definitely think he's the best 5 man in the Big 10 next year...I asked in another thread, who's going to guard him? Reese? Crowl? Freeman? MSU's Cooper or Kohler?Those 2 7 foot dweebs Purdue fans on here are touting? Anybody from Illinois?

The kid from Northwestern, Nicholson, might be able to bang with him a bit, but he's not the most athletic guy around...And I haven't seen Goldin kid for Michigan (via Florida Atlantic) play much...But Oumar is a man...

And then there's Malik  

A shoo in for first team barring injury. I could see Mgbako and Reneau as better candidates for POTY... We'll have to see how it plays out

[Parakeet Jones]

I think Ballo will be a solid player for us. I don’t think he will be enough of a focal point for us though to warrant POY consideration. If he is a huge focal point for us than 1) I will be disappointed because 2) I don’t think we will be as good as we could be with others (e.g. Mgbako) as a focal point. 

[IUFLA]

9 minutes ago, Reacher said:

A shoo in for first team barring injury. I could see Mgbako and Reneau as better candidates for POTY... We'll have to see how it plays out

 

1 minute ago, Parakeet Jones said:

I think Ballo will be a solid player for us. I don’t think he will be enough of a focal point for us though to warrant POY consideration. If he is a huge focal point for us than 1) I will be disappointed because 2) I don’t think we will be as good as we could be with others (e.g. Mgbako) as a focal point. 

I think Mgbako will make a big jump, and games like he had at Maryland last year will be more the rule than the exception...

[Parakeet Jones]

4 minutes ago, IUFLA said:

 

I think Mgbako will make a big jump, and games like he had at Maryland last year will be more the rule than the exception...

I’m all in on Mgbako this season. He was really coming on the last 1/3 of last year. He is the guy imo you build this team around. 

[HOOSIER CHAMPS]

We still need to fill the 13th scholarship with a "SPECIALIST" (i.e. 3 pt shooter even if they can't play great defense but can spread the floor in situations where we need

a 3 pt shot; OR someone who can handle the ball and shoots above 80% free throws to put in the last minutes of games where we have the lead and the other team

has to foul; OR someone who can protect the rim/block a shot/get a key rebound at the end of the game). We made a HUGE mistake not filling the 13th scholarship last

year - PLEASE DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN THIS YEAR WOODY - GO HOOSIERS!

[tdhoosier]

13 hours ago, IUFLA said:

 

I think Mgbako will make a big jump, and games like he had at Maryland last year will be more the rule than the exception...

Speaking of POY…..if I had to pick the most likely candidate for player of the year on this team, it’d be Mgbako.  He has the highest ceiling. 

And while that scenario may be a bit of a long shot, I do think he will lead the team in scoring. (assuming that we’re not going to play through Malik as much 🤞)

[BruceDouglas]

On 6/23/2024 at 3:51 PM, IU Scott said:

I was watching a recruiting podcast and one of the guys said that Riley has a looking to reclassify to the 24 class

Yes, already signed and will be on campus soon. If you add the 2 Euro dudes, best recruiting class at Illinois in decades. Got some multi-year transfers too so may have some continuity for once, though undoubtedly a couple of these guys will move on anyway.