Looking Ahead

After a VERY relaxing week in Florida (other than the traffic), I'm back in Bloomington and ready for Spring. I'm looking forward to longer days, warmer weather, and summer in Bloomington. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have an eye on next basketball season.

Assuming DJ White stays (and he'd be foolish to leave), IU may have their most talented team in 15 years. I see IU having 3 big questions next year:

1. Who will be the point guard? Armon Bassett was clearly more comfortable at shooting guard. Was that because he was a freshman or is that his natural position? Can Jamarcus Ellis or Jordan Crawford step in and run the point? Of the two, I would think that Ellis would be a better option since he is a JUCO transfer.
2. How good is Eric Gordon and how will he fit in? I've never seen the guy play but people who have watched Indiana HS basketball for years say he is the best guard to come out of the state since Oscar Robertson. If that's true, he will be the most talented player Kelvin Sampson has ever coached. How will Sampson fit him into a team style of play? Will the other players stand around watching?
   
3. How far can IU go with such a young team? I see IU starting 2 freshmen (Gordon & Eli Holman), a sophomore (Bassett), and a senior (DJ). The other spot will be open to competition with AJ Ratliff (senior), Joey Shaw (soph), Jamarcus Ellis (soph), and Jordan Crawford (fresh) battling it out. If Sampson wants to go bigger then Brandon McGee(fresh) and Xavier Keeling (soph) could be in the mix.
   

It will be exciting to see the combination of outstanding talent and coaching together again in Bloomington. It has been a long time (early 90's) since we've seen that!