Originally posted by IUsuallyPonder
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In somewhat order of events:
1) Tomiwa decided to leave. That single event changed the entire season - and left a gapping hole at the SF position.
2) Said hole wasn't addressed and has remained an incredible weakness all year. So bad, in fact, opposing teams ignore it -- choosing to rather double and triple team Porterfield.
3) The recruiting class, to this point, has been a disaster (aside from Garvin Clarke, and, at times Sarp).
- Josh Petteno, originally thought to be a showcase addition, was forced to play a forward role and isn't suited for that position. He also had an awful first two games at the SG spot and was quickly morphed to end-of-rotation role player.
- Denzel, a highly sought after transfer, was lost for the season in camp with a knee injury.
- Romero-Sanz was redshirted on a team that (I have to believe) knew it had major problems under the basket.
- Jordan Lambert (walk-on) was redshirted but then activated. All he did was produce on the offensive end but was quickly vanished to Siberia.
- Sarp was a decent late signing and has upside. However, in a normal year he'd have never seen the floor as a true freshman.
- Watson is a JUCO PG transfer and also redshirted. He was also injured.
4) Dallis Dillard going down with an ACL was a total disaster. He is one of the best two-way players in the league. This took a likely all-conference player out of the lineup (and 38 mpg).
5) McNarmarra returning from the holiday break lost for the season -- just when he was starting to see minutes. He's raw but that took a powerful 6'7", 230 lb forward out of the rotation.
6. Where's Waldo? The highly-touted recruit not only started opening night but took the game-winning shot attempt out of a timeout. He missed and quickly after was sent to Siberia. How the most-hyped high school recruit in some time was given up on after two games is still baffling.
7. By now you are seeing a theme at the small forward position. KJ started the season as Ethan's backup (and EP plays 38 mpg). Do the math.
8. Damir Brooks was benched the first two games of the season after being named a starter in camp. He's the perfect size and highly productive. Problem is (and, it's a big problem) he doesn't play. This, my opinion, ruined their season.
9. Instead of the physically-imposing, strong and athletic Brooks, KJ starts at SF and Petteno backs him up. One minor detail is both are at best 6'3" and, well, were brought here to be guards. And, remember, the giant Romero-Sanz and Brooks are sitting on the bench.
10. Dillard's injury forced Jaylen Stewart in to the starting lineup. Stewart has been adequate but was much more productive off the bench. They needed (need) much more scoring from him.
11. Bryce Radford came out of retirement to be a guard off the bench. His first day in Indiana was when Dillard was hurt. He went from role-playing sniper to 37 mpg starter. While he's had some monster games, he's also totally vanished in some. Defensively, the 6'4" Dillard is vastly better. Dillard is also an elite rebounder.
12. Aside from EP and Garvin (and sometimes Bryce) IUP has no offensive production.
13. If Brooks isn't going to play, Petteno should be playing way more than he does.
This season is toast as is. Even with the injuries, it didn't have to be this bad.
Move KJ back to EP's backup and split the SF between Brooks and Petteno. See what happens. IUP would look like a totally different (much better) team.
This team is better than 16-9. It should be at least 19-6 right now. It has to be coached to win. I'm not sure that is happening when your best lineup doesn't play.
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