Mailbag!

Lots of questions and answers -- on IU hoops, the Colts, the state of Indy sports and lots of other stuff.

If Bob Kravitz was asked to consult with IUBB and the school agreed to act on three recommendations you make, what would those three things be? – Neal Brown

I’ll keep it semi-short and simple, and no, this is not based on the fact the Hoosiers have won their last two games. While the clock is certainly ticking on Mike Woodson, I don’t feel like Scott Dolson, who hired Woodson, is going to make a move that reflects poorly on his leadership. But beyond that, one really wretched season out of three isn’t nearly enough to go calling for Woodson’s head.

Look, I think Woodson is a little bit crazy for thinking the entire season would have taken a different turn if Xavier Johnson had stayed healthy. He’s a terrible shooter, a turnover machine and he’s flashed way too many signs of immaturity for a guy who was named a team co-captain along with Trey Galloway.

If you want to criticize him for anything, it’s roster construction. Basically, he doesn’t have a point guard. Gabe Cupps may develop over time, but as an undersized freshman, he remains overmatched. That’s forced Galloway to be the team’s primary ballhandler and facilitator, and despite some good moments like the ones he had in the Maryland victory, he’s still very much out of position.

It's pretty clear Kel’el Ware will leave for the NBA, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare. And let’s deal in reality; college basketball is a year-to-year proposition and the transfer portal changes everything. The only players the Hoosiers are definitely going to lose are Ware (well, it’s highly likely), Xavier Johnson and Anthony Walker. Remember, Galloway and Anthony Leal still have one year of Covid-year eligibility left. Malik Reneau will be back. Mackenzie Mgbako would be smart to return; I don’t see him leaving for the draft. And the Hoosiers love incoming freshman Liam McNeeley, who will give them the kind of knockdown shooting this team has so desperately missed in recent years.

If Woodson can go into the portal and grab a shooter or two – why is this so difficult? – the Hoosiers may have something with which to work.

Now, if IU misses the NCAA Tournament next year, let’s talk again.

But we need to calm down. It’s one bad year. And IU will continue to spin its wheels if it continues to change coaches. My solution is simple: Keep Woodson for another year, at least, and see where this thing goes.

What’s your opinion of the (NFLPA) player report cards they just released? – Greg McPherson II

I asked Chris Ballard about it at the NFL Combine this past week. His response was mixed; he said that while he’ll take some of the findings under advisement, he would take issue with several of the findings.

The Colts didn’t score particularly well in a number of areas, and it seems to me the Colts ought to be aware their players have some issues with certain elements of the organization. The biggest complaint seemed to be the food at the facility and the quality of travel, among other things.

That said, I can promise you, no free agent has ever turned down a boatload of money because of a lack of legroom in the team plane.

For the most part, players care about one thing: salary. If you’re willing to pay, players will stay or come and join your organization. Leg room in the team plane is very, VERY low on the list of priorities.