Roth may have the best potential as a 3 pt threat, but in actual games he is IU's 3rd best option: Creek .448%, Hulls .402%, Roth (2008-09) .373%, Elston .360%, Watford .319%, Capo .313%, Jones .273%, Rivers .000% (0/5). It will be interesting to see what Sheehey and Oladipo can do. I predict Sheehey at .360% and Oladipo at .310%. I also predict that Jones has done his “homework” and improves to .310% or better (in fairness he had to launch some last second shots just because he was not afraid to shoot, as the time clock ran out).

I totally agree that Hulls should watch plenty of Nash tape. The guy sees angles and lanes like nobody else.

People aren't commenting as if they know what's going to happen or what the lineup will be, we're commenting with our opinions, without those sites like these would cease to exist.

Remember that article some time back about how much improvement college athletes make between their freshman and sophmore years? I hope Hulls makes such an improvement – I hold no hope for Rivers and I think we need a specialist PG.

Disagree with this statement

IU lost Mo Creek last year and struggled….if the shoe were on the other foot and IU lost VJ3 last year, we would not have won 10 games.

Love your posts and VJIII but dont believe for a second that we win more games with VJIII than Mo and I think we will see more of Jordy next year as he will firmly entrench himself as an IU starter

My five are Hulls, Mo, CW, DE and center by committee. VJIII first off bench for Hulls,Mo or CW

GO IU!!!!!!!!

Did you see Nash at age 18-19? What is your basis for the “great athlete” conclusion? Just watching basketball, or other sports as well? He could easily be a great athlete, he certainly is a great basketball player. Do you think that he is a better athlete than Rondo or Jennings? Again he is a much better basketball player than either. I do not know anything about Nash in other sports, track and field, etc. Please fill me in. Thanks.

It's pretty common knowledge that Nash grew up as a pretty good soccer player in Canada before getting into basketball, he even still plays in soccer leagues during the offseason. Most believe his soccer background is why he sees the angles and passing lanes so well.

Plus, my conclusion as I said, is from working in the NBA and seeing him up close from courtside seating for several years. I was in the PR Department for the team I was with for five years, which meant I basically sat on the bench for games, I was also on the teams scoring crew for a year, so I've seen it in person.

You've done it again, nice work. Somewhere JerryCT is proud.

It's his real last name.

Okay, everyone keeps saying that Hulls is not quick enough………..he is quicker than VJ. He is the most in shape player we have. Ask coach Wat. He finishes first in everything. Just because he is a 6 foot white kid doesn’t mean he is nonathletic………………..

I know we talk alot about VJ3 not being very good with the ball when it comes to sloppy handling and some of his decision making….however…what do we want from VJ? Does his positives outweigh the negatives…for me yes.

Positives
+ scoring threat
+ best guard at getting into the lane and finishing
+ Good F/T shooter
+ Team Leader. I saw this more last year, especially in the Purdue game, this team feeds off of verdell jones more than any other player
+ Toughness…say what you want, only one player has showed up and improved each year from early season to late….Verdell Jones

I will take these positives over his negatives any day. IU lost Mo Creek last year and struggled….if the shoe were on the other foot and IU lost VJ3 last year, we would not have won 10 games.

If we are to be good, competitive, and fight for a tourney birth somewhere…our nucleus need to be on the court …Mo, Verdell, and Christian….our bigs need to rebound, block shots, help on D, foul people, make lay ups, and dunk the ball.

I hope you know what I mean by being a “ball stopper” and a “ball mover” These were some of Coach Knights teachings.
A ball stopper is someone who either holds the ball, tries to dribble too much to get a shot or simply doesn’t pass the ball to the open man.
A ball Mover is a player who moves the ball up the court, passing to the open man and is ready to shoot the ball when open. I believe Hulls is a ball mover and VJ is a ball stopper. Although I like both players, being a ball mover is more valuable to this team.

Exactly my point!

You sidestepped my question: “do you think that he is a better 'athlete' than Rondo or Jennings?” What was your answer?

I realize there isn't any statistical way for me to back this up, but my general feeling is that Rivers spent more time as the primary ballhandler. After Creek went out, Jones spent a lot of time as the #2 and even with Creek I think he played as a 3rd guard a lot.

I won't argue that Jones shouldn't be on the court, because he certainly should. However, I think there is a strong possibility that we still see a lot of 3 guard lineups – so in that situation, who do you prefer as the primary ballhandler?

What are you talking about? Nobody called you racist, get a grip.

Let's keep the conversation on topic.

I really like your post and I hope you are right. He is just one of those players that makes special things happen. However, if Rivers is to start, that means he has figured it out. I don't believe Crean will put up with the stuff he did early in the year last year at all this year. If you do have Hulls coming in on the second squad, they automatically have a leader and someone who can score. I am still a firm believer that it doesn't matter who starts, it's who finishes.

This simple question of who will start at the PG position has sparked some great debate here and Jordy Hulls seems to be at the center of most of it. Noone seems to know what to make of his game or at least everyone has a different opinion about what he can or cannot do. He certainly seems to have a very avid group of supporters who defend him staunchly. I wouldn't want to run against him for Class President.

On the court, he is a good shooter, a great passer, and has decent basketball awareness. However, we all realize that he lacks certain physical attributes. He lacks length and lateral foot speed, which puts him at a distinct disadvantage, particularly on defense. Added strength and good positioning on the floor can make up for some of his weakneses and he seems driven to improve and to win. So, I can certainly understand those that swear by JH as the future starting PG for the Hoosiers. I am just not one of those people.

I wish all the best for Jordy and hope he continues to compete and offer leadership for the team, but I hope that VJ proves to be the better point guard. VJ is one of the top players on the team and he needs to be on the floor alongside Creek. The truth is that Hulls will never be 6'5″ with long arms. Hulls might be able to marginally improve his foot speed, but he will never have the atheleticism of VJ.

VJ has far more potential at the point than Hulls will ever have. VJ can improve his floor awareness and handle. His outside shot is better than most give him credit for but it can still be improved through practice. VJ has the physical skills to be a solid defender. VJ was only behind Rivers in rebounding from a guard position. He fits better into an offense focused on transition and the dribble drive.

VJ has put a lot of hard work into getting better each season and I expect he will keep it up. He will be a much better PG this year, especially when he has other offensive options spreading the floor and preventing the entire defense from collapsing on him. This past year, VJ essentially took the offense on his back with little support from his teammates. He was also proving to be a vocal leader on the floor as the season progressed. I hope that his hard work will pay off and he earns the PG spot over Hulls.

Having said that, I think the reality is that no one player will lock down the PG position yet and it will be a committee effort, much like it was last year, with Hulls getting time and some minutes to Rivers (though I expect JR to see more minutes in the 3 as a defensive specialist). VJ, being the versatile player that he is, will move around to the 2 and 3. But, in the end, the upside on VJ as a starting PG is much higher than any plateau that Hulls can reach. I hope the competition compels VJ to new heights for the betterment of the team.

Hulls may not be the point, but if he isn't he will be on the floor as a 2. VJIII can't hold a candle to him in regards to leadership on the court. The problem with VJIII being the point is that he is always looking for his own shot. Point guards are usually pass first. There are ball stoppers and ball movers. Hulls is a ball mover; VJIII a ball stopper. Meaning that when the ball is passed to him, he dribbles, dribbles, dribbles, and looks to shoot instead of looking to set up a shooter. The good thing about Hulls is that he can get the ball in the shooters hand at the precise time. (ask his friend MO creek) Also, Hulls is willing to give it up where as you have VJIII who thinks he has to do it all. I give credit to VJIII for stepping up when nobody else has, but he can't make good decisions down the stretch especially at point. Hulls can see the floor, is willing to give up a good shot for a great one, is a leader and will see the floor a ton this year…………….

I think by the time he graduates Capobianco will be a solid contributor. He may never be a star, but I think he'll be valuable just for his effort, attitude, and willingness to get dirty.

I start with questions first. I think you need to answer these to pick a lineup.

How will Guy-Marc Michel adjust to the Big Ten and play? I doubt he'll be ready to start in the Big Ten.
How will Victor Oladipo adjust to college and play? Ditto.
How will Will Sheehee adjust to college and play? Ditto.
How will Maurice Creek's knee be? Will he be back to prior form? Will the layoff hurt? I hope he'll be back.
How will Matt Roth's foot be? Will he be back to prior form? Will the layoff hurt? I hope he'll be back.
Will Tom Pritchard continue his decline or improve? I hlpe for the best, but expect continuation. I'd recommend hypnosis.
Who else will show improvement/fall back?

Until those are answered, this is all major league guesswork, but if I had to guess, I'd go with:
Michel
Elston
Watford
Creek (if he has recovered)
VJIII

yes, I believe he will shoot 50% from 3 point land. It is impressive… have you seen the kid shoot? Once he can transfer what happens in practice to game situations, it will be lights out. In Crean’s 3 point drill, he hit 77 (an all-time record for TC everywhere he’s been), 49 of his last 50. Unguarded, uncontested… but still quick, tired shots. Come watch a practice, it is a beautiful thing. He had a “bad” year shooting the ball and hit 40%. Adjusting to different balls, different arenas, different atmospheres… I’d say he did okay, but, he has a short learning curve… watch out this year. Plus he will only take “good” shots… Crean has told him 10 shots per game… it doesn’t take long to see where your weapons are. I’m not saying he is all-everything… not even our best player (if that can be measured). I’m just saying he brings consistency, structure, intelligence, and tenacity to the team on the floor.

I tend to lean towards FWHoosier's point of view on this, at least by the evidence we saw last season from Hulls. But, my overall basketball philosophy is more inline with your “ball-mover” “ball-stopper” points.

So, with that said, if Jordan Hulls can develop and demonstrate at this level that he can be an offensive threat beyond just spotting up, then I'm all for him being the point, and I think Indiana is better off for it.

But, if he's simply going to be a point guard that's sole job is to get the ball across half court and then go stand in the corner, which is what he did last season, then I don't think it works. He has to figure out how to get into the paint and not only create, but find a way to finish, if he's going to be a successful point guard that can really run and command the team.

He did not show that ability last season, but the good news is that he was only a freshmen, and he can certainly develop it through experience and hard work. I actually really hope he develops those skills because it would be great for IU, but he has to prove it first.

After 96 posts I am finally declaring myself for Rivers based largely on agreeing with you BGLEAS.

On a scale from 1 to 10 on how important is a PG in the dribble drive scheme I rate the PG position a 3 or 4 since ALL players but one are ball handlers and drivers. From what we saw last year Hulls is the least likely to get deep in the lane, finish around the hole or take a contested shot in mid range. His passing is superior but his worth is limited in dimension and in that sense is a “play stopper” if not a ball stopper.

Adding to the above reasoning the dribble drive offense in half court usually started from a failed fast break attempt in the first 5 – 7 seconds of the possession. In this first 5 sec Rivers is by far the most suited to rebound and push it hard and fast.

If you ask yourself “what does a PG have to do under CTC ?”

1. Get stops on D to initiate the break
2. Rebound on D big time
3. Push it like crazy while looking up court
4. Drive to the basket to
a) finish at the rim
b) draw a foul
c) dump to the offside big
d) kick for a 3
e) take mid range shot in the lane in traffic

Then I say VJ3 is best at the dump down and the shot in traffic but Rivers is the best at the rest. Hulls is best “taking ” the 3 but not “creating” the 3.