DISQUS

Pudge · 2 years ago

I will agree on the fanbase we LOVE our hoosiers. Everyone should expect Gordon to have his ups and downs if you don't believe that then you don't understand how tough and competitive the big ten is. I think he will have an impact on the court but it will take patience for him. Gordon has yet to play against guys of his talent level day in and day out. Although I do think he will over come any negative feed back he has heard from the media. He very well could be the real deal, but it sounds like he's going to have to earn it. I am very anxious to watch all of our freshman and Juco players play. I don't remember the last time I have heard IU fans this excited about a basketball year.

Tom · 2 years ago

Gordon will have the most impact since McGinnis.More than Thomas,Jeffries,Cheaney,. First team All Big Ten easily. @0 point average easily in our revamped offense.

kelin · 2 years ago

Not sure what happened with my other post but I will summarize....

I see EJ averaging 15-18ppg 5reb 3asst.I don't see him having the Durant impact cause he doesn't have too! He doesn't need to lead us in scoring or the nation and carry the team like Durant did. You will see him have those 25-30pt games here and there...

Secondly, I have seen the kid play a bunch of times and have NEVER seen him rattled, frizzled, or feeling the pressure.....Which is why I think there won't be as much pressure on him than what he has experienced the last two years.

He has DJ, toine, Armon, Jordan etc. to take some of the heat off.

I see the IU fan base in love with EJ but I think we will fall in love with Jamarcus also. I just see him as a modern day "Cal Chaney" who just does a lot of the things a team needs on BOTH ends of the court.

b-side · 2 years ago

Kelin, no issues with what you said regarding EJ, but have to call you out on the Jamarcus/Cheaney comparison.

I think you're forgetting what a dominant player Cheaney was. Go here for all the facts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calbert_Cheaney but just to summarize -- he is the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer as well as 12-13 year NBA veteran!

Not trying to knock Jamarcus here since he will be the perfect complement to EJ and DJ, but a little history lesson is in order because Cheaney was no role player.

I see Ellis in the same mold as Vaden -- great defender, willing to make the extra pass, and more than capable of knocking down the open jumper.

Tim · 2 years ago

I expect Gordon to average at least 16 points a game, and it could be closer to 20. But I expect this whole team to be explosive offensively and average nearly 80 a game (yeah, an offense in the Big Ten).

I don't expect too much from Gordon elsewhere on the stat sheet, about 3 reb and 2 ast per game. Not because I don't think Gordon can do better, but I think other players will really stuff those stats. DJ, Thomas, and Ellis on rebounds and Bassett, Crawford, and Ellis on assists. Besides, with a player like Gordon you want him to shoot first and pass second (like Rod with better accuracy).

Gordon reminds me so much of my favorite Hoosier, A.J. Guyton, especially in his demeanor. But Gordon appears to be even better than Guyton in almost every regard, which is really exciting.

kelin · 2 years ago

ummm ok I will take the hit on CHeany...I just saw Cheaney as a guy who does a lot of stuff on both sides of the court but yeah, maybe I was typing faster than I was thinking...and the Vaden comparison is solid, I was trying to dig deeper in the IU history books.

Tim · 2 years ago

kelin,

In your first comment you said,
"He has DJ, toine, Armon, Jordan etc. to take some of the heat off."

who is toine?

Big A · 2 years ago

Tim,

I believe toine is a nickname for Jamarcus Ellis.

kelin · 2 years ago

Oddly enough Tim I asked the same question when I heard the nickname "toine", but if you can flirt with a triple double in barnstorming, exhibition games and even pick up games...I will call you by whatever you like.

I played basketball in h.s. and college and a double double is hard enough....GO TOINE!

Wrigleyville · 2 years ago

I will be disappointed if he does not cure cancer. And, oh yes, average 17.5 ppg.

nate · 2 years ago

I think EJ might have more assists than 2 or 3 per game. With DJ and co. inside, EJ could turn into the Hoosier's best distributor....especially when you consider the defensive attention he will draw from opponents.

knasmiley · 2 years ago

Great stuff guys for sure.......

I will take a stab at this and the one thing I think will benefit EJ is coaching, learning how to play ALL OUT ALL the time. Once he gets that, which wont take long with Kelvin Sampson staring from the sidelines, we will see what EJ can really do. I look for KS to challenge him and if he responds like im sure he will, the IU fan base will be in for a TREAT to say the least, EJ will just raise his game ABOVE anyone he plays and that leads to what I have been saying since he signed back in november.............

I will say EJ averages 22pts a game 4-5 rbds and 3-4assts and he will lead the BT in steals IF Jamarcus doesnt do it..............

I say not only 1st team ALL BIG TEN but BIG TEN POY too, I have been saying that since day 1, when your called the best scorer coming out of HS since Kobe I think you can guarantee some hardware to come his way. The only thing that might hurt him in that regard is his unselfishness but I believe KS will make sure EJ does everything to benefit the team and SCORE will be one of the first priorities withstanding Defense of course.........

AJS

PB · 2 years ago

It seems like scoring, and basketball in general, comes easy for this kid. I see him averaging 15-25 points a game. The one game EVERYONE is excited for of UofI. I hope he doesn't force up shots and let those scummy UofI fans beat him...like I said, if he stays calm and lets his game come to him...he could drop 30+ on those fools.