Looking at Romeos stats, I see he shot 35% from 3...in high school. So, you think he will be your deep threat? Sure Fitz has a good percentage, but do you really want your center out on the perimeter? That will bury your rebounding.
You are quite literally relying on guys who haven’t played a single Bigten game, to carry your team. You also think they are a better choice than a guy who is in the basketball hall of fame?
I can’t wait for the season to start so the IU fans will come back to earth. Happens every year. How about all of your experts that you like to quote. Who do they pick to be better this year, IU or Purdue?
"Carry"? No, more like "help", and or contribute. The guy I expect to carry this team is a candidate for BTPOY: Juwan Morgan.
Yes, Langford shot 35%, in HS. Not great. But decent. Here's what some NBA scouts had to say:
Romeo Langford
Height: 6-6
Weight: 195
College: Indiana
Classification: Freshman
Birthdate: 10/25/1999
Projected Draft Range: Top 5
Pros:
Good scorer off the dribble
Excels at scoring on the move
Decent shooter
Prolific scorer
He's seen as a decent shooter. JMO here, but I do think you have to respect a decent shooter. A lot of his woes via shooting, was at times, his shot selection. Deep, NBA, 30" type of shots. Some were do to desparation. Offense becoming stagnant. Some were due to just plain "bad shots". BUT....when he was within decent range, step or two, off the line? Very good. I think the shot selection issue will be fixed for two reasons: One, Miller won't tolerate it. And two, he'll be surrounded by better players.
As for using Fitzner as a 3-point shooter, hurting rebounds. Nope. He was brought in to SHOOT---Not rebound. Guys like Juwan, Hunter, Smith, Davis, etc, etc...can handle that. And even Romeo: He was also New Albany's all-time leading rebounder. So that won't be an issue.
As for the experts. Most have picked Purdue to finish ahead(of IU). But its not like Purdue is picked 3rd, and IU is 10th. Most have projected those two fairly close. I think a lot of that has to do with what happened last year. Experts do that every year. Purdue was 30-4...IU was 16-15. I think that has a lot to do with it.
Indiana returns Morgan(16ppg), SMith(7ppg), Green(7ppg), Davis(9ppg), Durham(4ppg) and McRoberts(Not a scorer, but an very good defender, glue guy of sorts, who makes "winning plays".). Then we bring in two Top 50 recruits; Langford/Hunter. Solid 4* PG in Phinisee. I just do not see why its so hard to think IU will be better. And possibly better than a team that lost 4 major contributors, off a very good team.
We shall see.