gut wrote:

Portal.

I mean, on one hand it's really kind of cool.  On the other it's an absolute abomination.

Maybe, but isn't Indiana a bunch of  3-star recruits and James Madison transfers?

Also probably helps that the roster has an average age of like 23.

cignetti’s team of grown ass transfers beating the shit out of 19 year old 5 stars in the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/3DUWtkhQs6

— Trey Rowland (@trey_rowland59) January 10, 2026

gut wrote:

Portal.

I mean, on one hand it's really kind of cool.  On the other it's an absolute abomination.

Yes and no. Mendoza is obviously the biggest and most important player -- and he was portal. But unless we are counting JMU guys that Cig brought with him, everyone else who is making impacts currently are not.

Fisher - JMU

Sarratt - JMU

Ponds - JMU

Kamara - JMU

Black - JMU

Hemby - Maryland (so Portal)

Moore - IU out of HS

Ferrall - IU out of HS

Carter Smith - IU out of HS

Benson - IU out of HS

Cooper - IU out of HS

Landino - IU out of HS

Hardy - IU out of HS

Coogan - Notre Dame (so portal)

Becker - IU out of HS

Khobie Martin - IU out of HS

They are way less portal merchants than people are spewing. Again, I am counting JMU as recruits since Cignetti recruited and developed them. And players following a coach is not new.

justincredible wrote:

Also probably helps that the roster has an average age of like 23.

The average age of starters in yesterdays game was Indiana was 1 year older than Oregon. 

justincredible wrote:

Maybe, but isn't Indiana a bunch of  3-star recruits and James Madison transfers?

Yes. I believe they have zero five-stars and seven four-stars, which is way, way, way fewer than any of the other three teams in the Final Four. And probably way fewer than any non Group of Five team in the playoffs.