What to Make of the Indiana Pacers 20 Games into the Season with Dustin Dopirak

On today's episode of Setting the Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci are joined by the amazing Caitlin Cooper, of Basketball She Wrote. Today, Caitlin answers 5 of the 10 burning questions we have about the team in Pt. 1 of our podcast! Topics for today's show:How has Benn Mathurin improved as a defender this season?What has been the reason for Jarace Walker's inconsistent play?Thoughts on Andrew Nembhard as the lead ball handler and playing without Tyrese Haliburton?Is the Center by Committee working for the Pacers, or do they need to address the starting Center position? Who or What Type of Center fits best with this team?In a small sample size, what did you think of Aaron's play early on this season, specifically being asked to be more of an on-ball scorer?  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's episode of Setting the Pace, Alex Golden is joined by Marc Dykton of 107.5 The Fan, to discuss the horrific effort we saw from the Pacers on Sunday night, where the Pacers lost by 19-points to the WORST team in the NBA. The guys dive into why this is the worst loss of the season, a video shared on twitter that showed Pascal dejected during the game, and some postgame comments made by Jay Huff.Then, the guys pivot and discuss John Cena's last match, whether or not the ending was the right booking or not, Alex and Marc share their Mount Rushmore of WWE wrestlers and ponder who could be the next great to retire. To end the show, the guys discuss Old Man Rivers leading the Colts to a near road victory against the BEST team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks. What we thought of the Colts efforts and where the Colts go in the offseason with so much uncertainty.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex and Facci round out the December Mailbag with these 7 questions!1). @spenlodundoes anyone else think Cam Boozer is a viable option at center if we can get a top 3 pick? i've heard no one mention this 2). @N-B-MMABesides another legit center what other position do you think we need the most help on? 3). @AIL_A_Guy_NeedsSTP love yall. Still need to go try my bagel sandwich. My question I have for yall is if we're resigning Mathurin who is out the door? I am 100% confident herb ain't paying the tax so who's the next man out. 4). @jerronperry309Hey guys, I feel that time is up for ljax, Nembhard and Walker to be on the block with us getting a high lottery pick, move mathurin to the 2 and keep neismith at the 3. Can we get that center via trade? 5). @jakeriley3738Do you guys think it's time to give QJax a standard contract? and if Ethan Thompson continues to play well for us Do you also maybe consider a guy like him as well? Love the pod.  6). @N-B-MMAWhat 4 guys are you nost excited to see play with tyrese next season? 7). brianroederIs Facci secretly rooting for the Wizards to get the 1st pick next season? It's a tight race. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex and Facci are back to answer more questions from the December Mailbag! Join the Setting the Pace CHAT Group on Chat BCC...going to kick it off strong in 2026 with some SUPER cool prizes/giveaways. 1). David Cole @David Cole 24Do you think a top 4 pick forces a consolidation trade, and who gets sent out? 2). David Cole @David Cole 24 Do you think the Pacers trade the draft pick in a win-now move or keep it? (Asking what you think the organization WILL do, not SHOULD do) 3). David Cole @David Cole 24 How much do you think it will cost to keepMathurin here? 4). Rooster @roosterbra812Reports pelicans may listen to offers on Herb. Do we still want him and what would you trade for him? 5). Rooster @roosterbra812Rank these players in terms of who you think will be on the team the longest.MathurinJaraceJREEthan ThompsonFurphySheppard 6). Rooster @roosterbra812Also, rank these players in terms of which one you'd want to be next years starting 5ObiHuffWareEdeyZubacKessler 7). djstylisticI think Matherin and Walker have the best chances to be trade. What do you think the best trade packages we can get for each player and what could we get if we combine them together.Feel free to add anything like other players, picks or cash to make deal work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please join our the Setting The Pace Group Chat on Chat BCC!On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex and Facci answer the following Mailbag Questions:1). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307I look forward to hearing the episode. What do you two think is the best choice: trade our draft pick in 2026 or use the draft pick? I feel like the team is in such an obvious win-now mode that draft and develop isn't the best option. Low-hanging fruit, I know, but I'm curious. 2). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307At what point do we stick with a rotation of players, for development purposes, and disregard the W-L column? I know continuity is been the biggest issue this year. Don't we need to get the younger guys into consistent roles to adequately assess their fit for the team next year? 3). Alexandre Mendes @AlexVTMendesConsidering the 26/27 season, what piece is missing from this Pacers roster? Who is a trade asset? 4). Ed Helinski @MrEd315In your estimation, is there any hope for this season or has it already gone kaput? 5). Pacer Faithful @jlh0215Give your percentage likelihood for each:The Pacers make a trade this seasonSiakam makes an all star or all nba team (he should)Jarace is on the roster next yearOver/under for each:4. 37: Mathurin's 3p% to end the season5. 17: Tyrese's ppg in the '26-'27 season 6). CF - @CFalcon31 I still believe this team needs a pure shooter on the roster. Is there a name out there you think would be a good additon? I personally like Corey Kispert. 7). jessehobbs6 Will the pacers make a trade this season? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci recap the Indiana Pacers 11-point win over the Sacramento Kings! The Big 3 of Siakam, Nembhard and Mathurin were sensational; Jarace Walker had a strong performance off the bench; Ethan Thompson got his first ever NBA start; Jay Huff continues to protect the rim at an elite level and the PEP IN THE STEP IS BACK!Remember, when the Pacers WIN, you win too! Get a FREE side or drink at Ripple Bagel & Deli with your purchase if you show them you are subscribed to Setting The Pace. Also, try the Setting The Pace sandwich, which is ONLY available at Ripple Bagel & Deli.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex and Facci have a loaded show today, as they discuss the Indiana Pacers getting their first road win of the season against the lowly Chicago Bulls. Ethan Thompson, newly signed 2-way player, shined in his opportunity off the bench posting the 2nd most minutes, a team best plus-minus and shooting at an efficient level. The guys discuss his play, Ben Sheppard's injury, Jarace Walker being benched the entire 2nd half, Garrison Mathews getting the start at the 3, the great games by Siakam and Mathurin, as well as the continued solid play of Jay Huff. The guys close out the show discussing non Pacers stuff, where Alex celebrates the Indiana Hoosiers winning the Big Ten Tournament Championship over Ohio State, Facci's Broncos get another ugly victory and Notre Dame gets left out of the College Football Playoff.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Young Simba to share trade ideas for a starting center. Could Zubac actually be gettable? Is there an under the radar center like Yves Missi that could make sense for the Pacers? Who else is even a potential candidate? Please help us out and join our Chat Group at Chat BCC for a chance to win some really cool prizes, and tickets to an upcoming game in 2026! Join Chat BCC by CLICKING THIS LINK. LIKE THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBESUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNELLEAVE A 5 STAR RATING ON THE AUDIO PLATFORMS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden goes solo (Facci OUT sick ) to recap the Pacers 135-120 to the Nuggets with a "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" segment.   In "The Good" Alex talks about: Furphy, Toppin, Shepp, TJ, Mathews, Wheel of Fortune, RayJ, Lineup Data, 3PT shooting and MORE!In "The Bad" Alex talks about: 2P% from a specific player, 3P% from a certain player, Mathurin's turnovers, Murray's nightIn "The Ugly" Alex talks about: ANOTHER OPPONENT RUN decimates the Pacers chances in this game...Alex also goes through each run this season that has put the Pacers so far behind that they're not able to comeback from. In addition to that, the 4-18 record and finding beauty in the ugliness.Lastly! Please Please Please...SIGN UP for our AMAZING Pacers Chat room over at CHAT BCC! We are relaunching our partnership with Chat BCC in January with some AMAZING new giveaways that you will not want to miss out on! CLICK THIS LINK to join our Group Chat! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Golden is joined by Kent Sterling to discuss a handful of things. They talk about the importance of Rick Carlisle, how his vision of winning basketball changed the trajectory of the franchise and what makes him such a successful coach. The guys also touch on the greatness of Tyrese Haliburton and what the loss of him to this season has meant to several players (here on the Pacers or elsewhere). In addition to that, they touch on how awesome Siakam has been, how every team needs a little crazy (Benn Mathurin), how Andrew Nembhard has looked as the lead point guard, what a top draft pick would mean to next year's team and so much more! Lastly, Alex and Kent touch on Myles Turner, how the Bucks are sliding right now and how Turner's numbers have regressed significantly, and Kent shares a story of an interview he did with Myles early in his NBA career that foreshadowed the type of player he will be for the rest of his NBA days.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.