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Hoosier Nation Breathes a Sigh of Relief

All_Hoosiers

By All_Hoosiers

    • After de-commitments and more, much of Hoosier Nation was worried about the 2014 recruiting class, or lackthereof. Today, that all changed.

Tom Crean has had a stressful time recruiting the 2014 class. Trey Lyles de-committed, as did fellow "mamba" James Blackmon about a year later. He lost out on Theo Pinson, JaQuan Lyle, Isaiah Whitehead, and more, leaving him with no one in the class.

With zero commits for the 2014 class, Hoosier Nation was naturally becoming nervous about the future. 2014 G Robert Johnson could change all that with an announcement.

For months, North Carolina and Indiana were considered the favorites to land Johnson. There was some Virginia chatter leading up the announcement, however. The 247Sports Crystal Ball closed at 77% UNC and 12% IU and UVA. His recruitment was closely guarded, and no one had a real grasp on his upcoming decision.

Today, at 3:30 EST, Robert Johnson committed to Indiana University, easing the nerves of much of Hoosier Nation.

The consensus is that this is a huge get for Indiana and Tom Crean, and for good reason.

Johnson, the No. 42 ranked recruit in the country according to Rivals, represents the "first" commitment for the 2014 class, a sharp-shooting guard who burst onto the scene this summer. He's a tremendous shooter, who is working to build his point guard skills.

Not only can the guy play, Rob Johnson might just get the ball rolling for IU's 2014 class.

He's close friends with Hoosier target Devin Robinson, and told AllHoosiers.com's Justin Albers he plans to recruit the skilled forward.

"Devin Robinson, No. 1. I'm going after him first" (https://twitter.com/Justin_Albers/status/381169162090860544).

Goodluck Okonoboh, arguably Indiana's top target, and Robinson are also reportedly interested in playing together.

Whether Johnson brings Robinson and/or Okonoboh to Bloomington, his mission is clear: He wants to win championships and hang banners.

"I want to have a chance to put up banners in Assembly Hall," Johnson told Jeff Rabjohns of Peegs.com (https://twitter.com/JeffRabjohns/status/381165698967273472).

Robert Johnson should thrive playing in Crean's up-tempo offense, which will give him open shots, and developing his point guard game.

Like many are saying, this commitment is huge.

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HystericalHoosier

The question here is with Johnson now committed, we only have one more scholarship, correct? What if Blackmon were to recommit? Or Robinson comes along with RJ? Does that mean Goodluck is out of the picture?  I would love adding talent to the backcourt, but I think we need depth on the block.

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Will_Logan

The last two years have taught us not to worry about the number of scholarships we have remaining.  If more top tier players want to sign, Crean will find a way to make it work.  There are also early-NBA types on this roster that will free up spots.

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HystericalHoosier

Early NBA types? Sorry, but the most NBA ready guy is Noah. Yogi's size will work against him, and would need a HUGE year in order to make the draft. Hanner still needs to get his mind right, and Jeremy as well. Not saying I doubt Crean, but I do question his tendency to oversign and if it will turn away other players, thats all 

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All_Hoosiers

Right now, IUBB only has one scholly left, but I think Noah Vonleh will leave after this year, giving us three. I believe Crean will bring a class of Rob Johnson, Goodluck Okonoboh, and Devin Robinson. 

 

I think Blackmon recommitting is a real possibility, but I don't think there will be room for him. 

 

Oversigning will always happen for top programs. I don't think it's anything to worry about, especially with Crean bringing in better and better talent that likely won't stay too long. 

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IU Hoosier41

Right now, IUBB only has one scholly left, but I think Noah Vonleh will leave after this year, giving us three. I believe Crean will bring a class of Rob Johnson, Goodluck Okonoboh, and Devin Robinson.

I think Blackmon recommitting is a real possibility, but I don't think there will be room for him.

Oversigning will always happen for top programs. I don't think it's anything to worry about, especially with Crean bringing in better and better talent that likely won't stay too long.

i don't know about Blackmon, but I agree with everything else you said!

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All_Hoosiers

I will say I doubt Blackmon recommits, but I think there was a real possibility until recently. I don't see any room for him, and Crean got his sharp-shooting guard in Rob Johnson.

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IU Hoosier41

Early NBA types? Sorry, but the most NBA ready guy is Noah. Yogi's size will work against him, and would need a HUGE year in order to make the draft. Hanner still needs to get his mind right, and Jeremy as well. Not saying I doubt Crean, but I do question his tendency to oversign and if it will turn away other players, thats all

I think that's fair to be concerned about his over recruiting. As long as injuries and transfers pop up out of no where, I'm not opposed to it. Unfortunately, I think it has become part of the game.

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incrediboy

I'll be very surprised if Austin Etherington doesn't transfer after next season. I think he would have done it this year had the injury not happened. With the new recruits, his playing time -- time that normally increases as a player goes up the class ladder -- will get squeezed even tighter than before. But he could be a big fish in a smaller pond somewhere else.

 

It's always possible that Perea and Hollowell will disappoint, which would create an opportunity for a lot of playing time for Austin. But I wouldn't put money on that.

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IU Hoosier41

I honestly think Austin will see the floor quite a bit this season early on. We need some experience and leadership which he will have given it's his 3rd year in the program. Once Big Ten season starts it's all up to Austin and how he plays during the non conference schedule. Hopefully for his sake, he plays well and hits some threes for a team that wont' be burning the nets at both ends from long range this season.

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incrediboy

I'm cheering hard for Austin, I'm just not sure he has the tools to play Big Ten caliber basketball. Of course I had that opinion about Brian Evans initially also, and he turned out to be fantastic. On the flip side, I also felt that way about Jeff Stocksdale and wondered why Lou Watson ever put him on the floor...and he turned out to be a bust. I was told later that "all he does in practice is rip." Apparently it didn't transfer to the game floor. And yes, I do go back that far. Joe Cooke was our star my freshman year at IU, and I was around for McGinnis. Knight was hired in the off-season before my junior year, and I was working at the (then) Herald-Telephone (now Herald-Times) for Bob Hammel way back then.

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Naturalhoosier

I'm cheering hard for Austin, I'm just not sure he has the tools to play Big Ten caliber basketball. Of course I had that opinion about Brian Evans initially also, and he turned out to be fantastic. On the flip side, I also felt that way about Jeff Stocksdale and wondered why Lou Watson ever put him on the floor...and he turned out to be a bust. I was told later that "all he does in practice is rip." Apparently it didn't transfer to the game floor. And yes, I do go back that far. Joe Cooke was our star my freshman year at IU, and I was around for McGinnis. Knight was hired in the off-season before my junior year, and I was working at the (then) Herald-Telephone (now Herald-Times) for Bob Hammel way back then.

 

I love stories from you old timers!!!!!  :good:

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