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I can testify that Justin Smith was in Assembly Hall this morning by 7:30 since he followed me to work.

And Al in there before sunrise! I love it! Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Jerome and Romeo, in Cook Hall at midnight. Both made quick Instagram posts, 5 min apart. Can't tell if anyone else was there. One of the 'insiders' reported that Romeo has called his dad raving about Jerome, how good he is. Maybe these two have an iron-sharpens-iron thing going here.

In my opinion? Best of all worlds for IU...currently. In saying that, I strongly believe that DJ Carton is the guard that IU is most enamored, with serious interest in Ramsey, and that we are slow playing Newman, Franklin, and probably Curtis from Ohio. The beauty of it is that IU and Michigan have a visit this week from Carton, and as Bozich said on his ITH podcast this week, the fact that the IU and Michigan visits this week are official visits is telling. To paraphrase Bozich's logic, if Carton takes these two official visits and thereafter decides to wait for the fall, and then schedules other official visits in the fall, that is a pretty clear sign that IU will not be his first choice. So, the beauty of the situation is that we can slow play the other guards, but we don't have to do so for very long.

Exactly. OV's before July eval on a top kid indicate an impending commitment. If it doesn't happen and it goes until fall, something changed. Could things swing back, sure, it's recruiting. But IU should know the general situation in the next week and a half

I have no inside information, but this recruitment seems to share similarities with Damezi Anderson's recruitment... Last year, it was no secret that Anderson was a top Purdue target. He admitted it in an interview. He was a Northern Indiana guy... the one area in the state where Purdue seemed to have an advantage over IU. A number of people were saying that he was Purdue's to lose. But that went on for a couple of months, yet he never committed. Meanwhile, Archie and Co. was still recruiting him, albeit withholding an offer until the staff was completely sure he was worthy. Then, Archie offered while he unofficially visited. Evidently it was a game-changer because a few weeks later he became a Hoosier. And Purdue lost him. Now, we have Newman. Another Northern Indiana guy. Offered by Purdue early this month. Message board chatter claiming that put them in the driver's seat and that he was a top target for Matt Painter. While it's only been a few weeks since the Purdue offer, he still hasn't committed to them yet. Meanwhile, Archie and Co. has kept tabs on him all this time and still recruited him. Then, he gets an offer this week while unofficially visiting campus. And one crystal baller has already thrown his prediction to IU... What's going to happen? I don't know. I do know that I think Newman is a good player. Personally, I like him better than Armaan Franklin, although some rankings disagree with me. I was impressed with his play at Valparaiso last year. He's a good shooter, but there seems to be more to his game than that. Seems to be quite active.. can hit the boards, fill up the stat sheet. And his team had a pretty good season playing 4A ball. Doing well thus far this summer in AAU, too. Not GREAT size at 6'3 and not a PG, but I think he's got the potential to be a good "2" guard in the Big Ten. Definitely could see him as a double-figure scorer at some point in his career at any Big Ten school. As an IU fan, do I want him? Sure. Right now for 2019-2020, we'll only have three ball-handling guards with Green, Durham and Phinisee. None of which are known to be shooters. Newman can fill that role and still provide other things to help the team win. He's not the highest rated player, but he's still on the radar. He's a top player in the state and if we want to focus on nabbing the top players from the state, I think he qualifies. I'd love to have guys like Carton or Lewis or Ramsey, but if our chances on those guys are lower... Newman would be a great consolation prize. We could still use a PG like Carton or Lewis, but if we're talking a 4-man class, there's a spot for Newman. Do I think we'll get him? Hard to say. Just a (probably biased) gut feeling... if Archie REALLY wants him, I think we'll get him. As in, Archie makes him a top priority. Over guys like Ramsey, etc. But if he's deemed as more of a tier-two guy throughout the rest of the summer, I think he'll head elsewhere. Just my opinion.

Like Gnarly said, if Archie wants him I think he gets him. Slow playing it is smart at this point though

After Mulling it over here are my most wanted somewhat realistic candidates in order: 1. Tracy Smith (this is totally a gut feeling but don't rule this out as much as people think but still somewhat unlikely) 2. Jeff Duncan 3. Scott Googins 4. Jeff Mercer 5. Ben Greenspan 6. Eric Snider I would be fine with any of the above or another out of left field name that is an up and comer. Probably avoid: 1. One of our current assistants 2. Gary Henderson (I know this name is popular after what he did at Mississippi St but to me his mediocre stint at UK makes me pause) Absolutely avoid: 1. Rich Maloney Overall I am willing to give anyone but Maloney at least a chance but would be happier with some over others. If it's Maloney I will lead a rebellion (not literally) and probably lose interest immediately unless he proves something to me down the road.

So very excellent! Thanks Strom!!!! The team wasn't half bad last year, and that was with major minutes going to the less experienced and less able (Freddie as the starting center, Collin with major injuries). Our talent level is about to skyrocket.

Jerry Meyer CB pick to Indiana.

So we can "slow play" a fantastic get like Newman without really slow-playing him!

Wow! It's really looking like the internal competition for playing time is making players go the extra mile

I was pretty underwhelmed by the Lemonis and Allen hires. And who knows? Maybe Allen will turn out to be a great fit. But I was disappointed that we at least did not test the waters and do a national search when Wilson was let go ... I did not think that hiring Archie was an underwhelming move. Archie was seen as one of the top up-and-comers in college hoops and I, for one, am glad we have him. And I can almost guarantee you that had we not hired him, Ohio State would have when Matta stepped down/was fired. ... But back to baseball -- I don't see Tracy Smith coming back and to be honest -- and I might be the only one -- I'm not sure I'd want him at this point. There have been a handful of coaching reduxes over the years, and they just don't seem to work. Plus, I can't help but think that if he did come back, it wouldn't be because he wants to be here, but because he failed at ASU. So let's find a fresh face -- a good recruiter who also can help develop that talent and instill solid basic baseball fundamentals. I have no idea who that person is, but personally, I think it would be better all the way around if it were not Tracy Smith.

Still a pretty underwhelming hire, especially since they didn't even look at other candidates. Just because he was a good coordinator doesn't mean he'll be a good coach. We'll see if he's better this year. I was not very impressed last year. That team shouldn't have missed a bowl.

FWIW, we received a crystal ball pick tonight from Alec Kinsky.

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I think it is Newman or franklin first come first serve but not both. This is just my opinion but it has been hinted to me

Pass. While he has had some success he also went 21-32 this season and would be leery of hiring anyone after a bad season. I understand your connection to him and respect that (mine with Greenspan probably clouds my judgement somewhat there) but if were going small Ohio school (which I am all for) Mercer at Wright St or Duncan at Kent St have done far better.

Thanks Old Fart! Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

So. I promised my wife i would be faithful that doesnt go away just because some jailbait has daddy issues

Right I can’t imagine too many people letting that slide. I didn’t see it so I don’t know who. But I have seen some pretty big sunshine pumpers and they wouldn’t. It’s almost impossible with the modern level of talent as is. Completely ignorant whoever said that and I would be shocked if they weren’t called out. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

I’m definitely not opposed to adding Newman. Seems like a guy Archie would thrive with. Athleticism, Defense, and 3 point shooting. Yes please

The team wouldn't have missed a bowl game if our former "QB whisperer" of a head coach was able to reel in even one decent QB recruit beyond getting Sudfeld as a late AZ decommit. If Rich Rod doesn't take the Arizona job then Bill Lynch would have had a better resume at QB recruiting and development at IU than Wilson.

I've been laughing every day the last couple weeks. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

The best defensive coordinator we've had in decades who is also likely to stay if he finds success is the furthest thing from an underwhelming hire.

July 2 at 7:00 July 3 at 9:00 July 5 at 7:00 Times are eastern for these 3; all played in Salt Lake City July 7 at 9:00 July 8 at 9:30 July 10 at 6:30 Times are eastern for these 3; all played in Vegas You're welcome!

Christian Watford getting a summer league shot with MEMPHIS grizzlies. Claims being made Penny is behind this one. Interesting. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

Other than an occassional Memphis and Minny, those are the schools we should be battling for recruits going forward!

...According to his father, Richard Hurt, the top schools on Matthew’s list are (alphabetically): Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Minnesota, North Carolina and UCLA. Rochester, MN Post Bulletin: Local Notebook: Hurt's summer of high-level basketball will continue http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/localsports/local-notebook-hurt-s-summer-of-high-level-basketball-will/article_b2cd6900-735e-11e8-967b-5bf5dba12cfa.html

Not sure how it is hard to believe that. Would be nice to see the hammer come down on MSU like the program deserves though.

I'm thinking that if #385 ranked Illini 6'7" big man Anthony Higgs was three inches taller, he would basically be... The other Illini freshman big man; #315 ranked 6'10" Giorgi Bezhanishvili.

If I was 3 inches taller, I would basically be Kevin Hart.

#385 in the class. Also...while I know it is just a message board fan saying it, couldn't help but giggle at the following Illini board Higgs-celebratory post [emphasis added]: Peoria Pipeline Higgs is a hell of a get this late in the process. From everything i have seen and read he plays his butt off and is really athletic. Maybe it's just because he's a lefty but that stroke looks really nice as well. If this dude was 4 inches taller he would basically be Marvin Bagley.

Hope Newman jumps first. Just my opinion but seems to have more upside and I like his length.

Yes that is exactly how I would think it will work out or maybe just 3 of them.

No surprise. IU offered today Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

Carton, Newman, Brooks and TJD. What a class that would be

Conflicting reports on Newman's interest in IU. Some say he favors Purdue, some say he wants the IU offer. This is a tough one. With 6 guys in our '18 class, we don't need depth too bad, and so we have an option to swing hard. I think most of us have been twitterpated by Carton and Lewis and TJD and Brooks and Stewart and Hurt, and we haven't paid a ton of attention to Armaan and Newman. I think most other years, we'd be pining away for a commitment from a top 100 Indiana guard. Here's what I know: When I saw him play at EYBL in April, he was more involved and a better player than Franklin. He stood out as one of the weapons on the floor, a guy a coach would want. It could have been an anomaly, but he really played well that weekend across all games. I think he fits in the mold of a scoring guard. Not the best ball handler, but good enough, and he's good at putting points on the board. In the Indiana Jr/Sr game, he guarded Romeo fearlessly and some would say effectively. Maybe even got under his skin a little bit if you read into Damezi's comments. You have to love that. Add a willing defender mindset to a guy that shoots at a high rate (both in usage and in percentage made) and he's someone you really want on the floor. Finally, he's a riser. Newman is just now gaining momentum. It doesn't hurt that Purdue wants him. Knocking them down a peg after the Gillis commit would be a nice offseason victory! Newman apparently did an unofficial on January 14, which was the Northwestern game. Probably the best game we played all year, and supposedly the game when Romeo's interest in IU became very real. Uhh. Still hard for me to call this one. We need guards. I want Indiana players. I don't think his commitment will scare away a Carton or Lewis, but it won't entice a Hurt or Keion, either. Or will it? I don't know. I'll put it this way, I'd be thrilled with his commitment.

TJD plans to make his official IU visit during Hoosier Hysteria as will Keion Brooks. He also talks with Carton and Hurt who both are considering Indiana he said

That was fun! I am going to go ahead and pencil in Race for his first collegiate double-double (18 & 12 feels right) against Illinois at SSAH.

The sequence of Hurt & TDJ playing high low was a thing of beauty. I sure would like seeing them play together at Indiana. It may seem far fetched, but we’re leading with one and the other already has a former teammate at IU. I think the 2019 class will rank higher than 2018.

Primarily discusses TJD's and Matthew Hurt's performance against Ecuador and includes video clips. https://evzbasketballscout.wordpress.com/2018/06/15/bigs-highlight-team-usas-quarter-final-win-over-ecuador/

Ah yes, but look at the other names involved. Slimy schools, but the big guns. We are becoming a powerhouse again

Fixed it for you.