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[attachment=2782:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1445917342.213859.jpg] Hard to not get behind this type of excitement!

I think the consensus is his game is on the rise. Seems to have a lot of the tools and the size that given some development could be a solid player down the line. He'll get a bump in the rankings but partly bc he committed to IU so will need to follow his HS season and see how the game develops.   I think the staff really did want Durham, but sounds like they weren't expecting it. On his end,  this may have been a bit of an emotional post visit decision. I'm not saying Durham isn't convinced IU is where he wants to be but he didn't come in close is how I heard it put. Maybe that doesn't matter.    I don't think it has much effect on the outlook on the '17 class from IU's perspective. If he develops, great. Either way, the staff will continue to recruit at his position. The in-state kids will still be a priority and can't see this having any impact. Really, biggest thing with those kids is how IU does this year.    Too much hypothetical to get upset about, imo. Just monitor his progress.

^^ that's a pretty great pic!

Welcome aboard--Al Durham!  Heard you have a New York background.  If Coach Chuck--Oladipo---and Coach Crean like your game----count me in!  Hoosier Nation welcomes you!

I wish there was a "like x 1000" button for this pic

wow thats so odd that we would play them here in fort wayne.....i wonder if it will be at the coliseum or at IPFW, anyways thats kind of cool    edit: just looked on ipfw's twitter and it will be at the coliseum.....well i guess i better get my tickets!!!!

Of course, everyone knows mamasa has his whole retirement tied up in TIS stock.

His father and Chuck Martin graduated college together so he definitely isn't the first in his family to go to college. He is just excited to be a Hoosier. These are the types of kids that we need. kids that want to be here. Same can be said for Grant Gelon. Sadly it seems like people around here just bash kids, even if they are excited to be here

Because I've watched much worse go on in Memorial Stadium. This team is electric, as was last season's, and the season before. It's not clean or pretty, but damn they're fun to watch when they're clicking. Maybe I just have realistic expectations for the pace at which a gutter program can progress in 5 years and can see that this team isn't producing the results, but is building momentum. That's not something we've seen before. You realize we got to watch arguably the 2nd greatest running back to ever come through IU last year, right? And if Howard were healthy, we'd be watching another with immense potential. When you have players being looked at for a Heisman, that's fun. Have you also noticed the defense forcing fumbles, recovering fumbles, and getting interceptions??? Holy hell they are doing something right! The D line has been getting to the quarterback! There are legitimate improvements all over the place with some glaring deficiencies left to fix. But hell, at least things are being fixed, and the past few teams have legitimately believed in themselves. That's a crazy thought. We have a psycho sophomore QB in Diamont who actually believed he and some backup RBs could beat the defending champ, and #1 team in the nation in OSU, and nearly did! That is exciting and fun.

Congrats Mr. Durham, welcome aboard. Thank you for choosing IU and wanting to be a part of this great storied program. Best of luck the next two years until we see you in the candy stripes. Go IU!

IPFW has announced that IU will play them not only in 2015, but in 2016-17 and in 2018-19. 2015 IPFW at home 2016-17 AT IPFW 2018-19 IPFW at home

I know I was close to the edge after the Rutgers debacle but after a step back, I know that even if missing a bowl this year would be 1 step forward, 2 steps back for IUFB.  I agree Phil, an ax after this season would lead to a rinse/repeat scenario that has been IUFB since the 90s.

i very much enjoy watching this team, and I make no apologies for it.  Don't berate/degrade someone for their opinion.  It's a fun team to watch.  I've talked with other B1G fans (not IU) who have commented that IU is watchable for the first time in years.  Sorry if you don't agree, but don't make others feel inferior for their opinions.

This kid wanted to be at IU and IU wanted him. I'm very happy for him and by his height for a PG/SG I will take it. I want kids that wanna be Hoosiers not these kids that will only be here for 1 year aka Vonleh.

Albers is a clown

BTB tailgate!

player rating has no bearing on my feeling unless he is Lebron James. It's the fact Crean seems to utilize poor recruiting strategies regarding positions, oversignings, early acceptances, and a multitude of other factors that indicate to the haphazard style in which I've been told he runs the program. The timing of the Gelon and Durham commits are my problem not the actual players and I've been clear on this from the beginning.

And perhaps there are some other future Hoosier hoopsters in that pic as well! 

See! No one is bashing. Some are just now and then pointing out the laundry list of reasons why Durham and Gelon potentially are not good enough! ;)

Want an example of when it took a good coach 5 years to get a dumpster fire in a power house conference to even resemble a real team? Cutclife at Duke. After going 15-33 in his first four years, he snuck them into a bowl game with 6 wins and lost. The following year? 10-4. Then 9-4. Currently 6-1. Not saying K-Dub will be able to pull off the same success, but I'll definitely argue we'd be jumping the gun when we have visible improvements that just require you to look beyond the W column.

When was the last time you enjoyed watching Indiana football? At the very least, KW has brought an entertaining product to the field. He's recruiting well enough that I'd hope for be extension regardless of whether we win another game this year. I have zero faith out the program to bring in someone better at this time.

If Coach Wilson can win either of our remaining home games and one remaining away game, I have no problem with an extension. It's a measurable and maintainable improvement over his previous seasons. That's really all I can ask for.   Unless, like, Jim Tressel or John Harbaugh have put out feelers to take over the job. Then I would rather go with one of them. But, Coach Wilson with success v. Unknown commodity? Seems like an easier choice.

I remember Knight used to run an annual scrimmage at the Coliseum but I don't think that has happened since 1990.   Maybe a little Two Pull from Granite City???

once they go on sale we should all try to sit in the same area, or at least meet each other before the game 

I'm DOWN!!

IU (13-9) hosts #4 Minnesota (17-3) tonight in Bloomington at 8 pm. Game is also televised on BTN!

alright boys, we all gotta meet up then!

This is going to be the hottest ticket in town!!!

When can I buy tickets. Lol

I will ABSOLUTELY be at that game !!!!!!!! Best news of the day!!!!!!!!!

2016 game on november 22nd according to Bozich.

T-Wat is a Freshman this year, but played varsity ball last year if I'm not mistaken.

Who has bashed him?

Cutcliffe is always the example I use when looking at IU football, it's gonna take some time. We were a dumpster fire. 5 years and revolving door again to get a retread or the flavor of the month MAC coach.

It blows my mind how anyone can think a coach deserves an extension when he's won 32% of his games in nearly five seasons at a Big Ten school with Big Ten resources. How many successful coaches did that for five years and suddenly became good? At some point you have to call a spade a spade. 

If OG can be ready defensively---that alone will earn him some floor time.  We don't really have to have him score this year---but someone who can help defend the 4 may be a real need this year---depending on health (i.e. Hartman) and matchups.   OG's athleticism and strong body will be a nightmare for other teams in the years to come.  Seems to be a player who will be good for at least one break-a-way steal and dunk per game. Great pick-up by Crean. Sure Glad Iowa did not end up with him!

Maybe its to take him with them to the mid major school they'll all be coaching after this season?..............sorry....I had to... No worries mods. I'll ban myself for the rest of the day.

I don't get why some people are comparing this to Gelon... Gelon was a relative unknown recruit who committed out of nowhere who most sites hadn't even rated yet, this kid is a top 100-150 player in his class depending on where you look and it seems like Crean thinks he can turn him into something. I have no issue with adding a kid like this. 

I think kids like Vonleh are critical for future success at IU. One and done players are just as critical to top programs as 4 year quality players.

Ignorant people would freak out, but in reality Ottawa will be tougher than a vast majority of our non-con schedule.

Well for one he isn't from Indiana, so that knocks him down about 30 spots........

@aldurham01: I will be Attending Indiana University [emoji779]️[emoji120]

After another offseason of attrition, Indiana added three freshmen to the roster in Thomas Bryant, Juwan Morgan, and O.G. Anunoby. Originally, it appeared as if only Bryant would receive extensive playing time as a freshman but with the dismissal of Emmitt Holt and Hanner Parea, all three now look to be rotational players. After another offseason of attrition, Indiana added three freshmen to the roster in Thomas Bryant, Juwan Morgan, and O.G. Anunoby. Originally, it appeared as if only Bryant would receive extensive playing time as a freshman but with the dismissal of Emmitt Holt, Devin Davis and Hanner -Mosquera-Perea, all three now look to be rotational players.   Bryant, a former five star center from New York, is projected to start this season at center despite having missed extensive time in the preseason. According to head coach Tom Crean, Hoosier Hysteria was only the seventh day Bryant had experienced “live contact.”   The cause of Bryant’s missed time is mostly due to a foot injury, but also a bout with strep throat. Now, he claims to be mostly healed.   “I’m feeling good,” Bryant said. “The coaching staff and trainers that we have are getting me into the best shape I can be … Running up and down the floor felt real good.”   With the three freshmen figuring into the regular rotation, it is critical that any learning curve is accelerated. The freshmen know they are responsible for getting as good as possible as fast as possible.   “Thomas is a very willing learner, he is a very quick learner, he is a sponge,” Crean said of Bryant. “He came in with tremendous humility, combine that with his upside and he has a great future.”   Anunoby also said college basketball has taught him how important details are thanks to the emphasis of the coaching staff.   “I’ve learned to just try and stay focused on everything to get better at everything at the same time,” Anunoby said. “I’ve been working on shooting, ball handling, defense, everything.”   As the freshman trio, who composed the 26th ranked overall 2015 recruiting class, tailors their games to the collegiate level, they know adjustments have to be made.   “The biggest adjustment is the strength of the guys and the speed of the game,” Anunoby shared.   “I think post defense will be one of the biggest parts of my game, being able to guard bigger players,” Morgan said. “I’m not a super quick wing or a powerhouse power forward, so I know I have to be smarter than them, beat them to the spot and things like that.”   The freshmen embrace the obstacles ahead of them with enthusiasm, Crean said. “The best thing to say about Thomas is we knew every day when he wasn’t there,” Crean said. “I think makes practice better every day.”   Bryant serves as inspiration for Morgan, who says players of Bryant’s level normally don’t have his work ethic. Personally, Bryant believes a positive attitude can be extremely helpful to the team.   Bryant later stated that fan support is a huge reason he works the way he does.   “It felt real good seeing those fans come out and support us because we wouldn’t be out there if it wasn’t for them,” Bryant went on. “Being out there got me really excited.”   The energy, according to Morgan, surpassed the prior year’s event.   “It was crazy, I was not expecting it to be this loud,” Morgan said. “Actually being on the court and hearing it, it was a different level.”   Ultimately the freshmen are aware of the responsibility they shoulder. Preparation will be key in masking their youth and featuring their talents. Luckily for them, they have the coaching staff to guide them along the way.   “Coach Crean and the rest of the staff will put us in the best position to be successful out there,” Bryant said. “We just have to go out there and play the game.” [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/news-notes/freshmen-to-be-in-regular-rotation-r240]Click here to view the article[/url]

All that being said, I can see giving the extension. Fred Glass might have to have balls of solid rock to do it though. Call them just fun to watch, or whatever, but they have played their asses off most of the year (20 minutes at Rutgers being the most obvious exception) and pretty much left it all on the field. I've been following IU football for around 30 years, this is as close as we have been to being relevant since Mallory's days, and I still see plenty of possibilities in what we have going on. I still say, just win, and we can quit all the speculating.

I won't be there but would meet up if I were going.

Wow does he have some affiliation with IU for that kind of excitement.  Is he the first person in his family to go to college maybe?   It just blows my mind with so many of these kids treating this as a business decision that a kid from Georgia could be so excited to be a hoosier. 

Honestly, I would love if we scheduled our exhibition games against two very very tough opponents. They're literally two free loses and an opportunity to test your squad by fire.

http://www.scout.com/college/indiana/story/1603634-al-durham-indiana-felt-just-like-home   Good insight and information in this

Look, I know people are worried about in state kids for 2017. But Durham has size, speed, and is a shooter. Ranked top 100 in 2017. It's only 2015. Plenty of things will happen by then for scholarships. People leaving early, transfers etc. why are we against someone who wants to play for IU and commits early? Great get if Al continues to improve