All_Hoosiers

Rob Johnson is a fantastic, rapidly developing player. Great shooter, great kid. Hoosier Nation is gonna love him.

Meaning behind username - In February of 2013 I started an Indiana blog called All Hoosiers. It was on and off fun before I came to BtownBanners. Age and location - 17 in November and south central Kentucky Born and raised an IU fan since day 1 First knew I was an IU fan during Mo Creek's beautiful performance against UK. Super fanatic since then. Play high school tennis Besides IU, love St. Louis Cardinals, Indiana Pacers, and Indianapolis Colts Hopefully will attend IU in the fall of 2015 Favorite IUBB memory was the WatShot. Incredible feeling, especially living in Kentucky Jordy Hulls is my favorite IU player. I wasn't alive for many greats, and Hulls was the type of player I wanted to be Favorite IU football memory was watching them beat WKU (hometown college) Favorite IU football player: Not much to choose from, but I liked Kellen Lewis Went to my first IUBB game last year. One of the greatest experiences ever. Been with the BtownBanner boards since day one

The news broke around 5 PM ET: 2014 F Goodluck Okonoboh will announce his college decision during halftime of the WKU v. ULM game on ESPNU. He will choose between Indiana, Ohio State, and UNLV. The defensive force recently took an official visit to Ohio State last weekend, then immediately visited UNLV. Tom Crean stopped by to visit Okonoboh the Thursday before the big man departed, likely making one of his final pitch's for IU. Okonoboh took his first official visit to Indiana back in mid-September, fueling the speculation that the Hoosiers were the favorites. Some even believed a commitment then was possible, but he ultimately kept his recruitment open. Throughout the process, Indiana has been the favorite to land Goodluck. Suddenly, that is changing. Many are beginning to lean Ohio State or UNLV. 247Sports' Crystal Ball, which fields numerous predictions for each top player, once had Indiana as a heavy favorite. It now appears that the Hoosiers are falling out of the running (http://247sports.com/Player/Goodluck-Okonoboh-15203/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). Goodluck Okonoboh is a raw athlete with a tremendous defensive game. He has great timing to block and alter shots, and routinely affects opposing players' willingness to drive to the basket. He has enormous potential on offense, but won't score a lot in college. Because of his defense, however, he will immediately have a huge impact wherever he goes. Ranger's Prediction Like I said earlier, the Hoosiers have long been considered the favorites to land Okonoboh. Also, Okonoboh has expressed interest in playing with recent IU commit Rob Johnson and IU target Devin Robinson. Freshman Noah Vonleh, a close friend of Okonoboh, has been recruiting him hard as well. Update 11:18 AM ET: Despite all those positives for IU, most believe Indiana will not land Okonoboh. Evan Daniels tweeted last night that the Hoosiers are a "distant third." N.D. Kendrick tweeted that he's "99.99% certain" Goodluck will not choose Indiana. He also said he's "comfortable saying 100%." Like many, I thought Okonoboh to IU was a lock. That's changed, however. I don't want to switch my prediction, but I am not confident that Okonoboh will choose Indiana. UNLV presents the big man the best opportunities for early playing time, and one of his good friends, Khem Birch, transferred to UNLV. I believe Goodluck Okonoboh will commit to UNLV. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @All_Hoosiers. Photo: Kelly Kline/Under Armour

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.

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.

Johnson wraps up official visits Starting with Indiana the weekend of Aug. 23-25, 2014 G Robert Johnson has taken three official visits to IU, Virginia, and UNC, with one more scheduled to Florida State the weekend of Sept. 13-15. Johnson was originally scheduled to visit UVA Sept. 6-8, but moved it up so he could visit UNC that weekend. Many consider him a UNC lean, so that appeared to be a move in the Tar Heels' favor. Rob Johnson's IU visit appeared better than his UNC visit, however. Johnson said his visit to Bloomington "was one of the best expieriences I've ever had" (http://www.insidethehall.com/2013/08/27/recruiting-rewind-johnson-calls-iu-visit-one-of-his-best-experiences/). Compare that to what Johnson's dad told TarHeelIllustrated that the UNC visit "was exactly what we expected" (http://westvirginia.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1547332&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=). Maybe an over-analysis, but it appears IU holds an edge to UNC in the official visit category. Coaches visit Johnson Coaches were permitted to recruit off campus this week, and Tom Crean and others were quick to travel to Richmond to visit Johnson. Johnson tweeted: With a decision looming, the coaches seem to be making their final pitch to land the talented guard. The Decision Shortly after his final visit to Florida State, Rob Johnson wants to decide on his future school. Paul Biancardi of ESPN tweeted: Many speculate that Indiana and UNC are the clear front-runners, and many predict Johnson will attend UNC (http://247sports.com/Player/Robert-Johnson-33746/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). Sept. 20 should be a huge day for Indiana basketball, as Johnson's decision should have huge ramifications, even on other targets (see: Isaiah Whitehead and Devin Robinson). Ranger's Prediction For months, it's been near unanimous thinking that Indiana and North Carolina were the leading candidates to land Rob Johnson. That hasn't changed, but more and more are beginning to predict UNC over IU. In fact, 247Sports Crystal Ball has moved to 86% Tar Heel predictions compared to 14% for the Hoosiers. This is a very hard situation to predict, as IU and UNC seem neck-and-neck, but Justin Albers of AllHoosiers.com tweeted two possibly important facts today. Later, Albers tweeted: Could Johnson and Robinson possibly become a package deal? If so, Indiana is in great shape, as they are the only schools still recruiting both. In a situation like this, I have to go with my gut, and my gut says Johnson will be a Hoosier. The possibilty of playing with a close friend has to be intriguing. Moreover, it's hard to walk away from "one of the best experiences" of your life. Johnson could very well become the "first" member of the 2014 Indiana recruiting class. Note: The link to Robert Johnson Sr. discussing UNC requires a subscription, but the preview of the story provides numerous quotes, and gives a good sense of how the visit went. Photo: insidethehall.com For more recruiting updates and other Indiana tweets, follow Jeff on Twitter: @All_Hoosiers

Robert Johnson Visits Indiana On the weekend of Aug. 23, 2014 G Rob Johnson visited Indiana. It was an official visit, his first. Johnson described the visit as "one of the best experiences of my life" to InsideTheHall (http://www.insidethehall.com/2013/08/27/recruiting-rewind-johnson-calls-iu-visit-one-of-his-best-experiences/). Many speculated that Johnson would commit on the visit, but he will take more official visits before deciding. Johnson has official visits scheduled to Virginia and North Carolina. UNC seems to be the slight favorite to land him according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball (http://247sports.com/Player/Robert-Johnson-33746/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). Isaiah Whitehead Explores IU Shortly after James Blackmon re-opened his recruitment, Tom Crean offered five-star 2014 G Isaiah Whitehead a scholarship. Because that was the first time Whitehead had spoken to Crean, he decided to visit Indiana on Aug. 25 to get more acquainted with Indiana Basketball. ​All signs indicate that the visit went extremely well. Whitehead's high school coach Tiny Morton told Adam Zagoria that Whitehead enjoyed the visit and plans to take an official one in the fall. "It went very well. There were a lot of questions answered. It was a great visit," Morton told ZagsBlog. Morton also said Whitehead could play either guard spot at Indiana. Getting in late on Whitehead doesn't seem to be a negative for Crean. In fact, Whitehead's 247Sports' Crystal ball has switched to Indiana in recent weeks (http://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Whitehead-18784/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). For more, visit Adam Zagoria's blog: http://zagsblog.com/recruiting/whitehead-enjoys-indiana-future-visits-will-occur/. Dante Exum Considering Five Schools Dante Exum, a highly-touted guard from Australia, told ESPN's Jeff Goodman he is now only considering five schools: Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, and Michigan. Exum, who is eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft, is undecided on his future plans. One thing's for sure, however: While Exum could enroll in December, he will not, instead choosing to enroll in 2014 if he plays college ball. Exum visited Indiana last season, so some speculate he'll end up at IU if he plays in college. For more on ESPN: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9609453/dante-exum-enroll-college-december. Quentin Snider Trims List to Seven 2014 PG Quentin Snider trimmed his list to seven, leaving Indiana off: UCLA, Michigan State, USC, UCONN, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Illinois. Many considered Indiana a favorite to land Snider, but Crean never offered, focusing his attention on other recruits. There's a real possibility Snider plays for Hoosier legend Steve Alford in UCLA. Michigan State recently offered Snider, and is being mentioned as a favorite by some (http://247sports.com/Player/Quentin-Snider-12794/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). Ahmed Hill Cuts List to Five Recently, 2014 G Ahmed Hill cut his to five: Marquette, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, and Florida State. Crean has re-vamped his communication with Hill after Blackmon's de-commitment, but it doesn't appear likely that Hill will attend Indiana. James Blackmon Update For the first time since re-opening his recruitment, James Blackmon visited Indiana on Aug. 23 and 24. Blackmon reportedly said things felt the same as previous visits. He has previously said he wants to officially visit Indiana for Hoosier Hysteria. Blackmon has unofficial visits scheduled for Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, and others. Follow Jeff Ranger: @All_Hoosiers (Photo: http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com/art/Indiana-Basketball-Flag-82083532)

During this off-season, I've seen worries about Indiana Basketball’s height from numerous places. IUSportsReport summed it up best, “The Hoosiers are small this year and height will be the Achilles heel.” Why, suddenly, are people acting like height will be an issue for Indiana this season? The only real height issue I could see is if Hanner Mosquera-Perea, who is 6-feet 8-inch tall, starts at center, and maybe 6-8 Jeremy Hollowell playing power forward. Other than that, where is the height issue? Last season, Indiana’s starting line-up was comprised of two 6-foot, one 6-5, one 6-9, and a 7-foot tall player. Yogi and Jordy were short. Oladipo was short, but long and athletic. Let’s not forget that Watford was no giant at the four, either. While he was seven-feet tall, Cody Zeller had short arms. It’s not like IU rolled out the Monstars last year. The average height of the starting five was 77 inches, or 6-feet 5-inch. The average height of the players on scholarship was 79 inches, or 6-feet 7-inch. This season, depending on who you foresee as starting, Indiana’s starters may be comprised of a 6-foot, a 6-2, a 6-7, a 6-10 (really 6-9.75), and a 7-foot player. That’s a starting five of Yogi Ferrell, Evan Gordon, Will Sheehey, Noah Vonleh, and Luke Fischer. Basically, the Hoosiers should increase height at nearly every position. Compared to last year’s starters, the average height of that hypothetical five is a whole inch taller: 78 inches. Let’s say Evan Gordon doesn’t start, however, and Tom Crean decides to go with a combination I prefer of Yogi, Sheehey, Hollowell, Vonleh, and Fischer. The average height of those five: 79.4 (so close to rounding up to 80) inches, or 6-feet 7-inch. Even if Perea started in place of Fischer, the average height of the two hypothetical starting line-ups would be 78 inches (6-6) and 79 inches (6-7), respectively. That’s a sizable height increase as a unit. The four main guys off the bench minutes-per-game-wise for Indiana last year were Will Sheehey, Remy Abell, Jeremy Hollowell, and Maurice Creek. The average height of those four was 78 inches (6-6). Looking at this season, the main guys off the bench this year will likely be Troy Williams, Perea/Fischer, Gordon/Hollowell, and Stan Robinson. The average height with Perea and Hollowell: 79 inches (6-7). The average height with Gordon and Fischer: 78 inches (6-6). Each either the same or larger than last year. Also, Austin Etherington, Devin Davis, and Collin Hartman could see minutes off the bench. All are 6-6 or taller. The average height of players on scholarship this season will be the exact same as last season: 79. Yet, height is an issue. If the Hoosiers receive a height boost at three of five starting positions, where is the height issue? If the Hoosiers starting five will definitely be taller than last year’s, where is the height issue? If the main bench guys are taller than last year’s main bench guys, then where in the world is the height issue? Are we really that worried about Perea starting at center that we panic over the team’s height? Even if Perea started at center, he’s long and athletic enough to defend most other competitors. So, next time you see someone say “the Hoosiers are small this year,” remember this: If anything, Indiana got taller, longer, and more athletic. The starting five will be taller compared to last year’s, as will the main guys off the bench. Indiana’s height is a non-issue, and the Hoosiers will be fine. (Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)

As the season nears, the quarterback competition remains very tight. Tre Roberson, Cam Coffman, and Nate Sudfeld are neck-and-neck, as head coach Kevin Wilson awaits for a dynamic QB to separate from the group. Let's take a look at each QB. Tre Roberson: About halfway through his freshman season, former Indiana Mr. Football Tre Roberson claimed the starting role. In his first year, he passed for 937 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions, along with a 57.0 completion percentage. The dangerous dual-threat quarterback also ran for 426 yards and two touchdowns. In 2012, Roberson won the starting job and seemed poised for a big year. His passing looked much better, as his completion percentage raised to 66.0% compared to 57.0% in his freshman year. He seemed much more comfortable with the offense. Unfortunately, as Roberson was rushing in the redzone, he broke his leg in the second game of the year against UMASS. This derailed his season, forcing Cam Coffman and Nate Sudfeld had to fill-in during his absence. In less than two complete games played in 2012, Roberson compiled 501 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. Roberson may have the most upside and athleticism of the three vying for the starting role. Some even argue he's the most talented of the bunch. He's also won a starting job before, and thrives off the pressure and competition. If he's improved since last year, Roberson could be the dynamic quarterback Wilson wants. Kevin Wilson has noticed Roberson's dual-threat ability: "The best athlete of the crowd is probably Tre Roberson." Cam Coffman: After Roberson went down last year, Cam Coffman stepped in and played relatively well. He had his struggles, forcing Nate Sudfeld to play some QB in relief at times, but ultimately was the best quarterback for Indiana. In 11 games last year, Coffman passed for 2,743 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with a 60.7 completion percentage. He also rushed for one touchdown. He passed for over 300 yards in three of the last four games and threw for under 230 yards just three times. Coffman may have the most experience of Indiana quarterbacks. He may also be the most polished passer. Coffman can sling the ball all over the field and post huge numbers any given game. Wilson says Coffman has great anticipation, vision, and is a little daredevil in him. One would assume that the QB competition will likely come down between him and Roberson. Nate Sudfeld: Sudfeld was originally redshirted last year, but Roberson's injury forced him to play. The highly-touted quarterback appeared in seven games as a freshman last season, mostly playing a relief-type role for Cam Coffman. His best performance came against Illinois when he went 10-15, threw for 107 yards, and two touchdowns, ultimately leading the Hoosiers to victory. Overall for the season, Sudfeld passed for 632 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, along with a 62.2 completion percentage. While he had a numerous chances, he never took the starting job from Coffman. Wilson says Sudfeld has the strongest arm of the three and is a "very smart, young player, very good." Sudfeld, the youngest of the group, is a true sophomore this year, and can still be redshirted, but Wilson has said that won't happen. Indiana had the top passing attack in the Big Ten last year, and Wilson is looking to improve even more. Knowing that, all seem capable of starting, but who do you think will be the starter when the season kicks-off? Comment and tell us why. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @All_Hoosiers Follow BtownBanners on Twitter: @BtownBanners

Kevin Wilson will name a starter after practice tomorrow. Personally, I hope Tre is the starter.

Indiana's season opener against Indiana State is fast approaching. With just over a month until kick-off, the QB competition remains very tight. We examine each quarterback, and ask you one question: "Who do you think will be the starter?"As the season nears, the quarterback competition remains very tight. Tre Roberson, Cam Coffman, and Nate Sudfeld are neck-and-neck, as head coach Kevin Wilson awaits for a dynamic QB to separate from the group. Let's take a look at each QB. Tre Roberson: About halfway through his freshman season, former Indiana Mr. Football Tre Roberson claimed the starting role. In his first year, he passed for 937 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions, along with a 57.0 completion percentage. The dangerous dual-threat quarterback also ran for 426 yards and two touchdowns. In 2012, Roberson won the starting job and seemed poised for a big year. His passing looked much better, as his completion percentage raised to 66.0% compared to 57.0% in his freshman year. He seemed much more comfortable with the offense. Unfortunately, as Roberson was rushing in the redzone, he broke his leg in the second game of the year against UMASS. This derailed his season, forcing Cam Coffman and Nate Sudfeld had to fill-in during his absence. In less than two complete games played in 2012, Roberson compiled 501 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. Roberson may have the most upside and athleticism of the three vying for the starting role. Some even argue he's the most talented of the bunch. He's also won a starting job before, and thrives off the pressure and competition. If he's improved since last year, Roberson could be the dynamic quarterback Wilson wants. Kevin Wilson has noticed Roberson's dual-threat ability: "The best athlete of the crowd is probably Tre Roberson." Cam Coffman: After Roberson went down last year, Cam Coffman stepped in and played relatively well. He had his struggles, forcing Nate Sudfeld to play some QB in relief at times, but ultimately was the best quarterback for Indiana. In 11 games last year, Coffman passed for 2,743 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with a 60.7 completion percentage. He also rushed for one touchdown. He passed for over 300 yards in three of the last four games and threw for under 230 yards just three times. Coffman may have the most experience of Indiana quarterbacks. He may also be the most polished passer. Coffman can sling the ball all over the field and post huge numbers any given game. Wilson says Coffman has great anticipation, vision, and is a little daredevil in him. One would assume that the QB competition will likely come down between him and Roberson. Nate Sudfeld: Sudfeld was originally redshirted last year, but Roberson's injury forced him to play. The highly-touted quarterback appeared in seven games as a freshman last season, mostly playing a relief-type role for Cam Coffman. His best performance came against Illinois when he went 10-15, threw for 107 yards, and two touchdowns, ultimately leading the Hoosiers to victory. Overall for the season, Sudfeld passed for 632 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, along with a 62.2 completion percentage. While he had a numerous chances, he never took the starting job from Coffman. Wilson says Sudfeld has the strongest arm of the three and is a "very smart, young player, very good." Sudfeld, the youngest of the group, is a true sophomore this year, and can still be redshirted, but Wilson has said that won't happen. Indiana had the top passing attack in the Big Ten last year, and Wilson is looking to improve even more. Knowing that, all seem capable of starting, but who do you think will be the starter when the season kicks-off? Comment and tell us why. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @All_Hoosiers Follow BtownBanners on Twitter: @BtownBanners Click here to view the article

Goodluck Okonoboh has taken a big step in his recruitment. The 2014 big man has trimmed his list to five: Indiana, UNLV, Florida, Duke, and Ohio State. Louisville was once thought to be IU's main competition to snag Okonoboh until he tweeted his list. It appears that Duke may now be Indiana's toughest competition to land the defensive force. Nevertheless, 247Sports' Crystal Ball still unanimously predicts Okonoboh will be a Hoosier (http://247sports.com/Player/Goodluck-Okonoboh-15203/PlayerInstitutionPredictions). At 6-9 with freak athleticism, Okonoboh is regarded by many as top shot-blocker in the 2014 recruiting class. He's currently the number 15 ranked recruit by 247Sports and 19th by ESPN. Rivals describes his rebounding as "outstanding." Indiana seems to be getting some help in the recruiting process from Noah Vonleh, a close friend of Okonoboh. He's been to concerts and other various places with Vonleh. Okonoboh told reporters in July, "He's always in my ear about IU." Okonoboh plans to commit around November, as do many Indiana targets. Goodluck Okonoboh has made it clear that he wants to go to a program that will develop his game, which is good news for Tom Crean. “It’s a developmental program. Was Victor Oladipo even top 100? Now look at him, the No. 2 pick in the draft. It just shows you from a developmental standpoint, that Indiana is good," Okonoboh told InsideTheHall (http://www.insidethehall.com/2013/08/19/okonoboh-to-trim-list-iu-expected-to-make-cut/) (Photo via Mike Stevenson on coxsportsonline.com)

Today, 247Sports released their updated 2014 basketball recruit rankings. Hoosier targets rose and fell in the rankings, including a couple that shot up considerably. Goodluck Okonoboh (15): The long, athletic defensive force rose four spots to number 15 in 247Sports' rankings. The 6-9 center from Massachusetts is considered an IU lean by 247Sports' Crystal Ball. http://247sports.com/Player/Goodluck-Okonoboh-15203/PlayerInstitutionPredictions Isaiah Whitehead (20): Recently offered shooting guard from New York Isaiah Whitehead rose two spots in the rankings to number 20. The highly touted recruit will visit Indiana in September. He's currently considered a Syracuse lean by many, but his Crystal Ball page features an IU prediction. http://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Whitehead-18784/PlayerInstitutionPredictions James Blackmon Jr. (31): One of the top risers of the rankings, James Blackmon Jr. jumped up 15 spots to number 31. Although he recently de-committed from Indiana, Tom Crean will still recruit the talented guard. Blackmon is considered a strong UK lean. http://247sports.com/Player/James-Blackmon-Jr-11979/PlayerInstitutionPredictions LeRon Black (38): The athletic forward dropped three spots to number 38 in the rankings. The Hoosiers have made a push for Black this summer, and he will visit in September. Black just cut his list to four: Illinois, Baylor, Indiana, and Tennessee. He's considered an Illinois lean. http://247sports.com/Player/Leron-Black-15625/PlayerInstitutionPredictions Quentin Snider (51): Recent Louisville de-commit Quentin Snider dropped nine spots to 51. Although he doesn't have an offer from IU, 247Sports' Crystal Ball predcits he will end up at Indiana. http://247sports.com/Player/Quentin-Snider-12794/PlayerInstitutionPredictions Robert Johnson (53): After a sensational summer, shooting guard Rob Johnson jumped up 50 spots to 53 in the rankings. While 247Sports considers him a UNC lean, Indiana is in a good position to land him. Johnson will visit Indiana this August. His Crystal Ball page: http://247sports.com/Player/Robert-Johnson-33746/PlayerInstitutionPredictions. Trevon Bluiett: Park Tudor F Trevon Bluiett rose five spots to 54. Jerry Meyer considers him one of the top three-point shooters in the 2014 class. He's predicted to go to Michigan. http://247sports.com/Player/Trevon-Bluiett-14935/PlayerInstitutionPredictions Ahmed Hill: Dropping 19 spots, Hill comes in at 60 in the rankings. Tom Crean appears likely to ramp up Hill's recruitment after Blackmon's de-commitment. Only one has made a prediction on Hill, and he predicts Hill will end up at Florida State. Lourawls Nairn Jr. (78): The 5-10 point guard from Kansas drops seven spots to 78. He recently cut his to three, which included Indiana. Nairn will visit Indiana in September, and he has one IU prediction on his Crystal Ball page. http://247sports.com/Player/Lourawls-Nairn-Jr-24021/PlayerInstitutionPredictions Michael Humphrey (84): Like Rob Johnson, 2014 PF Michael Humphrey rose considerably in the rankings. Up 36 spots, he comes in at 84. Humphrey had a fantastic summer and Indiana seems to be in a good position with him. He does not have any Crystal Ball predictions at this time. Tom Crean is recruiting some top talent, and will likely land two or three of the players listed above. For the complete 2014 rankings, click here: http://247sports.com/Season/2014-Basketball/RecruitRankings?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool

247Sports released their latest 2014 basketball recruit rankings. See where some of Indiana's top targets are now ranked. A link to the full list is included.Today, 247Sports released their updated 2014 basketball recruit rankings. Hoosier targets rose and fell in the rankings, including a couple that shot up considerably. Goodluck Okonoboh (15): The long, athletic defensive force rose four spots to number 15 in 247Sports' rankings. The 6-9 center from Massachusetts is considered an IU lean by 247Sports' Crystal Ball. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions Isaiah Whitehead (20): Recently offered shooting guard from New York Isaiah Whitehead rose two spots in the rankings to number 20. The highly touted recruit will visit Indiana in September. He's currently considered a Syracuse lean by many, but his Crystal Ball page features an IU prediction. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions James Blackmon Jr. (31): One of the top risers of the rankings, James Blackmon Jr. jumped up 15 spots to number 31. Although he recently de-committed from Indiana, Tom Crean will still recruit the talented guard. Blackmon is considered a strong UK lean. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions LeRon Black (38): The athletic forward dropped three spots to number 38 in the rankings. The Hoosiers have made a push for Black this summer, and he will visit in September. Black just cut his list to four: Illinois, Baylor, Indiana, and Tennessee. He's considered an Illinois lean. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions Quentin Snider (51): Recent Louisville de-commit Quentin Snider dropped nine spots to 51. Although he doesn't have an offer from IU, 247Sports' Crystal Ball predcits he will end up at Indiana. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions Robert Johnson (53): After a sensational summer, shooting guard Rob Johnson jumped up 50 spots to 53 in the rankings. While 247Sports considers him a UNC lean, Indiana is in a good position to land him. Johnson will visit Indiana this August. His Crystal Ball page: http://247sports.com...tionPredictions. Trevon Bluiett: Park Tudor F Trevon Bluiett rose five spots to 54. Jerry Meyer considers him one of the top three-point shooters in the 2014 class. He's predicted to go to Michigan. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions Ahmed Hill: Dropping 19 spots, Hill comes in at 60 in the rankings. Tom Crean appears likely to ramp up Hill's recruitment after Blackmon's de-commitment. Only one has made a prediction on Hill, and he predicts Hill will end up at Florida State. Lourawls Nairn Jr. (78): The 5-10 point guard from Kansas drops seven spots to 78. He recently cut his to three, which included Indiana. Nairn will visit Indiana in September, and he has one IU prediction on his Crystal Ball page. http://247sports.com...tionPredictions Michael Humphrey (84): Like Rob Johnson, 2014 PF Michael Humphrey rose considerably in the rankings. Up 36 spots, he comes in at 84. Humphrey had a fantastic summer and Indiana seems to be in a good position with him. He does not have any Crystal Ball predictions at this time. Tom Crean is recruiting some top talent, and will likely land two or three of the players listed above. For the complete 2014 rankings, click here: http://247sports.com...roup=HighSchool Click here to view the article

It's good to see a guy like Goodluck Okonoboh ranked 15 and considered an Indiana lean. Would that have been the case five years ago? IU's main targets for 2014 are in the top 50 or just out of the top 50 (see: Johnson, Snider, and Bluiett). Crean's focus is on top talent and keeping Indiana at the top.

After de-commiting from Indiana last week, James Blackmon Jr. has seen an explosion of attention. He's added offers from numerous schools, including UK and Louisville. At the moment, Kentucky seems to be the favorites to land Blackmon. One national scouting director said, "If and when Cal offers, JB will be going to Kentucky." Blackmon is reportedly "intrigued" to follow his dad's footsteps at Kentucky, but says it isn't a main factor. One of Blackmon's AAU teammates, best friends, and fellow IU de-commit Trey Lyles is a big UK target, which could also intrigue JB. Blackmon told the Courier-Journal that chances are "big" he will take an official visit to Big Blue Madness in October, but is uncertain if Lyles will, also. Playing time as a freshman is a "main factor" to Blackmon. Since UK brings in elite talent each year, that may hamper their efforts to land Blackmon. Blackmon is also intrigued with Louisville, especially after their national championship. JaQuan Lyle, another good friend and AAU teammate of Blackmon, is a UL commit, and Trey Lyles is also being recruited by Louisville, making the three a possible package deal. Blackmon has said he's talked to both Lyle and Lyles about possibly playing together. Blackmon plans to take an unofficial visit to Louisville on August 20, and will unofficially visit UK the same day. Florida is also recruiting both Blackmon and Lyles and "each may take an official visit together to Gainseville," according to Blackmon and the Courier-Journal. Blackmon has stated Indiana is still a key player in his recruitment. He tweeted "I still love Indiana," last week and said "they have a real big shot," to the Courier-Journal. Blackmon to C-J on Indiana: "I'm just looking at it. I think that would be a good place for me." Blackmon has previously said that he may take an official visit to Hoosier Hysteria on October 4. No matter what he says publicly, odds are Blackmon won't re-commit to IU. Crean offered 2014 SG Isaiah Whitehead less than 24 hours after Blackmon's de-commitment with the pitch "Replace Blackmon." Indiana seems likely to land SG Rob Johnson, and will ramp-up their recruitment of SG Ahmed Hill. Blackmon doesn't appear to want to go to a school recruiting or signing so many players at his position, which greatly reduces the likelihood he'll be a Hoosier. James Blackmon Jr. plans to commit and sign this fall. See more on Blackmon via the Courier-Journal:

To me, it sounds like Blackmon and Indiana are mutually interested in each other, but both feel that it just won't work out between them. Crean seems to be moving on, as does JBJ. Blackmon mentioned to C-J that there's all sorts of UK stuff (pictures, memorabilia, etc.) all around his house. He's been groomed to go to and/or favor Kentucky since day one. Rob Johnson is a good replacement for Blackmon, and Whitehead may be even better. Blackmon's de-commitment doesn't really hurt IUBB as much as Hoosier Nation first feared.

See what recent IU de-commit James Blackmon Jr. has been up to and what he has to say on UK, UL, and IU.After de-commiting from Indiana last week, James Blackmon Jr. has seen an explosion of attention. He's added offers from numerous schools, including UK and Louisville. At the moment, Kentucky seems to be the favorites to land Blackmon. One national scouting director said, "If and when Cal offers, JB will be going to Kentucky." Blackmon is reportedly "intrigued" to follow his dad's footsteps at Kentucky, but says it isn't a main factor. One of Blackmon's AAU teammates, best friends, and fellow IU de-commit Trey Lyles is a big UK target, which could also intrigue JB. Blackmon told the Courier-Journal that chances are "big" he will take an official visit to Big Blue Madness in October, but is uncertain if Lyles will, also. Playing time as a freshman is a "main factor" to Blackmon. Since UK brings in elite talent each year, that may hamper their efforts to land Blackmon. Blackmon is also intrigued with Louisville, especially after their national championship. JaQuan Lyle, another good friend and AAU teammate of Blackmon, is a UL commit, and Trey Lyles is also being recruited by Louisville, making the three a possible package deal. Blackmon has said he's talked to both Lyle and Lyles about possibly playing together. Blackmon plans to take an unofficial visit to Louisville on August 20, and will unofficially visit UK the same day. Florida is also recruiting both Blackmon and Lyles and "each may take an official visit together to Gainseville," according to Blackmon and the Courier-Journal. Blackmon has stated Indiana is still a key player in his recruitment. He tweeted "I still love Indiana," last week and said "they have a real big shot," to the Courier-Journal. Blackmon to C-J on Indiana: "I'm just looking at it. I think that would be a good place for me." Blackmon has previously said that he may take an official visit to Hoosier Hysteria on October 4. No matter what he says publicly, odds are Blackmon won't re-commit to IU. Crean offered 2014 SG Isaiah Whitehead less than 24 hours after Blackmon's de-commitment with the pitch "Replace Blackmon." Indiana seems likely to land SG Rob Johnson, and will ramp-up their recruitment of SG Ahmed Hill. Blackmon doesn't appear to want to go to a school recruiting or signing so many players at his position, which greatly reduces the likelihood he'll be a Hoosier. James Blackmon Jr. plans to commit and sign this fall. See more on Blackmon via the Courier-Journal: Click here to view the article

Friend of mine, big Cuse fan who has kept up with Whitehead for awhile, told me that Whitehead is a "game closer" and "has ice in his veins." I really hope Whitehead comes to Indiana. It seems like it will come down between IU and Syracuse. Whitehead was considered a strong Cuse lean until Indiana offered. His main goal is the NBA and Indiana seems to have an advantage there because of Crean's ability to develop players the last few years. Most recruiting experts agree that his best option is Indiana for his goals. Also, remember that Crean has had good success getting in late on guys. Look at Troy Williams for example. Whitehead's recruitment will get very interesting.

Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Narrows List to Three, Will Visit IU Today, four-star 2014 PG Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn out of Kansas cut his to three: Indiana, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. Reports are that he will take an official visit to IU September 20-21. Nairn is ranked 61 nationally by Rivals and 71 by 247Sports. The 5'10" point guard will commit this fall, and is considered an Oklahoma lean by 247Sport's Crystal Ball. Whitehead Updates 2014 G Isaiah Whitehead reportedly hadn't heard from Indiana until Friday, one day after James Blackmon's de-commitment. Justin Albers tweeted that Whitehead got the offer directly from Tom Crean, their conversation lasted nearly an hour, and it was the first time the two had spoke. Whitehead said the pitch made to him is "Replace Blackmon." Isaiah Whitehead will visit Indiana this fall and will likely commit in November. He will also visit Syracuse, Miami, Arizona, and UCLA. At the moment, the number one recruit from the state of New York is considered a Cuse lean, but IU's offer has shaken up his recruitment. It's also been reported that he and Ja'Quan Newton may be a package deal. Newton recently committed to Miami. Although Crean got in on Whitehead late, Indiana appears "most definitely" in the picture to land him. Whitehead on IU: "Indiana is a legendary program with a great coach in coach Crean." Note: Crean will continue to recruit Blackmon, but it appears that Whitehead will be a higher priority than JBJ. Blackmon reportedly may take an official visit to Indiana for Hoosier Hysteria, as well. Indiana Offers a 5-star Guard Per his twitter, Indiana has offered 5-star guard Isaiah Whitehead. He tweeted, "Just Got Offered By Indiana. #BLESSED" This comes after a somewhat shocking de-commit from guard James Blackmon. Rivals ranks Whitehead number 17 nationally, while ESPN ranks him 35th and 247 Sports has him at 22. Hoosier Nation should know Whitehead's college decision soon, as he has said he will commit "probably like September." Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com's scouting report on Whitehead: "Smooth, versatile combo guard who is very advanced for his age. Shows a good feel for the game and the ability to do a bit of everything with the ball. Has a very promising future..." No one is sure of the likelihood of IU landing Whitehead, but BtownBanners will update as new information arises. James Blackmon Likely Headed to Kentucky One day after de-committing from Indiana and stating he doesn't doubt he will go to IU, all indications point to James Blackmon likely ending up in Lexington. A national scouting director told Chip Miller, "If an when Cal offers, JB will be going to Kentucky." Blackmon is reportedly "intrigued" by the possibility of following his father's footsteps at Kentucky. Blackmon Jr. himself says he isn't sure if UK has offered, but will "for sure" take a visit. Crean will reportedly continue to recruit Blackmon, but seems to be searching elsewhere for a shooting guard (see Isaiah Whitehead and Robert Johnson).

The latest Indiana Basketball recruiting news: visits, offers, commitments, quotes and more.Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Narrows List to Three, Will Visit IU Today, four-star 2014 PG Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn out of Kansas cut his to three: Indiana, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. Reports are that he will take an official visit to IU September 20-21. Nairn is ranked 61 nationally by Rivals and 71 by 247Sports. The 5'10" point guard will commit this fall, and is considered an Oklahoma lean by 247Sport's Crystal Ball. Whitehead Updates 2014 G Isaiah Whitehead reportedly hadn't heard from Indiana until Friday, one day after James Blackmon's de-commitment. Justin Albers tweeted that Whitehead got the offer directly from Tom Crean, their conversation lasted nearly an hour, and it was the first time the two had spoke. Whitehead said the pitch made to him is "Replace Blackmon." Isaiah Whitehead will visit Indiana this fall and will likely commit in November. He will also visit Syracuse, Miami, Arizona, and UCLA. At the moment, the number one recruit from the state of New York is considered a Cuse lean, but IU's offer has shaken up his recruitment. It's also been reported that he and Ja'Quan Newton may be a package deal. Newton recently committed to Miami. Although Crean got in on Whitehead late, Indiana appears "most definitely" in the picture to land him. Whitehead on IU: "Indiana is a legendary program with a great coach in coach Crean." Note: Crean will continue to recruit Blackmon, but it appears that Whitehead will be a higher priority than JBJ. Blackmon reportedly may take an official visit to Indiana for Hoosier Hysteria, as well. Indiana Offers a 5-star Guard Per his twitter, Indiana has offered 5-star guard Isaiah Whitehead. He tweeted, "Just Got Offered By Indiana. #BLESSED" This comes after a somewhat shocking de-commit from guard James Blackmon. Rivals ranks Whitehead number 17 nationally, while ESPN ranks him 35th and 247 Sports has him at 22. Hoosier Nation should know Whitehead's college decision soon, as he has said he will commit "probably like September." Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com's scouting report on Whitehead: "Smooth, versatile combo guard who is very advanced for his age. Shows a good feel for the game and the ability to do a bit of everything with the ball. Has a very promising future..." No one is sure of the likelihood of IU landing Whitehead, but BtownBanners will update as new information arises. James Blackmon Likely Headed to Kentucky One day after de-committing from Indiana and stating he doesn't doubt he will go to IU, all indications point to James Blackmon likely ending up in Lexington. A national scouting director told Chip Miller, "If an when Cal offers, JB will be going to Kentucky." Blackmon is reportedly "intrigued" by the possibility of following his father's footsteps at Kentucky. Blackmon Jr. himself says he isn't sure if UK has offered, but will "for sure" take a visit. Crean will reportedly continue to recruit Blackmon, but seems to be searching elsewhere for a shooting guard (see Isaiah Whitehead and Robert Johnson). Click here to view the article

I say Tre Roberson wins. He's the most athletic and dynamic of the group, and I have been very high on him since his freshman year. It's gonna be a fun year for iufb and I can't wait to see how good the offense is.

July 22, 2013 Zeller Sits Final Two Games, Dominates VSL Cody Zeller played four of six possible games in the Vegas Summer League, sitting the final two. All Bobcat starters sat the final two games. After a mediocre Summer League debut, Zeller finished strong, ultimately leaving a great impression. In four games, Zeller averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.80 blocks per game. In his final three games, however, he averaged a double-double, 19 points and 10.7 rebounds. He shot 26-50 (52%) from the field during the VSL, and 13-18 (72.2%). He went 0-2 from three. Zeller led the Bobcats in rebounding, was second in scoring, and second in blocks per game. In the VSL, Cody Zeller was 14th in scoring and 6th in rebounding. He was named to the All NBA Summer League team, the only rookie to earn that honor. Criticism was thrown at Bobcats owner Michael Jordon for passing on guys like Nerlens Noel and Ben McClemore and selecting Cody Zeller at number four in the 2013 draft. After Zeller's rather dominant Summer, however, the critics have quieted down, and excitement has swept over Charlotte. Many criticized Zeller's decision to leave Indiana citing, "He's not ready." While there was reason to express that specific concern, he sure looked ready for the NBA this past week. Victor Oladipo's Strong Orlando Summer League From July 7-12, former Indiana Guard Victor Oladipo played in the Orlando Summer League for the Orlando Magic. The number two overall draft pick played some experimental minutes at point guard, and had an outstanding Summer League. He was arguably the best player in the OSL. In four games, Oladipo averaged 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 37.5% from the field, but a feathery 53.8% from three. As a result of his point guard experiment, he averaged a not-so-feathery 4.8 turnovers per game. He led the Magic in scoring, assists, and steals per game, and was fourth in rebounds per game. Oladipo was clearly the go-to guy, as the second-leading scorer for Orlando, Moe Harkless, averaged six less points than him (13.0). A rather surprising stat: Oladipo led the Magic in three-point shooting percentage (min: 10 attempts). Across the entire Orlando Summer League, Victor was second in scoring. Among players who played a minimum of three games, however, Oladipo was the leading scorer. (OKC Guard Reggie Jackson averaged 19.5 points in only two games.) He was sixth in assists per game, and was T-1 in steals per game. Oladipo was T-31 in rebounds, which is impressive for a guard. Vic was named to the All NBA Summer League first team. While it's only Summer League, Oladipo appeares to be the pre-season favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year next season. It's unlikely he'll play many minutes at point guard next year, but he should start for Orlando. One word to describe Vic's Summer League: feathery. July 19, 2013 Watford Ends Summer League on a High Note On July 19, Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks played their Consolation Round game against the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls won 94-87. Watford had one of his best performances, however, ending his Summer on a high note. For the third time in five games with Dallas, Watford was in the starting line-up. He got things going, draining a three and grabbing rebounds. He also drew a foul and made both free throw shots. At the half, Watford had five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block. He wouldn't do as much in the second half, however. In the second half, Watford was scoreless, and grabbed just one more rebound. Early in the fourth, he passed up an open three, took our dribbles in the lane, missed a floater, and missed the subsequent tip-in attempt. Obviously, that's not how Watford played in his four years at Indiana. With this being his last Summer League game, Watford was clearly pressing, presumably trying to prove that he's not just a three-point shooter. He would end the game with five points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 16 minutes of play. He shot 1-6 from the field, including 1-2 from three. He was 2-2 from the free throw line. Final Summer League Analysis: Christian Watford's Summer League had ups-and-downs. He had bright moments like last night and bleak moments, including scoreless games. Now, Watford will either get an invite to a team's training camp, or he'll presumably have to play overseas. His best option for a training camp invite is probably with the Pacers, who raved about him after Rookie Camp. As an Indiana Pacer in the Orlando Summer League (three games), Watford averaged three points, 1.7 rebounds, and 12 minutes per game. In those three games, he shot 30% from the field and 25% from three. As a Dallas Maverick in the Vegas Summer League (five games), Watford averaged 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 9.8 minutes per game. He shot 25% from the field and 33% from three. Overall, in eight Summer League games, Watford averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He shot 7-26 (26.9%) and a dismal 5-17 (29.4%) from three. He did, however, shoot 2-4 (50%) from three in his final two games. July 18, 2013 Zeller Continues Summer League Dominance After a mediocre Summer League debut for Cody Zeller, Bobcat fans continued their harsh criticism of picking the big man at number four. Lately, however, excitement has replaced the criticism. On July 18, Zeller had another fantastic performance, as he led Charlotte to a 92-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Zeller just missed a third consecutive double-double. In 32 minutes of play, The Big Handsome scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished two assists, and blocked one shot. Ed Isaacson of NBA Draft Blog raved about Zeller's awareness, tweeting, "Most impressive part of watching Zeller is his awareness on both ends. Sees everything that's going on." Zeller had trouble taking care of the ball, turning it over four times. He's averaging 3.5 turnovers per game. Overall, Zeller is having a tremendous summer. In his last three games, he's averaging a double-double, 19 points and 10.7 rebounds. Zeller is shooting 22-41 (53.7%) in those three games, as well. At the moment, he leads the Bobcats in rebounding and is second in scoring. Cody Zeller will take on the D-League Select in the quarterfinals of the Vegas Summer League Tournament on Saturday, July 20. Watford Produces in Limited Minutes On Thursday night, Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks played the number one seed Golden State Warriors in the Vegas Summer League Tournament. The Warriors came back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win and advance. After the loss, the Mavs were bounced to the Consolation Bracket. Once again, Watford faced limited minutes. After playing zero minutes against the Clippers on July 17, Watford actually saw some time on the court against Golden State. His minutes were limited, however. He played three minutes. Unlike previous games, however, Watford produced in his limited time on the court. Going 1-2 from three, Watford scored three points and grabbed one rebound, a noticeable step up from previous performances. Watford and the Mavs will play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, July 19. July 16, 2013 Limited Minutes Leads to Another Scoreless Game for Watford Former Indiana forward Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks took on the D-League Select on July 16. It was each team's final game before the Vegas Summer League Tournament. The D-League Select won the contest 82-75. For the first time in a Mavericks uniform, Watford was not in the starting line-up. He quickly checked into the game mid-first quarter, however, and played until the beginning of the second. Only playing six minutes, Watford saw very limited action. He did not play after the first. Thanks in part to limited minutes, Watford went scoreless. His final stat line: zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists, and one turnover. Watford has gone scoreless in three of his last four games. All Summer, whether it's been in Orlando or Las Vegas, Watford has seen limited opportunities. His highest minute total is 18, and that came back on July 8 with the Pacers. His second-highest is 12, which came on his debut with the Mavs. The lack of minutes has caused Watford to press, which has affected his shot. Through six games, Watford is shooting a mere 27% (5-18) from the field, including 23% (3-13) from three. Both numbers are shockingly low. For comparison, Watford shot 43% from the field and 48% from three during his senior season at Indiana. Watford is averaging 2.3 points per game, but has gone scoreless in three of six. As the Vegas Summer League Tournament begins, Watford will look to find his shot and turn some heads. All he's looking for is an invite to training camp. He'll take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 10:30 PM ET. Follow @All_Hoosiers and @BtownBanners for updates on former Hoosiers in the Vegas Summer League. July 15, 2013 Cody Zeller Has Another Big Day in Bobcats Victory After a slow start in his Summer League debut, Cody Zeller has played sensational basketball lately. The nerves seem to be gone, and his confidence continues to grow. In his third Summer League game, Zeller faced the New York Knicks, looking to build off his double-double against the Mavericks in his previous game. Zeller started the day with ten first half points, which lead all Bobcat scorers going into the break. He kept things rolling early in the third, scoring six in the opening minutes. Zeller even attempted a three today, going 0-1. Ultimately, Zeller would score 18 off 7-11 shooting from the field and 4-7 from the free throw line. He was the overall second-leading scorer in the game. The Big Handsome grabbed ten boards, as well, giving him back-to-back double-doubles. With his double-double, Zeller helped lead the Bobcats to consecutive wins, improving their record to 2-1 in Summer League action. When asked about "finding his groove" in Summer League, Zeller responded, "Yeah, just a little bit. I just try to improve each game; try to learn from each game, win or lose; try to get better." After consecutive double-doubles, Zeller definitely seems to be finding his groove. He said one thing he can work on is "becoming more comfortable," which is understandable after just three Summer League games. Through three games, Cody is second on the team in points and rebounds, averaging 15.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He's also shooting a crisp 53% from the field. One thing is clear: Zeller has been very impressive over his last two games, and people are beginning to take notice. While it's too early to tell, Michael Jordan may have made the right pick at number four in the 2013 draft.

Former Indiana players Christian Watford and Cody Zeller are playing the Vegas Summer League. Watford is with the Mavericks and Zeller is with the Bobcats. See summaries for each of their games.July 22, 2013 Zeller Sits Final Two Games, Dominates VSL Cody Zeller played four of six possible games in the Vegas Summer League, sitting the final two. All Bobcat starters sat the final two games. After a mediocre Summer League debut, Zeller finished strong, ultimately leaving a great impression. In four games, Zeller averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.80 blocks per game. In his final three games, however, he averaged a double-double, 19 points and 10.7 rebounds. He shot 26-50 (52%) from the field during the VSL, and 13-18 (72.2%). He went 0-2 from three. Zeller led the Bobcats in rebounding, was second in scoring, and second in blocks per game. In the VSL, Cody Zeller was 14th in scoring and 6th in rebounding. He was named to the All NBA Summer League team, the only rookie to earn that honor. Criticism was thrown at Bobcats owner Michael Jordon for passing on guys like Nerlens Noel and Ben McClemore and selecting Cody Zeller at number four in the 2013 draft. After Zeller's rather dominant Summer, however, the critics have quieted down, and excitement has swept over Charlotte. Many criticized Zeller's decision to leave Indiana citing, "He's not ready." While there was reason to express that specific concern, he sure looked ready for the NBA this past week. Victor Oladipo's Strong Orlando Summer League From July 7-12, former Indiana Guard Victor Oladipo played in the Orlando Summer League for the Orlando Magic. The number two overall draft pick played some experimental minutes at point guard, and had an outstanding Summer League. He was arguably the best player in the OSL. In four games, Oladipo averaged 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. He shot 37.5% from the field, but a feathery 53.8% from three. As a result of his point guard experiment, he averaged a not-so-feathery 4.8 turnovers per game. He led the Magic in scoring, assists, and steals per game, and was fourth in rebounds per game. Oladipo was clearly the go-to guy, as the second-leading scorer for Orlando, Moe Harkless, averaged six less points than him (13.0). A rather surprising stat: Oladipo led the Magic in three-point shooting percentage (min: 10 attempts). Across the entire Orlando Summer League, Victor was second in scoring. Among players who played a minimum of three games, however, Oladipo was the leading scorer. (OKC Guard Reggie Jackson averaged 19.5 points in only two games.) He was sixth in assists per game, and was T-1 in steals per game. Oladipo was T-31 in rebounds, which is impressive for a guard. Vic was named to the All NBA Summer League first team. While it's only Summer League, Oladipo appeares to be the pre-season favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year next season. It's unlikely he'll play many minutes at point guard next year, but he should start for Orlando. One word to describe Vic's Summer League: feathery. July 19, 2013 Watford Ends Summer League on a High Note On July 19, Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks played their Consolation Round game against the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls won 94-87. Watford had one of his best performances, however, ending his Summer on a high note. For the third time in five games with Dallas, Watford was in the starting line-up. He got things going, draining a three and grabbing rebounds. He also drew a foul and made both free throw shots. At the half, Watford had five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block. He wouldn't do as much in the second half, however. In the second half, Watford was scoreless, and grabbed just one more rebound. Early in the fourth, he passed up an open three, took our dribbles in the lane, missed a floater, and missed the subsequent tip-in attempt. Obviously, that's not how Watford played in his four years at Indiana. With this being his last Summer League game, Watford was clearly pressing, presumably trying to prove that he's not just a three-point shooter. He would end the game with five points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 16 minutes of play. He shot 1-6 from the field, including 1-2 from three. He was 2-2 from the free throw line. Final Summer League Analysis: Christian Watford's Summer League had ups-and-downs. He had bright moments like last night and bleak moments, including scoreless games. Now, Watford will either get an invite to a team's training camp, or he'll presumably have to play overseas. His best option for a training camp invite is probably with the Pacers, who raved about him after Rookie Camp. As an Indiana Pacer in the Orlando Summer League (three games), Watford averaged three points, 1.7 rebounds, and 12 minutes per game. In those three games, he shot 30% from the field and 25% from three. As a Dallas Maverick in the Vegas Summer League (five games), Watford averaged 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 9.8 minutes per game. He shot 25% from the field and 33% from three. Overall, in eight Summer League games, Watford averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He shot 7-26 (26.9%) and a dismal 5-17 (29.4%) from three. He did, however, shoot 2-4 (50%) from three in his final two games. July 18, 2013 Zeller Continues Summer League Dominance After a mediocre Summer League debut for Cody Zeller, Bobcat fans continued their harsh criticism of picking the big man at number four. Lately, however, excitement has replaced the criticism. On July 18, Zeller had another fantastic performance, as he led Charlotte to a 92-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Zeller just missed a third consecutive double-double. In 32 minutes of play, The Big Handsome scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished two assists, and blocked one shot. Ed Isaacson of NBA Draft Blog raved about Zeller's awareness, tweeting, "Most impressive part of watching Zeller is his awareness on both ends. Sees everything that's going on." Zeller had trouble taking care of the ball, turning it over four times. He's averaging 3.5 turnovers per game. Overall, Zeller is having a tremendous summer. In his last three games, he's averaging a double-double, 19 points and 10.7 rebounds. Zeller is shooting 22-41 (53.7%) in those three games, as well. At the moment, he leads the Bobcats in rebounding and is second in scoring. Cody Zeller will take on the D-League Select in the quarterfinals of the Vegas Summer League Tournament on Saturday, July 20. Watford Produces in Limited Minutes On Thursday night, Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks played the number one seed Golden State Warriors in the Vegas Summer League Tournament. The Warriors came back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win and advance. After the loss, the Mavs were bounced to the Consolation Bracket. Once again, Watford faced limited minutes. After playing zero minutes against the Clippers on July 17, Watford actually saw some time on the court against Golden State. His minutes were limited, however. He played three minutes. Unlike previous games, however, Watford produced in his limited time on the court. Going 1-2 from three, Watford scored three points and grabbed one rebound, a noticeable step up from previous performances. Watford and the Mavs will play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, July 19. July 16, 2013 Limited Minutes Leads to Another Scoreless Game for Watford Former Indiana forward Christian Watford and the Dallas Mavericks took on the D-League Select on July 16. It was each team's final game before the Vegas Summer League Tournament. The D-League Select won the contest 82-75. For the first time in a Mavericks uniform, Watford was not in the starting line-up. He quickly checked into the game mid-first quarter, however, and played until the beginning of the second. Only playing six minutes, Watford saw very limited action. He did not play after the first. Thanks in part to limited minutes, Watford went scoreless. His final stat line: zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists, and one turnover. Watford has gone scoreless in three of his last four games. All Summer, whether it's been in Orlando or Las Vegas, Watford has seen limited opportunities. His highest minute total is 18, and that came back on July 8 with the Pacers. His second-highest is 12, which came on his debut with the Mavs. The lack of minutes has caused Watford to press, which has affected his shot. Through six games, Watford is shooting a mere 27% (5-18) from the field, including 23% (3-13) from three. Both numbers are shockingly low. For comparison, Watford shot 43% from the field and 48% from three during his senior season at Indiana. Watford is averaging 2.3 points per game, but has gone scoreless in three of six. As the Vegas Summer League Tournament begins, Watford will look to find his shot and turn some heads. All he's looking for is an invite to training camp. He'll take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 10:30 PM ET. Follow @All_Hoosiers and @BtownBanners for updates on former Hoosiers in the Vegas Summer League. July 15, 2013 Cody Zeller Has Another Big Day in Bobcats Victory After a slow start in his Summer League debut, Cody Zeller has played sensational basketball lately. The nerves seem to be gone, and his confidence continues to grow. In his third Summer League game, Zeller faced the New York Knicks, looking to build off his double-double against the Mavericks in his previous game. Zeller started the day with ten first half points, which lead all Bobcat scorers going into the break. He kept things rolling early in the third, scoring six in the opening minutes. Zeller even attempted a three today, going 0-1. Ultimately, Zeller would score 18 off 7-11 shooting from the field and 4-7 from the free throw line. He was the overall second-leading scorer in the game. The Big Handsome grabbed ten boards, as well, giving him back-to-back double-doubles. With his double-double, Zeller helped lead the Bobcats to consecutive wins, improving their record to 2-1 in Summer League action. When asked about "finding his groove" in Summer League, Zeller responded, "Yeah, just a little bit. I just try to improve each game; try to learn from each game, win or lose; try to get better." After consecutive double-doubles, Zeller definitely seems to be finding his groove. He said one thing he can work on is "becoming more comfortable," which is understandable after just three Summer League games. Through three games, Cody is second on the team in points and rebounds, averaging 15.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He's also shooting a crisp 53% from the field. One thing is clear: Zeller has been very impressive over his last two games, and people are beginning to take notice. While it's too early to tell, Michael Jordan may have made the right pick at number four in the 2013 draft. Click here to view the article

Last season, I was at the game when Etherington got hurt. When Austin came in the game, I leaned over to my dad and said, "You know, I really think Austin could be a very good player if he got an extended opportunity." Etherington then proceeded to miss two free-throws and injure his knee, but I still believe he can be a very good player. He's a leader and can shoot. He's an underrated athlete, too. Hoping he gets back to 100% and plays really well this year. Great mentor to the young guys.