Stuhoo

  I don't think he'll help very much ON the court during high-level games.    BUT, it takes more than talent to win games, and we already have plenty of talent in our first seven. He can contribute with maturity, practice habits, sense of humor, being a leader or sounding board for young players...just the kind of thing we needed desperately last year and did not have.   Last year we were lacking shooting and leadership/character, don't you agree? If we can get some leadership/character from Nick Z then he's a good choice for the 12th (yes, 12th!) scholly.

  The spot would not be empty during practice, and in the locker room. And if there were injuries.   It can't be just anybody. It must be a player that (as trite as the statement is) 'buys in', is a good influence, has reasonable expectations, and is not scared to play if needed.

He IS Etherington.    For next year only.   When we have two open schollys.   And because Etherington is not on the team anymore.   Would you rather the spot remain completely empty?

Psssst... I heard that Coach Crean, in seeking to fill our eleventh roster spot, had a choice between Nick Zeisloft or a five star, four year, 4.0 student, Indiana native, rebounding machine. He may choose Zeisloft just to piss off welder332!  

We only have 10 active scholly players heading into this year. We have only eight who are capable of being rotation players. If we have as much as a sprained ankle we don't have enough guys to run five on five in practice!   If we sign a great student, a great kid for team chemistry, who has logged many minutes against D1 competition, and who would not affect the scholly situation going forward, that's a VERY good idea.   You do realize Nick Zeisloft averaged 25.7 minutes for a D1 team last year, and shot 90.0% from the ft line?  You would rather have Tim Priller play as a freshman if we had foul/injury trouble?   Let's put it this way; we're on the road in the B1G up by two with the ball with 45 seconds left in the game. Max Hoetzel sprained his ankle and Rojo is back in Virginia for his sister's cousin's daughter's birthday. Devin, and Stan fouled out. Who do you put in the game...Tim Priller, Jeremiah April, or Nick Zeisloft? If you don't pick NZ you're bonkers.

  Bullcookies!   Of course we should bank it for '15, but why not spend it for one year on a high-character kid who can play a little?!?

  Nope...he'd be a grad student coming in. He'd only tie up a '15 if we agreed he would. We are a four year scholly school for incoming freshmen.   Look for a new Hoosier soon?

Never mind... found it!  One year of a great kid and practice player who has D1 game experience. In return NZ gets a scholly year as an IU MBA? If so...I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   "Zeisloft, who redshirted as a freshman after coming from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, plans to graduate this summer with a bachelor’s degree in finance. That means he will be immediately eligible at any Division I school for his final two seasons. “It was an absolute pleasure to coach Nick over these past two years,” said Muller. “I fully support Nick and his decision to earn a ‘top 50’ business degree while finishing his basketball career over the next two years and wish him nothing but the best.” Zeisloft averaged 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while making a team-high 60 3-pointers. When Muller suspended forward Michael Middlebrooks after four games, the 6-foot-4 Zeisloft was inserted as a starter in a four-guard lineup and played the back row in the Redbirds’ 2-3 zone. A three-time winner of the MVC’s Scholar Athlete of the Week award, Zeisloft carries a 3.71 grade-point average. He plans to pursue a master of business administration degree. “After a lot of consideration this is the best decision for me moving forward in life as I pursue academic goals and future life ambitions,” said Zeisloft."

  It's ok...Cheer up lil' fella!

I would hope that if it's a 2014, he's over 6'5" AND has only one year of eligibility left (ie - grad transfer or JUCO).   If so, then it's ok.

  It would be a very strange time of year for a 2015 to take an official visit.    Is there any precedence for official visits when the campus is this quiet?

I think i know who:   He's currently unaffiliated after recently renouncing his prior commitment. He plays BIG. He once verballed to Ohio State, but never played there. He still has four years of college eligibility. He has lots of family in the Midwest. He's gotten a big thumbs up recommendation about Coach Crean from one of CTC's former players.     It's... It's... It's...     Lebron "Candy Stripes" James!!

Somebody educate me:   Is it too early for a 2015 official visit, or does this have to be a 2014 official visit?

I think that "minutes available" is a big determining factor with any ready-to-play/top 30 ranked guard looking at IU for 2015.      At least one year behind four other guards is tough to swallow for a top 50 recruit that wants to be an immediate rotation player. Of course, that changes if Yogi leaves after three years (not all that likely) or JB2 is a one and done (not likely, but possible).    If you get into a top 100 guard recruit (ala Shake) or a three star (ala Austin Conway) I think that the recruit's freshman year playing expectations are notably different.

  So in reality, it's Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois remaining, in that current order of preference.   I'm guessing the Boilers don't get him! ;)

  Wow.  Looks like "Creaning" should be re-defined as "pretty much an average number of transfers".

    Perfect.   And....now you know why Jimmy Whitt is an intelligent, respectful young man. His Dad's the real deal AND spent time in Assembly Hall rooting for the Candy Stripes!

Perfect fit; combo who leans toward pg.   Perfect attitude.   Wants a college program where fans are invested in basketball, not football.   Yes, please.

"welder332": Fire Tom Crean and do it NOW!!! Thank you. It is against board policy to hurl personal insults at another poster. I would simply remind you that in ancient Bolivian mythical proverbs, calling someone "a gigantic oozing pustule on the festering wart of an ass" was considered NOT an insult, but instead was a common greeting for a summer evening. Therefore, welder332, on this summer evening I will NOT levy a personal insult at you, and instead will remind you that YOU are a gigantic oozing pustule on the festering wart of an ass.

No inside info, but I know that we had interest in Shane Hall a few years ago. He committed early to Marshall, but his coach just 'vamoosed', and he's a free agent as of two days ago. See the article snippet:   Monday, June 23, 2014 MARSHALL BASKETBALL: Source: Freshman Hall leaves Herd hoops team by Derek Redd, Marshall beat writer The Marshall men’s basketball career of incoming freshman Shane Hall has ended before he ever suited up for a Thundering Herd game. Hall, a 6-foot-9 forward from Johnson Central High in Paintsville, Ky., has left the team, a Daily Mail source said Monday night. Hall entered Huntington with impressive credentials. A two-time Kentucky All-State first-team pick, he was a Mr. Basketball finalist this past season, averaging 17.4 points and 10.7 rebounds and leading the state with 4.9 blocks per game. He finished his Johnson Central career as the school’s all-time leading rebounder. His 474 career blocks are second in state history behind former Marshall star J.R. VanHoose’s 541. Hall said last week that one of the reasons he maintained his commitment to Marshall after Herrion’s departure as coach was that assistant Mark Cline remained and joined new coach Dan D’Antoni’s staff.       Shane Hall Power Forward Paintsville, KY (Johnson Central)  0.8739 COMP183 PF44 KY3 247Sports Player Ranking  88 Top247187 PF46 KY4 Industry Average Rank: NA Industry Average Information  

    A few things:   1) That was a great post - your honesty and passion shines. 2)  As frustrating as it may seem, BtownBanners is (In my opinion) the least 'trash our players' board out there. It may be hard to believe, but man o man some of the other boards are brutally unrealistic and cynical. 3) You know SO MUCH MORE about the reality of IU basketball than the other posters on this board (myself certainly included). That dynamic affects some people who aren't 'in the know' in a negative way. They speculate very loudly; they're not naturally optimistic people by nature; and hurtful, inaccurate stuff is posted.   That's why reading the board is a great way to take the temperature of our fanbase; depending on where and who you look at, our fanbase is smart, passionate, knowledgeable, unknowledgeable, moronic, fantastic, optimistic, realistic, unrealistic, hopeful...in other words, it reflects the entire range of emotions you see in these usually unfiltered posts.    Having someone with a real knowledge of the program that feels such pride in our players and the future is FAR more interesting and relevant than most any other post we'll see. It is very, very much appreciated, and people should take careful note.   For What It's Worth, I'll give you my take on Indiana University basketball going forward: I. CAN'T. WAIT!

  "Lifelong fan of a team' is relevant, but it doesn't clinch very many deals. Once a kid gets on campus, gets into the mix with his future teammates, and gets into a relationship with the coaching staff, that's when the rubber hits the road.

First team all-state in Michigan as a sophomore is no small feat!   Reminds me a lot of incoming Purdue big Isaac Haas.

However, with the B1G moving toward four year schollys, we have to be careful to not have too many project players on the team at once.

Want to know the skinny on Kentucky resident Eli Wright?  Gotta go into the mouth of the beast.   Kentucky Sports Radio has an article on Eli that has a really good comment section, including info from folks who see him play in-person at Apollo High:   http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/is-owensboros-eli-wright-a-name-to-watch/   FYI; I know it's early, but for what it's worth all three 247 crystal ball projections have Eli to IU.