Hoosier_Cat_42

  I think UofL will have a giant upper hand, if they didn't already, when we play next year.  KJ knows everyone on our team, their strengths, their weaknesses, and he'll be able to point out good strategies for how top play against his former team.  I already figured we'd get beat, but now I'm almost certain.  Pitino > Crean and now Pitino w/ KJ >>>>>>>>> Crean (no comparison).  WE'LL GET BEAT BY 20+!!! DANG IT!!!  It's becoming very difficult to remain positive... :banghead:

  Well, if Wesley is considering 10 schools, that means we have a 10% chance, however I thought I heard that Michigan and Indiana were amongst his favorites, but let's say I didn't (since I can't recall where I read that)... So, we have a 10% chance.   Gant is still committed to Mizzou, so as of right now, there's a 0% chance we land him.  Most of what I read says he's staying there.  So Wesley is probably just a little more likely.  I hope I'm wrong.  Id rather have Gant, just seems very doubtful.

  "Gant has specifically said he's down to two schools "if" he leaves Missouri."   "If" is the key word.  I know he would be a great pick up, and I'd agree that he would be preferred over Wesley, but this all depends on whether or not he leaves Mizzou.  I don't feel like he's leaving though.  So, I'm not really considering him a real possibility until I hear he's officially leaving Mizzou.  If he does re-open his recruitment, I hope we go all in on him. 

Oh, and I posted this in the Josh Cunningham thread, but here it is on this one too...   Video interview w/ Cunningham... I'm sure you'll think what I thought, which was "Wow! How have our coaches not convinced this kid to come play for our program? He literally sounds like the PERFECT fit for Crean's system (right down to the terminology - 'deflections', 'transition', etc.).  Seems like he wants to play the transition style game at the 4 (he mentions working on post skills is why I say the 4 spot thing). Regardless, it sure seems like we had everything this guy could want according to his interview... I'll be mad if we miss out after hearing this.  I want this kid on our team more than anyone!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IgEevSHexg

Cunningham and Wesley.  I believe that would be best and provide the best depth for us NEXT YEAR! Anyone who has to sit out a year (other than Anderson, bc I believe he's worth the wait since we need a low post presence) is not an attractive option to me at this point.  We need to turn things around next year, or 2015-2016 won't matter, bc Crean will likely have his contract bought out if we suck next year, then we'll be rebuilding again with a new coach anyways.  Just to be clear:  I think we'll be decent next year (fast paced and improved from last year), but as far as my ideal opinion of what needs to happen with recruits right now, I think it's important to focus on next year, and what can help us now. Doesn't Harris have to sit a year?  If not, then I'd take him over Wesley, but if so, he's not a "must have" given we'll already be deep with guards that year (JBJ will be back) - we need bigs instead.  Only reason I'm saying Wesley is bc he could provide experience and scoring ability immediately, and he wont use a scholarship in 2015-2016, so that can go to Daniel Giddens (wishful thinking).   Here's how I see the ideal line-up if Cunningham and Wesley both happen:   1.) Yogi (true point, needs to be the leader) 2.) JBJ (scores from anywhere on the floor and can handle the ball) 3.) Wesley (shooter) 4.) TW (I like that he's handling the ball less, and cutting to get open more when in this position) 5.) HP (hopefully improved again, as he did from Fresh. to Soph.)   Play fast tempo bball! Avg. upper 70's or low 80's points per game.   back-ups at each position:   1.) Rob J. (smart player, decent handle, creates plays and can shoot/score) 2.) Stan R. (can handle the ball and get to the basket) 3.) Max H. (underrated shooter - better than Hartman) 4.) Cunningham and D. Davis (work horses on the glass w/ versatile skills) 5.) J. April (big and tall - dirty work, scrap, rebound, defend the paint) ***5.)*** Peter Jurkin??? (also a back up at the 5, if he's healthy)     I think this could be a solid team depending on 4 important X-factors:   1.) Can Wesley mesh in right away and get along/play his role? 2.) How much will Hanner improve this summer? 3.) How much stronger, and bigger/heavier can J. April get before November? 4.) Troy Williams and his all around development (especially shooting)*** He must become consistent.   sorry so long... and I drifted off topic a little.

Wow, and to follow up my previous post... I now suddenly wonder how we're not in great shape with this guy.  I haven't really found much to go on as far as JC's personality or game style preferences. But I just found this youtube video w a recent interview...  He literally sounds like he's describing Tom Crean's style (even the terminology with "deflections") when he talks about how he wants to play and his mindset is a perfect fit.  He also sounds like he wants to get out and run in transition.  And lastly, I know some of us thought maybe he wants to play outside, but this interview makes it seem more like he wants to do whatever is needed of him.  He mentions working on his post game.  Seems like a true 4 man to me, which is where we would play him.   Now I'm going to be even more frustrated if we don't land him... He sounds like a PERFECT fit!  How have we not sold him on our system and received a commitment from him yet???  Jeez...... :banghead:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IgEevSHexg

I hate it, but I feel like he's going to South Carolina.  I really wanted this kid to he a Hoosier.  I just can't make myself believe that we have a shot with him anymore.   The optimistic side of me says that he is clearly unsure of where he wants to attend, which I believe is proven in all the extra visits as of late and especially all the pushed back dates for an announcement.  So, being unsure makes me think - surely IU was the most appealing visit, most intriguing atmosphere, and best overall quality basketball school of all the possibilities on his plate..., right?    But then the pessimistic side of me, and in this particular case- the realistic side, believes that he'll go with one of the schools he visited recently.  South Carolina or St. Johns.  Because if he really liked IU that much, why would he keep taking up lower level schools on their offers to visit?  Why would he push back his decision multiple times?  Is it only because he's unsure? Or is it the fact that he really just hasn't found what he's looking for yet?  My guess is, he went cold on IU after all the transfers and uncertainty around the program following the end of the season.  It was about that time when things seemed to cool off with him, and I haven't heard anything since then to make me feel like we're even in the running still.   Hopefully he surprises me!  He'd be a great addition for us!  Does anyone know when a decision will be made?

Here's an interview with Jeremiah's HS coach.  I'd say it's encouraging.  I didn't realize he is up to 235lbs already.  If Je'Nay can put another 15lbs on this kid he'd be 250lbs.  That, along with being "at least" 7ft tall, is enough weight and size to bang in the paint.  Probably not going to be a starter next year, but sounds like he can give Hanner a good breather from time to time next year.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMVspzngGgo

      Hope you guys are right.  We'll find out soon enough.

  You're right that the PJ highlights were mainly blocks and some dunks, but there were a few that showed he had range to 15 feet.  There were also a couple video's that showed a nice free throw stroke from PJ too.  But ultimately, I made that comparison from a mix of PJ's highlight videos AND seeing PJ play in person, compared with the only video of April that I've found so far (the one in this thread).  I guess you can't go off one video of April, but that's all we've got so far.  Anyone who has seen PJ play in person, especially just shooting around in practice, knows that he can easily knock down open 15 foot jump shots all day.  So even if the highlight clips didn't show it, I still think it is easy to see similarities in PJ and JA.  Dare I say it, I think a healthy PJ may even be better. I've uploaded a video from back when we signed PJ.  Watch at the 00:13 mark, and even better, the 00:50 mark (showed him making a great shot fake move and taking it to the basket for the reverse jam). Like I said, I hope JA ends up surprising people, but I still think he'll only be able to contribute as much as PJ was able to his first two years in the Big Ten; which was ZERO.  However, with no Zeller or Vonleh in the line up, they may both get their chances to show what they've got this year.   Peter Jurkin Video I referenced above: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa7QVjsUN3o

So when exactly is he announcing a decision now???

Peter Jurkin 2.0 Hope I'm wrong, but that's what I'm callin'. Go back in youtube and watch Jurkin's high school highlights... They're pretty similar. I'm glad we got him and everything, I'm just being honest about where my expectations are for him. Hope he turns out way better and has just been flying under the radar the whole time. Speaking of Peter Jurkin, what's the deal with him? Is he hurt? Has he been hurt from day 1 at IU? Or is he just so bad that he NEVER leaves the bench? I'm just curious if there's a legit reason for him having basically zero playing time?

I was at the night of future stars thing tonight watching him and RJ. Max shot it very well in the 3pt shoot out, and RJ looked good too. However... No way he's 6'8". He looked noticeably smaller when standing next to the 6'9" & 6'10" kids. They listed him at 6'7" at this event and I'd say that's close, but he might be as small as 6'6" and a half. Just my guess.

No. They play the final round tomorrow at half time of the classic. Max just had the high score today.