Hoosier_Cat_42

   I've been thinking a lot about next season and what type of a team we'll have.  I know the overall morale of our fan base right now is negative, and everyone sees next year as being a down year for the 2nd year in a row, but I'm not so sure just yet.  Now, to make it clear, I definitely do not see us being great or anything, but I think we'll be better than we were this past year.  I also think our team will be heavily overlooked, which I think works to our advantage... I see our team flourishing in those underdog environments (kind of like 2011-2012, but not quite that good).  By the end of the season, I think we'll have played well enough to make the NCAA tourney; probably as a 8 or 9 seed.      Crean wants to play a fast paced game, scoring in transition and playing a lot of guards and versatile forwards. Next year, we'll have a sick back court with Yogi and Blackmon, plus Rob Johnson as a solid back up who can play the 1 or 2.  We'll also have a few talented wing players that I expect to be much improved after a summer in the gym in Troy and Stan.  I expect big seasons from both of them.  And lets not forget Hoetzel; I think he could be a 6-8 Matt Roth type player.  We will not be lacking in the outside shooting department anymore with these incoming freshmen.  Then you have Hanner and Devin who can bang down low (plus the possibility of Cunningham too, who I think is way underrated).  I imagine that both of these guys- HP and DD- will improve over the summer, especially Davis.      So, a starting line up that looks something like: (I think we can have a 3 man rotation w our guards)           - Yogi (back up- RJ)      - JBJ (back up- RJ)      - SR (back up- MH)      - TW (back up DD) possibly Cunningham too.      - HP (back up TBT)      I just see this working out pretty well given Yogi and JBJ's capabilities.  We all complain about how we never utilize our big men in the past... well what makes us think that the lack of a big man is going to have such a tremendous impact on our season next year.  We just need a couple bodies who can bang, scrap, rebound and defend other bigs, which I think (with a little more work over the summer) Hanner and Devin can do.  We don't need our bigs to be great offensive threats or anything.    Look at UConn vs UK in the Nat'l Championship game.  That's proof that great guard play can beat a team that's huge and has great low post play.  I'm optimistic of next year's potential.  It will be a totalIy different style.    I just feel like we need to try and be a little more supportive and optimistic of our team next year as a fan base.  I feel bad for the kids who are a part of this team right now.  It's depressing to get on these message boards lately and pray to god our players / recruits aren't getting on these boards.  I'm making the choice to think that we will be the surprise team next year, and we're going to be solid and competitive all season, including beating UofL and Purwho!  GO HOOSIERS!!!!!!        

  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.

Robert Johnson will be great for us!  I see him being a fan favorite!   - here's a little video of him practicing for the Derby Festival Classic events later today and tomorrow.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97OI0DOKSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97OI0DOKSo

I agree many are underestimating RJ, but I don't see him fitting in the starting line up.  He will eventually be a starting guard for the Hoosiers (as a soph or junior), but not with Yogi and Blackmon available.  With that being said, I do think RJ will become one of my all time favorite Hoosiers.  He's just a great kid (from everything I've read and seen) and he's smart both on and off the court too.  Great shooter and great decision maker; everything you want in a guard.  I bet he will see significant minutes as a freshman, and he'll be one of the first off the bench, but I can't see him start over Yogi or JBJ (not that it matters whether or not he starts; either way he'll play a lot of minutes).  I hope he's here for 4 years!   I'll be watching him tonight and tomorrow night with the Derby Classic events going on.  He'll be at Floyd Central High School this evening for the Night of Future Stars.  Any of you other southern Indiana Hoosier fans should try and come out to support RJ and Max today and tomorrow!  Go IU!!!

Considering the possibility of decommiting from Cal and I heard Indiana has already shown interest. He's 6'9" and 220lbs. Had some decent schools looking at him before he committed to Cal last year. Thoughts?

Crean leaving for Tennessee is definitely not going to happen. That's probably the most rediculous thing I've heard in a while.

Very true. Hanner is a perfect example of that. I thought, based off highlight footage of him in high school, that Hanner Perea would have been for us, what Montrez Harrell is for UofL, but that's obviously far from the actual case. However... at this point of our last second recruiting efforts towards trying to find a big for next year, highlights that show me a big, tall, strong guy who can run & jump, or better yet, catch an alley oop and finish the dunk, are more than enough to please me. Sad, but true. We're in desperation mode. I feel that whichever unrated center we end up with will play a role next year, but eventually be another transfer out of Crean's system. Cunningham is the only incoming class of 2014 freshman that I see left out there that's the real deal. There are maybe some transfers or jucos that are decent, but other than that, there's really no one coming in.

You're right. 6'11" and 230lbs per yahoo sports. I think he was listed 6'9" on ESPN, but maybe that was an older measurement that I found or something. So, even better!

All I'm saying is: I really hope we land him, and I'm disappointed that IU could potentially lose out on a recruiting battle to Bradley. As for the 4 spot thing, surely this kid knows the 4 spot in IU's system is essentially what the 3 spot is in a traditional system. He'd get plenty of opportunities to showcase his outside skills if that's a deciding factor. I still think the 4 spot, from what I've seen on this kid, would give him the best chance to be successful. He's not a ball handler or anything, and he likes to crash the boards and play inside a little, so I think it's perfect. I'd also like to think our coaching staff would be able to sell him on these points as well.

I think he'd be a solid option in 2015. It'd be nice if we had him, plus someone like Daniel Giddens in the paint. I hope we get him. Shoulder surgery doesn't scare me like knee surgery would.