Class of '66 Old Fart

A rare report from the Pro16 circuit. Gavin Placide with a double-double in a 52-48 win. 18p; 11r; 2a EYBL and 3SSB make game results and player info available at no charge, albeit 3SSB could do a better job. Even UAA provides game info usually later rather than sooner but at least they make the info available at no charge. Puma Pro16 which is basically a start-up venture on the AAU shoe circuit expects me to pay for that kind of information. Guess again Puma.

This is very good news to potentially have 5 games under our belt before the actual season starts. https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/peegscom-sources-indiana-baylor-discussing-playing-exhibition-game-in-indianapolis-251676735/

Bits and pieces been getting posted in different threads so we'll try to start consolidating as much as possible. Nov. 9 - Marquette in Chicago Nov. 25 - Kansas State in Bloomington https://www.on3.com/teams/indiana-hoosiers/news/indiana-to-host-kansas-state-in-november-in-non-conference-clash/ Dec. 6 - Louisville in Indy Dec 13 - Kentucky in Lexington

https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/07/09/iu-basketball-offers-scholarship-to-class-of-2026-five-star-forward-miikka-muurinen/

Sam Kayser @KayserHoops 2026 5-star Miikka Muurinen is down to seven schools, he told @LeagueRDY: Arkansas Michigan Kentucky Indiana NC State North Carolina Duke

New name to keep in mind. '27 CG Jalen Brown who attends Wauwatosa West HS in Milwaukee, WI. He plays for Power 5 16U on the 3SSB circuit where he's averaging 20.1p; 2.9r; 2.3a; 1.6s 247

Might as well get it started sooner rather than later and this is a name I'm sure we'll hear more of in the next couple of years. Jaylan Mitchell attends Evansville Reitz HS and played up for Bradley Beal Elite on the EYBL circuit and already has offers to Illinois and Arizona State. The 6'6 guard avg'd 13.5 ppg & 5.2 rpg. Had a great Peach Jam in July and had 20 or more in 2 of 5 games. 40% 3pt %.

I'll readily admit I was highly skeptical we'd ever get an OV. And while he could still commit elsewhere before October, the fact that an OV has been scheduled IMO is a tribute to our new staff's recruiting efforts. Another story on the visit. https://www.on3.com/teams/indiana-hoosiers/news/2026-4-star-guard-deron-rippey-jr-sets-indiana-official-visit/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLeAodleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqwsVuNpov4VJjkTGqu2fB221BD4LQwVbWjEopfBTO1dHmOxAZdG_f_zJ-KI_aem__AfP_ehQGW_yR34qw5kZNQ

Selected highlights from day 1 of the EYBL event Cloer - 22p on 9-13 FG; 2-6 on 3s; 2-2 FT; 2r; 4t Hampton - 18p on 6-13 FG; 0-1 on 3s 5-11 FT; 5r; 1a; 1t; 2s Howard - 21p on 8-12 FG; 2-4 on 3s; 3-5 FT; 6r; 3a; 3t; 1s; 2b Moody - 7p on 3-8 FG; 1-2 on 3s; 0 FT; 1r; 3a; 0t; 2s; 0b J. Smith - 14p on 4-8 FG; 6-7 FT; 5r; 2a; 3t; 3s; 0b L. Smith - 14p on 4-15 FG; 2-8 on 3s; 4-6 FT; 8r; 1a; 0t; 1s; 0b Spears - 18p on 6-12 FG; 1-2 on 3s; 5-6 FT; 13r; 3a; 3t; 0s; 2b Taylor - 12p on 5-7 FG; 1-6 on 3s; 2-2 FT; 6r; 6a; 1t; 2s; 0b D. Thompson - 15p on 6-14 FG; 1-6 on 3s; 2-2 FT; 6r; 6a; 1t; 2s; 0b

Selected 3SSB highlights from Wed. and Thurs. As I mentioned before, 3SSB isn't providing individual game box scores so what's below is collected from various twitter accounts. Allmond - 13p and a 17p 8r game Anderson - 27p on 9-17 FG Barnes - 14p 5r 6a and a 16p 2r game Branch - 28p on 8-18 FG; 6-11 on 3s; 6-6 FT and 6r Diane - 22p on 8-11 FG; 6-6 FT; 13r and 20p on 5-7 FG; 13r Gardner - 24p and a 27p game on 11-13 FG with comments that he couldn't be stopped in the lane. Kinney - 18p Lyons - 14p on 5-9 FG; 4-4 FT; 4r; 3a A. Thompson - 16p and 35p on 10-12 FG; 2-8 on 3s; 6r

Nice update from Andershock on who we watched at the EYBL event yesterday, https://247sports.com/college/indiana/longformarticle/indiana-hoosiers-basketball-recruiting-july-evaluation-period-notebook-thursday-nike-eybl-251664538/#2668951

https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/07/11/iu-basketball-2025-26-non-conference-opponent-preview-buy-game-opponents/

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/indiana-basketball-recruiting-iu-coach-darian-devries-and-his-staff-are-on-the-road-as-the-first-july-evaluation-period-begins-today-251641593/

Nice Wednesday 3SSB summary from Andershock https://247sports.com/college/indiana/longformarticle/indiana-hoosiers-recruit-basketball-watching-adidas-3ssb-palmetto-road-notebook-251639448/#2668678

All 3 major circuits are playing today and coaching staffs can be present so we should get more indications over the next couple of days of who the staff is truly prioritizing in the '26 class. More from yesterday's 3SSB. From Samad Hines - NBA scouts have been all over Bruce Branch III the last few months and it showed why tonight — a 6-foot-7+ with a 3-and-D archetype, utilizes his long arms and athleticism, and an elite 3PT shot maker. 28 points; 44% FG; 6 threes and 6 boards tonight Paul Biancardi on Branch - Bruce Branch III was impressive and efficient, scoring 28 points: 8/18 FG, 6/11 from three-point range, and 6/6 from the free-throw line for the Compton Magic. Game Analysis: He possesses excellent positional size, with a long frame measuring 6’7” and a 7’1” wingspan. His triple-threat ball skills feature fluid movements. He scores within the flow and rhythm of the possession. He is gaining confidence and demonstrating elite scoring tools, including shooting range, accuracy, touch, footwork, a controlled handle, and passing ability.

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-basketball-recruiting-hoosiers-offer-2026-5-star-forward-miikka-muurinen/

D1 Minnesota defeats Indiana Elite 65-55. Anthony Thompson 16p 8r in the loss

Jeff Borzello - Incredibly clutch performance by five-star Deron Rippey Jr. Contested 3 in final seconds of regulation to send game to OT. Then a game-tying layup with six seconds left in overtime — followed by a game-winning steal and assist on the next possession. In OT, New Heights 79, Wildcat Select 77. Deron Rippey 22pts, 11asts for NH. Taylen Kinney 18pts, 5asts, 4rebs for WS. And it's been reported that Rippey has said he intends to visit IU.

Andershock - Final/OT: Iowa United 71, Phenom United 66. Iowa United caught fire from three with about eight minutes left to flip the game. Arafan Diane 22p, 13r The Daily Hoosier reported he plans to take visits in September but Diane did not name names.

I've not found an X account for him, but he has posted our logo on his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/muurinen.miikka/

Per the link, he's not playing AAU ball this summer after having played for Bradley Beal Elite (EYBL) last summer. https://www.on3.com/teams/indiana-hoosiers/news/indiana-basketball-extends-offer-to-2026-five-star-forward-miikka-muurinen/

6'10" PF attends AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, AZ. In the ITH link above, it states he plans to announce his top 7 schools on Friday so the timing of our offer is weird. Strong connection to UNC as his mother, Jenni Laaksonen, played for Sylvia Hatchell at UNC in the early 2000s. NBA Draft Room 247 Rivals On3 FIBA Stats Zagsblog Jan 2025

I think you can probably scratch Holt off your dance cards. Noticeable absence of any B1G schools Joe Tipton - Caleb Holt has locked in official visits to Alabama and Auburn, source tells @Rivals. The 6-5 guard and top-5 player in the 2026 class is also planning to visit both Kansas and Kentucky, per source.