Yogi's Picnic Basket

Truth is UNC has a few upperclassmen who more than deserve to play. Brandon Randolph shot 45% from 3 last year, he has to get more minutes. Leaky Black is a guard in a forward body who was ranked pretty high. Seventh Woods has been waiting patiently. Andrew Platek is likely to see some time. Add in Cole Anthony & Jeremiah Francis as well as possibly Rayjon Tucker or Christian Keeling coming, I just don't see it unless Harris is worried about being ready to workouts due to his rehab. I have heard he may only take the 2 visits & try to decide by the end of next week.

He told me some of his top schools he likes are Nevada, Michigan, UVA, UNC and Kansas. IU is in there, but they will have stiff competition. Rayjon Tucker is UNC's first choice & Kansas is involved with a few guys as well. Utomi isn't in a hurry at all it sounds like. I'm gonna wait for his top schools to be announced before I get to serious about him & IU.

Jamie Dixon being mentioned as a UCLA possibility. They have a good class that could open things up & of course Desmond Bane COULD grad transfer. Dream scenario at least lol.

Akron Grad transfer Daniel Utomi tells IU has reached out & he is gonna get a Final list together this week. He is very interested in IU. Jeff Goodman has reported that Anthony Duruji from Louisiana Tech has IU interest as well. He is a sit out transfer. He can shoot & is a exceptional athlete.

I would think IU is definitely on the outside looking in on this one. Quinones sounds like he wants to visit UM, but no mention of IU lately really. If Archie got an in home I'd be more confident, but sounds like it is Memphis, Maryland or Michigan as a dark horse looking in. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't popped for Memphis yet.

Jalen Windham can flat out shoot it. He's not a spot up shooter either, which is awesome. He can create his own shots & plays hungry. Ben Davis had a few really good players, so Windham's stats may not pop off the page, but he does have a little Desmond Bane in him. I'm not saying he's gonna be him, but it wouldn't shock me either. With Brunk visiting today it means Archie is more focused on him since until the quiet/dead period is over, he can't really do much as far as in homes or use official visits. Brunk is doing an unofficial which is an option for other guys too, but this late most will likely wait a week.

I will say if we take a chance on someone like Windham or Roderick, then DG is starting. Rob & Durham aren't enough shooting to make things work unless Hunter is healthy & his shot looks good. Then maybe DG doesn't have to start, but I just think that kid is sold more than ever on his role & will have a big senior year. I'm very excited about next years team & maybe more so than this years, but Archie HAS to get guys that can play a role from day 1. 2, 3 or 4 or however many spots need to go to guys that can play now, but only 1 or 2 are likely needed to play more than 20 mpg.

Lewis sounds like he will be back at Bama & a full court press of Watford will take place. Lewis, Petty & Watford make things a lot easier to come into for all 3. Petty is back for sure already. With Moore & Romeo likely gone that leaves 2 spots. If Brunk is taking one Archie has to be careful of where he turns for the last spot. I have heard we will at least one more spot open. Jake, Damezi are my most likely just because they would have 3 years of on court time so a new situation would benefit them greatly if they aren't in Archie's plan. I know some think Smith is gone, but I just haven't heard much that would make it likely. I'm probably wrong, but it's mainly radio silence coupled with a gut feeling.

Here is my take from what I hear Grad guys like Brunk or guys with a shot of not sitting out with more than a year left to simplify are gonna be higher priorities for Archie. I don't think he wants to open up to many rides for the '20 class. He's bound to have a guy maybe more leave as is & there just isn't enough to fill major holes with the guys we're in on. I have heard Brunk is a high priority for the staff & one that IU has a shot with. Lewis I'm not so sure. Other than that there just really isn't much movement. Player meetings are supposed to start Sunday-Tuesday timeframe & I'm gonna guess mid to end of the week next week we should hear about rumblings or maybe even official news of guys leaving. I don't expect 3 like some say, but I have heard to expect at least 1 maybe 2.

I spoke with Daniel Utomi a bit ago, he said he would be interested in IU if they reach out. Told me to check back in a few days. No real ties, but grad guys usually don't care about that stuff. It's one more year & they want exposure.

Only transfers I could see at this point from IU would be Clifton & Justin Smith. I expect one or two. We're looking at adding 1 at worst & 3 at best. DG or Damezi wouldn't shock me or maybe even Jake, but he works so hard I think Archie would love to keep him around & will tell him as much, but does he see a path to PT?

Daniel Utomi is a name to keep an eye on. 6'6 averaged 14 this year & 16 previous year. He is a career 39% 3 baller & took plenty attempts so numbers aren't flawed. Nike Sabande is from Indy & plays for Miami (OH). Has a lot of talent, but he will sit out & play 2. I've heard his name. Derrik Smits is obviously gonna be linked to IU, but I think he will be a backup plan at best. I've been asked about Pipkins from Umass, but unless DG transfers I just don't see it. IU has Rob entrenched at PG for 3 more years maybe less, but still regardless he is the guy. DG could start, but if not he will be the 6th man 100% if he is back. There is going to be hundreds of more names added so don't get caught up on one guy early.

There will be quite a few names that IU will have a shot to get in with over the next month or two. Some will be completely random, but I have heard some big names. I tweeted out the other day with no names & had several DM's linking guys like Desmond Bane, Josh Jefferson who went to New Albany & plays at Illinois State, Kris Wilkes which is doubtful as is Kyle Guy who IU fans keep hoping for & a few others. I'll do more digging. Sean McNeil is likely to have a long list to start from & with no offer yet I dont know if it would even go anywhere. Harlond Beverly is the most likely of our current targets. Lester Quinones seems to really be enjoying his Memphis visit. Tre Mitchell just cut to 6 & Umass looks good there. As every other year with coaching changes there will be some guys to hit the market. Texas A&M has been linked to Buzz Williams. UCLA will poach someone which will open up another power 5 spot most likely. I expect a grad guy but if we grab more than one transfer I'd say it'd be a sit out or special circumstance kind of thing.

It's more common than people think when the kids are this young. AAU circuit will give a look at what he could be on that end.

He looks to be a kid I expect to be anywhere from 15-60 in the rankings. It really all depends on how his body changes the older he gets. If his size can become a plus for him the rest of his skills will follow. I'd make Lander more of a priority now, but by senior year I think Blackmon has a shot.

I live close to Marion & have formed a bit of a relationship with the family. I've got to say Jalen I don't have a lot to go on as I did with JBJ, but it's mainly due to his dad keeping him more reserved. JBJ was able to handle the spotlight from day one. Jalen isnt, but hopefully that changes during AAU. I will say Blackmon Sr makes it known he doesn't want or care if Jalen plays D yet. He wants him working on his offense & really preaches keeping his energy for getting buckets. Sound familiar?

Jalen Blackmon was in attendance for IU/Rutgers. Blackmon & Lander are going to be big time targets in that '21 class that I expect to be bigger than the 3 spots open. Rob would be going into his senior season & Archie can show video of these past few games of Devonte & him sharing the ball/court at the same time. I expect Lander to be the priority, but Blackmon will be right behind. His stroke is relentless & looks to rival JBJ as the family's best shooter.

Yup!! This is well said. It's just like watching NFL, NBA or any other sports. Sure there is a ton more teams, but I love watching other programs to use it to compare to IU at the very least. I try to keep up with kids we were in on for a long time too just to see what happened with them.

Truthfully if I paid it'd be for Snow. He seems to lean towards UK a bit, but Evans & Bossi are two of my favorites too & they like IU's chances so I have no idea what to think honestly lol. We're exactly a week away now.

I wanna add that right now it sounds like no visit is happening, but I still think it makes sense if he is really on edge so I wouldnt be surprised. The visit to me was more of an to be sure thing which could go in either favor. I also think it's possible that Peegs could be helping with the suspense or that he is playing it safe so if he comes to IU. To sum it up it's still too close to call. I truly believe any pick made before Wednesday is based off gut feelings. Wednesday & beyond are the ones I will take serious.

II'm torn about Brooks. In all honesty, things seem great for IU, but there just isn't anything to go off to be confident besides a few rumors here & there. Then UK seems like they have just as good of a chance & Peegs picking UK is something. He has made ONE pick all year, so for him to say he just went with it is weird to me. I worry Snow has passed on info & Peegs ran with it. Rabs & Peegs have been wrong in a few IU battles as well so I could be wrong. The rivals guys & Snow/Daniels are the only guys I pay attention to on the CB mostly & Meyer too every now & then(usually his last minute picks are solid). Overall I just see IU having a few more advantages. I have heard if he visits for Rutgers it will be a last minute thing so we likely won't hear anything until Friday night at the earliest. It will be an atmosphere thing imo though so if we lose tonight I doubt he visits, but I also doubt it would hold much weight on his decision. I see a visit as a "wanna be sure" thing if he really is going back and forth. We will know for sure in 8 days & it's going to be a LONG 8 DAYS.

I believe CBS HQ is doing something with the announcement. Snow is covering it for them. Snow is the ONLY guy that could say something that I would 100% agree with or change my opinion for. He is the most connected to this recruitment which is good news for peegs. I may splurge a bit a day or two before he picks just to get his inside info. I've talked with the Brooks family a bit over the years & all they give away is gut feelings though. They will keep this close to the best besides Snow & Daniels.

I doubt it happens, but my whispers were confirmed in peegs chat I see. Not sure what's being said over there, I don't like paying the cost honestly, but I'm sure others could provide more in depth info. I was just told win at Illinois & a few kids could be making the trip including Keion. I'm hoping Quinones or Beverly make the trip in all honesty. Brooks is likely 90% sure of where he wants to go right now.

If Brooks makes the trip to Bloomington on Sunday that will only help. I also believe if he does, him & Romeo could end up talking quite a bit. I also expect at least one of TJD/Armaan to show up to help a bit. Nothing is set in stone with Brooks, but I do expect at least 2 guys to be there.

Would've never guessed unless it was oldfartwithtanlines, but then again that name is pretty long.