Player and Recruit Retention News/Discussion & Potential Transfers

[ap2345]

So right now we have Durham and Smith coming in and OG is gone for sure and it's looking like JBJ will be gone like Troy was last year.

[rcbowla]

My bet is that JBJ goes, Rojo returns, then either TB stays or McKinley Wright signs. Oh and Moore gets his release

[BtownBanner6]

HUGE AND MOST EXCELLENT NEWS!!
 
Jeff Rabjohns‏ @JeffRabjohns  4m4 minutes ago
More

http://Peegs.com  sources: 2017 forward Justin Smith of Lincolnshire (IL) Stevenson has re-confirmed his Indiana commitment. #iubb

I wonder how much OG's official announcement helped with the time frame of this. Have to feel he thought OG was gone but was just waiting to know for sure.

[Hoosierfan2017]

I was getting a little worried since it seems likely that jbj and TB both leave, but I'm feeling better now that Smith has confirmed his commitment. We're really going to need his athleticism next year. If Moore decides to go elsewhere I hope Archie pockets the extra scholarship or finds a grad transfer. McKinley Wright wouldn't be a terrible move, but I'd rather pass and go after guards in the 2018 class. 

[Trish]

Need someone else to go now

 

 

[VO5]

Super pumped that Smith is staying. He's the one guy I really wanted. I think he'll make a small impact this year, but I'm really excited for his sophomore season and the leap he'll make. Definite starter then with everyone leaving after his freshman year.

[Hoosierfan2017]

Archie's already showing what he can do recruiting-wise. This obviously isn't the same as going out and actually recruiting, but him being able to convince Hartman, Durham and Smith to stay is a good sign imo. Especially Hartman since it seemed like he was gone before Archie came. 

[VO5]

This is totally based off of watching highlight videos, but Smith's game reminds me of Josh Hart from Villanova. Even if he can become a poor man's Hart he'll be really, really good.

[rcbowla]

What Archie said to Smith and his father

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerened about the apparent over signing.  Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

[bigrod]

28 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I completely agree and would also argue it hasn't done the NBA any favors either. Drafting kids based on "potential" is a bad plan, but they apparently feel compelled to. If that pressure was off the NBA could draft players based on their actual skills rather than raw measurements and athleticism. How utterly ridiculous that Jr & Sr's are punished because you have a body of work to evaluate that shows their strengths & weaknesses. Freshmen are relative blank slates that might be spectacular. It's reminds me of penny stock speculating.  

There are a (very) few guys that are NBA ready out of High School, no reason to make them go through a 1 yr college charade if they don't want to. And no one HAS to go to college, overseas is an option too. I think the NFL and especially MLB approach makes way more sense for everyone.  

But... the NCAA would not be able to make million$ off of them. It's not good for college or the NBA, but it's good for the NCAA's pocketbook. I think the NBA wanted the D-League as an alternative, but it just doesn't have the draw and exposure that college does.

[Stromboli]

YEEEEESSSSSS.

This makes my day.  Justin Smith plays angry.  He uses his body to create space and goes up aggressively.  Plays spacing well like a wing should, looks for all kinds of shots.  From what I understand of Archie's defense, Smith's physical style will translate well.  Excellent size.  Good kid, good family.  Wants to go to business school.  

Seriously this is a program building type move.  I'm not usually prone towards hyperbole but I honestly believe that Smith is going to be a bigger contributor for us than OG, Juwan, or Troy.  He has tools, size, aggression, flat demeanor, and seemingly the right mindset.  He played good competition and showed very consistent production.  

Jordan Tucker has a higher ranking, but honestly doesn't seem like his spot shooting and hands-off play will translate to the Big Ten.  Clifton Moore is a giant "maybe" at this point, but from what I've seen doesn't play real hard.  Justin Smith is the real deal.  I love it.

[bigrod]

2 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerened about the apparent over signing.  Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

I suspect there is probably something to any or all of those.

[Stromboli]

2 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerened about the apparent over signing.  Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

JBJ has dreamt of playing pro ball for years, and so is easy to see him want to make the jump.  I feel like I'm in the minority in that I love having him out on the floor.  He is a legitimate star, but somehow we've never treated him that way.  If I'm not looking at the situation through my crimson colored glasses, he's probably going to go.

I can't get a read on TB.  I know that this year was a major punch in the balls for him.  If he goes, it is easy to see his high school bud CuJo go too.  

I will say, the guys on the team are very close, and I think they believe that they are very talented and have a shot to do some damage next year.  

In conclusion....  I have no idea what's going to happen.  I just like IU basketball.

[Stuhoo]

7 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerned about the apparent over signing. Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

 

Guarantee it.

Same goes for Clifton; if he re-commits, it is with an assurance that there is an open spot for him. There has to be.

 

[Dalton26]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

 

Guarantee it.

Same goes for Clifton; if he re-commits, it is with an assurance that there is an open spot for him. There has to be.

 

Archie seems like the type of coach that if all of our guys said they were coming back he likely would've been upfront with our recruits so they could find another place to go. He just doesn't seem like the kind of guy that is going to get them all to recommit and then deal with it later. I'm assuming the rumors of Gelon transferring are true. I don't think Moore will be a Hoosier so my best guess is OG leaves and Gelon transfer which gets us to our magic number.

[Chris007]

11 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerened about the apparent over signing.  Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

I would be real surprised if someone from the current team excluding JBJ and TB leave. JMO

[drewheck]

You have to believe that Archie is not at all concerened about the apparent over signing.  Surely Smith's parents and probably Durham's parents as well raised that issue in their one on one meetings and received satisfactory answers.

I believe it was Wayne that raised the point that JBJ has probably already mentally checked out of IU and is gone regardless of what he hears from the NBA people.  I'm not that confident about TB leaving but think the chances are around 60-40 that he does leave.  And, IMO we're going to see a transfer from either Gelon or CuJo. 

id hope its gelon we all saw what cujo is capable of and i think sophomore cujo plays more consistent

 

 

Sent from my SM-G900R6 using BtownBanners mobile app

 

 

 

[Stromboli]

24 minutes ago, VO5 said:

This is totally based off of watching highlight videos, but Smith's game reminds me of Josh Hart from Villanova. Even if he can become a poor man's Hart he'll be really, really good.

I like this video from the ITH article.  It shows his possessions on missed shots, too, which really helps get an idea for how he plays.  

 

[AZ Hoosier]

I wish they would let kids go straight out of highschool or make them play 3.Just my opinion but really think the one and done thing has hurt the college game.

If they did that, what would Cal do to field a team?