(2020) PF Matt Cross to Miami

[mdn82]

Good call Wayne. First person I recall saying they played the same position. Seems like a whoever took it first situation.


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[HoosierRobbie]

Well damn. Guessing Geronimos commitment sealed the deal.


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[Brass Cannon]

Interesting since Cross had been priority number 1. Wonder if we were going to lose across regardless or if Geronimo took his spot at the top

[ray]

7 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Interesting since Cross had been priority number 1. Wonder if we were going to lose across regardless or if Geronimo took his spot at the top

I wonder too, but Geronimo seems EXTREMELY excited to be a Hoosier...and that's all that is relevant to me now.  I'm excited for Geronimo.  I would have been excited for either or both, but I will probably never see Cross play (outside of potential tournaments) and I'll get to watch Jordan's every game and see him wear the jersey with pride and honor.  I liked Cross's game, don't get me wrong, but I think Geronimo ended up where he will excel.  His enthusiasm for Indiana excites me.

And it makes it easier for the coaching staff to focus on two other important positions.

[Uspshoosier]

Interesting since Cross had been priority number 1. Wonder if we were going to lose across regardless or if Geronimo took his spot at the top

I think it’s as simple as IU saw Cross as a 4 and Jordan as a 3 and would take both. Playing the 3 and playing right away became priority for Cross. Once Jordan committed and with the players already in place at the 3 next year Cross went elsewhere. Even though I feel Cross is a 4 it only matters what the recruit thinks and wants. Recruiting is fun and crazy to follow. Watching the pieces fall into place can be frustrating at times and enjoyable. After reading the 247 article with him last week it was clear that moving forward schools were going to have to recruit him as a 3


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[Stuhoo]

Is it too arrogant to think that Cross was going to commit to IUBB as soon as Geronimo’s OV (and Cross’s A&M visit) was over, Jordan was told as much, and he therefore committed before Cross took his spot?

Cause that might just be the reality of the situation.

 

[MoyeNeeded]

I'm thinking that we got the better end of the deal. I think Geronimo has more upside with his athleticism. A good Troy Williams type.

[Uspshoosier]

Is it too arrogant to think that Cross was going to commit to IUBB as soon as Geronimo’s OV (and Cross’s A&M visit) was over, Jordan was told as much, and he therefore committed before Cross took his spot?
Cause that might just be the reality of the situation.
 

Possible Jordan took his spot. IU and Miami were the teams that were always mentioned as the teams on the top line with Cross. Miami has a good pipeline from the BABC AAU program and I guess Miami’s coach is really goods friends with the head coach.


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[ray]

22 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I agree. Not sour grapes at all, I just wasn't feeling it with Cross, since a 6'7" power forward that wants to play the 3 didn't ring my bell. I would like to see IU get a Post and PG and call it a class! 

Amen, to looking for a PG and Post player now.  Preferably Garcia and Love, or wait for Lander.

And, no offense to Miami basketball, but it took almost three hours for anyone from Miami to write an article about his commitment.  And...there are still no comments on that article.  I'm not saying he won't fit in well, excel, and enjoy his stay in sunny miami...but, Jordan Geronimo chose Indiana for reasons I would as an out-of-state prospect.  I like that about Geronimo.  

And, in all fairness, perhaps Jordan's commitment did make a difference in Matt's commitment.  Either way...

[Demo]

Of all the kids that the staff was in on, Cross was the one who interested me the least, easily. He looks to me like a trail 4 in an up tempo system, kind of a Luke Maye type. Archie can talk all he wants about pushing the pace,  but he really seems to want to play a fairly low possession mid tempo game. And I just don’t see Cross’s fit. He’s a tweener in a bad way, too small for a traditional 4 and not a good enough athlete to hold up on the wing. I don’t know who he defends against big-time competition and you’re gonna have to run stuff to get him looks because he isn’t going to get his own. Given a choice I’ll take Geronimo 10 times out of 10 over Cross. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

I like Cross but I’m not unhappy about this. Anticipated it. We need a big or a PG, preferably a big.

I like late rising, athletic players. Especially ones that show a penchant to shoot. Geronimo fits the billing.

Garcia is by all accounts a stud. Love is a stud too, although I’ve seen mixed reviews by some. Loveday seemed to drop off and I don’t know if the AAU style hindered him or if it was athleticism.

I think we only add 1 more and I’m okay with that. I want class balance to continue.




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[BtownBanner6]

Yup Liked Cross but if he thinks he’s a 3 nothing we can do about it, not a position of need. Dumb to say but I don’t want Love, day 1 he wants the ball in his hands and don’t think he’d get it with Rob being a 3 year starting junior. Garcia is the dream class

[JSHoosier]

Meh, didn't want him.  On over 150 attempts he shot sub 30% from 3 and only about 40% from the field; he's not the answer to a team that can't shoot, far from it.

https://www.d1circuit.com/roster_players/32417026

Wish him well at Miami, but glad he's not here.

[Maedhros]

10 hours ago, Demo said:

Of all the kids that the staff was in on, Cross was the one who interested me the least, easily. He looks to me like a trail 4 in an up tempo system, kind of a Luke Maye type. Archie can talk all he wants about pushing the pace,  but he really seems to want to play a fairly low possession mid tempo game. And I just don’t see Cross’s fit. He’s a tweener in a bad way, too small for a traditional 4 and not a good enough athlete to hold up on the wing. I don’t know who he defends against big-time competition and you’re gonna have to run stuff to get him looks because he isn’t going to get his own. Given a choice I’ll take Geronimo 10 times out of 10 over Cross. 

Damn, this sounds word for word like something I would write. I've shared similar sentiments on other sites. I'm sure he'll be a fine player, but Cross was never a prospect that excited me. 

[fwgreenway]

11 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I like Cross but I’m not unhappy about this. Anticipated it. We need a big or a PG, preferably a big.

I like late rising, athletic players. Especially ones that show a penchant to shoot. Geronimo fits the billing.

Garcia is by all accounts a stud. Love is a stud too, although I’ve seen mixed reviews by some. Loveday seemed to drop off and I don’t know if the AAU style hindered him or if it was athleticism.

I think we only add 1 more and I’m okay with that. I want class balance to continue.




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This. Makes a lot of sense to me. My only thought is if the staff is looking at a 4-6 man class then they know the 5th or 6th scholarship is likely available because of someone else graduating/transfer. If that's the case then I kinda hope they do get a big and another PG and end with a 5 man class. Depth at the pg would be nice in 2020. Just as long as it doesn't steer Lander away in 21. I don't know if Love is 'thee' answer, but I think Rob could play on the court at the same time with him. And balance would be better with only a 4 man class, but we all know recruiting is fluid, so who knows how the current roster will look 2-3 yrs from now with early entry, graduation or transfer?

[Bowhunter]

We have enough wings with Franklin, Durham, Anderson, Leal, Galloway, Geronimo, and Hunter going forward. I liked Cross but not as much as Geronimo.


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[Stuhoo]

Cross would likely have been far more game-ready as a freshman than Geronimo.

Geronimo likely has a higher ceiling, especially defensively.

 

[mdn82]

Cross would likely have been far more game-ready as a freshman than Geronimo.
Geronimo likely has a higher ceiling, especially defensively.
 

Yeah as a 3 I definitely agree. I personally will watch to see how he does at that position. I think he is a really solid player and could help any team that was after him. I wanted him and Geronimo. What I have concerns on Cross is he is dictating what position he wants to play as opposed to what position would he get most minutes and help his team up front more. We have had too much of that here. I don’t want to bash the kid and truly wish him luck. Miami usually has a really good team every couple of years. Hope he is a part of that. Both sides win [emoji106].


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[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Cross no longer with Miami and sounding like it was Jim Larranaga's decision not Cross'.

https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/former-iu-basketball-2020-recruiting-target-matt-cross-leaving-miami/?fbclid=IwAR2YDCb6VPMarSevVMQCiE4JFC1qruFNwVkKbzxciD7a2uXfJo9ac5X2VqE

Already seen a number of tweets that Archie should already have him on a plane to Bloomington.  Could we at least find out WHY he was booted by Larranaga before we put him in an IU uniform?  This kid's timeline below could be an indicator that he's a chronic problem child.

Matt Cross timeline:

• 2017: St Mary's HS
• 2018: Cushing Academy
• 2019: Woodstock Academy
• 2020: Brewster Academy
• 2021: Miami

[Stromboli]

I was just looking him up earlier this week. He was a guy I really liked at EYBL. Cross was pretty good down there for a freshman. Former IU recruit Harlan Beverly is down there too, playing pretty poorly. 
 

Cross was a little polarizing because he’s in that awkward tweener 6’6” to 6’7” size but not really a guard. When I watched him play he was making plays on both ends. Sounds like Miami fans are sad to see him go. 
 

Without knowing the story I won’t comment on whether or not I want him here. Thanks as always, OF.