2024 General Recruiting Thread (BBall)

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,437]

Kon Knueppel to Duke. Kid can ball. Excellent scorer.


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[Scotty R 2,175]

https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2023/9/21/23884848/wisconsin-badgers-2024-five-star-f-kon-knueppel-commits-to-duke-blue-devils-daniel-freitag-greg-gard 

Wisconsin post a local 5 star recruit to Duke

[Demo 20,233]

12 hours ago, Scotty R said:

https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2023/9/21/23884848/wisconsin-badgers-2024-five-star-f-kon-knueppel-commits-to-duke-blue-devils-daniel-freitag-greg-gard 

Wisconsin post a local 5 star recruit to Duke

Ya know those kids who say that loyalty and personal contact are huge things for them(McNeeley)? This is the opposite. Wisky’s been recruiting this kid for a couple of years. He blows up this spring and Duke jumps in for all of about  6 weeks and signs him. If it was anyone but Gard I might even feel a little bad for them.

[GnarlyTimGarl 1,433]

I think it's absolutely fair to have concerns about our current state of recruiting for the '24 class. I won't dive too deep into who we have missed out on so far this year but here's where I have concerns...

Let's look at our scholarship situation:

- We have one currently open right now to go along with X and Anthony Walker exhausting their eligibility at the end of the season. So there's pretty much a guarantee of three available scholarships.

- Have you read what most IU beat writers and national journalists have to say about Mbagko and Ware? It's clear those guys have their sights set on the NBA. It's not so much they are hopeful as it appears the PLAN is to be at IU one year and then go pro. I think it's very likely one or both of those guys leave after this season. So that means you now have four or five available scholarships for the '24 class.

- Then you have Galloway and Leal who are entering Year 4, although they both have the option for a fifth year of eligibility should they want it. My gut says Galloway returns because he's figuring to be a major piece of the team. But Leal? He hasn't played much under Woody and I think he already has his degree right now. Does he stay an extra year to sit the bench again? I have my doubts. I'd guess another scholarship opens up... which brings us to five or six available.

- Last, but not least, you have unexpected transfers. A year ago people expected/hoped Tamar Bates and Jordan Geronimo would be vital cogs for the future of IU basketball. It didn't happen and now they are gone. Especially in the age of the Transfer Portal the risk of losing players to transfer is high. Most teams have one or two transfers and I would be surprised if we aren't included in that group at the end of the season. That could put our new total to six, seven or even eight available scholarships. Mind you... each team has a total of 13 available scholarships to give.

Obviously, my point is that we're probably going to need to bring in AT LEAST 4-5 guys for next season. At MINIMUM. Right now, we have zero commits and considering it's already late September it's fair to be concerned. Personally, I feel good about McNeeley. So that's one. But after that it appears to focus is on Queen, Fland and Givens. I'm all for it but I have seen no indication we're any better than "in the running" with any of them. There are rumored favorites for each (Queen-Maryland, Fland-UK, Givens-Memphis) and we're not included. That doesn't make me feel great because we have already hosted two of those guys for an OV recently and if we haven't pulled ahead after that we could be fighting an uphill battle. We've already been dropped from the likes of Newell, Boateng, Mustaf, etc. We haven't heard hardly anything about Betsey, Passmore or Perry for a long time, either. So again, that puts so much pressure on getting Queen, Fland and Givens. I'm glad we're going after good players like them but they are hard to get and for a guy that follows IU basketball recruiting much closer than I am proud to admit, I'm struggling to find what our contingency plan is in the somewhat likely event we miss on Queen, Fland and Givens.

My prediction? We only pick up 1-2 HS recruits and subsequently have to hit the portal hard again next spring. That's not necessarily a bad thing as there are a lot of good players in there. But once again, it's risky and you're playing with fire. Plus, I heard either Kenya or Ya mention in an interview with the Hysterics over the summer that they didn't plan on needing to rely on the portal again this year. If we do, that doesn't make me feel like things are going as well as they planned/hoped on the recruiting trail. All of this to say that if you have some concerns on where we currently stand for '24 recruiting, I think it's fair. Of course, things can change very quickly. If Woody pulls in McNeeley, Queen and Fland then we won't have much to worry about.

[Stuhoo 81,071]

21 minutes ago, GnarlyTimGarl said:

I think it's absolutely fair to have concerns about our current state of recruiting for the '24 class. I won't dive too deep into who we have missed out on so far this year but here's where I have concerns...

Let's look at our scholarship situation:

- We have one currently open right now to go along with X and Anthony Walker exhausting their eligibility at the end of the season. So there's pretty much a guarantee of three available scholarships.

- Have you read what most IU beat writers and national journalists have to say about Mbagko and Ware? It's clear those guys have their sights set on the NBA. It's not so much they are hopeful as it appears the PLAN is to be at IU one year and then go pro. I think it's very likely one or both of those guys leave after this season. So that means you now have four or five available scholarships for the '24 class.

- Then you have Galloway and Leal who are entering Year 4, although they both have the option for a fifth year of eligibility should they want it. My gut says Galloway returns because he's figuring to be a major piece of the team. But Leal? He hasn't played much under Woody and I think he already has his degree right now. Does he stay an extra year to sit the bench again? I have my doubts. I'd guess another scholarship opens up... which brings us to five or six available.

- Last, but not least, you have unexpected transfers. A year ago people expected/hoped Tamar Bates and Jordan Geronimo would be vital cogs for the future of IU basketball. It didn't happen and now they are gone. Especially in the age of the Transfer Portal the risk of losing players to transfer is high. Most teams have one or two transfers and I would be surprised if we aren't included in that group at the end of the season. That could put our new total to six, seven or even eight available scholarships. Mind you... each team has a total of 13 available scholarships to give.

Obviously, my point is that we're probably going to need to bring in AT LEAST 4-5 guys for next season. At MINIMUM. Right now, we have zero commits and considering it's already late September it's fair to be concerned. Personally, I feel good about McNeeley. So that's one. But after that it appears to focus is on Queen, Fland and Givens. I'm all for it but I have seen no indication we're any better than "in the running" with any of them. There are rumored favorites for each (Queen-Maryland, Fland-UK, Givens-Memphis) and we're not included. That doesn't make me feel great because we have already hosted two of those guys for an OV recently and if we haven't pulled ahead after that we could be fighting an uphill battle. We've already been dropped from the likes of Newell, Boateng, Mustaf, etc. We haven't heard hardly anything about Betsey, Passmore or Perry for a long time, either. So again, that puts so much pressure on getting Queen, Fland and Givens. I'm glad we're going after good players like them but they are hard to get and for a guy that follows IU basketball recruiting much closer than I am proud to admit, I'm struggling to find what our contingency plan is in the somewhat likely event we miss on Queen, Fland and Givens.

My prediction? We only pick up 1-2 HS recruits and subsequently have to hit the portal hard again next spring. That's not necessarily a bad thing as there are a lot of good players in there. But once again, it's risky and you're playing with fire. Plus, I heard either Kenya or Ya mention in an interview with the Hysterics over the summer that they didn't plan on needing to rely on the portal again this year. If we do, that doesn't make me feel like things are going as well as they planned/hoped on the recruiting trail. All of this to say that if you have some concerns on where we currently stand for '24 recruiting, I think it's fair. Of course, things can change very quickly. If Woody pulls in McNeeley, Queen and Fland then we won't have much to worry about.

Good post as always GTG!

Some counter/additional points: 

• We will likely have about six open spots (Ware, Mgbako, Xavier, Leal, Walker, and the current open scholly spot).
• If Leal is back, I would expect it is as a grad assistant if we need the scholarship. He gets so very little playing time it doesn't matter much anyway.
• Gallo is very likely to be back  -- if for no other reason because he can make more $$ at IU than as a overseas pro.
• We will get multiple high school recruits in. McNeeley? Seems likely. Someone who we currently aren't contemplating? It's happened three years/every single year of the Woodson era, and it has always been a top 50 player. 
• Talent wants to come to IU with Woody - the combination of NBA experienced and tough love staff, NBA draft picks (yes, we will have more of them after this year), exposure, development, and NIL is very attractive. Those top tier guys need to see a role, much like Ware did when Trayce left. When it becomes clear that Ware and/or Mgbako are leaving and/or that roles are open, talent will fill the void. Whether it's portal talent or top 50 high school talent? Time will tell.

[Redcamaro 255]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Good post as always GTG!

Some counter/additional points: 

• We will likely have about six open spots (Ware, Mgbako, Xavier, Leal, Walker, and the current open scholly spot).
• If Leal is back, I would expect it is as a grad assistant if we need the scholarship. He gets so very little playing time it doesn't matter much anyway.
• Gallo is very likely to be back  -- if for no other reason because he can make more $$ at IU than as a overseas pro.
• We will get multiple high school recruits in. McNeeley? Seems likely. Someone who we currently aren't contemplating? It's happened three years/every single year of the Woodson era, and it has always been a top 50 player. 
• Talent wants to come to IU with Woody - the combination of NBA experienced and tough love staff, NBA draft picks (yes, we will have more of them after this year), exposure, development, and NIL is very attractive. Those top tier guys need to see a role, much like Ware did when Trayce left. When it becomes clear that Ware and/or Mgbako are leaving and/or that roles are open, talent will fill the void. Whether it's portal talent or top 50 high school talent? Time will tell.

If Woody gets 2 more in the draft after this season...all bets are off!

[J34 1,484]

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/rivals-roundtable-programs-that-are-rolling-liam-mcneeley-big-visits

 

[Stuhoo 81,071]

17 minutes ago, J34 said:

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/rivals-roundtable-programs-that-are-rolling-liam-mcneeley-big-visits

 

Geez; when the rivals Director of Basketball Recruiting says this it's hard not to be a little optimistic.

[Demo 20,233]

9 minutes ago, J34 said:

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/rivals-roundtable-programs-that-are-rolling-liam-mcneeley-big-visits

 

Well, that one’s sort of fun. It is a little funny that on the very next question he’s unwilling to pull the trigger on a McNeeley to IU call, while Cassidy is, but it’s great to hear guys this closely tied to this stuff this optimistic.

[tkbbn 495]

Hope he is right because I'm getting a little worried. 

[Demo 20,233]

 

[maharkn 1,737]

 

Seems like a uconn and Duke fight on this one.

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[WayneFleekHoosier 48,437]

Seems like a uconn and Duke fight on this one.

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Wouldn’t be surprised if the Arterio Morris debacle played some part in this.


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[Demo 20,233]

14 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Wouldn’t be surprised if the Arterio Morris debacle played some part in this.


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Would love to know the backstory on that deal. KU can get great players by just leaving the doors at Allen unlocked. Why in God’s name would you offer Morris after what happened at UT? That’s a world class misjudgment. 

[Hoosier DaDa 2,501]

15 hours ago, Demo said:

Would love to know the backstory on that deal. KU can get great players by just leaving the doors at Allen unlocked. Why in God’s name would you offer Morris after what happened at UT? That’s a world class misjudgment. 

I snip below from an ESPN article makes me feel like there is going to be a big cover up on the other players mentioned.  Like were they there watching the assault happen or could they of stopped it?  Kansas BBALL program somehow gets more slimy in my eyes.  

 

[go iu bb 6,150]

8 minutes ago, Hoosier DaDa said:

I snip below from an ESPN article makes me feel like there is going to be a big cover up on the other players mentioned.  Like were they there watching the assault happen or could they of stopped it?  Kansas BBALL program somehow gets more slimy in my eyes.  

 

Being named a witness doesn't mean they actually saw it happen nor that they knew about it (could've stopped it). 

[Tasmanian Devil 1,579]

1 hour ago, go iu bb said:

Being named a witness doesn't mean they actually saw it happen nor that they knew about it (could've stopped it). 

The question would be, what  exactly did they “witness”? Her leaving/crying as she left? Her crying from another room? Lots of details unknown - but an unnamed “source” says the other players weren’t involved? Color me skeptical.

[go iu bb 6,150]

43 minutes ago, Tasmanian Devil said:

The question would be, what  exactly did they “witness”? Her leaving/crying as she left? Her crying from another room? Lots of details unknown - but an unnamed “source” says the other players weren’t involved? Color me skeptical.

It could be many things. It could just be for establishing locations and/or timelines of the people involved. Maybe they were with either one before, saw either of them before or after, talked to either, etc.

I don't know the details but here is an example: Let's say there was a party or at a bar with the woman, the rapist and the witnesses all there. The witnesses may just be for establishing timelines. Maybe one saw the woman leave at 1 AM alone and another saw the rapist leave at about the same time heading in the direction of where the rape happened. Maybe another saw him hitting on her earlier in the night and getting shot down. All of the people who saw that would be witnesses but none would have witnessed the act nor necessarily have reason to believe that it was about to happen. Maybe one of the players talked to the rapist the next day and was told something alone the lines of "yeah, I got some last night" without having any other knowledge of the situation. Lots of ways to be a witness without being involved or having direct knowledge of what happened or even reason to suspect it. Or they could have seen what you said. My point is that being considered a witness doesn't equal involvement.

[go iu bb 6,150]

1 hour ago, Tasmanian Devil said:

The question would be, what  exactly did they “witness”? Her leaving/crying as she left? Her crying from another room? Lots of details unknown - but an unnamed “source” says the other players weren’t involved? Color me skeptical.

This article talks about it a bit:

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article279252244.html

KU men’s basketball players Johnny Furphy and Elmarko Jackson are listed on the incident report as witnesses. KU basketball’s Nick Timberlake is also listed, under “other.” A witness can be someone who “saw or heard the crime take place or may have important information about the crime or the defendant,” according to a U.S. Department of Justice definition.

A source with knowledge of the situation said the men’s basketball players listed as witnesses or “other” on the incident report were interviewed after the fact and “not involved in the incident at all. They are not under investigation or anything like that remotely.”

Two additional witnesses who are not men’s basketball players are also listed. A witness listing does not necessarily mean that person was present when an alleged crime was committed.

 

[Tasmanian Devil 1,579]

55 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

This article talks about it a bit:

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article279252244.html

KU men’s basketball players Johnny Furphy and Elmarko Jackson are listed on the incident report as witnesses. KU basketball’s Nick Timberlake is also listed, under “other.” A witness can be someone who “saw or heard the crime take place or may have important information about the crime or the defendant,” according to a U.S. Department of Justice definition.

A source with knowledge of the situation said the men’s basketball players listed as witnesses or “other” on the incident report were interviewed after the fact and “not involved in the incident at all. They are not under investigation or anything like that remotely.”

Two additional witnesses who are not men’s basketball players are also listed. A witness listing does not necessarily mean that person was present when an alleged crime was committed.

 

Still doesn’t give any details of what the individuals may/may not have seen.

And the “source with knowledge of the situation” . . . again, color me skeptical - at least until we hear something from a OFFICIAL source, such as a spokesperson for the Police Department or Prosecutors Office.