PITT Transfer Josh Newkirk is headed to IU!

[GnarlyNormEllenberger 1,462]

Some thoughts...

 

-The narrative that Newkirk can't shoot seems overblown. Yes, he shot poorly as a sophomore. But as a freshman he shot 46% from the field and 43% from distance. Is he Steve Alford? No. But let's not act like he's Stan Robinson or Jeremiah Rivers, either.

 

-Newkirk is a point guard. He's supposed to be a facilitator. He had a 2:1 assist-turnover ratio as both a Freshman and a Sophomore. Not superb, but decent.To compare, Robert Johnson, was a little over 1:1 last year.

 

-We are going to need experience for the 2016-2017 season. Newkirk will be a fourth-year Junior with some success vs. high-level competition. And a year working under Crean.

 

- What '16 point guard that we're recruiting do we honestly believe will be assuredly better of a pick-up than Newkirk? Yes, Curtis Jones and Bruce Brown look to be solid players. I'd gladly take them. But both are more of Top 50-60 players as opposed to the instant-impact McDonald's variety. And just by doing a little bit of reading on those two, you see the label "combo" guard as opposed to true point guard. Seriously now... do we honestly believe that they, as freshman, could give us more than Newkirk as a fourth-year Junior at point guard? Running the team, defensively, etc?

 

I'm just afraid some people see him as scoring 5.9 PPG and shooting 38% as a sophomore and just assume that's all he'll ever be. I think that's a little unfair.

 

My opinion.

[Alford Bailey 13,181]

I actually like what we will have going into next year.  We will probably have Bryant, RoJo, Morgan, Anunoby, Holt, and (maybe) Blackmon...  Troy and Yogi are gone.  If we get anything from this class we need shooters and a starting PG if RoJo doesn't advance.  This may be the backup point.  If this is the starting point we for sure need to have at least 2 shooters in this class.  IMO, we need 2 studs.  Our team is looking fairly solid next year already.  Not sure why everyone is down on them already.  We already have 6 players for next year that will have experience and skill.  If we can add a Leaf with what we have that is a damn scary team.  I think this addition says more about who is out there than anything.  I am not a fan of adding a speed guy with Microfracture Surgery though.  But for a late edition, it is a lottery ticket.  Can't blame him for that. 

I'm confident Bryant will be as advertised but Morgan, OG and Holt still need to show me on the court. I agree we need 2 more studs in this class.

[HoosierReb01 7,591]

I'm confident Bryant will be as advertised but Morgan, OG and Holt still need to show me on the court. I agree we need 2 more studs in this class.

I've seen enough from Holt to be convinced. Yes, he needs to progress and get better but he looks like one of those guys who just gets better each year and is a solid starter as a Junior/Senior.

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Like everyone else I want to see us get some top ranked players too---BUT---there's a lot to like with Newkirk.

 

First, he brings another veteran who is tough physically and mentally, who will help balance the classes., and is known to be super quick, a good defender, plays with energy, pressures the ball, and anticipates the passing lanes.  After last year, I like that A LOT !

 

Second, he is a good student. He made the All-ACC Academic Team and achieved ACC Academic Honors (No UNC jokes please!).

 

Third, he is a good player when healthy.  He was #70 recruit on Scout and #119 on Rivals coming out of high school and scored in double figures 5 times for Pitt.  He has always been strong-- with a killer cross-over and he has been working on his outside shooting. He had a 20 point game against NC State and from what I have read his outside shooting was starting to come along. He averaged 6.4 points per game over the last 10 games of the season while only playing 19.5 minutes per game. Before we write-off his outside shot, please note that he tied Pitt's school record for the most consecutive 3 point shots made by making seven (7) in a row over a space of three games against NC State, Notre Dame, and Clemson. He also hit 2/3 3-pointers against Florida in the NCAA and 3/6 overall against the Gators.  He's a quality recruit from a power conference. A lot to like indeed. .

 

Welcome to the Hoosiers---Newkirk! Get healthy and wear out that pass card to the practice facility working on that outside shot!

[MikeRoberts 7,873]

Like everyone else I want to see us get some top ranked players too---BUT---there's a lot to like with Newkirk.

First, he brings another veteran who is tough physically and mentally, who will help balance the classes., and is known to be super quick, a good defender, plays with energy, pressures the ball, and anticipates the passing lanes. After last year, I like that A LOT !

Second, he is a good student. He made the All-ACC Academic Team and achieved ACC Academic Honors (No UNC jokes please!).

Third, he is a good player when healthy. He was #70 recruit on Scout and #119 on Rivals coming out of high school and scored in double figures 5 times for Pitt. He has always been strong-- with a killer cross-over and he has been working on his outside shooting. He had a 20 point game against NC State and from what I have read his outside shooting was starting to come along. He averaged 6.4 points per game over the last 10 games of the season while only playing 19.5 minutes per game. Before we write-off his outside shot, please note that he tied Pitt's school record for the most consecutive 3 point shots made by making seven (7) in a row over a space of three games against NC State, Notre Dame, and Clemson. He also hit 2/3 3-pointers against Florida in the NCAA and 3/6 overall against the Gators. He's a quality recruit from a power conference. A lot to like indeed. .

Welcome to the Hoosiers---Newkirk! Get healthy and wear out that pass card to the practice facility working on that outside shot!

if we didn't already take Gelon, I would be all for this. Seems like a solid back up point that can even out classes. Problem is I/people don't trust Crean to go out and finish up this class with the pieces we need. Time will tell

[Lt. John McClaine 541]

I could've probably done that against us last year.  That doesn't mean much to me when you consider he was going up against a team that didn't give a crap about staying in front of anyone.

Great insight, man. Thanks for sharing it.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 88,899]

Like everyone else I want to see us get some top ranked players too---BUT---there's a lot to like with Newkirk.

 

First, he brings another veteran who is tough physically and mentally, who will help balance the classes., and is known to be super quick, a good defender, plays with energy, pressures the ball, and anticipates the passing lanes.  After last year, I like that A LOT !

 

Second, he is a good student. He made the All-ACC Academic Team and achieved ACC Academic Honors (No UNC jokes please!).

 

Third, he is a good player when healthy.  He was #70 recruit on Scout and #119 on Rivals coming out of high school and scored in double figures 5 times for Pitt.  He has always been strong-- with a killer cross-over and he has been working on his outside shooting. He had a 20 point game against NC State and from what I have read his outside shooting was starting to come along. He averaged 6.4 points per game over the last 10 games of the season while only playing 19.5 minutes per game. Before we write-off his outside shot, please note that he tied Pitt's school record for the most consecutive 3 point shots made by making seven (7) in a row over a space of three games against NC State, Notre Dame, and Clemson. He also hit 2/3 3-pointers against Florida in the NCAA and 3/6 overall against the Gators.  He's a quality recruit from a power conference. A lot to like indeed. .

 

Welcome to the Hoosiers---Newkirk! Get healthy and wear out that pass card to the practice facility working on that outside shot!

 

Maybe a little comforting but you have to wonder about the knee surgery - it wasn't just your normal scope - and what, if any, impact that can have.  From what I've seen thus far the time frame is a 6-mo. rehab which puts us at close to the end of this upcoming season.  He has to sit out anyway as a transfer, but the rehab period means he won't be able to participate in any meaningful team practice sessions this season.  On the other hand, I like his addition to the roster more than some of the other questionable additions we've had.  I hope his recovery is similar to Hartman's and he will be able to give us quality minutes in 2016.

[Alford Bailey 13,181]

Guys, we are replacing YOGI. Did we come close to doing that? AND, I'm not sure Cujo or Brown does that. WHY, at Indiana University under Creans guard oriented system, are several top point prospects not lined up to replace Yogi? That should be one of the easiest sells in cbb and that position should already be wrapped up.

[MartintheMopMan 7,765]

This is the closest I've ever seen Crean come to a red shirting player.

[mdn82 26,344]

This is the closest I've ever seen Crean come to a red shirting player.

Now this deserves some up votes lol. 

[Alford Bailey 13,181]

if we didn't already take Gelon, I would be all for this. Seems like a solid back up point that can even out classes. Problem is I/people don't trust Crean to go out and finish up this class with the pieces we need. Time will tell

Yea, like a Yogi replacement as in 5 star point guard.

[mdn82 26,344]

Yea, like a Yogi replacement as in 5 star point guard.

Yeah, I just don't think that player is there for 2016.  2017 maybe, but that is unfortunately going to be our weakness next year.  That and shooting at this rate.  I for once like how we will look down low, but our guard play at this point looks suspect for 2016.  That can always change quick, but that is where I have my most concern. 

[AKHoosier 7,577]

Such odd choices by our staff. A PG who can't shoot coming off knee surgery. Sure, sign him up. We are Indiana.

 

smh....

[BGleas 8,901]

It's certainly not an underwhelming class, but to be honest I will be disappointed if we strike out on all of Alkins, Leaf, Bridges, Maker...

It's not that Davis, CuJo and Brown are underwhelming, it's knowing we couldn't close the deal with any of the big fish when we had a chance.

It wouldn't be an underwhelming "class". That's what you said, and I disagree wholeheartedly.

[Iufan2324 158]

For all you people complaining about signing a kid in the ACC who is a very capable replacement for yogi 1. Go watch some of his game film and videos and tell me you aren't impressed. 2. Stop reading into stats where a slow paced offense was played and finally stop being so negative towards a recruit who just turned down staying close to family to come the IU. Everyone says we need defense and another point guard crean goes out and gets that in an experienced point guard as well and now our recruiting class sucks? No way. We have open schollys and if you think we will get 4 more elite talent then I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. Love this signing. Go checkout some film of what he can do on the court.

[Alford Bailey 13,181]

It's certainly not an underwhelming class, but to be honest I will be disappointed if we strike out on all of Alkins, Leaf, Bridges, Maker...

It's not that Davis, CuJo and Brown are underwhelming, it's knowing we couldn't close the deal with any of the big fish when we had a chance.
 

Bingo.

[WilJos3390 284]

For all you people complaining about signing a kid in the ACC who is a very capable replacement for yogi 1. Go watch some of his game film and videos and tell me you aren't impressed. 2. Stop reading into stats where a slow paced offense was played and finally stop being so negative towards a recruit who just turned down staying close to family to come the IU. Everyone says we need defense and another point guard crean goes out and gets that in an experienced point guard as well and now our recruiting class sucks? No way. We have open schollys and if you think we will get 4 more elite talent then I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. Love this signing. Go checkout some film of what he can do on the court.

Preach brotha!! I agree.. I think it's a solid pick up. And he said it was a dream come true to play at IU. I think we need to be ecstatic about the pick up. Plus, he has all year to work on his craft and rehab. I think we got lucky! Welcome to the IU fam!!

[Alford Bailey 13,181]

For all you people complaining about signing a kid in the ACC who is a very capable replacement for yogi 1. Go watch some of his game film and videos and tell me you aren't impressed. 2. Stop reading into stats where a slow paced offense was played and finally stop being so negative towards a recruit who just turned down staying close to family to come the IU. Everyone says we need defense and another point guard crean goes out and gets that in an experienced point guard as well and now our recruiting class sucks? No way. We have open schollys and if you think we will get 4 more elite talent then I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. Love this signing. Go checkout some film of what he can do on the court.

I've watched him and actually new his name when the announcement was made(which is a plus). Even before the injury I think it is pretty far fetched to say Newkirk is a Yogi replacement.

[Stuhoo 87,683]

Like everyone else I want to see us get some top ranked players too---BUT---there's a lot to like with Newkirk.

 

First, he brings another veteran who is tough physically and mentally, who will help balance the classes., and is known to be super quick, a good defender, plays with energy, pressures the ball, and anticipates the passing lanes.  After last year, I like that A LOT !

 

Second, he is a good student. He made the All-ACC Academic Team and achieved ACC Academic Honors (No UNC jokes please!).

 

Third, he is a good player when healthy.  He was #70 recruit on Scout and #119 on Rivals coming out of high school and scored in double figures 5 times for Pitt.  He has always been strong-- with a killer cross-over and he has been working on his outside shooting. He had a 20 point game against NC State and from what I have read his outside shooting was starting to come along. He averaged 6.4 points per game over the last 10 games of the season while only playing 19.5 minutes per game. Before we write-off his outside shot, please note that he tied Pitt's school record for the most consecutive 3 point shots made by making seven (7) in a row over a space of three games against NC State, Notre Dame, and Clemson. He also hit 2/3 3-pointers against Florida in the NCAA and 3/6 overall against the Gators.  He's a quality recruit from a power conference. A lot to like indeed. .

 

Welcome to the Hoosiers---Newkirk! Get healthy and wear out that pass card to the practice facility working on that outside shot!

 

 

I'm surprised that rebel is the only one that hit the nail on the head with a major component of this recruitment.

 

There is a common theme that has held since Stan, "The Movement", etc.  CTC is trying really, really hard to only recruit high character kids. OG and Juwan are through the roof academically, and T Bryant was held as a civic treasure in WV. Zeisloft, Rojo, JBJ, Beilfeldt? Same dynamic.

 

That doesn't keep us from going after four and five star players, but they all seem to be very squared away kids or we don't even try to get into the mix.

 

Newkirk seems to have a Ronnie Johnson skill set and a Robert Johnson mindset.

 

And that's O.K.

[Uspshoosier 53,167]

From the article from Albers, we originally offered him a scholly in 2013 (so did Arizona). I didn't remember him from the recruiting boards back then