(2018) SG Romeo Langford - INDIANA HOOSIERS

[Baltimore Hoosier]

The difference here is that literally EVERY high major program in the country is offering Langford. 

[Stuhoo]

2 minutes ago, Baltimore Hoosier said:

Exactly.. Indiana doesn't play in that space regularly, because one and done's generally want to go to a place where a Championship is a realistic goal in year one. 

 

The fact that we aren't pushing hard to primarily be a one-and-done program doesn't mean we don't have a chance for the right 5 star.

That's also undeniable, and proven.

 

[Brass Cannon]

Also don't forget that Romeo fits perfectly into Creans system. not something everybody can claim. 

Plus atm he is with Adidas. 

[Baltimore Hoosier]

I'm an enormous fan but also a realist when it comes to IU Basketball. I feel like this program can win a championship in the next couple years, but its going to be because of a really solid group of upperclassmen who have developed over several years in the program. 

I'm sorry, but Langford is a pipe-dream at this point in my opinion. Can Crean recruit 5-star players? Yes. Can he recruit the best player in the country when the competition is so high? I don't think so. 

[Stuhoo]

5 minutes ago, Baltimore Hoosier said:

I'm an enormous fan but also a realist when it comes to IU Basketball. I feel like this program can win a championship in the next couple years, but its going to be because of a really solid group of upperclassmen who have developed over several years in the program. 

I'm sorry, but Langford is a pipe-dream at this point in my opinion. Can Crean recruit 5-star players? Yes. Can he recruit the best player in the country when the competition is so high? I don't think so. 

 

That's a more than fair take on it. I disagree only in that each five star is different, and Romeo Langford's recruitment, family situation, and geographics have a lot more in common with Cody's than with someone like Ben Simmons, Cliff Alexander, Anhony Davis, Skal LaBassierre, Nerlens Noel or Okafor.

That doesn't mean we'll get him, just that we have a legit chance.

 

[Baltimore Hoosier]

 

11 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

That's a more than fair take on it. I disagree only in that each five star is different, and Romeo Langford's recruitment, family situation, and geographics have a lot more in common with Cody's than with someone like Ben Simmons, Cliff Alexander, Anhony Davis, Skal LaBassierre, Nerlens Noel or Okafor.

That doesn't mean we'll get him, just that we have a legit chance.

 

I think IU is in the mix, but Crean just doesn't have the track record to use in his favor.. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, all of these schools can point to either recent championship banners, Final Four banners, or their current and past NBA Superstars as evidence of what could be.

[HoosierAloha]

Exactly.. Indiana doesn't play in that space regularly, because one and done's generally want to go to a place where a Championship is a realistic goal in year one. 

Generalizing again, was Ben Simmons expecting a championship at LSU? The kids up at Washington expecting a title? ( they've missed the tourney with a ton of talent) What about the kids at UCLA? There's been a ton of one and done talent go to teams that aren't close to winning a title.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Indiana needs to get a few of these sure fire one n dones to get us over the hump. (Not convinced Langford is a surefire one n done though)

We get an Exum, Michael Porter, Bamba, etc, then we can start recruiting these types of players with some success.

Vonleh and Zeller best fit that mold and why their success doesn't make our recruiting effort through the roof baffles me. 2/2. 4th and 9th picks.

I also feel an extreme lack of confidence in our ability to get a Langford type recruit.




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[Baltimore Hoosier]

1 hour ago, HoosierAloha said:

 

Generalizing again, was Ben Simmons expecting a championship at LSU? The kids up at Washington expecting a title? ( they've missed the tourney with a ton of talent) What about the kids at UCLA? There's been a ton of one and done talent go to teams that aren't close to winning a title.

 

Generalizing? Again? More like playing the percentages. For the most part, these one and done guys want to win championships and are going to the schools that will help them do that and get the most exposure in one year in hopes of becoming a lottery pick. 

That's not even my biggest point though.. Indiana has not won a recruiting battle like this in decades and does not have the recent Championship/Final Four banners or NBA Superstars to point to, to show a recruit what they can expect. Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan State, Kansas, etc. all do. So AGAIN, I believe IU is in the mix, but I really don't believe they will get the signed LOI at the end of the day.     

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

[HoosierAloha]

Generalizing? Again? More like playing the percentages. For the most part, these one and done guys want to win championships and are going to the schools that will help them do that and get the most exposure in one year in hopes of becoming a lottery pick. 

That's not even my biggest point though.. Indiana has not won a recruiting battle like this in decades and does not have the recent Championship/Final Four banners or NBA Superstars to point to, to show a recruit what they can expect. Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan State, Kansas, etc. all do. So AGAIN, I believe IU is in the mix, but I really don't believe they will get the signed LOI at the end of the day.     

I get that and agree to an extent. I think there is more to it than that though. How are these random schools landing top talent without having those things you mentioned? UCLA is landing good to great recruits without anything to show under Alford. WKU has a top 10 recruit for 2017, how? It's not FF or NC banners nor superstars in the NBA. Washington is landing them as well.

There is A LOT more at play than those things you've listed. I believe we haven't landed these types of recruits because the staff is unwilling to play those games. It's really interesting to watch what top recruits IU makes it known they've stopped recruiting. I'm not saying that all top recruits are dirty and that's why IU hasn't gotten top 3 recruits. However, that is a big reason for a lot of those top recruits.

“I am not saying that cheating is 80% of the game,” Izzo told USA TODAY. “It’s probably 20%. But it’s probably 70% of the top 20% (of player recruitments). College basketball is a business. This (recruiting) is a business now because it leads to ours.”

Sooooo when it comes to the top 20 or so recruits then 14 are dirty leaving 6 to programs who don't cheat. Well you have some really good programs who don't cheat and might appeal to recruits because of coaches, distance from home, academics, etc.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Right on Aloha. I think that is exactly it. We aren't as dirty as these other programs. I think that explains our recruiting difficulties sadly. Including top rated Indiana kids not from families with money (Zeller, Blackmon, Ferrell).

Tons of rumors with Bluiett, Swanigan, Lyles, Lyle.

Part of me hates that we don't play the game. And I hate that I feel that way.


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[NoahW35]

Have always heard that IU, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville were the main four for Langford. Who knows how true that is.

I think he is definitely a one and done player though. Top 3 in the 18 class and possibly #1

[Baltimore Hoosier]

Just now, HoosierAloha said:

 

I get that and agree to an extent. I think there is more to it than that though. How are these random schools landing top talent without having those things you mentioned? UCLA is landing good to great recruits without anything to show under Alford. WKU has a top 10 recruit for 2017, how? It's not FF or NC banners nor superstars in the NBA. Washington is landing them as well.
 

 

These random schools have landed top tier talent for several reasons, and I can tell you why.. Washington landed Michael Porter because his father is an assistant coach. Shammond Williams, the former UNC standout, is now an assistant coach at WKU and uncle of Mitchell Robinson who is the top 10 center who signed there. Those kind of relationships are the "more to it" part you mentioned. And as far as Alford is concerned.. Maybe he just isn't a very good coach? 

I stand by my argument that Indiana won't win the recruiting battle for the reasons I already mentioned. 

 

[mdn82]

I think IU should stop recruiting top talent because all of those recruiting battles with Duke. I mean, no chance = waste of time.

[HoosierD]

Indiana needs to get a few of these sure fire one n dones to get us over the hump. (Not convinced Langford is a surefire one n done though)

We get an Exum, Michael Porter, Bamba, etc, then we can start recruiting these types of players with some success.

Vonleh and Zeller best fit that mold and why their success doesn't make our recruiting effort through the roof baffles me. 2/2. 4th and 9th picks.

I also feel an extreme lack of confidence in our ability to get a Langford type recruit.




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Don't think he is sure fire one n done bc he doesn't want to be, or bc he doesn't fit the mold?

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Don't think he is sure fire one n done bc he doesn't want to be, or bc he doesn't fit the mold?

Kids with his size have to continue to really excel to remain 1 n done. Physical gifts alone aren't commanding of 1 n done.


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[MoyeNeeded]

Sorry guys...I'm a New Albany grad and have seen him play dozens of times. He is by far the best H.S. basketball player that I have seen in 20-30 yrs in this state. I just can't see how he drops off so much that he wouldn't be a one and done. He plays up in AAU against bigger, stronger players and still outshines them. Haven't seen any facets of of his game that doesn't project anything other than a short stop in college. Also, I don't think you can write IU off in this recruitment. And yes, I don't see it being between any other schools than the 4 mentioned earlier. Always a chance and it could be our turn and time!

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[WayneFleekHoosier]

Could virtually say the same things about James Blackmon in HS too. You may turn out to be correct and likely will but his size doesn't make it as obvious as say, Ben Simmons or Michael Porter, or Jahlil Okafor.

He is clearly a special talent and I don't think he's overrated at all but he has to continue to prove it more than a 6'8" plus guy who will get a bigger benefit of the doubt ( Skal Labissiere, Cliff Alexander, etc, etc)


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[hoosierpap]

I'd be careful in applying blanket statements about individual recruitments. They're all very, very different. This one included.