Official 2016-17 IUBB Preseason Thread

[Class of '66 Old Fart 85,245]

From Brian Snow at SI.com

Indiana adds momentum heading into key weekend

When Al Durham committed to the Indiana Hoosiers in Oct. 2015, the expectation was he’d be the first of what was going to be a very big class. However, for a long while the Georgia native was the lone member of Tom Crean’s 2017 haul.

As is the case at a place like Indiana where the fans are as passionate and educated as any in the nation, there was consternation about the direction the class was going. That was exacerbated when in-state five-star prospects Malik Williams and Jaren Jackson chose Louisville and Michigan State, respectively, over the Hoosiers.

However on Monday night the Hoosiers got some much needed good news. Four-star prospect Justin Smith from suburban Chicago picked the Hoosiers over reigning national champion Villanova.

Smith, who is one of the better athletes in the class, gives Indiana some recruiting momentum heading into one of the more important recruiting weekends Crean has had in a few years.

Visiting Bloomington this weekend is Indianapolis native and five-star prospect Kris Wilkes. Wilkes has had an offer from Indiana since eighth grade, and he has long been considered the top priority for the Hoosiers in the class.

Adding to the importance is the fact that Wilkes has been the one in-state elite prospect in this recruiting cycle that Crean and his staff have seemed to have all the momentum.

For his part, Wilkes is looking forward to the visit.

“I am just looking forward to getting down there and seeing all the facilities more and getting to know the coaches,” said Wilkes. “I want to meet the players and see how comfortable I am with them and just have a good time.”

This is not Wilkes’s first visit to Indiana. He has been down there numerous times in an unofficial capacity, but the official visit could be the difference-maker for the Hoosiers.

With schools such as UCLA, Illinois, Xavier and Connecticut all firmly in the mix, Indiana is looking to blow Wilkes away.

There is no doubt the pressure is on Crean to land an elite talent from a traditionally pro-Indiana high school (former Hoosiers such as Eric Gordon and A.J. Ratliff won Mr. Basketball at the school).

Due to all of those factors, a ton of attention will be on Wilkes and his trip this weekend, and no doubt Crean is happy to have recruiting momentum thanks to the commitment of a respected prospect like Smith.

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Basketball season starts today!!!!!

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Will you be able to watch basketball with 3,502 feet of snow up there?

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Alex McCarthy @akmccarthy

Crean also says his team hasn't been fully healthy this offseason yet. Blackmon, Johnson, Morgan battling injuries, now Hartman. #iubb

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Alex Bozich @insidethehall

Crean is choked up talking about Collin Hartman and the injury. "I love that kid." #iubb

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Alex McCarthy @akmccarthy

Crean on Hartman: "It's hard. I just love that kid...I don't have a timeline." Says he's more concerned about Hartman's mindset. #iubb

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Alex Bozich @insidethehall

Robert Johnson has been cleared, Juwan Morgan still has a few weeks to go, per Tom Crean.

 

Zach Osterman @ZachOsterman

More on this: Crean characterized the injury as happening when Hartman planted his foot in practice. #iubb

 

Alex Bozich @insidethehall

Freddie McSwain had knee surgery and is a couple of weeks away from returning. #iubb

Zach Osterman @ZachOsterman

Crean suggests McSwain will help Indiana long-term defensively. #iubb

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,549]

Walking wounded. OMG.


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[WayneFleekHoosier 48,549]

Crean says McRoberts gained 20 lbs in off-season and could see minutes with Hartman out #iubb


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[Crimson and Cream 5,843]

3 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Crean says McRoberts gained 20 lbs in off-season and could see minutes with Hartman out #iubb


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Nice to have a walk-on with D1 experience that can come in and give you a few good minutes.

[Stuhoo 81,531]

18 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Crean says McRoberts gained 20 lbs in off-season and could see minutes with Hartman out #iubb


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Zach "Ryanjeffburtonhoward" McRoberts to the rescue!!

Yes Zach, from now on, your Delta House nickname will be "Ryanjeffburtonhoward"

 

 

[Trish 11,635]

Jesus, we are such an injury riddled team. 

[Hovadipo 56,552]

 

Zach "Ryanjeffburtonhoward" McRoberts to the rescue!!

Yes Zach, from now on, your Delta House nickname will be "Ryanjeffburtonhoward"

 

 

Someone say Jeff Burton?

Vroom vroom, ****************!!!!!

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[Class of '66 Old Fart 85,245]

1 hour ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Walking wounded. OMG.


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Almost as certain as death and taxes.  Morgan and Blackmon we know are in the late stages of rehab/recovery and of course, Colin's injury.  McSwain and surgery is an unexpected and unpleasant turn of events.  Certainly hope it was a very minor procedure and nothing to be concerned about for the long haul.  Let's hope that McRoberts can prove to be another Max B.

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

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

Almost as certain as death and taxes.  Morgan and Blackmon we know are in the late stages of rehab/recovery and of course, Colin's injury.  McSwain and surgery is an unexpected and unpleasant turn of events.  Certainly hope it was a very minor procedure and nothing to be concerned about for the long haul.  Let's hope that McRoberts can prove to be another Max B.

If McRoberts ends up being a Maximus lite I'll be pleasantry surprised.  Heck, if he gives solid minutes ala Burton I'd be happy. 

[Stuhoo 81,531]

Max? No.

Ryanjeffburtonhoward? Sure!

[OliviaPope40 6,588]

How long before someone is in the dreaded boot?

[LIHoosier 26,474]

17 hours ago, Hovadipo said:

Someone say Jeff Burton?

Vroom vroom, ****************!!!!!

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And Ryan Howard too. With his slugging prowess and limited mobility, I see him as the next Sam Perkins; setting up shop behind the 3 point line and firing some southpaw bombs. 

[VO5 8,272]

Mcswain has missed a ton of valuable time. I wonder how ready he'll be for the start of the season

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Mcswain has missed a ton of valuable time. I wonder how ready he'll be for the start of the season

As long as he's ready heading into the B1G season. We have a few tough games (KU, UNC, Butler) in the noncon but IU should be able to cover for him then. I would say around 10 minutes in the noncon and brought along like OG/JMo last season.

[VO5 8,272]

57 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

As long as he's ready heading into the B1G season. We have a few tough games (KU, UNC, Butler) in the noncon but IU should be able to cover for him then. I would say around 10 minutes in the noncon and brought along like OG/JMo last season.

As long as he brings solid D for short stretches he'll be a valuable asset. Really loving the defensive potential of this team