Official 2016-17 IUBB Preseason Thread

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Hopefully we are getting the injuries out of the way early this season. Is there anyone that is not limited in practice?

[Brass Cannon 24,813]

3 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

Hopefully we are getting the injuries out of the way early this season. Is there anyone that is not limited in practice?

I think Tom Crean is okay. Rumor is Martin is suffering from Jet Lag though 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

2016-2017 Player Profile: Curtis Jones

IU could take a committee approach to its point guard position this year and that might give freshman combo guard Curtis Jones a chance to contribute right away.

Robert Johnson, Josh Newkirk and James Blackmon Jr. are expected to split a majority of the responsibilities, but with Yogi Ferrell and Nick Zeisloft gone, IU will turn to Jones and freshman Devonte Green to round out the backcourt rotation.

Jones already has familiarity with two of his IU teammates as he’s Johnson since he was nine years old and also played at Huntington Prep alongside Thomas Bryant. That has likely made his adjustment easier both on and off the court.

As the No. 84 recruit in the final 247Composite rankings for the class of 2016, Jones has a strong national profile. But with what IU returns in its backcourt, he could be flying under the radar. His ability to penetrate, knock down outside shots and generate opportunities for others could earn him a rotation spot right away.

If Jones can score and prove to be an offensive threat right off the bat, the rest of his game will develop as the season progresses. He excels in an uptempo, transition style of play that fits right in with IU’s sometimes position-less offense. A challenge for him will be bringing other factors of his game up to the same speed as his sharp shooting. Ball handling should be part of his improvement.

The Richmond, Va. native was one of the three freshmen who spent the summer on campus at IU going through workouts, getting acclimated with the team and learning from the older guys. You can tell it made a difference.

“I’m impressed with his speed and athleticism,” Crean said of Jones after signing him last winter. “I’m impressed with his quickness. He gets to the glass. He really changes speeds.”

Bottom Line: It’s worthy to note Blackmon is returning from a season ending injury, Newkirk had to sit out last season after transferring and Johnson also missed some time at the end of the year with an ankle injury. Jones might not come in with the most experience, but he’s fresh and is buying into what Crean emphasizes. He can easily crack into rotation among IU’s guard-heavy roster with his ability on offense

Quotable: “Last year they [the Hoosiers] played an exciting style of basketball and I feel I fit into their system where I can play either on or off the ball,” Jones said. “The tradition of Indiana, along with Coach Crean’s plan for me to develop over time…The fan base is also definitely one of the best in the country.”

 

[Stuhoo 80,886]

Collin Hartman @CollinHartman30

Any suggestions for what song I should come out to at Hoosier Hysteria? #iubb

 

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

 

[Stuhoo 80,886]

 

There are two things y'all are gonna learn from this video:

1. We're gonna love this year's team.
2. Collinn Hartman is not on crutches.

[Alford Bailey 12,386]

42 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

There are two things y'all are gonna learn from this video:

1. We're gonna love this year's team.
2. Collinn Hartman is not on crutches.

#3 Priller has a beard

[LockdownD 2,238]

We also get to see that darn boot on TB.  Hope he loses it, soon.

[ALASKA HOOSIER 11,276]

#4 Priller is lifting the kid up with his mind....and TB is holding on to him so he doesn't fly into the stratosphere.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

From Rick Bozich:  The 20 player Jerry West Award (shooting guard) watch list includes James Blackmon Jr. (IU).

[OliviaPope40 6,520]

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

From Rick Bozich:  The 20 player Jerry West Award (shooting guard) watch list includes James Blackmon Jr. (IU).

Quite an impressive list if you ask me.

[Stuhoo 80,886]

Quite an impressive list if you ask me.

And it includes your new hero... this guy:

[OliviaPope40 6,520]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

And it includes your new hero... this guy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can we please not have this conversation Stu not tonight.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

2016-2017 Player Profile: De’Ron Davis

Indiana ran a marathon in its recruitment of four-star forward De’Ron Davis and won the race.

The Hoosiers began tracking Davis as a freshman at Overland High School when he was ranked as one of the nation’s top five players. And even when Davis slipped in the national rankings, the IU staff was still there as other schools tapered off.

“He was able to build a relationship with them through adversity,” Danny Fisher, Overland’s coach, told Inside the Hall this summer. “When you have an opportunity to do that, it’s real.”

Indiana’s persistence with Davis paid off last November when the Hoosiers won his commitment after it appeared Mississippi State may swoop in and nab him at the last minute. Davis cited his long standing relationship with the Indiana coaching staff as the primary reason behind his decision.

“They knew what kind of player I was, they knew what I could bring to the program,” Davis explained. “Family always sticks together and I’m a big family guy. That really stood out at me.

As a senior at Overland, Davis led Overland to a second straight Class 5A state title. He finished his prep career with 442 blocked shots.

He didn’t arrive in Bloomington until late August as he worked to finish up academic requirements in Colorado, but Davis should immediately find himself in IU’s rotation.

At 6-foot-10, Davis could back up Thomas Bryant or play alongside him at times, depending on the opponent.

“He’s been great. Always willing to learn, asks questions and listens,” Bryant said last week at Big Ten media day. “He listens when we tell him he needs to do something. He tries, he works very hard.”

Assuming he’s 100 percent healthy – a wrist injury in the spring and an Achilles injury this fall are two setbacks he’s had to deal with – Davis is a player that should continue to improve as the season moves along.

Despite the injury to Collin Hartman, the Hoosiers have some depth up front with Bryant, Juwan Morgan and OG Anunoby, which should allow Davis to come along at a comfortable pace.

Bottom Line: Davis was an important recruit for Indiana for several reasons. Indiana put a ton of time into him going all the way back to his freshman year of high school, when then-assistant coach Steve McClain began laying the ground work. While he wasn’t ultimately a five-star recruit, he has a chance to be a difference maker. He’s got excellent footwork and fundamentals for a player his size, but will need to improve his explosiveness and athleticism. Indiana’s defense should benefit from having Davis around the rim as he’s an above average shot blocker and rebounder.

Quotable: “I think at the end of his freshman year, midway through his freshman year, we’re going to see a completely different player. He’s truly going to see what he’s capable of. It’s going to make everybody go back and look at those rankings and say ‘how did we miss on this kid?’ Because De’Ron is a kid who gets better through adversity and when he’s challenged.” – Fisher on Davis and how he expects him to develop this season.

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

OG is on this list.

Top Collegiate Small Forwards in the Nation Named to Watch List

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list members for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. Named after Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its third year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
 

“Julius Erving is unquestionably one of the most respected and gifted athletes to ever play the game of basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  “Before he was the professional super star known as Dr. J, he was an outstanding small forward at UMass. The young men on this watch list have shown glimpses of Mr. Erving’s skillset and we look forward to watching them develop this season.”

Julius Erving attended the University of Massachusetts and averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, making him one of only six NCAA men’s basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. After two seasons, Erving made the jump the American Basketball Association and was the league’s most recognizable player when it merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976. During his professional career, Erving won three championships, four most valuable player awards and three scoring titles. In 1996, he was named a member of the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team.

“I’m excited to be a part of this process as we set out to identify the top small forward in the college game this year,” said Julius Erving, a 1993 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “These student-athletes have worked tirelessly to earn their places on this elite watch list and I know they will continue to improve throughout the season. It’s anyone’s award to be earned.”
 

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee.  The winner of the 2017 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show presented by Wendy’s in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 7, 2017. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
 

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015). For more information on the 2017 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

 

2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates  

Evan Bradds, Belmont
Kelan Martin, Butler
Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson
Terry Larrier, Connecticut
Jayson Tatum, Duke
Dwayne Bacon, Florida St.
OG Anunoby, Indiana
Deng Adel, Louisville
Justin Jackson, North Carolina
VJ Beachem, Notre Dame
Jae'Sean Tate, Ohio St.
Dillon Brooks, Oregon
Tres Tinkle, Oregon St.
Vince Edwards, Purdue
Dikembe Dixson, UIC
Kevin Hervey, UT Arlington
Jalen Moore, Utah St.
Josh Hart, Villanova
Markis McDuffie, Wichita St.
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

*Players can play their way on to and off of the list at any point in the 2016-17 season*

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

Fluff piece in the Indiana Daily Student on TB:  http://www.idsnews.com/article/2016/10/thomas-bryant-looks-to-improve-on-freshman-campaign

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns 51s52 seconds ago

Indiana forward Collin Hartman (knee) says it's possible he plays this season. More:

 

Zach Osterman ‏@ZachOsterman 11m11 minutes ago

Collin Hartman declines to specify injury but reaffirms it's possible he can return this season.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

A little something to maybe lighten our collective somber mood.

Terry Hutchens ‏@IndySportsHutch

My first interview experience with Devonte Green was challenging. I asked him nine questions and he answered them in 12 words total.

 

Terry Hutchens ‏@IndySportsHutch 10m10 minutes ago

It was probably just bad questions on my part. I'm kind of new to this you know.

[Stuhoo 80,886]

A little something to maybe lighten our collective somber mood.

Terry Hutchens ‏@IndySportsHutch

My first interview experience with Devonte Green was challenging. I asked him nine questions and he answered them in 12 words total.

 

Terry Hutchens ‏@IndySportsHutch 10m10 minutes ago

It was probably just bad questions on my part. I'm kind of new to this you know.

Devonte is holding back. If you've seen his twitter feed via ITH, he's a very opinionated, engaged young man.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

From Alex McCarthy

Hartman, McSwain bond during rehab

Freddie McSwain immediately had something in common with his roommates when he moved to Bloomington.

He moved in with senior forward Collin Hartman and junior guard Josh Newkirk, both of whom have battled back from knee injuries in the past. McSwain also has a past of knee injuries, and unfortunately for him and Hartman, history quickly repeated itself.

Both McSwain and Hartman have had knee surgeries in the past month. Newkirk has remained healthy so far this year after having microscopic knee surgery last summer. While McSwain’s injury isn’t quite as serious as Hartman’s, the two have bonded during their recoveries.

“It’s been good,” Hartman said, before laughing and amending his response. “It’s been bad and good. You hate to see a teammate be in the same situation or the same rehab, but he’s doing great.”

Hartman didn’t give details as to what his injury was and the timeline for his return is still uncertain, but he talked optimistically about the season ahead, hoping for a speedy recovery. When he tore his ACL after his freshman season, he returned to the court sooner than many expected, and while each injury is different, he feels confident in his ability to bounce back quickly again.

McSwain has also been involved in practices so far, spending time with IU head coach Tom Crean and working on the weaker areas of his game. McSwain, who strung together highlight-reel dunks and high-flying rebounds at Neosho Community College in Kansas, is looking to become more of a scoring threat on the perimeter.

“I’ve been doing a lot of shooting with coach Crean,” McSwain said. “He really likes to shoot the three, so that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve got into defensive drills…getting back to trusting my leg again.”

McSwain, whom Crean has described as resembling an NFL tight end, hopes to help Indiana on the boards while also being a stopper defensively. Crean also said McSwain came in and immediately stood out in the weight room, where he quickly became one of the top performers.

Hartman also noticed McSwain’s explosiveness before McSwain underwent the minor knee surgery. McSwain was a late arrival to campus as he still had academic work to finish up this summer, so he missed valuable time, but Hartman said McSwain’s done as well as could be expected.

“Obviously having missed the summer and coming in and being thrown into this program, it’s tough for guys to transition,” Hartman said. “He’s doing a good job, focusing in.”

McSwain, just like any other player on the team, is still growing in terms of being a vocal leader, Hartman said. McSwain said he’s focusing on rehabbing and on improving his consistency on the court more than anything else so far.

Hartman, always affable and good-natured, was laughing as he chronicled what has been a rough couple months for his family’s health. His mother, who has had numerous knee surgeries in the past, had another procedure recently, and his brother had his wisdom teeth taken out the same week.

“The insurance company is like, ‘What is going on with you guys?’” Hartman joked.

It’s been an interesting experience for Hartman to experience rehab both in person with McSwain and from afar with his mother. He’s been able to help both parties keep their spirits up during their recoveries, which in turn has kept him from overthinking and worrying too much about his own situation.

Hartman has also spent time bringing along the fully healthy newcomers as well as McSwain. True freshman wing Grant Gelon in particular singled Hartman out as a mentor so far, mostly from the standpoint of knowing the plays and the system better than just about anybody.

It’s been a priority, Hartman said, to impart that knowledge to the newcomers, but the most important ideal he’s pushing to them is about taking advantage of their opportunities.

“I think that’s one of the biggest things for me,” Hartman said. “The least I can do is help these guys get acclimated much faster than I did my freshman year, so that they don’t waste a year as I somewhat did just because I was a deer in the headlights.”