College Basketball 2011-2012

[Sosa21MVP]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

 

Time for some spring Creaning! =D>

 

Crean has also still been looking for a big for 2011. Not sure if that effort will continue now that Abell committed. Or maybe Tom is planning on cutting half the roster, I dunno. :-k

[SouthSideRyan]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

 

Time for some spring Creaning! =D>

 

Crean has also still been looking for a big for 2011. Not sure if that effort will continue now that Abell committed. Or maybe Tom is planning on cutting half the roster, I dunno. :-k

 

Well he'd have to cut somebody in order to fit another kid in the '11 class.

[SeldomSeen]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

I'd be surprised if that's still the case two weeks from now. At least one transfer will happen this year, and with another after next season (seems to be the going rate around college basketball anymore) the scholly situation isn't nearly as dire as people make it out to be.

 

Also, it's looking more and more like Jurkin will spend an extra year in prep school.

 

Viewed through that lens, I'm sure Crean will be looking to sign 3-4 more players in the next year :wink:

[SouthSideRyan]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

I'd be surprised if that's still the case two weeks from now. At least one transfer will happen this year, and with another after next season (seems to be the going rate around college basketball anymore) the scholly situation isn't nearly as dire as people make it out to be.

 

Also, it's looking more and more like Jurkin will spend an extra year in prep school.

 

Viewed through that lens, I'm sure Crean will be looking to sign 3-4 more players in the next year :wink:

 

Yep, he can just cut this kid when it comes time to sign the next class. And once you have Perrea signed, there's no need for Jurkin, so they can determine he won't be a good fit after prep school.

[Smack]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

[Exile on Waveland]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

 

There's a rule against over-verballing? News to me.

[SouthSideRyan]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

 

We picked up a 5th year senior transfer from Bradley, so we only have one opening for this year(which will probably go unfilled, leaving 2 for '12)

 

With the monster '13 class, I'd be surprised/disappointed if we didn't roll one of the two to 2013.

[illiniguy]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

 

We picked up a 5th year senior transfer from Bradley, so we only have one opening for this year(which will probably go unfilled, leaving 2 for '12)

 

With the monster '13 class, I'd be surprised/disappointed if we didn't roll one of the two to 2013.

I'm worrying a bit that PU and IU are done with their 2013 classes. Hopefully we haven't slipped in recruitting again. I know it's still early but a verbal would be nice.

[CubColtPacer]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

[Exile on Waveland]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

 

We picked up a 5th year senior transfer from Bradley, so we only have one opening for this year(which will probably go unfilled, leaving 2 for '12)

 

With the monster '13 class, I'd be surprised/disappointed if we didn't roll one of the two to 2013.

I'm worrying a bit that PU and IU are done with their 2013 classes. Hopefully we haven't slipped in recruitting again. I know it's still early but a verbal would be nice.

 

Haha, if we've learned anything, it's that Tom Crean is never done recruiting. Even if it's completely illogical.

[Sosa21MVP]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

Based on what I've read about Abell in the past 24 hours I'd say it is a lock that he will be a back-up ballhandler. That combined with his ability to defend at the guard spots.

 

As far as adding another big man, well quite frankly for 2011 I'm not sure there is anything left that is worthwhile. Some of the guys Crean is allegedly looking at appear to be Bawa clones and adding size doesn't mean a thing if the player(s) in question are too raw to contribute.

 

The one interesting thing about 2012 now is that Crean is still recruiting both Gary Harris and Mitch McGary. McGary probably fits our needs better than Harris. I mean we will be fairly deep on the wing even without Harris. McGary would bolster our frontcourt. Or maybe Crean is planning to sign both, lol.

[Sosa21MVP]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

I've heard that Sheehey is considering leaving, yes.

[CubColtPacer]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

 

We picked up a 5th year senior transfer from Bradley, so we only have one opening for this year(which will probably go unfilled, leaving 2 for '12)

 

With the monster '13 class, I'd be surprised/disappointed if we didn't roll one of the two to 2013.

I'm worrying a bit that PU and IU are done with their 2013 classes. Hopefully we haven't slipped in recruitting again. I know it's still early but a verbal would be nice.

 

IU's not done with 2013. Even with being 2 over in 2012 they still have 1 open scholarship in 2013. Once the dust settles and they figure out 2012 more scholarships than that might be open for 2013.

[CubColtPacer]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

I've heard that Sheehey is considering leaving, yes.

 

Well I like him and I think he could contribute at a high major program, but I don't see how he fits after this year so that would be ok with me. I'm just surprised that he already would be considering it when he seemed to enjoy his freshman year.

[illiniguy]

So what's up with Illinois? With Richmond leaving you have two scholarships open for this coming year and 2012, right?

 

We picked up a 5th year senior transfer from Bradley, so we only have one opening for this year(which will probably go unfilled, leaving 2 for '12)

 

With the monster '13 class, I'd be surprised/disappointed if we didn't roll one of the two to 2013.

I'm worrying a bit that PU and IU are done with their 2013 classes. Hopefully we haven't slipped in recruitting again. I know it's still early but a verbal would be nice.

 

IU's not done with 2013. Even with being 2 over in 2012 they still have 1 open scholarship in 2013. Once the dust settles and they figure out 2012 more scholarships than that might be open for 2013.

Ok you aren't done, but you have a hell of a start.

[Sosa21MVP]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

I've heard that Sheehey is considering leaving, yes.

 

Well I like him and I think he could contribute at a high major program, but I don't see how he fits after this year so that would be ok with me. I'm just surprised that he already would be considering it when he seemed to enjoy his freshman year.

 

I don't know specific details but I'm guessing he sees the writing on the wall as far as his long-term future at IU. I mean he did seem to have fun last season and got some good playing time but at the same time we have been recruiting guys that will ultimately take away his minutes in the future. Maybe he wants to be a guy who can play major minutes as a junior and senior instead of being a role player off the bench. I mean it would have to be kind of tough to go from getting major minutes your first two years (I'm presuming he would still play a lot this coming season) and then being relegated to a lesser role in your last two years.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

That's because I refuse to believe Watford is a wing. He's a small, weak, perimeter four. I've seen nothing to change my mind on that.

 

The big man depth for 2012-13 looks relatively decent: Zeller/Watford(ish)/Perea/Elston(?)/Jurkin(?). However, after that it gets dicey. You've got Zeller and Perea that I'm confident in, and Jurkin who seems like a project that may be in prep school. After that? Nothing. The team desperately needs intererior depth for the future. The 2011 class has one big man, the 2012 has two, 2013 zero, and 2014 one (? or is it a tall wing?). That's added to a team with really no competent big men. Even if Jurkin is good, that's still only three big men on the roster. Insufficient. I'm not saying they can get anyone good this late . . . but they did just take a 3-star guard this late . . .

 

Agreed. The most likely transfers seem to be big men and the other roster deus ex machina seems to be Jurkin to prep school. So, still a glut of wings. Abell better be a ball handler.

[Sosa21MVP]

Exile - Trey Lyles in the 2014 class is a power forward.

[CubColtPacer]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

That's because I refuse to believe Watford is a wing. He's a small, weak, perimeter four. I've seen nothing to change my mind on that.

 

The big man depth for 2012-13 looks relatively decent: Zeller/Watford(ish)/Perea/Elston(?)/Jurkin(?). However, after that it gets dicey. You've got Zeller and Perea that I'm confident in, and Jurkin who seems like a project that may be in prep school. After that? Nothing. The team desperately needs intererior depth for the future. The 2011 class has one big man, the 2012 has two, 2013 zero, and 2014 one (? or is it a tall wing?). That's added to a team with really no competent big men. Even if Jurkin is good, that's still only three big men on the roster. Insufficient. I'm not saying they can get anyone good this late . . . but they did just take a 3-star guard this late . . .

 

Agreed. The most likely transfers seem to be big men and the other roster deus ex machina seems to be Jurkin to prep school. So, still a glut of wings. Abell better be a ball handler.

 

I'm much more confident in finding a guard late that can contribute than a big man. Most big men with any talent whatsoever have already been picked up at this point.

 

I think the future big men could come in that 2013 class. That's when three players who can play in the 4/5 positions are graduating so I'm guessing that Crean will have to add at least 1 and maybe 2 big men to that class.

[SouthSideRyan]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

This leaves them 2 over in 2012. Delaney's not gonna like that.

 

There's a rule against over-verballing? News to me.

 

No, which is why I said he's not gonna like it as opposed to saying they can't do that. We're 7 months from signing day and IU is still recruiting for '11 and '12 while already needing to dump one kid just to legally sign who they have committed.

[SouthSideRyan]

Good to see you guys have no issue with Crean's strategy of leaving kids out in the cold.

[CubColtPacer]

Good to see you guys have no issue with Crean's strategy of leaving kids out in the cold.

 

I have quite an issue with Crean cutting players. So far though that hasn't happened. The player who everybody wanted gone each year has never left. If Capiobianco is asked to leave I'll have quite a bit of trouble with it. If Sheehey is planning to transfer to get more playing time in his junior/senior year (he'd get plenty of it this year) I'd have no problem with it.

[Exile on Waveland]

Exile - Trey Lyles in the 2014 class is a power forward.

 

Is he? Or is he a tall wing type (a la Watford, but better)? I haven't seen him play, but if he's a perimiter type power forward, I still think IU needs more big guys.

 

Edit: Just to be clear, this is in no way meant to be negative to Lyles, who is evidently an oustanding player that any team would love to have.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU gets a commitment from Remy Abell for this year. Supposed to be a pretty good defending guard who can do some things offensively. He isn't a great recruit though (originally committed to Bradley) and this one is a head scratcher. It definitely makes you wonder if there are transfers and other things happening soon.

 

I do think it's interesting that if Abell comes in and scores a point he'll become the first player from Kentucky to score a point for IU in 68 years.

 

It is curious.

 

On the optimistic side, he does seemingly check a few boxes. He has good size for a guard, is athletic, good defensively, and able to handle the ball some (going off reports, never seen him). All those things are needed.

 

On the negative side, he seems awfully redundant unless he really can handle the ball well enough to be a back-up point. In 2012-13, IU has these wings lined up: Creek, Oladipo, Sheehey, Etherington, Abell, Patterson, Hollowell. Plus, they're still recruiting Gary Harris hard and no doubt would take him if he'll come. That's potentially eight guys for two spots. Crean's hyperactivity is going a bit crazy -- the team needs BIG MEN.

 

I think this means at least one of the following: (1) multiple transfers this year, and/or (2) Crean really believes Abell is the back-up ballhandler.

 

You also forgot Watford as another wing.

 

I do think Crean likes to run an offense without too many traditional big men though. I think Zeller and Perea will both get a lot of playing time but I can definitely see Crean shifting Watford or Hollowell to the 4 for large stretches as well. I would like 1 more good big man to really feel good about the position but I don't think IU will be that short in the 2012 season. And any big you would pick up this late in the 2011 class probably doesn't help you much.

 

What puzzles me is who would transfer to make room. The wings don't have anybody that really makes sense. Sheehey after one year? Would Creek really sit out another entire year?

 

That's because I refuse to believe Watford is a wing. He's a small, weak, perimeter four. I've seen nothing to change my mind on that.

 

The big man depth for 2012-13 looks relatively decent: Zeller/Watford(ish)/Perea/Elston(?)/Jurkin(?). However, after that it gets dicey. You've got Zeller and Perea that I'm confident in, and Jurkin who seems like a project that may be in prep school. After that? Nothing. The team desperately needs intererior depth for the future. The 2011 class has one big man, the 2012 has two, 2013 zero, and 2014 one (? or is it a tall wing?). That's added to a team with really no competent big men. Even if Jurkin is good, that's still only three big men on the roster. Insufficient. I'm not saying they can get anyone good this late . . . but they did just take a 3-star guard this late . . .

 

Agreed. The most likely transfers seem to be big men and the other roster deus ex machina seems to be Jurkin to prep school. So, still a glut of wings. Abell better be a ball handler.

 

I'm much more confident in finding a guard late that can contribute than a big man. Most big men with any talent whatsoever have already been picked up at this point.

 

I think the future big men could come in that 2013 class. That's when three players who can play in the 4/5 positions are graduating so I'm guessing that Crean will have to add at least 1 and maybe 2 big men to that class.

 

Agreed. A late 3-star signing guard is far more likely to be able to play than a late signing 3-star interior player. I'm not beating the drum that IU needs another big man at all cost for next year, just that they need more lined up in the future (I agree, 2013 seems to be the place Crean is really looking at).