Roundup: Adidas May Classic

by Alex Bozich in Media | May 11th, 2008

The Adidas May Classic took place this weekend in Bloomington and here are some notes from the event compiled from around the Web:

– Indiana Elite, led by Bobby Capobianco (IU), Jordan Hulls, Stephan Van Treese, Colt Ryan, D.J. Byrd (Purdue) and Mason Plumlee (Duke), won the 17-and-under title with a 80-63 win over the Michigan Mustangs. The Hoosier Scoop has a detailed recap as does Hoosier Nation.

– Demetrius Walker, a 6-4 guard, 200 lb. guard from San Juan Capistrano (CA) told reporters that Indiana is his favorite and was planning to visit with Tom Crean this weekend. However, Walker’s team changed their travel arrangements, so his meeting with Crean will have to be rescheduled, according to Chris Korman of the H-T/Hoosier Scoop. Walker is rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals and is in the 2009 class.

– Maurice Sutton told a group of reporters that he was really enjoying himself in Bloomington and based on his comments, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up a Hoosier. His unofficial visit will take place Monday before he flies home to Maryland. He is scheduled to visit Villanova next weekend before making a decision. That could change if Sutton decides to commit before he leaves town. Terry Hutchens had a nice piece on Sutton in Sunday morning’s Indianapolis Star and Jody Demling heard rumors that Sutton is close to a commitment to IU.

– Apparently IU is involved with Leonard Washington and quite frankly, this comes as surprise given Washington’s questionable academic reputation. He’s already reclassified from 2007 to 2008 and was reportedly involved in a couple of fights last summer at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas. Jody Demling has some quotes from Washington here.

– Although Jeremiah Rivers hasn’t officially announced that he will transfer to IU, the Washington Times report likely is legitimate and Indiana looks to be in good position with the former Georgetown guard.

– Bobby Capobianco was very impressive during the AMC according to one observer I spoke with and his play this spring should help him skyrocket up the national recruiting rankings. Being committed to Indiana won’t hurt, either. Capobianco will be a fan favorite in Assembly Hall with his intensity on both ends of the floor.

– Jordan Crawford and Brandon McGee helped with score keeping for some of the games at Assembly Hall. Barring unforeseen circumstances, both figure to return next season.

– Chris Korman had a brief scouting report on Christian Watford and Jody Demling of the C-J listed Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis and Alabama as the schools most involved for his services. No word on if Watford, a Birmingham (AL) native, has any future visits lined up to Bloomington. He’ll visit Louisville and Kentucky before heading back to Birmingham, according to Demling. Watford is the No. 47 player in the 2009 class on Rivals.com.

Tags: Adidas May Classic, Bobby Capobianco, Brandon McGee, Christian Watford, D.J. Byrd, Demetrius Walker, Jeremiah Rivers, Jordan Crawford, Jordan Hulls, Leonard Washington, Maurice Sutton, Stephan Van Treese

tberry

Washington is nothing but a dumb thug. IU should steer clear of him. He will be a better fit at Memphis!!!

hoosierfan27

Kelin Blab, I know the man love u have for D Moore so check out the new profile pic

JerryCT

I agree w everyone's feeling about players w size BUT I donot agree about the need for 5 stars.

What we need right now is STABILITY in our program so if you are a "one & done" I think it sets us back. I look at what other schools are interested in a player and disregard the stars and all our recruits have some really good coaches looking at them.

ALso , ALL players regardless of stars behind their name need to do some serious development in college and Crean appears tobe goood at that. Too bad Gordon could not have developed his game while in college

BGleas

I agree for the most part. Let's hope that the '08 and '09 classes restore some stability and get us headed in the right direction, then for the '10 and beyond classes we look to step it up a notch recruiting wise.

To your point about how else is recruiting the players we're interested in, my hope is that we get to the point that guys committing to Indiana have the following after their name, "Player X chose Indiana over offers from North Carolina, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky."

Then we'll be the elite program we all consider Indiana to be.

Ben_M

well 3 star players can turn out to be players like guyton, cheaney, and so on we end up being better than any 5 star players. I'm just saying once these scholarships are used thats it for a while, so lets get a well rounded team. I understand he had to field a team this year, but really with the addtition on Sutton in the midst we will have a team that will compete....so lets be patient now and get some size.

jgongora86

I have to agree at this point. Crean has to understand that it's ok to get a few players for 08, he has to concentrate on getting 4-5 star athletes for the class of 09 and 10. I was worried this might occur. Though I think he is an ok X and O coach, I'm questioning his recruiting philosophy at this point.

hoosierfan27

What are you worried about? The 09 class includes Creek-4 star, Elston-4 star, Bobby C-3star (probably going to move up), maybe Walker who's a hell of an athlete . All of them will be solid four year contributors along with all the players from the 08 class. Could you have imagined we would be in this good of shape after the year ended so terribly? I love his recruiting philosophy.

BTOWN40

DITTO

woodpecker

IU is still in hot water with the NCAA as long as this is hanging over the programs head just about zero "5 star" prospects will seriously consider us. just about all of them have NBA in their mind. When Sampson's mess is cleaned up for good then you can expect big things until then everyone is just waiting to see what happens. If the NCAA comes down hard it could set the program back even more.

BTOWN40

Everyone keep an eye on OJ Mayo situation at USC. Let's see if the NCAA will do anything at all with their program.

hoosiergal

I am very curious about this situation especially considering the Reggie Bush situation also. Though I would be the first to say that I expect Indiana to run a clean program, I get a little bent out of shape with the NCAA charges against Indiana over phone calls and so far have turned a blind eye to USC and their "paid"amateurs.

hoosierfan27

I hate USC as much as any team other than Purdue, but it doesn't seem like the university was the one paying him. The payments and gifts have been going on for 4 years. This started with the all the Mayo hype back when he just started high school.

hoosiergal

Considering Bush and now Mayo, a "lack of institutional control" appears appropriate.

golfing1

Can we please stop recruiting 3 star guards..... How about saving the rest of these scholarships for Watford and some other forwards and centers....... I dont even see Walker listed in the top 100 of his class. Cmon Crean..................Its INDIANA. Stop Settling for average players.

BTOWN40

I don't believe Walker is until 09. Watch his 3 star turn into a 4 over the summer tournaments and his senior year in high school.
The star system is overrated Charlie Miller, Andre Patterson, and Neil Reed were 4 and 5 stars look how that turned out.
Crean looks to be more of a system guy, finding the right pieces to the puzzle. I say give him 3 yrs to get what he needs and trust that he can have success. Oh I also think Coverdale was a 3 star and he didn't turn out to shabby of a college career

woodpecker

exactly!!

hoosierfan27

Stars don't matter at all, look at the NFL draft. Numerous players were selected in the first round that were 2 or 3 star recruits coming out of high school. It's all about player development which Crean is known for. Everything I've seen lately says that Walker will be at least a four star recruit by his senior year, but who really cares.

Alex

I'd be shocked if Watford comes to Indiana.

woodpecker

He needed players this season, did you want him to field a team of walkons? For 08 he has done as well as could be expected. Some fans are way to worried about the number of stars behind a players name, they really don't mean anything to the couches who know how to evaluate talent and character, as far as I'm concerned this is the key.

woodpecker

Next season IU should have
C/F Sutton, Pritchard, Mcgee, Taber
F/G Williams
G Jones, Crawford, Roth, Dumes, Moore ... this is most likely the team for next season. Then in 09 you add Capo, Elston, Creek, maybe Walker, and maybe one of the following Taylor, SVT, Watford, or one of the Wilsons.

This team is shapeing up very nicely IMO.

MikeinNC

I really worry about a guard dominated team being able to handle the pounding of the Big Ten season....especially next year when virtually everyone on the roster is getting used to the significant physical step up to D1.

Ben_M

Walker is 6-4....this would be a huge mistake.....we are stuck with whoever we use these scholarships for the next few years.....I think holding out for at least 2 big men is the way to go, but everyday I loose faith in the idea.

Kelin Blab

Ben I like ALL that Crean is doing, but as I cotinue to see the signings I continue to see a roster full of tweeners......having not watched crean's teams as closely in the past, I just hope this gels together in the long run. Right now Pritchard, Bobby C, and Elston are our bigs....if Sutton comes in great, just get the kid to the dinner table to add some meat to his 190 pound frame.

Ben_M

From what I know Crean's offense is completely based on gaurds, but its downfall is on the defensive side of the floor. I really think Elston is going to be good, but I would love to see him play small forward. I think Prosser or Van Tresse would be nice power forwards and Sutton will work as a center until further down the road. I think Pritchard and Bobby C will be decent players, but it would be a better team if they came off the bench. I just don't think these smaller guys are worth it because its not like they are top 50 players. I know that the most consistant teams in the big ten have size. I'd like to see a 6'8 small forward....a 6'9-6'10 power forward and 6'11 plus centers. The NBA type size is the right direction to go in the big ten. I'm just saying you can only play 3 gaurds at the most anyhow....so why have all these gaurds on the bench when your suffering in the front court

BGleas

Ben,

I'm with you totally, what has been lacking from IU in recent years is the NBA/Major Conference size. A lot of the best teams have SF around Elston's size.

I've also heard a lot of comments about Crean's style of play being guard oriented and like you said "totally based on guards", but is that maybe because he hasn't had the best big men? I'm sure if he had a legit/top big man he would love to utilize him.

Kelin Blab

Ok two weird things.....

1. Demetrius Walker is on the front of www.hoosiernation.com (he looks like he is 33 years old)
2. WHy doesn't he have a shirt on?????

Kelin Blab

Big A-
Questionable academic reputation and a couple of fights.....words I do NOT want to hear surrounding ANY iu player or recruit......

enough suspensions, suspected drug use, and poor academic performance.

Daniel Moore, Indiana All Star from Carmel, doesn't have these problems.......Did I mention he turned down a scholly to come to IU.........I will continue my quest to get him so love by replacing ITH as my home page with the food networks website! I will take this further if necessary and give my wife my ITH logon so she can post recipe's for sugar cookies.....

Alex

What exactly would you like for me to do for Daniel Moore?

Kelin Blab

OK....now that we are in negotiations.....other than including him in the logo with Damon, DJ, and Cal......that may be a LOT to ask, although he did give up a scholly to attend IU.

*I don't think he ever got a nice write up and he just got one recently in the Indy star.........
*Ok so maybe walk on's can't be included on the list on the sidebar, which would lead to our other walk on being included along with his sideburns, but I think a nice write up in honor of the walk on legacy of IU that he must live up to would be nice...i.e. erik suhr, adam ahfeld etc. He, I believe, may the ONLY IU walk on ever to be an Indiana All Star....

Now Big A is that too much to ask, then it would take my 30 seconds to make ITH my homepage again and send the foodnetwork on it's way....

hoosierfan27

Dan's pretty well off thats why he didn't NEED to take a scholarship. If I was wealthy I'd turn down a scholarship from Boston to play basketball at IU. That's a no brainer. Also he doesn't even see the court next year unless its a blowout.

RD21

Moore was the third best player on that Carmel team, agreeing with hoosierfan---should NEVER see the floor unless a blowout or unless he is giving everyone high fives. Good story with him walking on but this kid is not legit lets end the talk now.

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