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Breaking down Emmanuel Negedu’s possible destinations

by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | May 23rd, 2008

negedu.jpgWith his recent release from Arizona, Emmanuel Negedu is the top remaining player on the board for the 2008 class and will consider Georgia Tech, Memphis, Tennessee and Indiana. Inside the Hall takes a look at his list and breaks down how Negedu could fit in at each destination.

Georgia Tech: Paul Hewitt’s club loses Jeremis Smith (10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to graduation and Tech’s lone 2008 recruit is a point guard. Zack Peacock is their top returning big man in terms of scoring (9.9 ppg), but he didn’t start at all this past season. In other words, Negedu would likely step right in for the Yellow Jackets at the four spot.

Memphis: All five Memphis starters will be eligible for the NBA Draft (although Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have not signed with an agent) which means that John Calipari is in search of players to fill out his roster. Couple that with the fact that Calipari recently hired Josh Pastner (who recruited Negedu to Arizona) to anchor his recruiting and Memphis might be the school to beat.

Tennessee: Negedu considered the Vols strongly before pledging to Arizona back in April of 2007 and recently told Volquest.com that his relationship with the coaching staff is a big reason he’ll consider them again. His athleticism and versatility at the four spot would fit in nicely with Bruce Pearl’s system.

Indiana: With Brandon McGee’s departure on Thursday, there’s no question that IU has a spot for Negedu and he’s familiar with Bloomington having lived there before heading to Brewster Academy. Kelvin Sampson and staff did recruit Negedu, but the new staff has ground to make up as he has more familiarity with Pastner and the Tennessee staff. The big draw is the availability of playing time: Negedu would instantly become IU’s first option up front.

Analysis: If Crean and staff can convince Negedu that Indiana’s style of play will fit his game, the Hoosiers should run neck and neck with Memphis and Tennessee for his services. Winning a recruiting battle against John Calipari and Bruce Pearl is no small task, but Indiana can offer the most immediate playing time of the four schools which should be a huge selling point. Negedu will likely take visits before making a decision this summer.

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  • I really feel this guy would be a real jump start into building a team that would compete nationally. The one thing I like about our roster is that, as of right now, there doesn't seem to be any dead weight on it. Most of the players seem like they will have something to bring to the table giving us depth. With Negedu, Eltson, and Creek that would give us at least 4 star players headed into 09. If the remaining scholarships are used wisley we will be very good very soon.
  • In the GT recap, when was the last time IU had a bench player that averaged 10 ppg?

    We need to get back to having depth. I think TC can get us there.

    As for Negedu, he'd be a huge addition at this point, someone to hang our hat on and hopefully be able to count on.

    I know we offer tons of playing time, but at the same time, most top 40 recruits want to be playing in March and the chances of that happening at IU are slim next year.
  • don't count out the hoosiers on the post season...after all.....IT'S INDIANA!
  • Not trying to be negative, and I love what Crean has done, but for next year this team returns 1 senior (who was a walk-on originally) and a sophomore who had a decent freshmen year. That's it.

    The rest of the roster will be 2 junior JUCO transfers and a bunch of freshmen. Not only have none of the players ever played together as a unit, none of them have ever played a second for this coach before. I just think next year could be really rough.

    I think by the time this class and next years class are seniors and juniors, and hopefully we've added some better recruits as sophomores and freshmen, then we'll be really good.
  • MikeinNC
    I think a likely scenario for next year is that the team could pleasantly surprise us in pre-conference play, and have some good outings early in the conference schedule. Their challenge will be the back half of the conference schedule with so many kids that are new to the grueling nature of Big Ten play...they could fade a bit from the physical battles. And they may have some tough results on the road in the Big Ten. But who knows what Crean can accomplish? He may pleasantly surprise us next year.
  • Didn't Crawford average near 10 per game last season, mostly as a bench player?

    By the way, those of you without an avatar. Head over to disqus.com, click on settings at the top and add a picture.
  • Yes, somewhere in that area. I loved that Kentucky game, 20 some points man! I think we have just seen a little of what is to come.
  • Me too, as long as Crawford stays under control (which I think Crean will help with teaching him) I think he could become a really good player for IU. I can see him being a 4-year guy that's all-conference at some point.
  • Uncle Joey
    Nice write up.
  • junkman
    Ben_M... ARE YOU NUTS !

    A tournament team based on what?

    No dead weight ??? What you fail to recognize is that the talent and experience levels are at the lowest point in my lifetime...this will be a rebuilding year where the freshman class is baptized by fire...

    Now, if the team plays hard and gives effort that will be an acceptable product to watch, but if you have expectations or hopes of a tournament team...you are waaaaaay too optimistic about this bunch
  • JUNKMAN WHAT YOU FAIL TO RECOGNIZE IS..........IT'S INDIANA
  • IT'S INDIANA!
  • Ditto. Does anyone remember what happened with Purdue last year? All they had was a bunch of freshman with a brand new coach. They weren't supposed to be good either,.
  • IT'S INDIANA BABY WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....GO HOOSIERS....I CAN'T WAIT
  • There's really no comparison between IU next year and Purdue this year. First, those guys were higher rated recruits and they had all played together before. Martin and Hummel had been playing together for years.

    Painter might be a young coach, but being a player at Purdue and all of that I bet the system isn't much different from the previous coach.

    IU will have two players that have stepped foot on the court together. Again, I'm not trying to be negative, just think we need to be realistic. I'm excited to see these new guys play and grow and build this program back up.
  • BTOWN40
    Didn't Purdue have 4 or 5 freshman start this season? and they suprised us all.
    I say our freshman are a longer shot to do well record wise, because the Big Ten will be a better confereence this year top to bottom. Let's just look at growth from start to finish this year and see where we are at at years end. One thing for sure the effort will be there and seeing where the players fit and accept there roles is what I'm looking at this season
  • On EN's Rivals.com profile, he has Georgia Tech listed first, then IU, Memphis, and Tennessee.

    As a side note, did anyone see the class IL has next year? I hope we will be pretty much back on top of things by then. I HATE getting beat by IL. At least we would have valid excuse though. humph. I hate excuses too.
  • The listing is purely alphabetical, all four schools are rated as medium.
  • Ah, shows how long I've been around Rivals. lol
  • JerryCT
    I originally really wanted Bennett as coach. Then I wanted Wright or Dickson. I thought Crean's style of play and sideline activity were not going to work for us.

    Now as things have unfolded , we know more about the true state of our program I could not be happier about how wrong I was............TC is the right guy at the right time.

    I really donot see anything here giving us an edge for Negedu. I think a player like him gives us a shot at the tournament but w/o him and now McGee we are in trouble for next year.........hoping again I am wrong.

    I see no way Dumes stays off the floor very long since the points are likely to come only when Crawford and another experienced scorer are in the game at the same time.
  • cojames
    I think that if Dozier comes back with Memphis, and the fact that they already have a top 50 pf coming in this year (Angel Garcia) as well as a 4 star sf ranked in the top 75 that playing time might be harder to come by for Negedu than he would like. Even with the Arizona assistant at Memphis, I think this could end up being more of a two horse race between us and Tennessee. I would think that we would have more of an upper hand on Tenn with all the connections we have established of late. I had originally thought that landing Negedu was a long shot, but the more I think about it the seemingly better chance we have. Lets hope Crean can pull off his biggest miracle yet and land the impact player we desperately need.
  • cojames
    I'm also unsure of Tennessee's recruiting class and what players they have returning. I know that they also had two big men coming who ranked in the top 75, but I'm not sure what the immediate playing time situation would like like for Negedu.
  • Tennessee....ah come on.....thats for girls......
  • no offense hooisergal!!
  • hoosiergal
    None taken ; )
  • Tennesee did dismiss one of their top big men from last year, Crews, so that opens playing time up.

    I've posted this a few times, but even though we have playing time to offer, these kids want to be on the big stage in March, and of the four IU definitely has to worst case for that. I think if we land him it will have to be because of his familiarity with Bloomington and that his guardian lives there (that's correct right?).
  • cojames
    Ya his guardian lives here, Mark something or other I believe. I agree that he would want to be on the big stage in March and that I think if he comes here we would have a decent chance since the Big 10 isn't the strongest of conferences right now. I also think that if Crean could not only sell him on the fact of being our #1 option next year, but to be the person that carries us on his back to the tourney (possibly even restoring IU to what it once was if he stays long enough) then that could be very intriguing in itself. I think that with all the press coverage we are gonna get with the current situation of all the players leaving, that he could really be a lone bright spot for us next year.

    On a side not I just heard that one of the readers posted a comment under the IDS blog article about McGee leaving that was pretty interesting.

    "McGee was in my public speaking class. He showed up for class everyday, but was typically 5-15 minutes late and put forth very little effort. McGee was absent today and wide receiver Ray Fisher, whose also in my public speaking class, said (before this report came out) that both McGee and Crawford are leaving."

    Don't know how much truth there is to this, but IMO this could really hurt us next year from a winning games standpoint if Crawford is gone. We would greatly miss his scoring ability and playing experience.
  • cojames
    According to Dozier both himself and Anderson are coming back next to Memphis, which means that they have only 1 scholarship open. So now it apparently is between us and Tennessee for Negedu. Lets go Crean!!!

    http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/62717...
  • john_g
    sorry, cojames but you dont have all the facts. Memphis has a scholarship to offer Negedu. Calipri said as much today when he stated, definitely, that he and Pastner will be pursuing Negedu.

    Since Negedu is a direct replacement for Joey Dorsey on the Memphis squad, Negedu already knows exactly how much playing time he will receive.

    I'm sorry to tell you Indiana fans, that now Pastner has the blessings from Arizona staff to pursue Negedu, the race is now over. Negedu is coming to Memphis. Good luck next time, guys.
  • it ain't over till its over tuff guy
  • cojames
    John if you read my post again you will see that I had in fact previously stated that they did have one scholarship open. However with Dozier coming back I believe that Memphis is already going to be deep at the forward position with Taggart and Niles as returning players. Not only would Negedu have to compete for playing time with them, but also with Angel Garcia (top 50 player), Wesley Witherspoon Jr. (top 75 player), and Matt Simpkins (another 4 star PF) who are in the incoming freshman class. IMO that would put playing time at the forward position at a premium and I wouldn't think that would appeal to Negedu as much as the ability to walk into a program and be the #1 scoring option. Of course my logic could be flawed and I could be wrong in all this, but I guess we'll have to just wait and see.
  • dale11
    Don't sweat it, we have Kyle Taber, I mean honestly what more do we need?
  • the fink...and we have him too!!
  • BTOWN40
    nice wrinkles ma
  • Who is returning this season?

    Kyle Taber
    An energy and hustle guy. Can get some rebounds and a occasional garbage basket.

    Brett Finkelmeier
    The guy who keeps everyone's Powerade cold. Moral support.



    Now let's take a look at the incoming recruiting class...

    Tom Pritchard
    Role player, a Sean Kline clone.

    Matt Roth
    He's a great 3 point shooter and well that's it.

    Nick Williams
    This is the guy to keep an eye on. Could be a star one day. Has size, strength, athleticism and ability.

    Verdell Jones
    Has some skill, but needs muscle & strength, Big10 guards will punish him.

    Tijan Jobe
    A raw, limited big man. He's 22 and might have already peaked.

    Devan Dumes
    Solid player, nothing spectacular. The transition from the JC ranks to the Big10 will be a struggle.

    Daniel Moore
    An Errek Suhr type of player, nuff said.

    Kory Barnett
    WHO?

    Broderick Lewis
    Raw, athletic and undersized.
  • Look for a Hoosier return to prominence around 2011-2012.
  • cooper
    I don't see him coming to a school that is not going to make the tournament for atleast one year and may still face sanctions. Remember this guy is likely playing 2 years tops and I doubt he really cares about rebuilding the IU program. He is going to want to take his shot at the Championship and quit. He will go to Memphis and the coach from Arizona there will say I had nothing to do with it and took myself out of the process
  • I hope you're wrong, but I think this is how it will play out too. Guys do want to be the focal point on a team, but they want to be the focal point and get playing time on a winning team that will be playing in March.
  • Negedu would be a great fit in Coach Crean's up tempo offense.
  • cojames
    No way that Jobe has peaked, he's only been in the states playing ball for 4 years and probably hasn't had much coaching in the lowly juco ranks. I'm really interested to see how Crean can develop him I think he will surprise some people.
  • Rivals just updated their team rankings for the 2008 recruiting classes. Got to hand it Crean, with the mess he inherited and losing both Ebanks and Holloway, he still managed to 5th best class in the Big Ten.
  • tberry
    And what if Crean lands Negedu? That would be exceptional recruiting considering where our program has been.

    That being said, I really can't see Negedu coming to IU. He could expect to be the star of the team but the prospects for the team will make him think he could be a big fish in a very small puddle. He may not be the Super Star somewhere else but he would get better press and post season possibilities elsewhere.

    I would really love for Negedu to join us at IU but I just can't see it happening.
  • aceman07
    It's been a while since I've posted anything but I've been watching the site everyday. You know for all the crap we gave J Crawford last year, he's the guy who seems committed to the program, apparently keeping his affairs in order, unlike the rest of KS's guys, and working with the new coaching staff! Someone write an article about him and give him some credit. I'm starting to feel better and better about Jordan Crawford and I'm glad he stayed!!!
  • JerryCT
    I am one who NEVER gave Crawford crap and here is why ( to help appreciate hime fully ) .

    Although 5th in minutes played he outplayed most others on the team as follows:

    - tie for 2nd in FG%
    - 2nd in 3pt %
    - 3rd in Reb/Gm ( better if rebs per min played )
    - 4th in assists/gm
    - 2nd lowest in TO's
    - 3rd in steals

    He is a good player now and I hope GREAT next year if he gets some help
  • rumors are he's leaving too...so don't get too excited
  • Petetuckyburg
    The more days distance from McGees exit, the better I feel about Crawford staying. No over confidence though.
  • Uncle Joey
    i have also heard from people who work at assembly hall that Crawford wants out, but its definitely still a rumor.
  • hoosier basketball gossip is taking a break for the weekend
  • Yes, unfortunately. Hey if it helps Big A, I sent an IU fan who hadn't heard of this site here today, so maybe you could make a post about something just to keep away empty visits. lol
  • We should be back Tuesday morning. Not much going on this weekend.
  • Okay, gotcha. btw, cool avatar
  • Kelin Blab
    I think Jordan see's the GOOD writing on the wall...here is a guy who helped groom d-wade to one of the best players in the NBA. He is an uptempo type of coach and Jordan see's his opportunity to play at IU in front of 17K. I think his brother has a great influence on him in how to handle this situtation and given how joe managed a coaching change, Jordan is in a better position with Crean....Jordan Stays....
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