Listen up,
I went to highschool with Kyrie when he was a freshman and sophmore, before he transferred to St. Pats. I've been dying for this kid to come to IU since I knew I was going to be a Hoosier 3 years ago. This kid is the SHIT. Not only unbelievably talented, but this kid is mature way beyond his years. I've seen him do things that I havent even seen in the college level. We need this kid, and I promise you, he will vault us into a top 25 team within a year or two. We should all support his recruitment, but writing on his facebook and stuff like that can only hurt us I believe. Getting Gilchrest along with him would be sick, but its highly improbable. I think we sould focus on getting other all around players like him in the class of 11.

You have to start with Irving. I would add Cobbins if healthy. He seems to be a superb athlete who could score, rebound and block shots and really help C-Wat on the front line. I like T. Jones too, but he is way out West. Distance may be too far for him unfortunately. That's just me saying that. I have not heard him say that. If we can't get Cobbins or T. Jones, I like Vander Blue, Poole, Morgan or Wright to go with Irving and Williams.

I agree with what many of you are saying. Williams is here to stay (which will be a great help to the APR). Irving joins him in the 2010 class. All other scholarships are saved for 2011 when we pick up Plumlee, Dawson, and Etherington. With these 5 in 2 years you add depth and talent at all 5 positions. I don't believe Irving will be a one and done, which also means that you will have 5 guys who will stay at least 2 years to bring the program back to the forefront of college basketball. Then looking even further down the road we get some of this amazing 2012 homegrown talent (DSR, Patterson, Hollowell, Burgett, or any of the other ridiculous players in this class).

Irving is coming to IU for these reasons....

1. Good family background and support trumps World Wide Wes, Cal, and Gilcrest and they want him to go to a good school for his major of journalism

2. K.I. from what I have read and heard over and over, is a leader not a follower. Regardless of what Gilcrest does, K.I. has no reason to follow a kid younger than him.

3. I think Crean and IU has really put on a major major full court press on him that he is attracted to. I have not heard him speak of any other school like he has about IU, Crean, and "IU's fanbase"

4. I have no proof of this but one thing I do know....these kids surf the net, and I am for certain ITH and other sites play a roll in influencing these kids. K.I knows exactly where he stands with the IU fanbase....NO other recruit can say that.....WE WANT KYRIE IRVING

5. Finally, It's Indiana....I know we are biased to that phrase but it means something when a kid looks into the stands and see people supporting him....during an AAU game.....an AAU game.

I like all your reasons to come to IU, but we must admit as a group, we are biased (reference to point #5). On a national level, UNC, UK, KU, UCLA, and Duke all have the national reputation, have won a championship more recently, and are basketball schools. Villanova is a small, religiously affiliated, basketball focused college on the east coast that may have a role due to the fact that Kyrie is coming from a private, religiously affiliated, basketball focused high school on the east coast. Also, remember Rod Strickland (Calipari assistant) is Kyrie's godfather and WWWes is strong in NJ and a close family friend of the Gilchrist's....This makes me very pessimistic, but I really like Kyrie's game and (if you are reading this) I would love to see him don the Cream and Crimson.

AMEN

Isn't Gilchrist's relative "Worldwide Wesley," who is joined at the hip with Calipari? Hasn't anyone else been reading the interviews with him saying he and Irving are going to Kentucky?

Nice when people can just make up stuff on here like this. Lady what interview? Who is your source? Dont get me wrong. Who wouldn't want to play for Coach CALpone in Ripp-off arena By the way I did hear in a interview Coach Calpone was going to fly to the rafters in Midnight madness this year, and was going to come to Louisville to part the ohio river

As much as I'd love to see both of them suit up for the Cream and Crimson, here is the interview
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/07/03/irving-gilch...

But I was wrong - it wasn't Gilchrist quoted, it was Irving.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news and I love the optimism, but Michael Gilchrist isn't coming to Indiana. It's a two-horse race between Kentucky and Villanova and the program in Lexington is Secretariat in this scenario.

I heard Michael Gilchrist is going to Villanova They promised to pay his brother more money to come to his games. But Kentucky said they would still will take his SAT for him.

I agree with that as World Wide Wes is a close family friend, but one can dream.....

Why don't we sign the top 5 players from the 2010 class and kick off 2 players from the current team. Then we can sign the top 5 players from the 2011 class and kick 4 more players off because only 5 star players are good enough to play at IU........Seriously, I don't remember it saying anything about identifying players to kick off the team. It didn't say you were Coach Calipari. If you want to say we will sign 4 guys because one will transfer, that is fair game, but to say "take back Williams scholarship" and "kick Roth off the team" is ridiculous and ignorant.

Now, for 2010 I would hope that we land Irving and bring him in with Williams. If we can get Poole or Jones then sign one of those, if not save it for the following year. So I will say 2010 class of Irving, Poole and Williams.

Then in 2011 I think at least one player will have transferred by this time. In a dream scenario, Gilchrist decides to follow Irving to IU, but realistically we add either Zeller or Plumlee.

Irving, Stacy Poole and Michael Cobbins.

Remember this is only OPINION. not to be taken serious. I AM NOT THE COACH OF IU

Thank you for giving me this time to talk about what we have planned for future of IU basketball. First, I want to clear up why I offered D Williams a scholarship
In 2005, while at Marquette. I offered a scholarship to a player that only had one other offer (Iowa). As it turned out that player was very important to our development at Marguette. The player? Dominic James. I saw great things from him and I see the same from David Williams.
Kyrie Irving is our man for 2010. We have to have him. So that is two player.
As I said a few weeks ago, 2011 is Crucial. the fan's have said we need big men, and they were right. So we are trying to sign "BOTH" Marshall Plumlee" and Cody Zeller. As you all know, they both have been playing AAU ball with another important player in Matt Carino. ( you guys are going to love this guy). So you have three players that been playing for 2 years together before collage even starts. Last to fill up this class we need Branden Dawson.
I know the scholarship numbers don't add up. So at the end of the 2010 season I will have a talk with some of our player about playing time next year. I look for some to transfer
So simple break down would be:
2010 Irving and williams
2011: Plumlee,Zeller, Carino and Dawson

Matt Roth and shooters of his caliber are only as good as the people around him (see 2008-2009 record).

The guys that took 100 threes were able to get that many off because they had slashers and a post presence.

I think next year will be similar for him but years 3-4 we'll have enough talent where he can provide 6-8 points off the bench and cause zone match-up problems. Plus the dude works his a__ off and has great character.

As patient as Crean has been this off-season, I'm thinking something good is about to happen over the next few months. Let's not forget the incoming class is pretty friggin solid.....

The years we should be building toward a "deep" run are spring of 2012, 13, 14.. Will Irving be a factor in those years? "IF" he is a sure fire one-and-done, then he will be gone. He certianly would be a huge factor toward making the tourney in 2011, but, I doubt very seriously if he could take the team beyond the 3rd round. If he could truly be projected to stay with IU for 2 or 3 years, then he would be a GREAT recruit for 2010-11. We would be looking at 4-6 rounds in 2012,

I would focus on rebounding in fall of 2010 and "one-and-done" in fall of 2011.
IMHO

Simple statement.....Matt Roth is the best shooter on the team....last year, this year, and thereafter. You now have more creators and penetrators with Creek, Dumes, VJ, Hulls, Wateford...and maybe soon KI....who do you kick out to for a three....Matt 'Freakin' Roth. THere is a place for him on the roster.....

The stats do not bear you out. Roth shot 38% overall (7th among the regulars) and 37% from 3 point land (second on the team behind Dumas). There were 11 Big Ten players who took over 100 3 point shots that had a better percentage than Roth last year.

Of particular concern is the +/- rating mentioned by ChronicH. He's got to be able to guard. That's a real question.

But, he was just a frosh and has a chance to get better. However, the case is not closed that he will be around all four years.

That's what we said about Jeff Oliphant too. :-)

Kyrie Irving and Williams...save the 3rd for next year if we have some solid options in 2011. If not I would go with Poole for the 3rd spot since he seems to be the best wing/athlete on the board or who ever is (name?).

Williams is here and I don't get why everyone is bashing him. He is 6'8'' intelligent, will be here for 4 years (which most of you call ideal recruits for IU but not in his case), and will probably be able to play 3 positions (3,4,5) over his time here.

2011...I want these 3...Gilchrist, Zeller or Plumlee, and Etherington.

My ideal scenario would be to help David Williams find a different school b/c we have limited scholarships and need top tier talent. I trust Coach Crean a great deal, but according to everything we read, this kid has a long way to go. Then we need to get three of the following: Irving, Coleman, Poole, Jones, Blue, Cobbins and Morgan. Do not oversign b/c scholarships are already limited. Obviously, my top target would be Irving, with Poole close behind. I think PG and C have to be top priorities b/c we are loaded at the SG and forward positions. However, I don't think it's a bad thing to take top talent, even if it crowds another position. If we miss out on most of these guys, and only get maybe one of them, I think we should save our schollies for 2011. I don't think we should settle for anything less than the above names just to fill schollies. Lastly, 2011 schollies will work themselves out...don't stop recruiting!!

David Williams isn't going anywhere. You guys need to join a support group or a 12-step program to acknowledge the fact that he WILL be a Hoosier. You guys need some faith that Crean knows what he's doing.

'10: Irving #1, any of the others would suitable take Williams' proper spot on the roster (Morgan/Wright/Blue). And since we're playing fantasy roster, let's go ahead & scratch Roth from next year to make additional room for top talent. (Is it still a safe assumption Mo & Bawa will occupy those spots?)

'11: Gilchrist/Teague/Davis (in that order for PG ), Plumlee, & Shaw. (VJ3's may be on the bubble for '11 if he doesn't show the ability to compete with '09's roster & the changing role it requires of him. Same for you Pritchard!)

If Crean can snag Irving & Gilchrist, he will officially have the power to walk on water, eat lightning, & shit ice cream. At the very least, we'll hang banners in the coming years.

Scratch Roth from the roster?? C'mon man, this kid will be a great off-the-bench quick surge of 3 point prowess. I agree that he won't start, nor will he play large amounts of time, but you have to have a guy that can hit ridiculous 3's to keep the defense honest.

I'm starting a Matt Roth fan club.

I like Roth's potential to be exactly what you describe...but he has a ways to go. I think he's a perfect candidate to Redshirt- get stronger, a little quicker, consistent D, etc. I would hate to see him leave, but wouldn't be shocked once the depth chart fills up over the next yr or 2.

As much as I like Roth, DEFENSE son! He was offensive/defensive scoring plus in only 1 game last year- OSU. He's gotta play defense better to keep his spot. And while 3's are great, I'd like to see him move a lot more away from the ball to create those 3's. Standing in the corner & just waiting for the D to forget you isn't the best way to score for what's supposed to be a scoring specialist. Just sayin, man. Scoring won't be as big of a deal with the incoming talent. Thus, he's going to have to up his productivity (on both ends) to earn his scholly.

I, Coach Crean, am going to sign three players:

My highest probability group is David Williams, Moses Morgan and Kyrie Irving. (I'm editing this post to clarify that GFDave is fine with Williams coming to IU for APR and practice player reasons, but I don't think he projects as a starter (he'll never be better than Elston, imo) and its not like he somehow is irreplaceable.)

However, in my recruitment of David, I told him that his offer was conditional and that I would revoke the offer if I got a chance to sign other players that, frankly, are better than him. Poole, Cobbins and Jones fit that bill. I don't really think I have a shot at Jones, he is going to stay on the coast.

Therefore I think the next most likely group is Moses Morgan, Kyrie Irving and Stacy Poole.

My fantasy class is Kyrie Irving, Stacy Poole and Michael Cobbins.

GFDave, I agree with this post 100%. Give me Williams, Irving and Morgan and I think that is solid. Even better would be Irving, Morgan and Poole and then Irving, Poole and Cobbins.

And I'm also with Chronic Hoosier below re: if Crean lands Irving and Gilchrist and my only question is what flavors of ice cream does Crean provide?

If I were Coach Crean, from my limited perspective, I would focus the entirety of my 2010 class on Irving. Williams is in the fold, we have another point coming in in 2011 (Carlino). The only other player on my radar in 2010 is Poole, and I would only be interested if Irving goes elsewhere. That leaves one opening in 2011, unless a Creek or Watford or someone goes pro, or someone else transfers. The roster would look like this in 2010 - 2011:
PG - Rivers (Sr.), Hulls (So.), Irving (Fr.)
SG - VJ III (Jr.), Roth (Jr.), Creek (So.)
SF - Watford (So.), Williams (Fr.)
PF - Pritchard (Jr.), Capobianco (So.), Elston (So.)
C - Miniru (So.)
There are a lot of players who can be versatile - VJ III can go point, Creek can play wing in a 3-guard lineup, Watford can go to the 4, Elston can play either forward position, Capo and Pritch can play the post.
To me, if there is a shortage of depth, you could argue for Center and go with Plumlee and Zeller in 2011. I do not believe you need a true center to win in college, so I would go with tough, determined bigs with really talented wings and a great point. I would like to see Plumlee and Gilchrist in my 2011 class (oversigning by one), if we miss on one of those, get Zeller. Notice there is no Teague reference anywhere in the post, prior to this. I feel our PG depth would be ideal without another one in the mix. My 2011-2012 roster would look like this:
PG - Hulls (Jr.), Irving (So.), Carlino (Fr.)
SG - VJ III (Sr.), Roth (Sr.), Creek (Jr.)
SF - Watford (Jr.), Williams (So.), Gilchrist (Fr.)
PF - Pritchard (Sr.), Capobianco (Jr.), Elston (Jr.)
C - Miniru (Jr.), Plumlee (Fr.)
Redshirt Williams or Plumlee to get the roster to 13. I also like Dawson from Gary, but I hear he is a strong Purdue lean, so it will be painful to play them. This roster then leaves 3 spots in 2012, which we will get to at some other time.

I think Creek will land a starting role by his sophomore year... this kid is supposed to be the gem in this year's class.

I 100% agree. I was merely listing by class oldest to youngest. If we were talking starters, I predict Creek to start by the beginning of the Big 10 season next year.

I do not see any of the current signees going pro before their Jr. seasons when we make a Final Four run, but he may very well be a candidate.

Just FYI, we have 2 scholarships for 2011 and even if you redshirt a player, it counts towards the 13 scholarships.

I have often wondered about that. Is it the case that you can only have 13 scholarships regardless of what your roster looks like? What happens if you oversign? Some one has to leave in that case?

If that is the case, I would rather take Gilchrist with my one opening, as he will be dominant for one year. Plumlee would be choice #2 and Zeller #3. 2012 should be a bevy of Indiana kids as that class is loaded.

You and I are largely in agreement on the future configuration of the roster. I think there will be three kids in 2010, not two and 4 players in 2011 (adding Zeller and Dawson). That's 16 players for 13 slots. The three will come, in my opinion, from a group including Roth, Creek, Muniru, Dawson and Williams.

I say focus on Irving and thats it. As soon as he goes to IU, start him. Give the 2011 recruiting class something to look forward to. Irving is vocal and has skill. In short he is going to be a great leader on the floor who knows when to drive or distribute the ball. With one year under his belt 2011 big men will chomping at the bit to play with this kid. Save the scholarships.

As far as David williams is concerned. At first I was not happy about his signing but I'm starting to think that Crean has a plan for this kid. I think his sole responsibility on the team will be to grab rebounds, and then grab more rebounds. Also play defense to the point of being annoying. I went grad school at UNc and when they won the championship five years ago, the kid I noticed most was a kid named manuel, and he had no offense but played tough d and could rebound the ball really well. I think thats what coach is trying to make David williams out to be. if thats the case I'm fine with it.
So stay with williams and Irving and thats it.

It's time to embrace David Williams IU fans. He's not going anywhere. He is one of us now and bashing him isn't going to help anything. We have to beleive in our coaching staff.

If we don't land a 4 or 5 star recruit with these scholarships I say eat them for 2011. This team isn't going far next year but has the foundation to compete at all 5 positions for a few years. We need the elite players to compete for a Big Ten title.

The 2011 and 2012 classes are loaded and Crean will have the extra year or two of recruiting these kids and selling the program.

We are all crossing our fingers on Irving. If it doesn't happen we can't reach for another role player just to fill our roster.

I like david williams. smart kid, tall, has a great attitude. not everyone is there to score tons of points. some of you people are so concerned about how many stars people have. plus, IU aint what it used to be, its coming back, but right now its not a top 25 program.

I have accepted it and some of the us need to also....David Williams will be at IU. Despite his less than glowing resume....I think he was a potential signee and a GPA signee....definitely we need a GPA signee at this stage of the game. He will be there for 4 years, may redshirt, but he will be a hoosier....so count him on your 2010 predictions/wish list. He probaly will wear Charlie Millers number...which would be fitting if he doesn't pan out.

I'd keep Williams, focus on Irving and count on those two and save an open ride for Irving.

Then I'd bring in the other guys I want in August and take the first to commit. Moses Morgan, Stacy Poole, Dominique Fergeson, Justin Coleman, Cameron Wright, Michael Cobbins, Terrance Jones, Sterling Gibbs, Victor Olapido, Reggie Smith, Jalen Kendrick, Griffin McKenzie, all of those guys will be good sooner or later.

If Irving goes elsewhere then add two from that group, and if Irving hasn't committed yet and I get one of these guys I'd have to consider taking a second verbal if it were Poole, Coleman (might not end up 2010), Kendrick, or Jones. Then Irving could be the fourth for an oversign but I think you only consider shaking up your roster for a kid who elevates the program for the immediate benefit of the rest of the kids on the team.

My ideal class would be Williams, Irving, and Poole.

My top target should be Kyrie Irving. In addition to getting a top tear guard, landing him would get you that much closer to landing his highschool team mate and number one 2011 five star recruit Mike Gilchrist.

Sign Kyrie Iriving, David Williams...save the other scholly for Gilcrest, Poole, T.Jones ONLY. If you cant get them save it for 2011

Can't believe I am writing this...if we don't get Irving....Sign Vander Blue or Cameron Wright, D. Williams, Gilcrest, Poole, T.Jones.....ONLY.....

To summarize...it is Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving. We could sign Kyrie Irving and Deandre Thomas and I would be happy....I think!

oops Dont want to be the spoiler. But Gilcrest is in the 2011 class

Michael Gilchrist is 2011, Sir Kelin.

Irving is obviously the most important piece to the IU puzzle for the coming years. If he doesn't come, it sets us back big time in the recruiting game, especially in 2011. Future recruits (Zeller) need to see that there will be good players in the system for IU to be a success while they are there.

I would love to see a 2010 class of Irving, Poole, Post Player (Cobbins, Johnson, Jones, Mobley, etc), with Williams finding a new place to play. I know this class is wildly unrealistic, but hey, IT'S INDIANA!

Realistically: Irving, Williams, Morgan.

Sign Irving, Go After 2 role players such as Vander Blue (make sure not to bash him on IUs message boards) and Moses Morgan. Hire An Assasian to either take out David Williams, or at least destroy his scholarship. Obviously, Irving is the TOP Priority. A potential upgrade over Moses Morgan would be a legit big man such as Terrence Jones. If you add in this with 1 guard transferring out of the program (Matt Roth?!?) then it puts us in a solid position for 2011 and the future!

Forgot to mention Blue. I'll add him in.

I would start with solidifying Irving at the center of the class! He is a playmaker that would make all the guys around him better and be a go-to-scorer that can finish off the close games!
I would like to get Stacey Poole as the 2nd piece to the puzzle. He is a very athletic wing with grreat potential and shows a great willingness to improve and work at his game. He would be a nice role player as a freshman, develop into his surroundings by soph/junior season, and be a prime time performer and leader as a senior.

I would probably pull the scholly from Williams due to the fact that he is not of IU quality and there are more important, better players we can get in later classes. Plumlee, Zeller, Patterson, Hollowell (those guys are way better and more inportant to get..i wouldn't be suprised to see Patterson and Hollowell play together and stay in-state with IU!)