Report: Moses Abraham to visit Indiana
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | March 16th, 2010
For those of you without a NCAA recruiting pocket calendar, today was the first of the contact period. As such, Indiana coach Tom Crean traveled to the Washington D.C. area to meet with 2010 forward Moses Abraham.
Shortly after the meeting, a source told Inside the Hall to “be prepared for some good news.”
The good news, now being reported by The Herald-Times, is that Abraham will hold off on making a decision until he can visit Bloomington. What is not known at this point is when that visit will take place.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Absolutely and totally agree with you 92!!! This is a milestone accomplishment for IU and CTC and here's why:
Moses came to the country a few short months ago and shot up the charts to a 4 star recruit and top 90 ranking with Rivals . . . that means something. The fact that Calipari, JT the 3rd, Bruce Pearl (who I really think is a stud coach in the making), and Gary Williams (obviously a hall of famer) mean something huge is a possibility with this young man!!! Seeing his game film and athleticism he possesses is very exciting and for IU and CTC to get in just a few short weeks ago and skyrocket to the top two and even convince him to hold off his decision so he could see the campus at IU is an outstanding accomplishment.
It takes three things to succeed as an elite college coach and we all know that. It takes stellar recruiting, great player development, and solid game management skills. I think we've seen some the capabilities with CTC's recruiting and a little bit of the player development with VJ3 but the book is still out on the final two pieces to the coaching puzzle. I was discouraged the second half of the season because CTC seemed to lose control of the team and struggle with finding the right combination on the floor and even seemed to go away from that combo when he found it but this helps to ease my mind that he can get in on the recruiting war against these monster schools in just a few weeks and even get in the final two!
I am very impressed and this to me says that “This is still Indiana”! and that feels pretty good. Most schools and most coaches would not be able to stage this kind of coup this late in the game with this highly a recruited player!!!
March 17th, 2010 at 1:17 am
And the saga continues. I pray for the sanity of you guys.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:22 am
For some reason this makes me worried. If we couldn't get a commit out of him now…I think Moses taking the time to visit only gives more schools the opportunity to get in the mix. Think about it…IU got in late and look what happened. What's to prevent other schools from doing the same? I hope I'm wrong…it's just a gut feeling I have.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Over the weekend, I thought Moses would pick GTown easily, being that it's close to home and a traditional “big man” school. The fact that we are still in consideration is a tribute to Crean and his staff. We around the program can see how IU is a good decision for him, but to convince a player in someone else's backyard that that's the case? Excellent recruiting work there! Even if we “lose” him, I still say “great job” to TC and the staff.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Great job Tom Crean! This is the way it should go. It wouldnt be fair for Moses to pick IU w/o coming and viewing! Nice job even if he doesnt choose IU. My gut feel is once he sees what we have he'll pick us over Gtown! Plus he will be getting plenty of playing time here! Again Great job!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:06 am
I see your point, but I think you're absolutely wrong. He was already down to TWO schools. He was ready to make his decision between IU and Georgetown. I'm sure Coach Crean told him: “you really have to see Bloomington, the campus, the new facilities, etc., to make a fair choice between the two.” Obviuosly Crean is a hell of a recruiter to keep Moses from making a decision without first coming to IU. There is no way he's going to go visit a bunch of other schools. He only has so many legal visits and he already eliminated Kentucky, Tennesee, Maryland….why would he start his recruiting process all over again. It's down to two. Hopefully after seeing teh campus, meeting the players, he'll feel much more comfortable making his choice (and, perhaps, coming to IU without having to go signt-unseen–like Maurice Creek did).
March 17th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Like too many other people, I've been following this way too closely as well. I've probably visited ITH 30 times over the past couple days. Anyways, remember Crean's tweet recently about the new facilities and how great they looked? You have to think that this can start coming into play for the recruits.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:17 am
hopefully he is smart enoght to go to the TERPS!!!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:19 am
Absolutely and totally agree with you 92!!! This is a milestone accomplishment for IU and CTC and here's why:
Moses came to the country a few short months ago and shot up the charts to a 4 star recruit and top 90 ranking with Rivals . . . that means something. The fact that Calipari, JT the 3rd, Bruce Pearl (who I really think is a stud coach in the making), and Gary Williams (obviously a hall of famer) mean something huge is a possibility with this young man!!! Seeing his game film and athleticism he possesses is very exciting and for IU and CTC to get in just a few short weeks ago and skyrocket to the top two and even convince him to hold off his decision so he could see the campus at IU is an outstanding accomplishment.
It takes three things to succeed as an elite college coach and we all know that. It takes stellar recruiting, great player development, and solid game management skills. I think we've seen some the capabilities with CTC's recruiting and a little bit of the player development with VJ3 but the book is still out on the final two pieces to the coaching puzzle. I was discouraged the second half of the season because CTC seemed to lose control of the team and struggle with finding the right combination on the floor and even seemed to go away from that combo when he found it but this helps to ease my mind that he can get in on the recruiting war against these monster schools in just a few weeks and even get in the final two!
I am very impressed and this to me says that “This is still Indiana”! and that feels pretty good. Most schools and most coaches would not be able to stage this kind of coup this late in the game with this highly a recruited player!!!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:20 am
BTW – I'll still be happy and satisfied with CTC on this one even if Moses chooses GT, although I of course will be disappointed like you all!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:28 am
That's so funny! I was thinking the EXACT SAME THING about Crean's tweet on the new facilities. I also have been visiting the website WAY too often. I'm losing sleep over this recruit–lol. I just think he could really come in and be our starting center (which I'm sure is what Crean is telling him, too). With Watford at the 4, Creek at the 3, VJ3 at the two and Hulls/Rivers at the point, we'll win some games next year!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:29 am
Wow, what a terrific job recruiting by CTC…Imo MA has made his choice (comitted to IU) and is visiting to scope out his pad location!!!!! Great job C. Get nasty dwn low MA!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:34 am
Well, if it's about facilities, IU will be a slam dunk. G'town is a great school in an awesome city with a good hoops tradition, but the facilities are garbage and the arena is a cab or bus ride (metro doesn't stop in G'town). I think they share the weight room with cross country and lacrosse.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:34 am
go troll on your own board moron
March 17th, 2010 at 2:48 am
Sadly enough, it is a lot about the facilities for a lot of these athletes. I didn't realize that G-Town's were that poor. But with IU's new football facility and the construction of the new basketball factility, PLUS Assembly Hall with the banners and a good group of kids on a nice campus, I think he will be impressed. Also, it doesn't hurt that IU has two other Africans on the team (Bawa for 3 more years and Tijan still on campus through the semester).
March 17th, 2010 at 2:50 am
Great news and exactly what we wanted, a B-town visit for Moses. That's all I wanted from the start was a solid opportunity for Crean to recruit through the full process. B-town is the best basketball town in America and I've been to most of them. A very different feel than Georgetown, much more relaxed and a perfect fit for someone who wants to stay focused on school and basketball!
Moses you will be welcomed with open arms and a central factor in taking this program back to its position on top of the basketball world! I think your second year would result in a deep run especially if IU can lock in on a point guard than can cause mayhem in penetration.
GO IU!!!!!
March 17th, 2010 at 3:15 am
I really really want to feel confident. I want to say “it's a done deal”. I want to feel good about next season and recruiting…..but I am sorry, Kyrie Irving, the tweets, the “his dad was wearing an IU sweatshirt” and all the other stuff has tainted me.
Moses, you and only you can lead me back to the promise land of “expecting good news at IU”. (If this kid signs with IU he will either get tired or grow to love ALL of the “Moses and Promise land references”)
I believe if moses commits (and I do believe he will while he is here) I still hope we land Yeguette. The 2010 class will add a major element to IU that we really need….ABOVE THE RIM PLAY!
March 17th, 2010 at 3:32 am
MA at the 5, Elston/Capo at the 4, Watford at the 3, Creek at the 2, VJ3/Hulls at the point. The freshmen wings add versatility, Rivers gets the Dumas treatment, and Roth, Pritchard and Bawa on the pine or a bus out of town.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:46 am
This is all great, and I really hope Moses comes to IU to play. But what I really want to know was how the Sink the Bismarck game went for Korman and how his date with Kayla was…and if she brought her cute friend with her.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:14 am
Aceman07, you have made a great analysis of Crean's work so far! Good Post.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:55 am
I'm fine with this statement except I think Roth has value. Any freshman capable of hitting 9 threes in a game gives a weapon that can at least be utilized on a part time basis to keep teams honest!
March 17th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Ah, Sink the Bismark. Takes me back about a decade to the good old days . . . nice post! Was Kayla hot?
March 17th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
ah Btown in the spring beats GTowns campus anytime…after he sees IU's campus, AH and the new Cook facility it will be over!
March 17th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
When's the visit?
March 17th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
No schollys lefy so not possible to get Yeguette if we get Moses!
March 17th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
gocubsgo16……technically no scholly's left…but I FULLY expect two players currently on the team to transfer or as Dakich said kids to be run off….if Crean thinks he can upgrade with a player immediately and better his scholarship situtation, I think he will take a kid…
March 17th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Kelin: I agree with you – someone will have to be gone or we're over for 2011. And if we want to add another for 2011 (come on Teague!), it'll have to be 2. My question is around Dakich's comment of running kids off . . . was he negative on that? I can understand that, actually – especially for some of these kids that made a commitment to IU when we needed them . . . but on the other hand, I understand Crean is paid to win.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
They might have played against each other in AAU, but probably not in HS. VO plays in the DC Catholic league and MoAb plays for an Independent HS in Prince Georges County.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I've seen people suggesting that MoAb visit during Little 500 weekend and I can't think of a better time for him to come.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
pretty soon it won't be a problem finding a certain combo that works good on the court……..the bench will be loaded with talent soon enough and most of the time it won't matter which ones of them are out there together.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
congrats BGleas. Hope he's wearing the crimson and cream soon enough. Perhaps our future shooting guard.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Use of Granville Waiters is approved. We also would have accepted Antoine “The Judge” Joubert
March 17th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
If we end up with the addition of Moses, I think we are only missing one main part to this team being real successful – we need a very talented True Point Guard!
March 17th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
He didn't play AAU — believe he's only been in the U.S. for four months or so.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
He said this awhile back early in the season, but not in a bad way. He said coaches have a way of making it clear to a kid they are not in plans for the future and end up running them off. He said it happens all the time and all coaches do it. Having played college basketball I have seen it happen before. Coaches change playing time, recruit over you, you see a youth movement, bad player evaluations at the end of the season, they ask YOU do you think you 'fit' in our program…etc etc.
I have seen some signs of that from Crean towards the end of the year…..
March 17th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
That's kind of the point – some of these guys were brought in just because we had to fill the roster to play in games. Most of them wouldn't see a lot of time on a big Div I school, if even recruited to play there. It does sound negative and cruel, but I hope some of them understood when they came here that their position may be some what temporary seeing the situation. It was a unique situation where the program was building from nothing. I think most people around IU (staff/fans) would agree that they greatly appreciate the kids commitment, but unfortunately it is about winning and IU has to do what they have to do. I think future recruits would understand this situation also – I doubt IU is going to make a habit of having to make these decisions in the future.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Agreed
March 17th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Ahhhhhh! That's still over 3 weeks away. I don't think I could wait that long.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Thats true, if we can get yeguette AND Moses, then i would say bye bye to guys like Bawa, Prichard, and rivers
March 17th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Yeah – agree with both of you guys – just wanted to clarify Dakich's comment itself. It makes sense and I get it. It's the situation that we're in as a program – we can't afford any “projects” – we need guys to contribute now.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
It sounds like people are in favor of “running” guys off? I can't say that I am. I obviously want to put the most competitive team on the court, but I don't like the idea of “running” guys off or reneging on scholarship offers because someone better comes along. Am I the only one?
March 17th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Bawa might not be on that list just yet…………..he may get a full summer of conditioning/improving and then an evaluation after that. There may be a couple other additions to that list from the current team though.
March 17th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
OhioHoosier….I was with you when I heard the statement initially but then he explained it and I remember it happening before. It 'sounds' bad but then as a fan I have to ask myself….how many times this year did I think about malik story or nick williams. Not very many and if we can get watford for nick williams…I will get over it and the kids can go and pursue their careers elsewhere…
But it does 'sound' bad……
March 17th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
No known date at this point.
March 17th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Considering his background and what has been reported as being important to him in his life, Little 5 weekend may not be the best time for him to see the IU campus. I don't mean to sound like a prude but think about some of the negative things that go on in public that weekend.
If that was his only impression of the campus, he might come away thinking it is a party school and that is not the the whole picture.
Just some food for thought.
March 17th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
I don't like the idea either, but like with what you said – you want to put the most competitive team on the court. I am not sure in this case that you can have one without the other. So I guess it comes down to the question: what do you want or not want to do more?
March 17th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Geez, I away for a few days for my wife and I to have a baby and all hell breaks loose! This is great news, hope we can close the deal and get a commit, sounds like Moses would add instant credibility to our inside game.
March 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
thx
March 17th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Congratulations! I hope everybody is doing well.
March 17th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Everyone is doing great GFDave, thanks! We already had a little girl and now a baby boy to add to the family!! Very happy and excited. Thanks!
March 17th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Congrats. That's excellent news. Boy or a girl?
March 17th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Thanks Alex! Baby boy, hopefully CTC has a scholarship open in about 18 years
March 17th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
No, I don't like the idea either. What I want is for these guys to improve and contribute….but realistically that isn't going to happen in all cases. In those instances it's better for everyone if a player moves on- because what benefit is there for someone to sit the bench for 2-3yrs if they can contribute somewhere else? As for who, I think it really comes down to Pritchard. Rivers is a 5th yr Sr, so he can't transfer. Roth is coming off a Med R/S and has a niche, Bawa is 7 feet, athletic and early in his tenure (wish he woulda R/S this season). TP has had an ample chance to show what he can do but has regressed. I'm not promoting it, simply stating he is the most likely candidate to go.
March 17th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Where did you see he has a 43″ vertical?!? That would make LeBron look like Granville Waiters.
March 17th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Did you name the little guy “Moses Abraham Gleas” ? If not, please consider
March 17th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Thank you, very gracious. When I was just a lad attending Pacer games at MSA Granville gave me hope that I too could someday play in the NBA, despite having only a modicum of talent….alas I needed another 8″ in height.
I can say I haven't even thought of Antoine since about….well when was the last time I read 'Season on the brink' ?
March 17th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
This kid will not be going to UK…well, on second thought it's UK what exactly comes with the “offer”
March 17th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Is he already on Scouts and Rivals?
March 17th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Yeah, but the guys at Catspause are saying Cal has offered and he's a lock for UK . . . sorry guys.
Great news, BGleas!
March 17th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Kentucky fans always say crap like that. I don't believe it for a second.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I went to USI, and I remember a story about a guy we had there who played pro ball overseas, and Joubert was his teammate—I think it was in Argentina. That would have been in the mid-90s
March 18th, 2010 at 12:20 am
I think they rated him the #1 36 hour old in the country
March 18th, 2010 at 1:01 am
Like everyone else checking the posts 2 or 3 times a day waiting and hoping for some good news going to florida for a week w/o laptop hope to come back and find MA says he too will bleed crimson and cream GO HOOSIERS
March 18th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Of course the boy would not stoop so low as to go to Kentucky, but dad MIGHT like a new car . . . thus some “persuading” would be in order.
Seriously, congrats.
March 18th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Start training him now!!!
March 18th, 2010 at 2:21 am
Just be glad it's still not the Rupp years cause then you would have to settle for a new tractor and a lifetime supply of Mammoth Cave rough cut chewin' baccer with a new spit can.
On a more serious note a very big congrats on the new addition to the family. Heres to wishing you and your family good health and good times from here on out !!!!
March 18th, 2010 at 3:44 am
LaBron went bald?????
March 18th, 2010 at 3:46 am
I went to USI, and I remember a story about a guy we had there who played pro ball overseas, and Joubert was his teammate—I think it was in Argentina. That would have been in the mid-90s
March 18th, 2010 at 3:49 am
I remember the old joke, “How many UK basketball players does it take to screw in a light bulb? Only one, but he gets $5,000 and 3 hours class credit for it.”