I tend to agree, but also think that is why a school like IU offers more opportunity for a player like BJ Young. Indiana has a national presence. If Young wants exposure then playing for IU in the Big Ten is the place to be. The Hoosiers still get nationally televised games even while being down and the Big Ten network puts all IU games in front of a wide audience. Plus, Crean’s style of ball will give Young plenty of opportunity to shine on the ESPN highlight reels. With BJ, Austin, and Cody, the Hoosiers will be competing on a national stage frequently.

I bet Scottie Pippen wished he would have paid more attention in economics and business classes right about now.

Here is espn’s preview of the big ten basketball for 2010-2011 season http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/. Question what if CZ commits to IU but BJY goes else where? Does Crean keep that scholarship so we don’t have to oversign or do we sure up the frontline by picking up Goff or Chandler to go along with Zeller(picking up two front court players makes a lil sense seeing how ctc is recruiting alot of combo guards and wings for 2012 ex. Smith-Rivera, Harris, Hollowell, and Yogi )? Or do we go out and try to find another pg? I know we have Jurkin and possibly Perea coming in 2012 but it never hurts to have too many bigs. Zeller, Jurkin, Perea, and Goff would make a monster front line to go along with patterson, mo, hulls, and possibly harris, yogi would make a very solid team. Thoughts

Thanks for the link. That’s the first real video I’ve seen of BJ on court. He has a bit of an unconventional shot, but he seems to make it work. And I love how he’s able to penetrate and get to the rim… something we haven’t seen much of at IU in awhile.

He did say, “me and Indiana are still really close”!

Is that close as in close to making a deal or close as we’re good buddies?

Either way that statement says that IU is still in this thing and a possible front runner so don’t get too nervous just yet.

Cody is on the same schedule so I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s pretty normal.

Good question.

I am a little hesitant to say this right now, because I haven’t seen what this summer has wrought and it is tough for me to judge their work ethic, but I’m pretty sure this assessment is spot-on.

I think Creek and Watford could both fill out and flourish into NBA calibur talents by the time they leave Indiana… but neither of them are an Eric Gordon type sure first rounder. I haven’t seen where their development has taken them this year… then it would be much easier to project where they might be after their junior years. There’s no chance either of them is ready for the league after this year, but there’s a slim chance that one of them will advance rapidly enough to leave after their junior year.

I don’t see it as likely, but I think they each have a small chance to accomplish that if they really work hard and are somewhat lucky.

Speculation. And how can you lump a kid into a category like “clueless recruit” when you don’t know him? And would it make him clueless to choose the school of his choice?

He is longer than I thought, could end up 6’5ish……

Personally, I say PG simply because we do not have one signed since 2009 class. We have 2/3 guards in VO and Sheehey, AE, Patterson; We have a C in Guy and Jurkin. The style CTC prefers is not a post and bang on the blocks which leads me to think PG. These C’s can run the floor which make CZ a must in the PF position.

I might offend a few fans, but I have never been sold on Hulls though I think he is the best we have. Over the next 3 years in conference play (assuming there is no other PG recruited), Hulls is the one player on the floor that I think will be outmatched athletically nearly every night. He is a great kid and has some intangibles, but he is not the guy I want with the ball with 11 seconds to go in a 75 -75 tie running off of a high ball screen looking to penetrate, shoot, or dish. He is not tall enough to shoot over someone, he isn’t quick enough to turn the corner, and he isnt strong/athletic enough to score through contact in the lane.

Can the PG’s being recruited be the guy, BJ…..YES! YOGI…..YES! Even a 2 guard with size like VJIII, Sheehey, AE, etc……YES! Just not Hulls. Infact, this season I hope Rivers is able to be the pressure guy in tight games, but his lack of leadership cannot be counted on. Thus, I think VJIII is our guy in these situations because of his versatility, confidence, and leadership.

To call BJ clueless is a bit of an insult. This is the biggest decision he will have to make so far in life. He likes IU. He has made that clear more than once. The mere fact that he mentions Austin and Cody is a good sign that he is aware of what is going on here in the class of 2011. CTC calls twice a week. Kansas, Baylor, Memphis, Louisville and IU are all good programs and better than Arkansas. Perhaps his family is very close. perhaps his family in Ark is better off than his own situation at home and these family members want to keep an eye on him. Maybe he just mentioned he has family there and it is a good connection to ark. Who knows???!!!

But BJ has commented that he thinks he can help restore IU’s glory, so just in case you didn’t read Alex’s interview at the top of this page, BJ said, “I know if I go there then we can turn the program around. I know Coach Crean and his resume shows that he has a winning record.”

There is still hope…have some faith. About 6 months ago I was questioning this program. we were having some issues getting some marginal prospects here. But IU has a renewed committment from AE (who has remained despite the Carlino exodus), Sheehey and VO are on campus, along with committs from Guy, Jurkin, and Patterson. we have also seen some talent show interest in transfering to IU. In 3 months we have a 50/50 chance of CZ and I would think a 33% chance at BJ. But, good news, if we dont get BJ, there is a kid named Yogi who is great friends with AE and CZ and Patterson and wants to play with these guys at IU. There is a 6’8″ freakish athlete named Hanner that just moved to Indiana to play HS basketball. Oh yeah, he is great friends with AE, Jurkin, Yogi, and CZ and he wants to play with these guys in college too.

When is the last time we had that vibe? 1987? 1988? 1989? It has been a long time coming.

Deciding on where you will play basketball at college, move away from home, study academically, benefits, pros/cons, future options, etc is a huge decision. Just like a family man has to weigh out every factor that lies within the decision to take a new job, relocate his family, buy a new house, change school districts, etc.

Have mercy on the kid. Obviously, there are a lot of coaches who feel this kid has some character and is worth the risk.

I guess what it ultimately comes down to is whether a kid WANTS to be a Hoosier or not. Crean is definitely starting to assemble a group of players that have the same vision that he has. If the recruit can share this same vision and if IU and co. is interested then that is the player we want. I don’t think IU wants to be in the position that says “hey – yeah come here – we will get you to the NBA” but instead “come here, be part of something special, contribute, and if the NBA comes knocking then by all means”. I hope IU is trying to build a special winning tradition more so than getting specific players special treatment outside the team as a whole just so that he can showcase his skills for the next level.

stonaroni….you are right about the thing with Arkansas that has gotten blown out whack was, the writer of the article mentioned BJ’s family being there as a big deal…not BJ. Not sure why the guy would call a kid clueless on this level of decision….

Perhaps, because the guy isn’t an IU fan and would like to see BJY go elsewhere. Me, I want him to come to IU as much as you do. I love the thought of BJY playing for our Hoosiers. That would truly be sweet.

WHAT? Why is some meathead always messin’ with tradition? It was always Plain or Peanut, but that’s not really a “flavor” i always considered it more of a “variety” Hahaha – guess the joke’s on me! Well, at least we still have our candy stripes!

I’ll see your offending fans and raise you one…Steve Alford wasn’t the most “athletic” guard IU ever had (did he ever throw down a dunk?). But his bball IQ made up for it. Before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch about my comparing Hulls to Alford, remember I’m merely scoping the mental aspect of the game..the floor leadership..not the expert marksmanship.

the suspense…

Not sure the situation but just say that he has not seen his family in Arkansas for some time. Then he gets an offer to come visit the campus and can also utilize it as a chance to catch up with some family that he hasn’t seen in a while.

No brainer, take the trip and go see your family, kill two birds with one stone.

Once he makes his decision I doubt that it will have anything to do with proximity to relatives. He’s going to do what’s best for his situation. Hopefully he gets his grades in order and chooses IU.

It sounds like his priorities are basketball and getting to the next level. He knows he has to get his grades to a certain level but he may choose the path of least resistance where just scraping by might cut it. That might be Arkansas.

Hope to see him @ IU with CZ. That’s a fantastic class. Love to see both of them @ Hoosier Hysteria October 15th.

If TP hit Cook Hall hard he’ll be fine. He’s got the frame to bulk way up, and if he does it won’t really matter what his vertical is because no one will move him.

Good points. How quickly we forget about some things. This was a team we were hoping a few months ago would include Matt Carlino, Moses Abraham, and a few others that were “near misses.” Would anyone trade Carlino for B.J. Young (yes, I know he’s not signed yet,) or Buss Patterson, who is signed? Bet you would. Would you trade Abraham for Peter Jurkin? Bet you’d do that, too.

I’m not totally in disagreement with you on Hulls. I don’t know if I want him creating a shot when it’s 75-75, either, but I DO want the ball in his hands more than anyone else on the team when there are 11 seconds remaining and IU has a 76-75 lead because he’ll can those two free throws.

As for DanTheMan’s comparison to Steve Alford, I’d put Hulls more on a par with Tom Coverdale–no Steve Alford, but not too many IU fans are going to complain if you bring them the second coming of the Red Menace.

OK, I swear your post wasn’t up there when I wrote mine!

That is interesting ….being a better athlete or comparable I can actually believe given his basketball and track background. A better dunker is interesting but we will see at midnight madness. I know we rave about Vo and Guy and their impact this year but I have heard some very good things about Will being alot better than what people think.