The follow popped up on the IU Athletics YouTube channel earlier today (looks like the sound got removed for copyright reasons, but it’s definitely worth a look):
ITH Super Happy Fun Time All-Big Ten Preview: William Buford
by Alex Bozich in Commentary | September 15th, 2010
Hoosier Hysteria is on the horizon and it’s time for Inside the Hall’s preseason All-Big Ten team. Today: Ohio State’s William Buford.
Recently I was asked recently by the editor of a publication that will remain nameless (for now) for my All-Big Ten teams for the 2010-2011 season. Four names, which will all be identified in the coming days as this preview rolls along, came to mind immediately.
The fifth, however, required extra thought.
When asked to assemble an all-league team, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making sure all positions, 1-5, are filled. But in this instance I listed the five players I felt would have the biggest impact on the upcoming season. And so we begin with Ohio State junior guard William Buford.
First, a look at his 2009-2010 numbers: 14.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 38% 3pt, 43% FG, 75% FT. Stellar across the board and also solid at avoiding turnovers (just 26 in 18 Big Ten games).
The departure of Evan Turner, the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, leaves Thad Matta without the league’s best playmaker and without a go-to scorer. Buford is unlikely to replicate Turner’s ability to carry the Buckeyes on his back through the Big Ten. But he is capable of assuming the role of being Ohio State’s go-to-guy if he’s able to expand his game beyond knocking down shots from the perimeter.
The challenge, however, will be finding opportunities to score without being set up by Turner. Ohio State is extremely thin at the point guard position and Buford’s bread-and-butter during his first two seasons has been catching and shooting. Super freshman Jared Sullinger should command attention in the paint, helping free up Buford and senior Jon Diebler for open looks.
The next step for Buford is shoring up his midrange game and attacking the rim more often. His talent level indicates he’s capable, but he’s not an exceptional athlete and isn’t particularly great off the dribble, either. A summer to work on his game and a positive experience with the USA Select team in July might be just what he needed, but ready or not, Ohio State will be counting on Buford in order to contend in a loaded Big Ten.
2012 Recruiting Board: Post-Summer update
by Staff in Recruiting | September 14th, 2010
(Photo Credit: Jack Arent/adidas)
It’s been nearly two months since the last update of our 2012 Recruiting Board and a lot has changed in the final weeks of summer.
The Hoosiers picked up two commitments — Peter Jurkin and Ron Patterson. Guards D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Gary Harris narrowed their list of schools and IU made the cut for both. Yogi Ferrell (pictured) took an unofficial for IU football’s season opener. Hanner Perea transferred to LaPorte La Lumiere. Jeremy Hollowell named his leaders: IU and Ohio State. Two recruits formerly on the board, Kenny Kaminski and Matt Costello, both committed to Michigan State. And Rivals and Scout both updated their rankings.
Around the Hall: Zeller, Scout’s 2012 rankings, more
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | September 14th, 2010
(Photo Credit: Jack Arent/adidas)
Around the Hall is recommended reading from the Inside the Hall crew. So go ahead, get your read on.
+ According to this tweet, Tom Crean will make an in-home visit today with 2011 Washington forward Cody Zeller.
+ Crean went on a Twitter run Monday and admitted giving up field-level access to the Ravens-Jets Monday night game in order to recruit. So who did Crean see on Monday? Hanner Perea. And also Collin Hartman and Trey Lyles.
+ Scout.com updated its 2012 rankings. Gary Harris (15), Hanner Perea (21), Jeremy Hollowell (29), Yogi Ferrell (36), D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (37) and Ron Patterson (69).
+ According to a premium story on SpartanMag.com, Harris is down to Indiana, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Xavier.
+ eph521, one of the ITH comment overlords, sent us the following video interview with 2011 point guard Cezar Guerrero.
+ IUHoosiers.com posted a profile of junior center Guy-Marc Michel.
+ Illinois coach Bruce Weber showed up at Lawrence Central’s lunch room to visit Hollowell.
Q & A: 2013 Cathedral forward Collin Hartman
by Joe Eberhardt in Recruiting | September 13th, 2010
Joe Eberhardt is a high school sports blogger and contributor to Inside the Hall. You can follow him on twitter at @IndyHoopsBlog.
I recently caught up with Cathedral sophomore Collin Hartman for a Q & A. The talented 6-6 forward talked about a variety of subjects including recruiting, Subway sandwiches, and preparing for the high school season.
Can you describe yourself as a player?
I’m pretty versatile. I think I can surprise some people with my perimeter skills compared to most guys my size. Depending on who’s guarding me I can go inside and score, and I can guard anyone my coach tells me to. I’ve just been working on making my overall game better. It’s funny to see the look on people’s faces when I surprise them with how versatile my game is.
What area of your game are you trying the hardest to improve?
Improving my perimeter skills as a whole. I want to be able to take any player off the dribble, and also be able to guard anyone on the court. It’s coming along just fine, but it’s a process of improving.
Is there anyone you try to model your game or skills after on the court?
I try to be my own player, but there are some guys I watch in college or the pros and try to imitate some of the things they do.
How do you work on improving your game?
My mom (former Butler Basketball Player) works with me a lot, and I also play with my brother for four hours everyday. I like being in the gym, I would say I’m definitely a gym rat.
Now that school has started, what are you doing to prepare for the season?
The first thing I’m doing is getting in the books, and making sure that I get a good start with all my classes. When I get home I’ll do my homework and grab a snack, but then I’m outside playing basketball all afternoon until dinner, and then I head back outside again. I’m out there doing dribbling drills and working on my moves. At school I dribble a tennis ball around all day, and I honestly think it has helped my ball handling be more consistent. My teachers wonder why I have a tennis ball, but I tell them I have to work on my ball handling.
2010-2011 schedule: Five toughest games
by Alex Bozich in Schedule | September 13th, 2010
Indiana released it’s 2010-2011 schedule late last month and here’s a look at five of the toughest games on the docket.
5. Wisconsin (Kohl Center, January 20, 9:00PM ESPN2): While the Badgers might not stack up quite as high talent wise to some of the other opponents on IU’s schedule, winning at the Kohl Center is no easy task. The Hoosiers have fallen by a combined 52 points the past two seasons in Madison and the Badgers return three starters, including 6-10 senior forward Jon Leuer (15.4 ppg), from a team that finished 24-9 before falling to Cornell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
4. Kentucky (Rupp Arena, December 11, 5:15PM, ESPN): The Wildcats replaced five first round NBA Draft picks with the nation’s top recruiting class and once again should be ranked in the top 15. The eligibility of their top incoming player, Turkish center Enes Kanter, will play a significant role in determining just how good this year’s Kentucky team will be. Without Kanter, the Wildcats will be a much more perimeter oriented team with freshman guards Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb and junior wings DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller leading the way. If Kanter is eligible to play, Kentucky will once again have a likely top-five NBA Draft pick and a dominant post presence in the fold.
3. Illinois (Assembly Hall, March 5/6, TBA, TBA): When you combine one of the best student sections, a general disdain for the IU program and one of the better returning rosters in the conference, you get an environment in Champaign that will be both hostile and tough to conquer. The Hoosiers matched the Fighting Illini blow-for-blow a season ago on the road before falling 72-70 on a buzzer beater from Demetri McCamey. This year’s meeting won’t be any easier as McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale all return for Bruce Weber as do super sophomores D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul.
2. Purdue (Mackey Arena, February 8, 7PM, ESPN): When E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson opted to return for their senior seasons, the Boilermakers solidified themselves as one of the nation’s best teams and a co-favorite to win the Big Ten. With Moore, Johnson and an assumed healthy Robbie Hummel, Matt Painter has three All-Big Ten caliber players at his disposal, but will need to replace the intangibles of the graduated Chris Kramer (defensive agitator) and Keaton Grant (capable of hitting the big shot). Lewis Jackson is the incumbent at point guard, but it likely won’t be long until freshman Terone Johnson, a North Central product, takes the reigns.
1. Michigan State (Breslin Center, January 30, 6PM, BTN): IU caught a break by once again getting a single play with the Spartans, but this time the meeting will be in East Lansing, a place where the Hoosiers have dropped their last 15 games. After flirting with the Cleveland Cavs job, Tom Izzo dismissed guard Chris Allen over the summer, but returns a stacked roster that includes Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Korie Lucious, Draymond Green, Delvon Roe and a stellar incoming freshman class. That sounds like a recipe for another Final Four run.
Others games under consideration: New Mexico/Colorado (Las Vegas Classic, December 23, TBA, TBA); Ohio State (Value City Arena, February 26/27, TBA, TBA).
