It’s the first day of August and we’re just a day away from the recruit barnstorming tour tipping off. As we told you a week or so ago, we’ll be at the New Albany game (and maybe a few other stops) and for those that can’t attend tomorrow evening, we’ll be bringing you live blog coverage. So be sure to check that out.

After surfing the Web, I’ve scrounged up a few links of interest for Hoosier fans. I promise these will be somewhat entertaining, so go ahead and give ‘em a click.

- IU plans to honor Coach Hoeppner. {Indy Star}
- IU target and Lawrence North junior-to-be Stephan Van Treese selected for the Adidas basketball experience. {Indy Star}
- Now that we’re all talking about it, Big Ten commish Jim Delaney says expansion is unlikely. {Indy Star}
- IU tight end and former QB Blake Powers arrested. {IDS}
- Doug Gottlieb of the World Wide Leader (Free Insider, yipee!) reveals that it’s no secret USA Basketball stinks right now. {ESPN}

So long for now, happy Wednesday and my apologies for the Gottlieb picture.

Your friend and mine, Doug Gottlieb over at the World Wide Leader, recently ranked the top prospects for the 2008 NBA draft. (Free Insider!) And, he’s got our boy Eric Gordon at No. 1 on the list.

1. Eric Gordon, Indiana
Gordon would have been the first guard taken this year. He has deep range, a midrange game that is developing and he will finish in traffic as well. Unlike some of his fellow guards in this class, Gordon has no issues with sharing the ball on the floor or baggage off the floor. He is a huge reason for believing that IU is back. But for how long?

This is good for IU fans in the sense that EJ is getting some crazy dap from ESPN even before the season starts. It’s refreshing to see an IU player have such an high profile — when was the last time we could claim that? However, this does nothing but reaffirm the fact that Gordon is probably a one-and-done.

Let’s enjoy him while we can, shall we?