When the national recruiting gurus compile their final 2008 class rankings in late May, the class coming to Bloomington next fall will likely be missing from the top of many lists. There’s no big time name like Eric Gordon that will make a splash from the get-go.
A quick glance at the rankings on both Scout.com and Rivals.com shows no five-star or even a four-star player. And as disappointed as some people may be that Devin Ebanks, Bud Mackey, Tyler Zeller and a slew of other recruits won’t suit up in the cream and crimson, this is a pivotal class that should help stabilize the Indiana program.
While talent is a key part of winning at any level in basketball, finding guys to fit a specific role is arguably just as important, especially at the college level. And that’s exactly what each of these four players has a chance to do.
Matt Roth can flat out shoot the ball. Tom Pritchard is a blue-collar post player that IU fans will embrace. Nick Williams is a strong guard that has the talent to develop into a special player. And even though I’ve never seen him play, Devan Dumes won me over when he told me he loves to play defense. What’s not to like about that?
– Tom Crean was on the ‘Front Row Ticket’ on 93.9 FM on Thursday afternoon and here is a quick recap of what he had to say:
Tom Pritchard, one of the four Hoosier signees for the 2008 class, is staying mum on his future in Bloomington. The 6-8, 240-pound Pritchard has become the center of attention for St. Edwards (OH) since the Eagles lost Michigan State signee Delvon Roe early in the season.
It was a successful weekend for a trio of future Hoosiers as Matt Roth set a Washington school record for points, Tom Pritchard helped St. Edward’s to its eighth win of the season and Derek Elston’s Tipton Blue Devils remained unbeaten. Here’s a quick recap of the weekend that was for all three players:
Here is the latest on Indiana’s four signees in the 2008 class – Devin Ebanks, Matt Roth, Tom Pritchard and Terrell Holloway – as well as 2009 commitment Derek Elston.
What qualifies as a successful season?
If there is anything we know about the Hoosiers this season, it is that we know nothing. As much as we may have seen Tom Pritchard in his ESPN game last year as a senior in high school, or as much as we saw Kyle Taber rebound and play oh so hard defense as a Hoosier last season, we know nothing.
Watching the Hoosier Hysteria video, I felt like a bartender. All the regulars patrons had left my stools belly up at the bar, replaced by a bunch of riffraffs and vagabonds. (In this scenario, I own an Irish pub and wear a bowler hat and have the best fish and chips in the city.)
However, I think we can all agree on one thing: we aren’t going to be good at all this year. This is OK; we are in the stages of rebuilding and Tom Crean has done a pretty fantastic job with the 2009 class. Expectation are low, and I think we’re all still excited for the season, as bad as it may end up being.
So, on this brisk October morning, I pose this to you: what qualifies as a successful season for these Hoosiers, one that surpasses these low expectations? My thoughts: .500. That is a success. A huge success. Anywhere in the ballpark of 10-13 wins is what I’d call hitting expectations. But besides wins and losses, where can we turn?
A few other thoughts: Beating Illinois at home, going a whole year without any drama or suspensions and stealing a game somewhere and ruining a contender in the Big Ten’s quest for a title. Also, hitting a shot with 1.5 second remaining in the Big Ten tournament to beat Indiana. (OH WAIT NEVERMIND.)
So, what do y’all think?