Zagoria: Indiana among six finalists for Irving

Rather than learning of Kyrie Irving’s list of finalists for official visits this fall via Twitter, Zagsblog and SNY reporter Adam Zagoria has the scoop. Check our Zagoria’s interview with Irving in the embedded media player below:

Filed to: Adam Zagoria, Kyrie Irving

psvirsky

I like the kid even more after seeing this. I hadn't seen videos of him actually speaking yet and I think he comes off perfectly. Wow do I love Irving. As for my completely non-credible analysis, I felt good about where we stand with him after the interview. As we know, he says IU is contact with him regularly and he really seems to like IU. I got the impression that he is looking into Duke because it's Duke. He sounds almost humbled to have interest from Coach K. My optimistic take is that his awe of Duke is more likely to subside than his appreciation for how much we're after him. I also noted that he said he PROBABLY would not decide during an official visit but left the door open IMO.
psvirsky

I like the kid even more after seeing this. I hadn't seen videos of him actually speaking yet and I think he comes off perfectly. Wow do I love Irving. As for my completely non-credible analysis, I felt good about where we stand with him after the interview. As we know, he says IU is contact with him regularly and he really seems to like IU. I got the impression that he is looking into Duke because it's Duke. He sounds almost humbled to have interest from Coach K. My optimistic take is that his awe of Duke is more likely to subside than his appreciation for how much we're after him. I also noted that he said he PROBABLY would not decide during an official visit but left the door open IMO.
psvirsky

I like the kid even more after seeing this. I hadn't seen videos of him actually speaking yet and I think he comes off perfectly. Wow do I love Irving. As for my completely non-credible analysis, I felt good about where we stand with him after the interview. As we know, he says IU is contact with him regularly and he really seems to like IU. I got the impression that he is looking into Duke because it's Duke. He sounds almost humbled to have interest from Coach K. My optimistic take is that his awe of Duke is more likely to subside than his appreciation for how much we're after him. I also noted that he said he PROBABLY would not decide during an official visit but left the door open IMO.
IUfan37

Seems like a nice kid.

Duke and Coach K or IU and Coach Crean?

Duke or IU?

Duke mentioned before IU.

Take it for what it's worth, but a kid from the East is going to DUKE.
firedad

I agree, I think he spoke very well. He seems very approachable and just an all around good kid. He has said if several past interviews that he will commit on the spot during his official visits if everything feels just right. All the coaching staff and fan base can do is awe him when he get here and hope for the best.
JerryCT

He really seems to fit the “brand” for Duke and what I hope the “brand” we are becoming. As such it will really hurt if we donot land him and then “settle” for a kid perhaps with less character and maturity
George

8,000 more fans each game at IU. Plus, I heard Duke couldn’t get enough students to attend the games last year, while Indiana was still selling out despite having a much less talented team (no offense to the IU players). That simply speaks to the IU fanbase and it has only grew so far with Crean at the helm.
IUfan37

Jerry, why would we want to “become Duke”?

I know Crean is much more the “East Coast” kind of guy, but wouldn't it be better if we reclaimed our place and people once again feared us and wanted to be “like Indiana”?

I don't like Crean and I'm not comfortable with how he's putting all of his eggs in the Kyrie basket.

He looks and acts more like Mike Davis every day.
Diesel

Jerry didn't say anything about becoming Duke. When he says the brand, I understand it to mean things like nationally respected each and every year, quality kids who not only have a high skill set but are high in character and coachable, players who produce at the next level, things like that.

I really don't get the Crean and Davis comparison, maybe you could help us all out with that and give us some examples of what you are seeing.
StuHoo

IU Fan 37: you have gotta be kidding…”Like Mike Davis” would mean one final four with kids trained by his predecessor, followed by uninspired,underachieving play, a slow painful decline, and a series of recruiting 'shoula beens'. Coach Crean shows absolutely none of those traits so far.

This is an IU fan site. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but if we all can't enjoy the genuine effort to get high caliber players who will represent the University beautifully AND are academically interested (ie: Kyrie Irving), then what will make us happy?

GO IU. I could not be more optimstic with the Watfords, Etheringtons, Capos, Hulls, Bawas and others. Hope springs eternally; for us it just took a little break during the Davis and Blue Shirt eras.
Kelin Blab

You guys are a little slow around here….the Crean Davis comparison is ez….

1. Mike and Tom…both have the letter M in their first name
2. Both coaches have coached two of the great guards in basketball history D. Wade and Bracey Wright
3. Crean and Davis……both 5 letter LAST names….obvious!

When you see Crean think Mike Davis……
Kelin Blab

A few things…..

1. Didn't know he has been to IU twice. Third time is the charm?

2. Usually when two programs are going after a kid, the program that wins out alot is usually the program where the kid feels comfortable and it starts with the coaches….hence Crean relationship since marquette. Not to mention the entire coaching staff has a good relationship with KI.

3. I have a high level of confidence IU WILL sign Irving, J.Davis, or Teague and I would give it that order. If we don't land Kyrie in 2010, I would be upset but being in the conversation again really helps.

4. This is the type of kid who you can build a team around and a program.
Kelin Blab

Just heard on the tv here in Indy IU will announce RMK will be inducted in the the HOF this year and the invite has been extended……Surely bob cannot hold a grudge forever….

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090821/SPORTS…
Tom

Crean isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. He is recruiting and has interest from a large number of players. Why even write stuff like that if you don’t have a clue what you are saying?
GFDave

The great thing about Crean's recruiting is that he has NOT put all his eggs in one basket. Unlike Davis, who whiffed on the big names and had no back-up, Crean has plenty of options. For 2011 alone he is solidly in on a number of kids and could get commits right now from Moses Morgan and Victor Oladipo. Crean is in even better shape with the 2011 kids and I'm very confident that he will land great players for IU.

Judging by the interview, I'd say that we have a slight edge on Duke for Kyrie. I think he likes the idea of being recruited by Duke more than the actual program (JerryCT's brand theme). That's why I want him to come to IU first, so he can finish falling in love with us and make a commitment right then.
FLASH

IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT BOB KNIGHT WILL BE IN BLOOMINGTON AT THE INDIANA vs OHIO STATE FOOTBALL GAME IN OCTOBER?
FLASH

IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT BOB KNIGHT WILL BE IN BLOOMINGTON AT THE INDIANA vs OHIO STATE FOOTBALL GAME IN OCTOBER?