HOO HAPS

2013 IU Commit Luke Fischer #40 in Black- 2012 Adidas Spring Classic

2012-05-08T19:05:00.000-04:00

Indiana-Kentucky Series Done For Now

2012-05-04T09:54:00.000-04:00

One of the best rivalries in college basketball, IU vs Kentucky, has come to an end. The Hoosiers and Wildcats won't meet in the regular season for the first time since the 1968-1969 season. Indiana wanted to keep the series on campus and Kentucky wanted to play at a neutral site. Neither side was willing to compromise. From a not so casual observer, this looks to me like Kentucky was fueled by the greed of profiting off a neutral court game, while Indiana was trying to bring a marquee game to Bloomington once every two years. This is especially disappointing considering both teams are entering next season ranked in the top 5. Hopefully, the series can be renewed in the coming years because the fans deserve this game. Crean and Cal need to fix this. Here is some additional input on the subject:

IU, UK Commit Turnover By Terry Hutchens

Kentucky, Indiana Discontinue Rivalry By Sporting News

Indiana- Kentucky Series Ending By Andy Katz

Ridiculous End to Indiana-Kentucky By Eamonn Brennan

Score Another Win For Calipari By Gary Parrish

UK-IU Rivalry Unraveling By Kyle Tucker

No IU-UK Next Season By The AP

Say it Ain't So By Pete DiPrimio

Charge IU-UK Turnover to Calipari by Eric Crawford

Indiana Target Semi Ojeleye Highlights

2012-04-30T14:34:00.001-04:00

There are some reports that highly regarded class of 2013 SF Semi Ojeleye will try to make a visit to Bloomington in the near future.

Eric Bossi of Rivals.com had high praise for Ojeleye from this weekend's Boo William's AAU tourney saying: MoKan Elite went down at the hands of the CIA Bounce, but Semi Ojeleye did everything in his power to prevent it. The powerfully built, 6-foot-6 wing from Ottawa (Kan.) High went unconscious from three-point land during the second half as he buried one long jumper after another. When he's set, he doesn't miss very often. On top of being an excellent set shooter, the No. 37 player in the class of 2013 shows a great understanding of how to use his ruggedly built frame in the lane where he continually finishes through contact.

Here are a couple of highlight reels of Ojeleye I found on YouTube:

Treivon Boyd #24- IndyBall 4/15/12

2012-04-29T17:39:00.001-04:00

Kenny Johnson to Takeover Assistant Role at IU?

2012-04-29T17:36:00.001-04:00

Evan Daniels of Scout.com is reporting that IU has hired Towson assistant coach Kenny Johnson to fill the same role for the Hoosiers. It appears that this would be a solid hire for the Hoosiers with Johnson's strong ties to the Washington D.C. area and the Team Takeover AAU program. Nothing official has come out of Bloomington yet. Stay tuned.

Hoosiers to Stay Hungry

2012-04-25T19:23:00.000-04:00

Tom Crean talked about what it will take for the Hoosiers to live up to next years lofty expectations. Read the full article here: Crean Pushing for Improvement

Monte Morris Highlight Reel

2012-04-24T12:58:00.000-04:00

The IU staff has shown interest in 2013 PG Monte Morris of Flint, MI. He is scheduled to take an unofficial visit to Bloomington on May 4. Here is a highlight video of Morris:

Tom Crean to Interview Towson Assistant Kenny Johnson

2012-04-24T10:51:00.000-04:00

It appears that Calbert Cheaney may not be the choice to fill the void as assistant coach for the Hoosiers after all. Tom Crean is set to interview Towson assistant coach Kenny Johnson this week about filling that role. Johnson has many ties to the east coast and used to run the Nike Team Takeover AAU program, which in the past included current Hoosiers Victor Oladipo and Maurice Creek. IU targets BeeJay Anya and Stanford Robinson are playing for Team Takeover this summer, and adding Johnson to the staff could provide a big boost to those recruitments. Outside of basketball, Johnson appears to be very intelligent with a degree in Cell, Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Maryland. Read his full bio on the Towson site here: Kenny Johnson Bio

Luke Fisher Progressing

2012-04-24T10:26:00.000-04:00

2013 Indiana commit Luke Fischer continues to improve his game and says he hopes to have a Zeller-like impact for the Hoosiers when he arrives in Bloomington. Fisher impressed at the AAU event in Minneapolis this weekend scoring 35 points and 10 rebounds in his two games Saturday. Fischer has reportedly grown to 6-11 and 220 pounds. Read the full article by Jody Demling here: Fischer Progresses

IU Coaches Make Impression on Marcus Lee

2012-04-23T11:14:00.003-04:00

A new name has surfaced in the recruitment of the class of 2013 for Indiana fans. IU coaches were in Minneapolis for the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Tournament heavily scouting California big man Marcus Lee. Acording to Rivals.com, the PF is ranked #54 overall in the class of 2013. He seems to be very active around the rim and is an impressive shot blocker. Here's a highlight reel from his junior year at Deer Valley HS.

Eron's Early Offers

2012-04-23T11:01:00.000-04:00

Kyle Neddenriep of IndyStar.com talks about the early offers 14 year old Eron Gordon has picked up from Indiana and Purdue. Many argue that extending scholarship offers at such a young age is risky, but it seems unanimous that Gordon is going to be a special player. Read the full article here: Eron Gordon Recruitment Starting Early

Class of 2014 Forward Aaron Brennan #40- IndyBall 4/15/12 in HD

2012-04-20T11:22:00.001-04:00

Devin Davis #15- IndyBall 17U Semifinals and Championship 4/15/12 in HD

2012-04-19T17:31:00.001-04:00

Cody Zeller Ranked #1 Impact Sophomore Next Year by SI.com

2012-04-19T14:42:00.001-04:00

SI.com college basketball writer Luke Winn analyzed the biggest impact players of the sophomore class for the upcoming season. He ranked Cody Zeller #1 highlighting the fact that Zeller is the most efficient returning college basketball player according to Ken Pomeroy's POY formula. Read the full article here: Zeller's Impact

IU Offers Class of 2015 PG Hyron Edwards

2012-04-19T14:24:00.000-04:00

Tom Crean has extended a scholarship offer to class of 2015 PG Hyron Edwards. Edwards started as a freshman for East Chicago Central last season and had an impressive performance at the IndyBall.com Shootout this past weekend playing for Indiana Elite. He led them to the 15U title finishing with 20 points in the championship game. This is Edwards first scholarship offer.

2013 IU Commit Devin Davis #15 IndyBall Game 3- 4/15/12 in HD

2012-04-17T12:31:00.001-04:00

Eron Gordon Highlight Reel

2012-04-17T11:15:00.001-04:00

With Eron being extended a scholarship offer from IU, I thought I would provide the most current video of him I could find.

Eric Gordon Scores 18 in Front of New Hornet's Owner

2012-04-17T10:41:00.000-04:00

The Hornet's new owner, Tom Benson, saw a glimpse of what Eric Gordon could provide the Hornets next season as he scored 18 points in an upset of the Memphis Grizzzlies. Gordon will be a free agent after this season, and many teams should be in hot pursuit. He has only played in seven games for the Hornets due to injury, but in those games the Hornets have gone 5-2. Former Boilermaker Carl Landry had a double double for the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Read the roundup on IndyStar: Gordon Auditions For New Owner

Highlight Reel of Peter Jurkin From Jordan Brand Classic

2012-04-16T14:53:00.001-04:00

Video courtesy of City League Hoops TV

Eron Gordon's First Offer

2012-04-16T14:38:00.001-04:00

Indiana gave Eron Gordon his first scholarship offer after his impressive performance this weekend at the IndyBall.com Shootout. The class of 2016 player played up a year in the tourney and still dominated. That must have sealed the deal for Indiana to offer Eron who will be a freshman at North Central next season.

2013 UM Commit Zak Irvin #21- IndyBall Tourney Game 1- 4/14/12 in HD

2012-04-16T13:23:00.001-04:00

IndyBall.com Shootout Results

2012-04-16T13:03:00.001-04:00

I attended the IndyBall.com Shootout AAU tourney this weekend and have the results for the HS age groups. Many scouting videos to come as well.

17U- Class of 2013
The Eric Gordon All-Stars, led by D1 commits Devin Davis (Indiana), Zak Irvin (Michigan), V.J. Beachem (Notre Dame), and Basil Smotherman (Purdue) took home the title in the oldest age division knocking off Kevin Martin's Wolverines in the championship game 78-73. The EG All-Stars were led by 18 points from Irvin. The Wolverines were led by 6-10 center Maverick Morgan (Springsboro, OH) with 20 points, and Jaylon Brown (Fishers) with 21 points.

I really enjoyed watching Zavier Turner run point for the EG All-Stars this weekend. He may only be in the 5-8 range, but he's very strong (similar body type as Nate Robinson), has an excellent handle, good court vision, can hit jumpers, and is quick and athletic. If he continues to play like he did this weekend, I would expect him to add some more D1 offers. Another player that impressed was Michigan commit Mark Donnal (Whitehouse, OH) for the Dan Dakich coached Indiana Elite South team. He looked to be about 6-foot-9 230 pounds and moves well for a big man. He should be a good addition for Michigan in their 2013 class.

16U- Class of 2014
Fieldhouse Elite took home the title defeating Indiana Elite 65-55. I was only able to catch Fieldhouse Elite one time this weekend in the semi-final game vs. the Eric Gordon All-Stars. Aaron Brennan (Guerin Catholic) was impressive in that game leading Fieldhouse to a 56-55 victory while scoring a game high 25 points. Stay tuned for videos of Brennan, Grant Evans (FE, Wapahani) Sean Sellers (EG, Greensburg), and Bryant McIntosh (EG, Greensburg) from that semi-final game.

15U- Class of 2015
Indiana Elite led by 20 points from point guard Hyron Edwards (East Chicago Central) defeated the Eric Gordon All-Stars 85-65 in the title game. Eron Gordon had 21 for the EG All-Stars to cap off an impressive weekend from him. I wasn't able to attend this championship game and unfortunately won't have any video.

I spoke with some parents from Indiana Elite, and they all said Hyron Edwards will be one of the best players in the state in the 2015 class. All reports indicate Eron Gordon dominated this weekend playing a year up in the IndyBall tourney. Look for him to be the top player in the state for the class of 2016. Update: It is being reported that Indiana is the first team to offer Eron Gordon a scholarship after his outstanding play this weekend.

2013 IU Commit Devin Davis #15- IndyBall Tourney- 4-14-12 in HD

2012-04-15T10:10:00.000-04:00

Eric Gordon's First Game Back After Injury

2012-04-15T02:11:00.000-04:00

Gordon did not disappoint New Orleans fans in his first game back. He scored 25 points and dished 6 assists in the Hornets' victory Friday night.

Class Controversy

2012-04-14T11:58:00.003-04:00

The debate related to class basketball still rages 15 years after its inception. The IHSAA scheduled public meetings in response to pressure by state Senator Mike Delph, R-Carmel, for the Legislature to force a return to the single-class tournament for boys and girls basketball. Delph dropped the bill in January after IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox agreed to hold 11 public meetings to review potential changes to the state tourney.

About 60 people attended a forum Tuesday night at Northrop High School (Ft. Wayne), the first of the 11 planned meetings running through May. Attendees were asked to complete a poll on the tourney and an electronic survey will be taken from boys and girls basketball coaches, athletic directors, and principals around the state. Cox said he plans to compile results from all 11 meetings and present the findings to the IHSAA.

"I remain optimistic that if the public turns out and says that they would like to return to a single-class basketball tournament ... I think that will be respected by the IHSAA," Delph said.

Here is some additional commentary on the subject:

Class Basketball? Let's Move On
Discussion Misses Point

Both Sides of Debate at Meetings
Public Debate Begins