Part II:
This is simply an assessment of who Indiana has, who will come back and what the new coach is going to be starting with.
First off, let's start with Luke Harangody, Dominic James and Courtney Lee. Oh wait, Mike Davis didn't really recruit any of these Indiana kids that are now the best players on teams that won first round NCAA games....never mind the bitter little man behind the keyboard. Also, funny thing I came across. This is from Rivals.com rating Indiana's #1 ranked recruiting class from a few years ago...
1. Indiana - Coach Mike Davis reeled in the nation’s top class with five signees led by 5-star forwards D.J. White and Josh Smith. Three four-star guards, Robert Vaden, A.J. Ratliff, James Hardy, give the Hoosiers five of the top 71 players in the Rivals150.
Wow. 1 player in that class finished at IU. Smith went straight to the NBA, Vaden transferred with Davis to UAB, Ratliff missed his whole Senior year and left the team and Hardy was IU best wide receiver of all time spending 1/2 a year playing hoops.
Anyway....
DJ White- Obviously gone. Went through more (injuries, coaching changes etc...) than any college player should have to in four years. It's a shame that a great Senior year was erased. Can't thank him enough for effort and heart. Also, Kelvin Sampson saved his NBA career...without Sampson, DJ doesn't ever improve into the player he is now.
Eric Gordon- Gone. I don't know how to feel about EJ. There is no doubt he regressed halfway through the Big 10 season. Fact that he led the Big 10 in scoring is a little misleading. Has TONS of potential and will most likely enter the draft. Some IU fans are being too hard on him saying "good riddance" but I think the coaching situation affected him the most from a playing standpoint. Became visibly frustrated at the end of the year. I don't want to hear how he's not going to be a lottery pick and is "not ready" for the NBA. Newsflash: you don't have to be "ready" to get drafted, and EJ will be a top 6 pick. NBA people love his strength, range, athleticism and ability to get to the line. Those who think otherwise, don't understand there's a difference between college and NBA. If for any reason he decides to stay another year, I'll be happy to have him. Best of luck to him if he doesn't.
Armon Bassett- has potential to be very good if he can become consistent and stay clear of trouble. Could potentially transfer due to coaching change (remember, he was recruited by Davis). Shows good energy at times and needs to become this team's leader.
Jordan Crawford- has no clue that teammates exist. Has potential to be a very, very good player if he becomes coachable. I think Jordan is a strong transfer candidate, but if he stays will be a very important player in the future.
Jamarcus Ellis/Deandre Thomas- Stuck. Neither has any real options, but to come back and finish one more year at IU. Ellis has to control his emotions better. He could really become important next year if his head doesn't get in the way. It's amazing to say, but this 300+ lb guy needs to play bigger. He is soft around the rim and needs to go up strong with the ball. IU has no inside game and needs someone to step up...must learn to play without fouling.
Devin Ebanks/Terrell Holloway- IU's top 2 2008 recruits. Both are in the process of being released from their LOI's. Great chance neither makes it to Bloomington leaving IU 2 signees for next year.
So, next year's roster (without any transfers) looks like this:
Bassett
Crawford
Ellis
Thomas
Kyle Taber
Eli Holman
Brandon McGee (very possible transfer)
Brett Finkelmeier
Matt Roth (Fr.)
Tom Pritchard (Fr.)
That is only 9 scholarship players....ouch. That said, I think most IU fans would agree with me that I'll take an undermanned team that gives 100% every play over a talented team that doesn't care. IU fans will support an underdog team like that every time. If, anyone transfers from this list, next year is going to be tough.
Patience is going to be key here, because this team is starting over. Remember, this is the situation before the NCAA rules. I really have trouble feeling sorry for myself or IU as a fan. They (Greenspan/Sampson) put themselves and us in this position and now we have to pay the price. I really wish it wasn't this way, but this is the reality for the near future.
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