Indiana took a terrible defeat last night against Iowa. There is no sugarcoating it, it was a total collapse but something that Indiana fans have become used to when IU is on the road.
I don't believe in 'must win' games the second or third week of January, but Monday at Nebraska is as close to a 'must win' as you can get. Indiana can't go 0-2 on this two-game road trip, falling to two teams not expected to be sure-fire NCAA Tournament teams. Nebraska is 5-40 in the Big Ten since Fred Hoiberg took over.
Here is everything Mike Woodson said after Thursday's loss; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/coach-q-a-mike-woodson-discusses-iu-s-83-74-loss-to-iowa
Here is everything Trayce Jackson-Davis said after Thursday's loss; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/player-q-a-trayce-jackson-davis-discusses-iu-s-83-74-loss-to-iowa
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2023 Finnish point guard Miro Little is on his way to the US to begin his official visits over the next two weeks.
His visits are: Baylor (Jan 15-16), Villanova (Jan 18-19) and Indiana (Jan 20-21).
Little on his recruitment and upcoming trip: "I have had a good feeling about the people and program (Indiana) since the first meeting. I’m just humbled to have three great programs I have a pleasure to visit. Very excited."
Through the first half of the season, Little is averaging 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. He has also posted multiple triple-doubles.
He is a 6-foot-4 point guard who is quick and athletic with great length. His frame is well developed for his age as well. He has good ball handling ability and can dribble through multiple defenders. Little's vision also stands out, showing the ability to make plays for his teammates.
Little can also score. He shows a good ability to finish at the rim through contact and while his jumper is still developing, he shows good form and the ability to hit 3's. Showed some mid-range success at times as well.
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Fellow 2023 prospect Austin Parks of St. Mary's Memorial (OH) trimmed his list to three schools last week: Indiana, Ohio State and West Virginia.
He visited Indiana last Sunday.
Parks on what he was watching: "I was really watching how they used their post players. They made sure they went inside out and got them touches first. With me being a big guy that was really cool to see they use them in the right way."
Parks on IU's message: "That I would come in and play. They said they haven’t recruited any other bigs in my class so I could come in there and help win right away."
This is a battle between Indiana and Ohio State. West Virginia is definitely outside looking in right now. Obviously things can change, but I would be shocked if he doesn't end up at IU or OSU.
He is looking to take some official visits and make a decision soon after this high school season is over.
More on Parks and his visit: https://indiana.rivals.com/news/ohi...-recaps-indiana-visit-talks-decision-timeline
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2023 Bloomington North (IN) wing JQ Roberts was also at the Indiana game last weekend. He continues to be very interested in Indiana.
TheHoosier.com has been able to see a lot of Roberts since the summer and especially over the past few weeks. He has improved a lot and is starting to become a much more well-rounded offensive player. He still needs to find that consistency as a shooter to play on the wing, but his athleticism and defensive ability is already there.
Roberts on IU: "They’re really connected and family-like. I like how the play fast paced and I feel my speed, versatility, and rebounding would help the team."
Roberts on timeline: "I’d like to do some official visits and continue to keep an open mind. I really want to be able to play and I really want to get to the NBA so I want to make the right decision... hoping for (official visits) sometime in the near future and maybe this Spring."
Roberts recently visited Iowa -- another program he holds an offer from.
Roberts on Iowa: "I really like how they play and space the floor. They move the ball around and have a lot of versatile players like me. The Coaching staff is also phenomenal."
Indiana continues to sit nicely with Roberts. He is trying to keep an open mind but the IU pull is huge for him.
Mid-season highlights; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/video-2023-indiana-forward-target-jq-roberts-mid-season-highlights
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A name a lot of people like to talk about is Cathedral 2023 forward Xavier Booker. TheHoosier has had eyes on him in person a few times this season and the general takeaway is he still has a ways to go mainly due to his inconsistent motor.
Booker has had some really good games this season but hasn't been able to string together multiple dominating games like he should with his skill level and ability to provide a matchup problem for defenses.
He has also had multiple games in which he has played very little or not at all in the fourth quarter in closer games. That's concerning. He is someone IU is still on but I need to see more over the next few months in order to say he's the right guy to go after in the 2023 class. I thought he would improve on his motor this season but I have yet to see that and that's a common theme.
There have been some reports of Booker visiting Indiana later this month, but as of now, I have not been able to fully confirm that is happening 100%. Until he shows up on campus, I wouldn't hold my breath.
I don't believe in 'must win' games the second or third week of January, but Monday at Nebraska is as close to a 'must win' as you can get. Indiana can't go 0-2 on this two-game road trip, falling to two teams not expected to be sure-fire NCAA Tournament teams. Nebraska is 5-40 in the Big Ten since Fred Hoiberg took over.
Here is everything Mike Woodson said after Thursday's loss; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/coach-q-a-mike-woodson-discusses-iu-s-83-74-loss-to-iowa
Here is everything Trayce Jackson-Davis said after Thursday's loss; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/player-q-a-trayce-jackson-davis-discusses-iu-s-83-74-loss-to-iowa
---
2023 Finnish point guard Miro Little is on his way to the US to begin his official visits over the next two weeks.
His visits are: Baylor (Jan 15-16), Villanova (Jan 18-19) and Indiana (Jan 20-21).
Little on his recruitment and upcoming trip: "I have had a good feeling about the people and program (Indiana) since the first meeting. I’m just humbled to have three great programs I have a pleasure to visit. Very excited."
Through the first half of the season, Little is averaging 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. He has also posted multiple triple-doubles.
He is a 6-foot-4 point guard who is quick and athletic with great length. His frame is well developed for his age as well. He has good ball handling ability and can dribble through multiple defenders. Little's vision also stands out, showing the ability to make plays for his teammates.
Little can also score. He shows a good ability to finish at the rim through contact and while his jumper is still developing, he shows good form and the ability to hit 3's. Showed some mid-range success at times as well.
---
Fellow 2023 prospect Austin Parks of St. Mary's Memorial (OH) trimmed his list to three schools last week: Indiana, Ohio State and West Virginia.
He visited Indiana last Sunday.
Parks on what he was watching: "I was really watching how they used their post players. They made sure they went inside out and got them touches first. With me being a big guy that was really cool to see they use them in the right way."
Parks on IU's message: "That I would come in and play. They said they haven’t recruited any other bigs in my class so I could come in there and help win right away."
This is a battle between Indiana and Ohio State. West Virginia is definitely outside looking in right now. Obviously things can change, but I would be shocked if he doesn't end up at IU or OSU.
He is looking to take some official visits and make a decision soon after this high school season is over.
More on Parks and his visit: https://indiana.rivals.com/news/ohi...-recaps-indiana-visit-talks-decision-timeline
---
2023 Bloomington North (IN) wing JQ Roberts was also at the Indiana game last weekend. He continues to be very interested in Indiana.
TheHoosier.com has been able to see a lot of Roberts since the summer and especially over the past few weeks. He has improved a lot and is starting to become a much more well-rounded offensive player. He still needs to find that consistency as a shooter to play on the wing, but his athleticism and defensive ability is already there.
Roberts on IU: "They’re really connected and family-like. I like how the play fast paced and I feel my speed, versatility, and rebounding would help the team."
Roberts on timeline: "I’d like to do some official visits and continue to keep an open mind. I really want to be able to play and I really want to get to the NBA so I want to make the right decision... hoping for (official visits) sometime in the near future and maybe this Spring."
Roberts recently visited Iowa -- another program he holds an offer from.
Roberts on Iowa: "I really like how they play and space the floor. They move the ball around and have a lot of versatile players like me. The Coaching staff is also phenomenal."
Indiana continues to sit nicely with Roberts. He is trying to keep an open mind but the IU pull is huge for him.
Mid-season highlights; https://indiana.rivals.com/news/video-2023-indiana-forward-target-jq-roberts-mid-season-highlights
---
A name a lot of people like to talk about is Cathedral 2023 forward Xavier Booker. TheHoosier has had eyes on him in person a few times this season and the general takeaway is he still has a ways to go mainly due to his inconsistent motor.
Booker has had some really good games this season but hasn't been able to string together multiple dominating games like he should with his skill level and ability to provide a matchup problem for defenses.
He has also had multiple games in which he has played very little or not at all in the fourth quarter in closer games. That's concerning. He is someone IU is still on but I need to see more over the next few months in order to say he's the right guy to go after in the 2023 class. I thought he would improve on his motor this season but I have yet to see that and that's a common theme.
There have been some reports of Booker visiting Indiana later this month, but as of now, I have not been able to fully confirm that is happening 100%. Until he shows up on campus, I wouldn't hold my breath.
