Indiana travels to Xavier on Friday night for its first road game of the season -- and first real test of the season.
Xavier comes in with a very, very efficient scoring and shooting offense -- shooting 55.6 percent from the field as a team (10th in the NCAA), 45.5 percent from three (18th) and have an effective field goal rate of 61.5 percent (16th).
But, it also turns the ball over nearly 21 percent of its possessions.
6-foot-6 wing Colby Jones is questionable with an ankle injury. He did not play earlier this week and did not practice yesterday (Thursday). Head coach Sean Miller said he is leaning on the side of him playing but won't know for certain until shoot around later today.
Here is a full breakdown of the matchup:
indiana.rivals.com
indiana.rivals.com
indiana.rivals.com
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Now to recruiting...
2024 top-30 center Somto Cyril visited Indiana last weekend -- just his second official visit. his other one was to Cincinnati.
Talking to people around the recruitment, the feeling is the two programs that matter -- at this moment -- are Indiana and Cincinnati. Things can change, but considering those are the only visits he's taken and the only scheduled right now, I would focus on those two. Kansas, Memphis, Florida, Tennessee and others have offered.
Cyril is currently in the class of 2024. Sources have been split on whether or not he will reclassify to 2023, but some seem in the strong opinion that he will. Indiana is recruiting him for both.
Cyril's guardian Steven Cook told TheHoosier that as of now, 'Somto is in the 2024 class and he will stay there. If a decision is made to move to 2023 we will let the necessary people know."
Indiana did a very good job on this visit.
Cook on the visit: “This past weekend was a great weekend. Somto has been building a great relationship with Coach (Yasir) Rosemond over the past few weeks since Indiana offered him… Once we got there it was a great experience."
Cook on IU's pitch and development plan: “Somto is dominant when it comes to his paint presence whether it’s blocking shots, dunking or rebounding. So obviously utilize those skillsets to help the team but also making him uncomfortable and making him do things he’s never done before. Like catching the ball on a rebound and pushing it up the floor. Being in dribble hand off situations in the game and being more comfortable with the handle and making the 12-15 foot jump shot.
Cyril came to the US last year and just transferred to Overtime Elite (GA) this fall. He has scholarship money and NIL instead of taking a 'salary' in order to maintain college eligibility.
Cook on the move to Overtime Elite: “Putting Somto in position to play against like-minded players and like-sized players everyday. Playing against 7-footers and guys that will give him a challenge everyday. Both in practice and games. One of the biggest things is shortening the distance between being a high school player and playing at the next level. So shorten the gap with the deficiencies in his game to do that."
Post-visit Q&A:
indiana.rivals.com
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A new development has been the potential visit from 2024 four-star wing Tyler Betsey of St. Thomas More (CT). Indiana offered Betsey in September. The 6-foot-7 wing currently has offers from Duke, UConn, Alabama, Creighton, Iowa, Providence, Rutgers, Michigan State, LSU and others.
There are conversations about a potential visit later this winter or early in 2023.
Betsey is best known for his outside shot and showcased that this summer. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.3 percent from three during Peach Jam.
"Betsey’s ability to consistently knock down outside shots with extreme confidence really caught our eye this summer," Rivals national analyst Travis Graf said. "At 6-foot-7, he has great positional size and coaches will have a lot of ways to use his versatility on the floor. Betsey can defend both forward spots at a high level and will become even more versatile defensively as he adds muscle. He’s more of a smooth athlete than an explosive athlete at this point, and the next step in his progression will be to attack the glass more consistently on both ends."
He played alongside 2024 five-star Dylan Harper on NY Rens on the EYBL circuit.
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The Indiana staff was on the recruiting trail this week as Mike Woodson and Brian Walsh visited Montverde Academy to see 2024 five-star Asa Newell, 2024 four-star Derik Queen and Liam McNeeley and 2025 four-star Bryce Heard.
All three 2024 prospects have taken official visits to Indiana and discussed in-depth.
Heard is a 2025 and that recruitment and those conversations with Indiana are just getting started.
IU assistant Kenya Hunter visited 2024 three-star Caleb Williams. Williams visited Indiana in October and the relationship there is very good. Indiana has visited Williams three times since his official visit.
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The visitors list for the Indiana vs North Carolina game on Nov. 30 is a very, very good one. Here are the prospects that TheHoosier.com has confirmed will be in attendance.
IU signee Gabe Cupps
IU signee Jakai Newton
2025 five-star guard Meleek Thomas
2025 four-star guard Jalen Haralson
2025 four-star forward Trent Sisley
2025 four-star guard Trey McKenney
The list may grow/change, but as of now, those are the players we've confirmed.
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Small note -- 2025 forward from Lloyd Memorial (Ky.) EJ Walker, who has a visit to Indiana on Nov. 25, will be at Xavier tonight on an unofficial visit, he tells TheHoosier.
Xavier comes in with a very, very efficient scoring and shooting offense -- shooting 55.6 percent from the field as a team (10th in the NCAA), 45.5 percent from three (18th) and have an effective field goal rate of 61.5 percent (16th).
But, it also turns the ball over nearly 21 percent of its possessions.
6-foot-6 wing Colby Jones is questionable with an ankle injury. He did not play earlier this week and did not practice yesterday (Thursday). Head coach Sean Miller said he is leaning on the side of him playing but won't know for certain until shoot around later today.
Here is a full breakdown of the matchup:
Scouting Notes: Xavier
A deep dive into some of the challenges Xavier could give Indiana:
Game Preview: Indiana at Xavier - updates, storylines, how to watch
Previewing Indiana's first road matchup of the season at Xavier in Cincinnati.
Opposing View: Xavier HC Sean Miller discusses Indiana matchup
Xavier head coach Sean Miller spoke to reporters ahead of the Musketeers matchup with Indiana on Friday night.
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Now to recruiting...
2024 top-30 center Somto Cyril visited Indiana last weekend -- just his second official visit. his other one was to Cincinnati.
Talking to people around the recruitment, the feeling is the two programs that matter -- at this moment -- are Indiana and Cincinnati. Things can change, but considering those are the only visits he's taken and the only scheduled right now, I would focus on those two. Kansas, Memphis, Florida, Tennessee and others have offered.
Cyril is currently in the class of 2024. Sources have been split on whether or not he will reclassify to 2023, but some seem in the strong opinion that he will. Indiana is recruiting him for both.
Cyril's guardian Steven Cook told TheHoosier that as of now, 'Somto is in the 2024 class and he will stay there. If a decision is made to move to 2023 we will let the necessary people know."
Indiana did a very good job on this visit.
Cook on the visit: “This past weekend was a great weekend. Somto has been building a great relationship with Coach (Yasir) Rosemond over the past few weeks since Indiana offered him… Once we got there it was a great experience."
Cook on IU's pitch and development plan: “Somto is dominant when it comes to his paint presence whether it’s blocking shots, dunking or rebounding. So obviously utilize those skillsets to help the team but also making him uncomfortable and making him do things he’s never done before. Like catching the ball on a rebound and pushing it up the floor. Being in dribble hand off situations in the game and being more comfortable with the handle and making the 12-15 foot jump shot.
Cyril came to the US last year and just transferred to Overtime Elite (GA) this fall. He has scholarship money and NIL instead of taking a 'salary' in order to maintain college eligibility.
Cook on the move to Overtime Elite: “Putting Somto in position to play against like-minded players and like-sized players everyday. Playing against 7-footers and guys that will give him a challenge everyday. Both in practice and games. One of the biggest things is shortening the distance between being a high school player and playing at the next level. So shorten the gap with the deficiencies in his game to do that."
Post-visit Q&A:
Top-30 center Somto Cyril came away impressed with Indiana following visit
Class of 2024 four-star center Somto Cyril of Overtime Elite (Ga.) took an official visit to Indiana over the weekend.
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A new development has been the potential visit from 2024 four-star wing Tyler Betsey of St. Thomas More (CT). Indiana offered Betsey in September. The 6-foot-7 wing currently has offers from Duke, UConn, Alabama, Creighton, Iowa, Providence, Rutgers, Michigan State, LSU and others.
There are conversations about a potential visit later this winter or early in 2023.
Betsey is best known for his outside shot and showcased that this summer. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.3 percent from three during Peach Jam.
"Betsey’s ability to consistently knock down outside shots with extreme confidence really caught our eye this summer," Rivals national analyst Travis Graf said. "At 6-foot-7, he has great positional size and coaches will have a lot of ways to use his versatility on the floor. Betsey can defend both forward spots at a high level and will become even more versatile defensively as he adds muscle. He’s more of a smooth athlete than an explosive athlete at this point, and the next step in his progression will be to attack the glass more consistently on both ends."
He played alongside 2024 five-star Dylan Harper on NY Rens on the EYBL circuit.
---
The Indiana staff was on the recruiting trail this week as Mike Woodson and Brian Walsh visited Montverde Academy to see 2024 five-star Asa Newell, 2024 four-star Derik Queen and Liam McNeeley and 2025 four-star Bryce Heard.
All three 2024 prospects have taken official visits to Indiana and discussed in-depth.
Heard is a 2025 and that recruitment and those conversations with Indiana are just getting started.
IU assistant Kenya Hunter visited 2024 three-star Caleb Williams. Williams visited Indiana in October and the relationship there is very good. Indiana has visited Williams three times since his official visit.
---
The visitors list for the Indiana vs North Carolina game on Nov. 30 is a very, very good one. Here are the prospects that TheHoosier.com has confirmed will be in attendance.
IU signee Gabe Cupps
IU signee Jakai Newton
2025 five-star guard Meleek Thomas
2025 four-star guard Jalen Haralson
2025 four-star forward Trent Sisley
2025 four-star guard Trey McKenney
The list may grow/change, but as of now, those are the players we've confirmed.
---
Small note -- 2025 forward from Lloyd Memorial (Ky.) EJ Walker, who has a visit to Indiana on Nov. 25, will be at Xavier tonight on an unofficial visit, he tells TheHoosier.
