So we are for sure in need of 3 spots and potentially 6 or more additions from the portal. With that in mind, what would your potential wish list look like? For me I would look at
Jalen Blackmon--had a great year at Stetson and can flat-out shoot it--averaged over 20 a game at near 40% from 3 on high volume and multiple brothers that played at IU
Conner Essegian--had a really good freshman year but for some reason regressed this year, but shot 36% last year on over 5 attempts per game. May be looking for a fresh start
Johnell Davis--Averaging 18 a game at FAU, from Indiana and shooting 43% from 3 on the year. Would guess this would only potentially happen in May left for a new job, but was an Indiana All-Star with Trey and Leal (even though games were not played)
Avila, Swoope, or Conwell from ISU 2 guards and a big. Both guards were in-state kids and Avila is just fun to watch. Have to assume their coach leaves and they will be in demand
Booker--If he is frustrated at MSU, take a flier, I know he is not a true big, but there is potential there and after seeing what the staff has done to develop TJD, MR, and KW why not take a shot!
Obviously would need more bigs if MR and to a lesser extent MM leave, but I think those 2 would be a really good 4/5 combo but only Sparks behind them as a big--which is why I include Avila
Obviously, this is a WISH list and many may not even enter the portal, but have to dream at times!
I saw on another thread where someone asked if Hickman visited this WE. Couldn't find that thread, but I wanted to share some things I've seen on other sites.....I have no personal contacts/information, just know what I've read.
I follow the HSN and B Town Banner sites on the portal matters. They seem to have a couple of guys with some contacts.
According to one of them, Hickman was sick this WE and cancelled the visit. No word about a new date.
I had earlier seen that LWalker would be visiting....I thought it was said to be on 4/1. Don't know what happened there and there's no discussion about him right now on those sites.
One poster who seemed to be informed says that Woodson is all in on Perkins and that he is the #1 target in the portal. But I see nothing about an OV. Same poster says his mom wants him at IU because she's tired of driving so many miles to see him play.
One somewhat sketchy but somewhat informed twitterer had said that Wolf, the skilled 7 footer from Yale, was a major IU target; however, he later took that down and I've seen nothing since about interest in IU.
One poster is interested in Conwell, a 6'4" wing from Indiana State. He's got some high efficiency offensive #s. It wasn't clear whether this poster had any information, or was just speculating. ISU is still involved in the NIT at present.
Hatfield, the 6'9" UL transfer, is scheduled to visit on 4/12. I've seen nothing anywhere about his interests other than IU.
It doesn't appear to me that any of the highest rated PGs or 2 guards in the portal are interested in IU. In fact, I've seen no reciprocal interest toward IU from any of the 25 or so other porterers who have been contacted. Let us know if you've seen otherwise.
Perkins would probably be about 5-6 PG on most of those lists. There are 3-4 different lists, but Perkins and Hatfield seem generally to be in the 30s, and Hickman and Walker in the 70s (or so).
One thing about Perkins and Galloway----their assist #s were both dramatically better last year than in previous years. And both had tolerable TO #s. I know neither are above average shooters, but Perkins has been 33%/75% or so most of his career on 3s/FT, and very slightly under 50% on 2s. Galloway has been 55% + on 2s. If he could shoot 33%/65% on 3s/FTs, they could be very good together, if we can find another shooter. In any event, it's starting to look like a class of Perkins/Hickman/Hatfield & Walker is our best case scenario.