Huge day for Thomas Bryant yesterday as he went for 27 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks in a 73-70 win in the Dick's Nationals quarterfinals in NYC. His Huntington Prep team is set now to play Oak Hill Academy today in the semis. ESPN2 will carry that 5 pm ET game.
Everyone seems to be on board with Indiana as the favorite now to land Bryant. Growing speculation that he could pull the trigger this weekend or soon after the Dick's tournament. No date is set but would be a surprise to see it linger for more than a week. If it does that might be a warning sign but it certainly sounds really good for the Hoosiers today.
If Indiana pulls this off as expected this would be a major recruiting coup. Hats off to the staff and especially to Chuck Martin. His strong ties in New York and persistent efforts are really paying off.
Bryant's play was even more remarkable given how tired he must have been from playing in the McDonald's All-American game that went late on Wednesday night. Given the whirlwind of games and travel and the holiday weekend, a decision early next week may be the best bet on timing.
One spot has to open for Bryant but expect that time will take care of that.
Indiana may sit as well as anyone with Thon Maker as well. And the Hoosiers remain all over Vincennes guard Mychal Mulder, having seen him first hand again this week. Scholarship situation probably dicey on these two if Bryant joins the fold. Again, have to let things play out but while that happens Louisville, Creighton and others are working hard on Mulder, the former two having hosted him on recent visits. IU will have a geography edge here and should be able to get a quick unofficial since he's just down the road.
Not a lot to add on the pro decisions for Yogi Ferrell and Troy Williams. Both are obviously taking their time with it. Ferrell has been viewed by many as more of a risk since he's close to graduation and may not be in position to dramatically improve his draft stock like Williams might be able to do next season.
Decisions have be in by April 26th. By that time those two should know where Thomas Bryant is headed.
Assuming Indiana does add Bryant to the mix and doesn't lose any key player to the pros, the Hoosiers still likely won't be the favorite to win the Big Ten next season.
That honor will probably go to Maryland which recently picked up the consensus top low post player in the class in 6-foot-11 Diamond Stone. While Dez Wells is lost to graduation the Terps got great news that Melo Trimble was returning and now await Jake Layman's decision on the NBA. Even if he departs the Terps have an embarrassment of riches inside and at small forward. Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter is eligible in 2015-16 after sitting out this season. He's a beast at 6-foot-8, 250-pounds and averaged 11.4 points and 8.4 boards in the ACC in 2013-14. Other inside depth is abundant with Michael Cekovsky and Damonte Dodd both returning.
At small forward Mark Turgeon returns sweet shooting Jared Nickens and fellow soph-to-be Dion Wiley can play there or big guard. To help solidify the backcourt the Terps added one of the top junior college point guards last November with the signing of Jaylen Brantley.
Considering the Terps were 14-4 in league play this winter, have to believe they'll be the likely preseason league favorite.
Another team likely to be projected ahead of Indiana is one of the teams in the Final Four this weekend:
Michigan State - Spartan fortunes are hinging some right now on whether they land Fort Wayne five-star Caleb Swanigan. MSU has been the favorite but over the last few days there's been rising speculation he could surprise and play for Cuonzo Martin at Cal.
Even without Swanigan the Spartans have an experienced duo back with Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling. And then there's five-star Deyonta Davis, a 6-foot-9 athlete and shotblocker supreme, so yeah, the Spartans are going to be fine inside.
Probable preseason All-Big Ten first teamer Denzel Valentine is back to lead the backcourt along with Lourawls Nairn and Bryn Forbes. Added to the mix is a terrific shooter in Matt McQuaid, an underrated power wing in Javon Bess (injured this year) and West Virginia transfer Eron Harris. Remember Harris averaged 17.2 points a game in 2013-14.
Best guess is Indiana gets slotted for third behind these two teams.
But others should be right there and real threats:
Michigan - much will depend on Caris LeVert's decision but without him Michigan came on late behind the improved play of Zak Irvin and frosh Aubrey Dawkins. Spike Albrecht was also tough the last month and he'll be back. Remember the Wolverines were without Derrick Walton the last two months as well as LeVert. Still questions inside but Ricky Doyle was better than expected and Mark Donnal returns there as well.
John Beilein is still hard at work on the frontcourt as Michigan is courting a 6-foot-10 German, five-star Jaylen Brown and is met recently with 6-foot-7 Cornell grad transfer Shonn Miller, one of the top players in the Ivy League this year after averaging 17 points and nine boards a game.
If UM lands Brown and LeVert stays, you could see them move up above IU in the league projections.
Wisconsin - Badgers lose Frank Kaminsky, Traevon Jackson and Josh Gasser to graduation and Sam Dekker is expected to go pro. Yet we all know never to project Wisconsin to finish below fourth in the league. Bronson Koenig was terrific at point and Nigel Hayes should be one of the top frontcourt players in the league. Many people like Jordan Hill, a 6-foot-3 guard who redshirted due to the crowded backcourt this year. Zak Showalter was a surprise contributor this season and the 6-foot-2 combo guard is back. The recruiting class is highlighted by four-star in-state guard Brevin Pritzl, one of the top shooters in the senior class. Inside depth comes from Rivals150 forward Alex Illikainen, a 6-foot-9 225-pound skilled forward that Indiana recruited for awhile.
Iowa - Hawkeyes must replace Aaron White but Jarrod Uthoff brings many of the same things to the table. Dominique Uhl can step into some of those minutes and Fran McCaffery still has great depth with Peter Jok, Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury, Anthony Clemmons and a five-man recruiting class heavy on wing players including former IU target Brandon Hutton.
Ohio State - heavy roster turnover here but talent is still in abundance. Jae'Sean Tate was a Hoosier killer as an undersized power forward and sweet shooting wings Kam Williams and Keita-Bates Diop return. Getting forward Marc Loving's head on straight will be key. Inside the Buckeyes might be better with Virginia Tech transfer Trevor Thompson and top 50 center Daniel Giddens.
Add those to five-star guard JaQuan Lyle, and four-star guards Austin Grandstaff and A.J. Harris and there's plenty of pieces for Thad Matta to turn into another tough team.
Purdue - hard team to evaluate right now as A.J. Hammons weighs the NBA and the staff scrambles to find a Jon Octeus type grad transfer to again lead the team. With Rapheal Davis, Kendall Stephens, Vince Edwards, Basil Smotherman and Dakota Mathias back for the 2-4 spots along with big man Isaac Haas, Purdue should be able to return to the NCAA even with undersized PJ Thompson at point. Edwards can play some point as well. Outside shooting was an issue often with this team last season and Ryan Cline from Carmel should help here. Also Purdue is in the hunt for Caleb Swanigan.
The others - the rest of the league doesn't look NCAA worthy at this moment but other than Rutgers all have enough to be very dangerous. And somebody from the bottom half of the projections will surprise as Purdue did this past season.
---------------
The first weekend of the spring that coaches can get out and watch AAU or shoe company circuit type events is next Friday through Sunday. We'll be out in force at both adidas and Nike events where we'll catch up with the likes of hot board targets De'Ron Davis, Rawle Alkins, Lamar Stevens, Eron Gordon and others.
Two weeks later is another big weekend as the adidas Gauntlet series comes to Indianapolis, Under Armour goes to Louisville and the Nike EYBL hits Lexington. All that goes on April 24-26.
Going back to next weekend, the Derby Festival Classic in Louisville should be a great draw for IU fans. Thomas Bryant will be on the same team with Hoosier signees Juwan Morgan and O.G. Anunoby. The game is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Freedom Hall. Friday is the Night of the Future Stars, held this year across the river at New Albany High School. That features dunk, three-point and 2-on-2 contests.
Helpful links:
Night of the Future Stars
Derby Classic Festival All-Star game
Matt Weaver returns with a football update below:
Last weekend around eight 2016 prospects made their way to Bloomington to watch the Hoosiers in spring practice. Peegs.com has spoken to a number of them to see how those visits went for them. Two of the visitors are linebacker prospects that the Indiana staff is very high on are Ethan Tucky from Hayes H.S. in Delaware, Ohio and Jango Glackin from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Glackin is originally from Lebanon, Ohio but he is attending IMG for his final year of high school.
Tucky had never been to IU before this trip and he said he was blown away by what he experienced on his visit. It is safe to say the Hoosiers are in very god shape with the three-star prospect. You can read what Tucky had to say in the story we did on him following his visit.
Glackin has been to IU before so this trip was more about continuing to build on the relationship he already has with the Indiana coaching staff. The Hoosiers are also in good shape with Glackin but they appear to be number two on his list behind West Virginia. Glackin told the West Virginia Rivals site that the Mountaineers are his leader at this time. He did tell us that he plans on making it back to Bloomington again before he decides so there is still a chance for IU to land his commitment. Here is the story Peegs.com did on Glackin.
A couple other visitors that Peegs.com was able to get in touch with were Illinois prospects Barrington Wade. Lambert is a linebacker from Auburn H.S. in Rockford, Illinois, and Wade is a RB/Athlete from Niles North H.S. in Skokie, Illinois. Neither has an offer from IU but they both could pick one up when they camp with the Hoosiers this summer.
Lambert told Peegs.com that this was his first trip to IU and he was really impressed with the coaching staff and with the campus. He said the coaches see him as an OLB that can cover backs because of his speed and athleticism. Lambert said he spent most of his time with Coach William Inge and he was very impressed with the IU linebackers coach.
Wade is listed as a running back by Rivals.com but he said the Hoosiers are recruiting him as an athlete. The staff told him they could see him on offense at RB or on defense at safety or LB. This visit to IU was the first time Wade has been to Bloomington and he said the facilities and the coaching staff made a big impression on him.
This post was edited on 4/3 10:44 AM by Peegs
Everyone seems to be on board with Indiana as the favorite now to land Bryant. Growing speculation that he could pull the trigger this weekend or soon after the Dick's tournament. No date is set but would be a surprise to see it linger for more than a week. If it does that might be a warning sign but it certainly sounds really good for the Hoosiers today.
If Indiana pulls this off as expected this would be a major recruiting coup. Hats off to the staff and especially to Chuck Martin. His strong ties in New York and persistent efforts are really paying off.
Bryant's play was even more remarkable given how tired he must have been from playing in the McDonald's All-American game that went late on Wednesday night. Given the whirlwind of games and travel and the holiday weekend, a decision early next week may be the best bet on timing.
One spot has to open for Bryant but expect that time will take care of that.
Indiana may sit as well as anyone with Thon Maker as well. And the Hoosiers remain all over Vincennes guard Mychal Mulder, having seen him first hand again this week. Scholarship situation probably dicey on these two if Bryant joins the fold. Again, have to let things play out but while that happens Louisville, Creighton and others are working hard on Mulder, the former two having hosted him on recent visits. IU will have a geography edge here and should be able to get a quick unofficial since he's just down the road.
Not a lot to add on the pro decisions for Yogi Ferrell and Troy Williams. Both are obviously taking their time with it. Ferrell has been viewed by many as more of a risk since he's close to graduation and may not be in position to dramatically improve his draft stock like Williams might be able to do next season.
Decisions have be in by April 26th. By that time those two should know where Thomas Bryant is headed.
Assuming Indiana does add Bryant to the mix and doesn't lose any key player to the pros, the Hoosiers still likely won't be the favorite to win the Big Ten next season.
That honor will probably go to Maryland which recently picked up the consensus top low post player in the class in 6-foot-11 Diamond Stone. While Dez Wells is lost to graduation the Terps got great news that Melo Trimble was returning and now await Jake Layman's decision on the NBA. Even if he departs the Terps have an embarrassment of riches inside and at small forward. Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter is eligible in 2015-16 after sitting out this season. He's a beast at 6-foot-8, 250-pounds and averaged 11.4 points and 8.4 boards in the ACC in 2013-14. Other inside depth is abundant with Michael Cekovsky and Damonte Dodd both returning.
At small forward Mark Turgeon returns sweet shooting Jared Nickens and fellow soph-to-be Dion Wiley can play there or big guard. To help solidify the backcourt the Terps added one of the top junior college point guards last November with the signing of Jaylen Brantley.
Considering the Terps were 14-4 in league play this winter, have to believe they'll be the likely preseason league favorite.
Another team likely to be projected ahead of Indiana is one of the teams in the Final Four this weekend:
Michigan State - Spartan fortunes are hinging some right now on whether they land Fort Wayne five-star Caleb Swanigan. MSU has been the favorite but over the last few days there's been rising speculation he could surprise and play for Cuonzo Martin at Cal.
Even without Swanigan the Spartans have an experienced duo back with Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling. And then there's five-star Deyonta Davis, a 6-foot-9 athlete and shotblocker supreme, so yeah, the Spartans are going to be fine inside.
Probable preseason All-Big Ten first teamer Denzel Valentine is back to lead the backcourt along with Lourawls Nairn and Bryn Forbes. Added to the mix is a terrific shooter in Matt McQuaid, an underrated power wing in Javon Bess (injured this year) and West Virginia transfer Eron Harris. Remember Harris averaged 17.2 points a game in 2013-14.
Best guess is Indiana gets slotted for third behind these two teams.
But others should be right there and real threats:
Michigan - much will depend on Caris LeVert's decision but without him Michigan came on late behind the improved play of Zak Irvin and frosh Aubrey Dawkins. Spike Albrecht was also tough the last month and he'll be back. Remember the Wolverines were without Derrick Walton the last two months as well as LeVert. Still questions inside but Ricky Doyle was better than expected and Mark Donnal returns there as well.
John Beilein is still hard at work on the frontcourt as Michigan is courting a 6-foot-10 German, five-star Jaylen Brown and is met recently with 6-foot-7 Cornell grad transfer Shonn Miller, one of the top players in the Ivy League this year after averaging 17 points and nine boards a game.
If UM lands Brown and LeVert stays, you could see them move up above IU in the league projections.
Wisconsin - Badgers lose Frank Kaminsky, Traevon Jackson and Josh Gasser to graduation and Sam Dekker is expected to go pro. Yet we all know never to project Wisconsin to finish below fourth in the league. Bronson Koenig was terrific at point and Nigel Hayes should be one of the top frontcourt players in the league. Many people like Jordan Hill, a 6-foot-3 guard who redshirted due to the crowded backcourt this year. Zak Showalter was a surprise contributor this season and the 6-foot-2 combo guard is back. The recruiting class is highlighted by four-star in-state guard Brevin Pritzl, one of the top shooters in the senior class. Inside depth comes from Rivals150 forward Alex Illikainen, a 6-foot-9 225-pound skilled forward that Indiana recruited for awhile.
Iowa - Hawkeyes must replace Aaron White but Jarrod Uthoff brings many of the same things to the table. Dominique Uhl can step into some of those minutes and Fran McCaffery still has great depth with Peter Jok, Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury, Anthony Clemmons and a five-man recruiting class heavy on wing players including former IU target Brandon Hutton.
Ohio State - heavy roster turnover here but talent is still in abundance. Jae'Sean Tate was a Hoosier killer as an undersized power forward and sweet shooting wings Kam Williams and Keita-Bates Diop return. Getting forward Marc Loving's head on straight will be key. Inside the Buckeyes might be better with Virginia Tech transfer Trevor Thompson and top 50 center Daniel Giddens.
Add those to five-star guard JaQuan Lyle, and four-star guards Austin Grandstaff and A.J. Harris and there's plenty of pieces for Thad Matta to turn into another tough team.
Purdue - hard team to evaluate right now as A.J. Hammons weighs the NBA and the staff scrambles to find a Jon Octeus type grad transfer to again lead the team. With Rapheal Davis, Kendall Stephens, Vince Edwards, Basil Smotherman and Dakota Mathias back for the 2-4 spots along with big man Isaac Haas, Purdue should be able to return to the NCAA even with undersized PJ Thompson at point. Edwards can play some point as well. Outside shooting was an issue often with this team last season and Ryan Cline from Carmel should help here. Also Purdue is in the hunt for Caleb Swanigan.
The others - the rest of the league doesn't look NCAA worthy at this moment but other than Rutgers all have enough to be very dangerous. And somebody from the bottom half of the projections will surprise as Purdue did this past season.
---------------
The first weekend of the spring that coaches can get out and watch AAU or shoe company circuit type events is next Friday through Sunday. We'll be out in force at both adidas and Nike events where we'll catch up with the likes of hot board targets De'Ron Davis, Rawle Alkins, Lamar Stevens, Eron Gordon and others.
Two weeks later is another big weekend as the adidas Gauntlet series comes to Indianapolis, Under Armour goes to Louisville and the Nike EYBL hits Lexington. All that goes on April 24-26.
Going back to next weekend, the Derby Festival Classic in Louisville should be a great draw for IU fans. Thomas Bryant will be on the same team with Hoosier signees Juwan Morgan and O.G. Anunoby. The game is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Freedom Hall. Friday is the Night of the Future Stars, held this year across the river at New Albany High School. That features dunk, three-point and 2-on-2 contests.
Helpful links:
Night of the Future Stars
Derby Classic Festival All-Star game
Matt Weaver returns with a football update below:
Last weekend around eight 2016 prospects made their way to Bloomington to watch the Hoosiers in spring practice. Peegs.com has spoken to a number of them to see how those visits went for them. Two of the visitors are linebacker prospects that the Indiana staff is very high on are Ethan Tucky from Hayes H.S. in Delaware, Ohio and Jango Glackin from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Glackin is originally from Lebanon, Ohio but he is attending IMG for his final year of high school.
Tucky had never been to IU before this trip and he said he was blown away by what he experienced on his visit. It is safe to say the Hoosiers are in very god shape with the three-star prospect. You can read what Tucky had to say in the story we did on him following his visit.
Glackin has been to IU before so this trip was more about continuing to build on the relationship he already has with the Indiana coaching staff. The Hoosiers are also in good shape with Glackin but they appear to be number two on his list behind West Virginia. Glackin told the West Virginia Rivals site that the Mountaineers are his leader at this time. He did tell us that he plans on making it back to Bloomington again before he decides so there is still a chance for IU to land his commitment. Here is the story Peegs.com did on Glackin.
A couple other visitors that Peegs.com was able to get in touch with were Illinois prospects Barrington Wade. Lambert is a linebacker from Auburn H.S. in Rockford, Illinois, and Wade is a RB/Athlete from Niles North H.S. in Skokie, Illinois. Neither has an offer from IU but they both could pick one up when they camp with the Hoosiers this summer.
Lambert told Peegs.com that this was his first trip to IU and he was really impressed with the coaching staff and with the campus. He said the coaches see him as an OLB that can cover backs because of his speed and athleticism. Lambert said he spent most of his time with Coach William Inge and he was very impressed with the IU linebackers coach.
Wade is listed as a running back by Rivals.com but he said the Hoosiers are recruiting him as an athlete. The staff told him they could see him on offense at RB or on defense at safety or LB. This visit to IU was the first time Wade has been to Bloomington and he said the facilities and the coaching staff made a big impression on him.
This post was edited on 4/3 10:44 AM by Peegs
