Vaughn Karvala is announcing on November 1 and all indications are that he will be a Hoosier. Top 50 wing that has good athleticism and length and is a strong three-point shooter. I'm skeptical Indiana beats out Houston for Arafan Diane but they do have a chance.
@bigmike We have 7 guys on this year's team that will have eligibility remaining, and could come back. In this day and age, since all 7 of them won't play prominent roles, its pretty unrealistic to expect all 7 to return. 5 is probably actually pretty optimistic. But if its 5. That's 8 spots for frosh and portal guys. We have 1, need 7 more. Yikes. If we do only get 2-3 frosh, I hope we get a couple multi year portal guys.
the question was never about next year. We have assembled a team that requires a total rebuild next season. The question is about the following year. Are we going to totally turn over the roster every year? And, by “totally” it doesn’t have to be literal. However if we are turning over 4-5 starters every year that is about as low as one can go as far as having no continuity (or future foundation),
It's more like half. They can get high school players cheaper. Hopefully, that will help Cig/DD balance.
TJ, or anyone else... any info, thoughts, anything on Marcus Johnson decommitting from OSU? Devries, Clark, Johnson, Adams... any of them with previous connections with him?
@tammany Mixed feelings on him. He's obviously very accomplished, crafty, good scorer, good with the ball. Just wary on how his game will transfer to high major levels. Would love to get him though. I'm sure CDD and the staff won't overpay for him, so if we do get him, I'm sure it'll be a good get.
@iunorth Yea. Not sure what drove the decommit — obviously we can guess... Not sure if his camp may be tricky to deal with. Anyways, it makes sense for IU to check in here and CDD can figure it out.
@tjinman1987 I realize the recruiting scene changes about as much as the weather. If IU gets Karvala it looks like it might be a good signing. I see he's going to Bella Vista Prep which should help in his development as a player. Are you hearing anything new on Arafan Diane? From what I understand there's a G-league big man by the name of Abdullah Ahmed that's currently being recruited by Houston. Got to wonder that if this kid goes to Houston, IU's position with Diane should be strengthened.
@bigmike my hope is that Adidas will get involved here. I believe we are the only Adidas school with the #1 center that came up in an adidas AAU program. I don’t know how heavily shoe companies are weighted anymore with money available every which way, but I’d love for them to help themselves and a legacy brand in hoops.
@iunorth My thought...IU should (and will) stay away. He's talented but I would not want anything to do with the people that surround him. That's the same group of individuals that steered Meechie Johnson all over the place. His decommitment is rumored to be largely driven by being upset with how much Anthony Thompson is getting and a desire to be a focus on offense. I just don't think that's a gamble worth taking for the culture.
@bigmike I continue to hear and believe that Houston is the team to beat. Arkansas and Indiana are right behind the Cougars and IU will continue to battle. Yes, if Houston lands Ahmed, that would have to at least be a talking point as Diane definitely can't play any other spot on the floor. My gut tells me Diane ends up at Houston but IU has a chance.
@tjinman1987 Didn't know all that. For sure stay away if that's the case. He's not THAT good. Probably wouldn't want any kid with that sort of group and mentality around him. But definitely not him.
Karvala is to announce his school selection on Saturday at 3:30 E.T. on the Bella Vista You Tube site. As TJ has been reporting, expectations are strong that Karvala will become the second IU high school recruit for 2026.
Karvala is to announce his school selection on Saturday at 3:30 E.T. on the Bella Vista You Tube site. As TJ has been reporting, expectations are strong that Karvala will become the second IU high school recruit for 2026.
Confirmed.
https://twitter.com/trillydonovan/status/1984616130502340753?t=tr81Q9pRlp8rOWthM93iUA&s=19
@iunorth My thought...IU should (and will) stay away. He's talented but I would not want anything to do with the people that surround him. That's the same group of individuals that steered Meechie Johnson all over the place. His decommitment is rumored to be largely driven by being upset with how much Anthony Thompson is getting and a desire to be a focus on offense. I just don't think that's a gamble worth taking for the culture.
I'm old fashioned enough to think we shouldn't even bother with someone like that. If he were to come for a visit, I'd sure keep the "love" to a minimum.
Bringing this to the top... I believe Taylor and Diane are announcing soon. Any new tidbits or updates on either of them? TJ or Sammy? Or anyone?
BYU got the G League big that Houston was also after...that hurts with Diane maybe. Taylor still likely MSU?