@tjinman1987 - I do appreciate the information.
Obviously it would be a good story to play high level basketball, almost regardless of what the issue was the surgery corrected. And I wish the young man well and a 100% recovery.
I don't expect the highest levels with remaining spending. Might be exactly the sort of player to take a flyer on. He does appear to be fairly mobile/athletic.
,
Auburn center Emeka Opurum entered the portal very late and he could be a good option in IU's hunt for frontcourt depth. Opurum was offered by the Hoosiers when he transferred up from Butler Community College last offseason. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in his JUCO conference and averaged better than eight rebounds per game. He played six games for the Tigers before season-ending surgery (believed to be heart surgery). Opurum has been cleared for basketball. At minimum, he seems like a good rebounder and potential shot blocker and I think he makes a lot of sense for the backup center role.
He had crazy good #s in a very limited # of minutes. Would love to see it.
Oregon just got 6 10 Taylor Bol Bowen, a 6'10" kid from Bama ranked #155 in the portal. I wonder if we looked at him.....
Emeka is not ready, not even close. Kid weighs like 210…
GOAT SHITPOSTER
Wow, he looks bigger than that to me, on his highlights. Looks reasonably solid. Of course most highlights are from junior college so must just be big in comparison.
@mushroomgod Plus our last 2 signings were Lindsay and Sherrill, not Yig.
If there are any takers out there, Antwann Jones is in the portal.Travis Branham@TravisBranham_UNCG forward Antwann Jones has entered the transfer portal, per a
source. Was a member of the 2018 Recruiting Class with Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish etc. Started his career at Memphis in 2018-19.
2018/19 35 games - Memphis State2020/21 30 games - Creighton2021/22 8 games - U of Louisiana2023/24 24 games - Central Florida2024/25 1 game - Bethune-Cookman2025/26 7 games - UNC Greensboro
How old is he about 27 with three covid years under his belt.
He's going for the Animal House Bluto 7 years of college down the drain route.
Yep along with the 0.00 gpa
- Current Status: Graduate Student, UNCG.
- Previous Education: Graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a degree in Communications.
@arioznahoosier4554 Ok, but to me one of the most amazing things Cig has done is the quality of individuals he has gotten. I've not heard of a single player that hasn't represented IU very well, both in action and interviews. Yes, they got $$ from IU, but my guess is at least a few could've made more elsewhere and saw the benefits of joining or staying with IU and this coaching staff. Not the portrait of "hired guns" that the current environment would seem to dictate.
@sig Obviously would love to get in on Anderson. But he's too much money, I suspect, to add to what we've already committed to. And I would think signing him would cause a couple of the current guard signees to change their minds. NET, I'd prefer the likely much less expensive, and much more likely multi year guys we already got. But he is potentially the best overall player in the portal. Just like Blackwell, he'll improve whatever team he plays for next year immensely, and is worth being up there as the highest paid college bball player.
That seems a loser mentality or the script for one of those Directv Settler commercials. Understand all the factors and that he most likely won't be at IU. Still do they want take next step or be on the treadmill of mediocrity. IU could probably play a 3 guard lineup as Mustaf and Harris are 6'5"/6"6".
He's going for the Animal House Bluto 7 years of college down the drain route.
A Hoosier basketball player becoming Senator, would be cool!
@arioznahoosier4554 Ok, but to me one of the most amazing things Cig has done is the quality of individuals he has gotten. I've not heard of a single player that hasn't represented IU very well, both in action and interviews. Yes, they got $$ from IU, but my guess is at least a few could've made more elsewhere and saw the benefits of joining or staying with IU and this coaching staff. Not the portrait of "hired guns" that the current environment would seem to dictate.
I was thinking more along the lines of basketball players like the guy at BYU getting 8 million for one year. I am not saying cig does not have quality players just what some of these bbal guys are getting paid is pro money. Honestly no idea why they still have this one year college rule might as well just let them go pro right away.
IU should sign Rioux. Every circus needs a freak show.
@ams66 My understanding is that he has been medically cleared by professionals. I'm certainly not a heart doctor and I have no idea what the original issue was...but I know what you are saying and agree.
I did some reading about the guy.....he was 247's #1 ranked JC center before he went to Auburn. Averaged 9.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 22M/game of PT in JC. Shot 67% from the field, 52% on FTs. Had 89 ORs that season & 177 DRs. From Nigeria, part of the "Africa to NBA' program. In 6 games at Auburn, played 58 minutes, had 23 pts, 15 rebounds, 6 BSs and shot .769. He is slim...7'0" 205 lbs.
Anton Bonke, 7'2" from Charlotte to MSU.
Thiam visited Michigan and MSU.....wonder if this means he ends up with Michigan? Or maybe he waits to see if Mara and/or Johnson stay/go?
I have not seen him.play. I work with a guy who played on an IHSAA state finals team and played some small college ball. This guy really seems to have his shit together when it comes to basketball. He said SMU played U of L 2 times during the season and Yugi looked totally in over his head both games. I've heard from a couple other dudes I consider good sources that gave similar assessments of the guy. I hope they are wrong, but this has me spooked I think we need another quality big or this roster might be "one man short".@redandrowdy Not sure why you say that about the kid from SMU; he's been pretty productive in a solid league already. Moves well for a big man. The guy he has me hoping he can become is Mara, and he's certainly got a better resume than Mara did before heading to UM.
Anton Bonke, 7'2" from Charlotte to MSU.
Thiam visited Michigan and MSU.....wonder if this means he ends up with Michigan? Or maybe he waits to see if Mara and/or Johnson stay/go?
I suppose Thiam could also end up at MSU, but doubt that happens because MSU has a highly rated 7 foot freshman coming in. 247 ranks Bonke #139, but ON3 likes him much more.
Washington also got a nice portal commit today from TT....LeJuan Watts, rated at 59 in 247's portal rankings.