A few more names...a few of these are realistic and a few of these are probably just rumored to be transferring and wishful thinking. These names have been found on various places (Burner Ball discord, various fan sites, text messages to me by guys I think would know...ie "sources")...if you are just skimming this list and don't want to read, I'd direct your attention to the last player listed as a hopeful addition (if he portals) at a major area of need.
-Adam "Bud" Clark - One year left - Seton Hall - 5'10" guard is the cousin of IU assistant Rod Clark - averages 30+ minutes per game as a guard for the Pirates, 12.2 points per game/4.8 assists...13 against NC State, 18 against USC, 16 against Rutgers, 22 against GT, 24 against X, 31 against Providence. I like him more than I thought I would, 5.28 BPR (team-best) and terrific assist rate. The issue here is that he's a non-factor as an outside shooter. Not the guy I'd want starting but a good backup guard, if he'd accept that. He was linked to IU because of Clark when he left Merrimack.
-Luke Wilson - two years left - Appalachian State - 6'9" center that has a team-high 2.8 BPM for a 19-win team. Good dunker and two-point shooter, really good rebounder and block rate. Major jump from a freshman to sophomore...he's not the biggest guy but he's a major athlete. Does he translate to high major as a role player? 7/7 against Ohio State, 19/10/4 blocks against a good High Point team...supposed IU interest if he portals but I've only heard that from one guy so take it for what it is worth.
-Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn - one year left - UNLV Rebels - 6'1" originally from Lafayette, IN. He played two seasons at Illinois and has exploded at UNLV this season. I'd be really surprised if IU was interested OR if DGL was interested in IU but I feel compelled to include him. He is now averaging 21 points per game with a really good usage rate but his shooting efficiency has skyrocketed this season. He is neutral at best on defense and he won't contribute on the glass but the young man can fill it up. His mother was a major issue and distraction throughout his winding journey but he cut ties with her and has blossomed since. Ideally, I think he's a microwave scorer off the bench but he's going to get paid like a big-time starter and score like a starter.
Elyjah Freeman - two years left - Auburn Tigers - you may remember this name during the last cycle. Freeman visited IU before choosing Auburn after transferring up from Lincoln Memorial. Auburn is 15-14 in year one under Bruce Pearl's son and Freeman has been...fine? 4.3 BPM, 34.2% from 3, decent numbers across the board. He might be headed out and maybe IU would be interested again?
Kevin Overton - one year left - Auburn Tigers - Overton was at West Virginia but did not follow DeVries to IU. He'll get linked to IU again if he portals again. He averaged 12.6 points per game on 30 minutes per game. He's not a great rebounder but a good athlete, decent defender and 36.9% from 3.
Jackson Shelstad - one year left (but probably gets another year so two?)- Oregon Ducks - 6'1" guard that has not played since December 28. He was averaging 15.6 points per game and 4.9 assists per game when he was injured. Shelstad's advanced metrics are not as good as you'd expect and I don't think he's elite but he's a good player that is rumored to be entering the portal. He had a BPM of 5.3 in Big Ten games last season as a sophomore on a team that was a 5-seed so the major positive is you know he's capable of leading a good team in the league.
J.P. Estrella - two years left - Tennessee - 6'11" that is playing 17 minutes per game for the Vols. 9.4 points and 5 rebounds on nearly 60% shooting. Estrella splits time with Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara as a 4/5. He plays really, really hard and would give IU size and toughness they lack on the interior. Tennessee fans are pretty confident they will be losing a number of players to the portal and there is a chance Rick Barnes is retiring. Rod Clark was his main recruiter so there's a lot that lines up. He'll likely command a big number but I think this would make a ton of sense for IU to pursue if he does enter the portal.
If Tennessee does have an exodus of some sort and Rod Clark could provide some connections, guys like Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown are intriguing players with three years left and Bishop Boswell is a junkyard dog perimeter defender with two years left.
I don't at all disagree with what IU needs, but DD's first shot at roster construction was abysmal so I don't have high hopes. And I don't think Carr is some magic beanstalk. We'll see.@bigmike Sisley, Dorn, Ristic, and Harris return. 3 incoming frosh. Stud PG, 2 starter caliber bigs via portal/foreign pipeline. 3 starter caliber dawg/athletes at any position, from portal/late HS/foreign pipeline. 2-3 of the portal guys have multiple years of eligibility left. Let the returning guys and the frosh earn their way in to the main rotation.
Imo, DD needs to focus more on...
- Bball IQ (this team ain't bball smart)
- Defense
- Interior size (a true C would be nice)
- Speed (especially PG)
- Athleticism
that plan would work for me.@bigmike Sisley, Dorn, Ristic, and Harris return. 3 incoming frosh. Stud PG, 2 starter caliber bigs via portal/foreign pipeline. 3 starter caliber dawg/athletes at any position, from portal/late HS/foreign pipeline. 2-3 of the portal guys have multiple years of eligibility left. Let the returning guys and the frosh earn their way in to the main rotation.
@gthomas As much as many (including me) have criticized the roster building of Woodson, the initial season of DeVries has not earned confidence in his roster building ability. Let's hope he turns around that perception this coming April.
My thoughts exactly. I understand giving him slack for Year 1, but I'm not that guy. I've seen little that gives me confidence he'll accomplish anything significant. Is that an early call on my part? Perhaps. But I know what I see.@gthomas As much as many (including me) have criticized the roster building of Woodson, the initial season of DeVries has not earned confidence in his roster building ability. Let's hope he turns around that perception this coming April.
For many, Year 1 is simply Year 1. For me, it's an indicator of the future. I'm not claiming I'm right--only time will tell--but I just don't see a rosy future under DD.
@bigmike Sisley, Dorn, Ristic, and Harris return. 3 incoming frosh. Stud PG, 2 starter caliber bigs via portal/foreign pipeline. 3 starter caliber dawg/athletes at any position, from portal/late HS/foreign pipeline. 2-3 of the portal guys have multiple years of eligibility left. Let the returning guys and the frosh earn their way in to the main rotation.
Don't take Harris unless you know he's going to be sound. We've had more than enough of these injured do-nothings the last 5 years.
A few more names...a few of these are realistic and a few of these are probably just rumored to be transferring and wishful thinking. These names have been found on various places (Burner Ball discord, various fan sites, text messages to me by guys I think would know...ie "sources")...if you are just skimming this list and don't want to read, I'd direct your attention to the last player listed as a hopeful addition (if he portals) at a major area of need.
-Adam "Bud" Clark - One year left - Seton Hall - 5'10" guard is the cousin of IU assistant Rod Clark - averages 30+ minutes per game as a guard for the Pirates, 12.2 points per game/4.8 assists...13 against NC State, 18 against USC, 16 against Rutgers, 22 against GT, 24 against X, 31 against Providence. I like him more than I thought I would, 5.28 BPR (team-best) and terrific assist rate. The issue here is that he's a non-factor as an outside shooter. Not the guy I'd want starting but a good backup guard, if he'd accept that. He was linked to IU because of Clark when he left Merrimack.
-Luke Wilson - two years left - Appalachian State - 6'9" center that has a team-high 2.8 BPM for a 19-win team. Good dunker and two-point shooter, really good rebounder and block rate. Major jump from a freshman to sophomore...he's not the biggest guy but he's a major athlete. Does he translate to high major as a role player? 7/7 against Ohio State, 19/10/4 blocks against a good High Point team...supposed IU interest if he portals but I've only heard that from one guy so take it for what it is worth.
-Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn - one year left - UNLV Rebels - 6'1" originally from Lafayette, IN. He played two seasons at Illinois and has exploded at UNLV this season. I'd be really surprised if IU was interested OR if DGL was interested in IU but I feel compelled to include him. He is now averaging 21 points per game with a really good usage rate but his shooting efficiency has skyrocketed this season. He is neutral at best on defense and he won't contribute on the glass but the young man can fill it up. His mother was a major issue and distraction throughout his winding journey but he cut ties with her and has blossomed since. Ideally, I think he's a microwave scorer off the bench but he's going to get paid like a big-time starter and score like a starter.
Elyjah Freeman - two years left - Auburn Tigers - you may remember this name during the last cycle. Freeman visited IU before choosing Auburn after transferring up from Lincoln Memorial. Auburn is 15-14 in year one under Bruce Pearl's son and Freeman has been...fine? 4.3 BPM, 34.2% from 3, decent numbers across the board. He might be headed out and maybe IU would be interested again?
Kevin Overton - one year left - Auburn Tigers - Overton was at West Virginia but did not follow DeVries to IU. He'll get linked to IU again if he portals again. He averaged 12.6 points per game on 30 minutes per game. He's not a great rebounder but a good athlete, decent defender and 36.9% from 3.
Jackson Shelstad - one year left (but probably gets another year so two?)- Oregon Ducks - 6'1" guard that has not played since December 28. He was averaging 15.6 points per game and 4.9 assists per game when he was injured. Shelstad's advanced metrics are not as good as you'd expect and I don't think he's elite but he's a good player that is rumored to be entering the portal. He had a BPM of 5.3 in Big Ten games last season as a sophomore on a team that was a 5-seed so the major positive is you know he's capable of leading a good team in the league.
J.P. Estrella - two years left - Tennessee - 6'11" that is playing 17 minutes per game for the Vols. 9.4 points and 5 rebounds on nearly 60% shooting. Estrella splits time with Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara as a 4/5. He plays really, really hard and would give IU size and toughness they lack on the interior. Tennessee fans are pretty confident they will be losing a number of players to the portal and there is a chance Rick Barnes is retiring. Rod Clark was his main recruiter so there's a lot that lines up. He'll likely command a big number but I think this would make a ton of sense for IU to pursue if he does enter the portal.
If Tennessee does have an exodus of some sort and Rod Clark could provide some connections, guys like Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown are intriguing players with three years left and Bishop Boswell is a junkyard dog perimeter defender with two years left.
Thanks for highlighting the names....makes it easier to follow.
My thoughts exactly. I understand giving him slack for Year 1, but I'm not that guy. I've seen little that gives me confidence he'll accomplish anything significant. Is that an early call on my part? Perhaps. But I know what I see.@gthomas As much as many (including me) have criticized the roster building of Woodson, the initial season of DeVries has not earned confidence in his roster building ability. Let's hope he turns around that perception this coming April.
For many, Year 1 is simply Year 1. For me, it's an indicator of the future. I'm not claiming I'm right--only time will tell--but I just don't see a rosy future under DD.
As things have turned out, he really struck out on Bailey, Dorn, Miles, Conerway, Harris and Drake.......Bailey, Dorn & Miles were predictable. They've all played up to their prior stats and their potential. Harris & Drake were damaged goods. I guess the foreign kids were filler.
I have been told there is a decided absence of big fellas in the players listed thus far. In addition, I think we can all agree that the frontcourt will need to be significantly better than it is right now. So, who are some names that MIGHT be available and make sense (beyond J.P. Estrella that I listed yesterday)?
-Luke Wilson - Appalachian State - 2 years left - 6'9" - bouncy athlete with good length and a team-best 2.8 BPM, good rebounding metrics in a decent conference on a team that is 19-12 and a 7.6 block rate (that's pretty good). Could be a useful backup big.
-Oswin Erhunmwunse - Providence - 2 years left - 6'10" big that is a terrific rebounder and very good shot blocker...he's a good finisher but poor free throw shooter. Kim English is probably getting fired so he could be available. He's a not particularly mobile and not a great athlete but he's bulky.
-Najai Hines - Seton Hall - 3 years left - 6'10" freshman with a 7.1 BPM (best on the Pirates). His rebounding metrics are good and his block rate is elite (17.1). He's not a particularly good offensive player right now but he's still raw and has a high ceiling. He's a New Jersey native so he's probably not going to be available.
-Julius Halaifonua - Georgetown - 2 years left - 7'0" that was at Georgetown with Kenny Johnson for a season. He's originally from New Zealand and improved from 3 points and 2 rebounds per game to 9.2 and 4.4 rebounds per game in 20 minutes this season. He's a good finisher and decent rebounder with good size and bulk. Not a great athlete and he fouls A LOT but he at least has high major experience and would not be expensive.
-Somto Cyril - Georgia - 2 years left - 6'11" athlete with really high-end rebounding potential and an already elite block rate. I don't know why he would leave UGA but if he did, he'd be in-demand.
Guys like Thiam (Cincy) and Diop (Arizona State) will very likely not be in IU's budget given the amount of bodies IU needs to bring in so the Hoosiers will need to find an upgrade in the frontcourt below those top-end options.
One non big guy for today and I doubt he'd portal but how about wing Kanon Catchings? You may recall, the Brownsburg native has had a winding journey and clearly doesn't mind moving around so maybe another trip to the portal does happen: Brownsburg to prep school to commit to Purdue to BYU to Georgia this season...he had 32 points last night and is improving as a shooter. Catchings is not what you'd want as a foul shooter but he has solid numbers across the board, a good athletic profile and a high ceiling. Maybe Ryan Carr has a relationship with the family from his time inside the Pacers/Fever organization?
on a good note, read today where DD has a top 20 class arriving next yr!
Karvala
Manhertz
Alexander Moody
Did you read through the article? I thought that was pretty good too, but then it looked like while it was top 20, it was like 9th in conference. MSU, UM, PU, OSU, IL, MD, UCLA... can't remember but I think there was another.
Plus, while I like the overall style of play, we have got to get some posts. Hopefully he recognizes that and plans to get them through the portal, which makes sense, but seems like every kid I see us associated with now is a guard or wing.
Maybe Bidunga will portal again. 🤣
I'll never understand the "no coach IU hired would have done much better with this roster" argument. If a different coach had been hired, it wouldn't be the same roster.
Yeah. But still, any other coach deals with recruiting a nearly all new roster too.
What I really didnt like, was so many one year guys! If he is going lower levels for your first roster, grab guys with 2 or 3 years left who have athleticism. To build the base. Maybe the wont be great, but they know what you want heading into next year. And couldnt some totally raw, not great, but athletic guard become as good or better as Enright in a year?
I had expected coach to buy a bunch of sophomores with length, who didnt show much else yet, lol. He didnt.
We agree on that. Tough to build program continuity with a bunch of one-year guys.Yeah. But still, any other coach deals with recruiting a nearly all new roster too.
What I really didnt like, was so many one year guys! If he is going lower levels for your first roster, grab guys with 2 or 3 years left who have athleticism. To build the base. Maybe the wont be great, but they know what you want heading into next year. And couldnt some totally raw, not great, but athletic guard become as good or better as Enright in a year?
I had expected coach to buy a bunch of sophomores with length, who didnt show much else yet, lol. He didnt.
Appreciate the prospect sharing. Gives us all something to think and dream about.I have been told there is a decided absence of big fellas in the players listed thus far. In addition, I think we can all agree that the frontcourt will need to be significantly better than it is right now. So, who are some names that MIGHT be available and make sense (beyond J.P. Estrella that I listed yesterday)?
-Luke Wilson - Appalachian State - 2 years left - 6'9" - bouncy athlete with good length and a team-best 2.8 BPM, good rebounding metrics in a decent conference on a team that is 19-12 and a 7.6 block rate (that's pretty good). Could be a useful backup big.
-Oswin Erhunmwunse - Providence - 2 years left - 6'10" big that is a terrific rebounder and very good shot blocker...he's a good finisher but poor free throw shooter. Kim English is probably getting fired so he could be available. He's a not particularly mobile and not a great athlete but he's bulky.
-Najai Hines - Seton Hall - 3 years left - 6'10" freshman with a 7.1 BPM (best on the Pirates). His rebounding metrics are good and his block rate is elite (17.1). He's not a particularly good offensive player right now but he's still raw and has a high ceiling. He's a New Jersey native so he's probably not going to be available.
-Julius Halaifonua - Georgetown - 2 years left - 7'0" that was at Georgetown with Kenny Johnson for a season. He's originally from New Zealand and improved from 3 points and 2 rebounds per game to 9.2 and 4.4 rebounds per game in 20 minutes this season. He's a good finisher and decent rebounder with good size and bulk. Not a great athlete and he fouls A LOT but he at least has high major experience and would not be expensive.
-Somto Cyril - Georgia - 2 years left - 6'11" athlete with really high-end rebounding potential and an already elite block rate. I don't know why he would leave UGA but if he did, he'd be in-demand.
Guys like Thiam (Cincy) and Diop (Arizona State) will very likely not be in IU's budget given the amount of bodies IU needs to bring in so the Hoosiers will need to find an upgrade in the frontcourt below those top-end options.
One non big guy for today and I doubt he'd portal but how about wing Kanon Catchings? You may recall, the Brownsburg native has had a winding journey and clearly doesn't mind moving around so maybe another trip to the portal does happen: Brownsburg to prep school to commit to Purdue to BYU to Georgia this season...he had 32 points last night and is improving as a shooter. Catchings is not what you'd want as a foul shooter but he has solid numbers across the board, a good athletic profile and a high ceiling. Maybe Ryan Carr has a relationship with the family from his time inside the Pacers/Fever organization?
