Indiana Gets Commit from James Blackmon Jr.

• Laley23

  

  Dont usually post about recruiting unless it is after signing or a top prospect. But this is of note since his father played at Kentucky (not to mention, he has a great chance to be a 5 Star player). Kids out of Fort Wayne and is a 2014 PG/SG. Ranked #1 PG in class by ESPN (though not as high up in other services).
  
  While on the subject, Indiana has also secured commits from 2012 players Peter Jurkin and Ron "Buss" Patterson
  
  They are in the top 2 for both Jeremy Hollowell and Hanner Perea, as well as at the top of the list for Gary Harris, Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera among others in 2012.
  
  They are in the top 3 for Cody Zeller in 2011
  
  Another 5 star prospect, Trey Lyles, had to be convinced by his family to not pull the trigger for the Hoosiers just a few days ago.
  
  Coach Crean looks to be turning it around on the recruiting front, and quite honestly its a surprise to me. Not so much he has been able to, but as quick as he has.
  
  
  Anyway, the biggest news was that a former Kentucky star in his ownright, James Blackmon will now be watching his son play (barring a change of heart) for bitter rivals Indiana.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Kid's a freshman? Yawn.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I was really impressed with Crean at Marquette and think he will eventually get it done at Indiana, but honestly, I didn't think it would take him this long.
• Laley23

  

  thedynasty1998;470376 wrote:I was really impressed with Crean at Marquette and think he will eventually get it done at Indiana, but honestly, I didn't think it would take him this long.

  
  It REALLY hurt that Indiana didnt really have a whole bunch of talent the last couple years in state. Not to mention the obvious grade issues leading to him having to get rid of an entire roster when he took over. No coach in the history of college basketball has gone through that. I also think recruiting has really started to turn to a time when you have to start recruiting kids as freshman. When Crean came, the 2012 kids were the only group he wasnt behind with recruiting wise.
• Laley23

  

  ernest_t_bass;470217 wrote:Kid's a freshman? Yawn.

  
  Only about a month or 2 before DeShaun Thomas commited to OSU
  
  But Im with you. I dont like when kids commit before they are juniors. But that seems to be where recruiting is headed. Im a little surprised his dad allowed him to commit (dad is also HS coach).
• centralbucksfan

  This is obviously good for IU....."IF" Crean can survive to see the kid sign with IU. I think this is a key year for him. Has to show marked improvement, then the following year he has to show even more or I think he will be in trouble. Prior to IU, I thought pretty highly of Crean...but since then I haven't been so impressed. I realize he hasn't had much talent...but then again, its the coaches responsibility to bring in that talent.
• Laley23

  

  centralbucksfan;471374 wrote:This is obviously good for IU....."IF" Crean can survive to see the kid sign with IU. I think this is a key year for him. Has to show marked improvement, then the following year he has to show even more or I think he will be in trouble. Prior to IU, I thought pretty highly of Crean...but since then I haven't been so impressed. I realize he hasn't had much talent...but then again, its the coaches responsibility to bring in that talent.

  
  I agree with that. I dont think Crean is in any danger, but that also stems from the fact I think he will be a much better team next year and compete for a Big Ten Title.
  
  The only thing I dont think is fair is to blame him for not having talent. He had to gut the program because of Sampson bringing in bad kids who accumulated for 19 Fs on the grade-card. Not to mention the off court problems. He couldnt have brought in talent short of offering them NBA type salaries lol. He got a good coup who were frosh last year, but to expect them to led a program is unfair to both player and coach. This year they are all Sophomores, and the improvement is expected. But again, they are VERY young. All the talent are Sophomores and thats tough to win consistently with. Id think a 16 win year this year would be about on target. 20 wins is unlikely but doable and would be amazing. 12 wins is unlikely but doable and would be an extreme disappointment.
  
  Basically, he has had 2 full years to recruit. He pulled in a crap class just to fill the roster. Then he brought in a stellar top 10 class. This years class wont fly after this grace period is over. So of 2 classes, he is 1/2. 2011 right now is not good, but could change with a Zeller commit or other. 2012 is off to a great start and is likely going to get much much better. I just think its a little premature to say Crean hasnt been able to recruit, when in reality it was impossible to do so until now. If he falters from here on forward, its on him.