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by Jeremy Price | Thursday, March 7, 2013 - 11:08 pm UTC
NUMBERS GAME
2 Yogi Ferrell now has 129 assists this season, tied with A.J. Guyton for the second-most by an IU freshman.
3 Victor Oladipo is now tied with Greg Graham for the third-most career steals in IU history with 151.
40.3 Indiana’s field goal percentage over the last three games, down from their season average of 49.4 percent.
RECRUIT WATCH
LUKE FISCHER, 6-11, C, Germantown, Wis., 2013: Still going strong with 26 points and eight rebounds in a 61-46 sectional semifinal win last Thursday, followed by 19 points and nine rebounds in a 73-59 sectional championship victory. Plays in the Wisconsin state semifinals at Kohl Center tonight.
COLLIN HARTMAN, 6-6, F, Indianapolis (Cathedral), 2013: Delivered 21 points in a sectional semifinal win over Roncalli last Friday, then added 16 points and nine rebounds in the Irish’s 66-50 win over a Trey Lyles-less Indianapolis Tech squad in Saturday’s sectional championship. Cathedral plays Pendleton Heights in the Southport Regional Saturday at 10 a.m.
NOAH VONLEH, 6-8, F, Haverhill, Mass. (New Hampton Prep), 2013: Posted 12 points and eight rebounds in a 70-69 overtime win in the NEPSAC AAA quarterfinals last Thursday and had 18 points and nine rebounds in a 71-53 season-ending semifinal loss last Friday.
TROY WILLIAMS, 6-6, F, Hampton, Va. (Oak Hill Academy), 2013: Finished with a double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds in the Warriors’ season finale, a 98-57 win over Greater Emmanuel Prep last Friday.
JAMES BLACKMON JR., 6-2, G, Fort Wayne (Bishop Luers), 2014: Scoring was down a little, but the results were good. Scored 23 points in a 69-47 sectional semifinal in over Adams Central last Friday and had 17 points in a 72-55 sectional championship win over Bluffton on Saturday. The Knights play Boone Grove in the North Judson Regional Saturday at 11 a.m.
FISCHER KING?
Indiana recruit Luke Fischer is one of five finalists for Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin. Other candidates are Marquette recruit Duane Wilson, Wisconsin recruit Bronson Koenig, Nebraska recruit Nick Fuller and Iowa State recruit Matt Thomas.
Heading into this weekend’s state semifinals, Fischer is averaging 20.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for top-ranked and unbeaten Germantown, which has now won 54 straight games.
OLADIPO A WARRIOR
Indiana’s Victor Oladipo is up for another postseason award, although this one is a little different. Rather than a mere player of the year honor, the Eddie Sutton Tustenugee Award is presented to the player who best exhibits the traits of tenacity and unselfishness that Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton promoted in his career. According to a press release, the word “tustenugee” means “warrior” in the language of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Previous award winners were Butler’s Matt Howard and Baylor’s Quincy Acy. Ohio State’s Aaron Craft is the only other Big Ten player among the 12 semifinalists named Tuesday.
This comes on the heels of Oladipo and Cody Zeller both being named among 14 finalists for the Oscar Robertson trophy, given to the national player of the year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, on Monday.
NET DISCUSSION
The Hoosiers’ decision to celebrate a share of the Big Ten title by cutting down the nets after Tuesday night’s loss to Ohio State raised a few eyebrows around the nation, prompting a vote on ESPN’s SportsNation as to whether this was OK or not. As of late Thursday morning, a total of 65,284 votes had been cast, with a surprisingly split result.
The results were 54 percent “I’m not OK with it,” and 46 percent “I’m OK with it.” However, Indiana was one of only five states that were “OK with it.” Hoosier residents (2,037 votes) were 54 percent in support and 46 percent against.
QUOTABLE
“It just doesn’t feel good. And just because something doesn’t feel good doesn’t mean it’s not right. That’s what we as fans have to get over. — Sage Steele, ESPN SportsCenter anchor and IU grad, on the Hoosiers’ postgame celebration during Mike and Mike In the Morning Wednesday.
For anyone interested, an article about Jeremiah Rivers in my local paper up here in Maine.
http://www.pressherald.com/sports/the-product-of-parenting_2013-03-08.html
anyone else wonder about the Noah hype? I know numbers arent everything and apparently he has tons of upside, but I dont see how hes a top 10 recruit at this point.
Interesting article, Geoff. Are the Red Claws a Developmental League team? We used to have one in Asheville that Luke Recker played for.
I noticed Josh Selby’s name in there. As I recall he was a no brainer lock for NBA greatness. I guess you still have to play the game.
Chet,
Yes, and I think this is their 4th season… Used to be affiliated with both the Bobcats and the Celtics, but now are just Celtics as of last season. (A little NC tie-in for ya)
To bring it back to the other discussion, sorta, they have set every attendance record in the D-League.
Jason,
First off, have you seen him play? Are you just going off these short notes each week? If you’re concerned because he isn’t putting up huge point totals, I’ll try to add some perspective. He is playing prep school ball in a post grad league. Every single game he is going up against older D1 signees. Usually against front courts with multiple D1 signees and multiple players that are bigger than him. This isn’t Luke Fischer who occassionally sees another guy bigger than 6’7″ and might play one guy a season that’s as big as him.
Noah dominated the Adidas International tournament this past summer. He is a legit 6’8″ with a strong base, long arms, excellent athleticism, and a guard skill set. He enjoys banging down low, is an exceptional rebounder, and will still be 17 when he graduates.
Not only that but he’s a good student, extremely coachable, a great teammate, humble kid, and doesn’t get in trouble off the court.
His only knock right now is that he may be a little too unselfish on offense, but that has worked out ok for IU with Cody Zeller.
Because of his age, his attitude, and his family values around education, my educated opinion from talking to his prep coaches is that he’s not looking to be one-and-done either.
I’m not sure what you’re looking for in a recruit, but this kid is a great get for IU.
Shhhhh Geoff. NOW.
Sorry Rico, my bad…