The Indiana Hoosiers Blog

Davis chose Dinc over Rush

2005-08-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Yes you heard correctly Dinc was chosen over Rush
Posted by Shane Hubbard

There is not much known about Dinc the 6' 10" Turkish player, but what is known is the Hoosiers felt he was worth pursuing over Brandon Rush.

A couple of decisions could have been transpiring here. First, we could be watching this recruiting staff learning from past mistakes before our eyes. They have opted to take the more unproven player that wants to sign with the team over the highly touted player that may or may not sign with the team. We have gone after a player that wants to be a part of our program over a player that may want to/may not want to, but does want to go pro after a year.

Second, IU was burned last year when they were recruiting Josh Smith. Smith committed, but then decided to go pro near to the last minute leaving IU with an open scholarship. Then IUs staff tried to fill that scholarship with Robert Rothbart. Again Rothbart fell through. IU staff might have actually thought long and hard whether Rush was going to realistically commit and instead decided to go with the guy that would unquestionably sign.

Dinc is exactly what this team needs; the team needs players that are focused on playing for IU. We have gone out on a limb for Dinc, but he could really help IU. From what I have been reading this player could have some real upside. He is 6' 10" and moves like a guard at 6' 5". He could really compliment D.J. White, Killingsworth, Kline, and Allen. Our frontcourt will be very young, but hopefully the leadership of Killingsworth will bring them all together.

Dinc is 20 and brings international experience. He will need time to adjust and is really going to play like an incoming freshman for the first part of the year. He does however bring many question marks. His previous coach said he was extremely athletic and quick, but can he shoot? He played a lot of point guard for the Turkish team, but can he play the 3 or 4 (which is likely what he will play)?

Overall this is a great move by IU. I like to see players come in that want to play for IU. He signed with us as soon as he knew he could. When that scholarship was promised to him instead of to Rush he only wasted two days to commit. I like it.

Good move by Davis -- great result for Hoosier fans

2005-08-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

At first glance Rush's decision seems like another blow to the program
Posted by Shane Hubbard

I applaud Mike Davis for getting in the Brandon Rush sweepstakes. I like to see Davis's continued focus on recruiting when most coaches are now gearing up for the season and recruiting is placed at a close second. Davis's pursuits should not be surprising. Davis has been actively recruiting last minute transfers and commits. For instance, Davis went after future freshman of the year in the Big Ten Kris Humphries after he decided to leave Duke. After some thought both Humphries and Rush decided to remain closer to home.

Rush's choice to go to KU really may not be that bad for IU. For starters Rush has mentioned he only wants to be in the college ranks for one year. In addition to him being a 'one and done', Terry Hutchens brings up a great point. Rush has had question marks on his ability to play as a team player. With this in mind why would IU want his services when its program has been bogged down by the selfishness of Bracey Wright over the past 3 seasons? I am guessing the fact Rush would be an instant starter AND instant scorer made Rush to good to pass on. In Hutchens's column he said Rush was eating Vaden alive at the practice session Rush attended.

I prefer this type of recruiting over going after the high school recruits in the top ten during the 'recruiting season'. IU has lost large amounts of time on recruits in the top ten, that either go pro or go to a more prestigious program (god I never thought I would say that). Josh Smith's going pro left us with an available scholarship after most players had already committed. Again Smith seemed unlikely to be a team player and his journey to the NBA seems like a blessing.

I am curious though. Which strategy is better? Davis's strategy to recruit the best player available, or the strategy of other coaches to recruit players that fit into your system. I am not sure, maybe Kansas's play this year will tell us.

The '05-'06 IU basketball season

2005-08-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Most fans seem excited, but is it too soon?
Posted by Shane Hubbard

If you ask around most IU basketball fans are looking forward to the season. They have circled many of the dates on the schedule (like Duke) as must watch games.

But is all of this excitement warranted? Three of the starting five will likely be Vaden, Killingsworth, and White. After that you will see point guard duties split between Calloway, Monroe, Strickland, and Wilmount. Strickland may actually play more of the 2, but Davis will be looking to get him PT any way he can. This leaves one empty spot in the front court that could be filled by Dinc, Allen at Center, or Kline.

Now digest this. We will be starting 2 sophomores, one/possibly two seniors and possibly a freshman. Do not look for lots of points from Monroe either, look for leadership and point guard skills only. We haven't ever seen Killingsworth play (although I tend to believe he is very talented). Kline has had quite a few ups and downs. Vaden and White are still going to be making bone headed moves as sophomores. Finally, Ben Allen and Cem Dinc are new to this country, away from home, new to the US game, and freshman.

The last question mark comes from Davis. How will his coaching change? I think Davis supporters and haters will agree there have been very questionable coaching moves from time to time. Davis openly admits to using over 500 NBA plays he gathers from NBA game tapes. A coaching strategy I feel is misguided and unsuccessful. The team also had three games where they only scored the 40s. On many occasions the offense seemed sluggish and unproductive.

I also question the team's preparedness last year. In a few games (UCONN, Mizzou) the team was winning at halftime and looked exhausted as they squandered their lead by games end.

Realistically our preseason is finally a bit easier. Duke and Kentucky will be hard, Charlotte will be a good game and then the rest should be must wins. A good preseason is essential because the the hype the Big Ten is getting from the coaches and media is huge. There could be as many as 5 big ten teams ranked in the preseason. Michigan State will be an NCAA title contender.

For now I will put away my Davis bashing. However our offense and endurance must improve if we are to win and be successful this year. If we have a scoring average in the 70s IU will obviously be doing well. If you see another spread offense and a lot of standing around in the second half, we might be in for a long year.

Can this be? I'm excited about IU football?

2005-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile, but Coach Hep has given us reason to 'believe'.
Posted by: Shane Hubbard

**Updated** 08/29/05**

The most cynical and often most agitating man in sports journalism actually believes it too (Bob Kravitz). The same guy who predicts the Pacers to lose in the first round of the playoffs AND who nearly every year believes the Colts will fail.

I am looking forward to this season. Realistically I do not think we will win 6 games, I do think we will be more motivated and look more sound. Some of the very missing pieces I have been ranting and raving about over the last several years are starting to be brought to Bloomington by Coach Hoeppner. He is starting traditions and he like everyone else knows a terrible team can turn it around. You start by scheduling 'cake' teams in the preseason AND you recruit like hell in state.

It is a formula that has worked for Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and others in the Big Ten. So why do I think Hep can bring it to IU? Well, simply, he won at Miami (OH). His teams could contend nationally. Miami doesn't have a long history of success. He recruited those guys, he coached those guys and he built something I want at IU. I want to watch something more than what I can watch at an Indianapolis area High School football game on a Friday night.

The fans have a role in all of this. For starters NO BOOING! Hep is going to be bringing future recruits to these games if the crowds are loud and proud. You know what past coaches did? They gave them basketball tickets, not football tickets. Irony.

Second fans must be optimistic and set moderate goals. 2-1 in the preseason isn't a bad goal and 3-5 in the Big Ten will work with our brutal schedule.

Lastly fans must go to the games and watch the games. You cannot be a critic unless you watch every game and follow every game.

I think in 3 years we will at least be on the verge of a bowl game. It might take 4, which will be the length of collegiate eligibility of these first year recruits, who weren't exactly all Americans.

**Update**
In a non-scientific poll conducted on Indystar.com's website (08/29/05) Indiana has been ranked third by 994 people that took the poll. The poll's question, "Who will win the Big Ten football championship?" The enthusiasm from Hep seems to be spreading. I can pretty much guarantee IU would not have been that high with the same poll last year.