Brace yourself. Cody Zeller is ready to announce his college choice, only he’s going to make everybody wait just a little longer.
If this basketball thing doesn’t work out, maybe Zeller should try suspense writing. He has a knack for keeping people on their edge of their seats -– or message boards.
Anyway, Zeller is set to name his college at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday at Washington High School. It is only open to the media, not the public. However the announcement will be broadcast on Washington radio station WAMW-107.9 FM. According to Indy Star reporter Jeff Rabjohns, the station also will stream the conference live on the Internet on www.wamwamfm.com.
In the event you’re suffering from amnesia caused by anguish over the deeper meaning of Indiana’s overtime victory over Ferris State, Zeller is choosing between IU, Butler and North Carolina. The 6-10 forward is rated as the nation’s No. 20 overall player and No. 4 power forward.
Wednesday starts the official November signing period. IU has one commitment in Hamilton Heights guard Austin Etherington.
Why is Zeller waiting until the next day? What school will he pick?
For now, at least, that remains a mystery, much like the unknown missile that was launched over California Monday night. The exhaust trail from that mystery object, by the way, glowed red.
Coincidence?
Oliver Stone would say no.
In fact, a Cream 'n Crimson optimist would suggest that Zeller is waiting a day so as not to steal the signing day thunder from Etherington when he officially becomes a Hoosier.
Anyway, is Zeller worth all the wait and drama? The experts say yes, especially because he doesn’t project as just a one-and-done guy.
“He’s a highly skilled big man,” veteran recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said. “He’s one of the most fundamentally skilled big men in the nation. He has a high basketball IQ. He’d be a major get.”
*****
Just when it looked like guard Matt Roth was about to lose a second season to an injury, the word came that he should return, although exactly when remains in doubt.
IU officials indicated the injury was not as serious as initially believed after Roth hurt his right knee during Monday night’s overtime exhibition victory over Ferris State.
Roth only played two games last season after breaking his ankle while practicing for a tournament in Puerto Rico last November. He is one of the Hoosiers’ top three-point shooters and is expected to play a major role this season.
*****
Former IU coach Terry Hoeppner was honored by the renaming of the limestone rock in Memorial Stadium as “Hep’s Rock.” It was Hoeppner’s idea to take a large piece of limestone located near the IU Tennis Center, install it in Memorial Stadium and give the facility the nickname, “The Rock.”
Hoeppner, a former Woodlan standout, died from brain cancer in 2007. He only coached the Hoosiers for two years, but was a huge motivator in the Hoosiers’ Insight Bowl appearance.
****
In a class act by a class group of guys, Hoosier football players voted receiver Damarlo Belcher as one of the game captains for Saturday’s contest at Wisconsin. It was Belcher who dropped what would have been the game-winning touchdown pass at the end of the Iowa game. Teammates have rallied around him. Coach Bill Lynch said Belcher would not let the drop affect the rest of his season.
“He’ll be fine,” Lynch said.
No comments:
Post a Comment