Rest? Who has time for that on the travel basketball July circuit?
Certainly not Spiece Indy Heat and its coach, Reyardo Bluiett.
Yes, he’s the father of Class of 2014 standout Trevon Bluiett and he understands the demands that come from directing a high-profile team. This is a very high-profile team considering it includes Fort Wayne’s James Blackmon (he’s committed to IU), Trey Lyles (he’s also committed to Indiana), Evansville’s Jaquan Lyle (who’s been offered by IU), Trevon Bluiett (hes also been offered by IU), Indianapolis P.J. Thompson (who’s generating a LOT of interest), and more.
“It gets a little much, but you know you’re doing it for the kids,” Reynardo Bluiett says. “You’re doing it so these guys can go to school and take care of their families one day. You keep that in the back of your mind.
“I miss work and miss my other kid, but I’m working for these guys right now.”
The work can be relentless. For instance, the adidas Invitational ended on Saturday.
That night, the adidas College Coaches Classic began. It included Indiana Elite One and Hoosier commit from the Class of 2012, Ron Patterson. The Classic was held at North Central High School and Northview Middle School, the same location as many of the adidas Invitational games.
Meanwhile, Louisville’s Kentucky Hoopfest has begun. So has the D-1 Elite tourney in Elmhurst, Ill. And don’t forget the IBCA top 100 event at Indianapolis Ben Davis High School. That starts on Monday.
Spiece Indy Heat is in Elmhurt. In a few days it will be at the Fishers Fieldhouse for an event. Then the team will take a week or so off before competing in the St. Louis Classic and a Fort Wayne event to end the month.
“It’s a grind,” Reynardo Bluiett says, “but we know it’s coming every year. There’s no getting around it. It’s just like taxes.”
Only a lot more fun.
****
A reader wondered if a vacated football win counts on the other team’s record. Specifically, does Ohio State vacating all of its victories for the 2010 season, including its win over IU, change the Hoosiers’ record from 5-7 to 6-6.
Technically, IU’s record probably does stay the same. Ohio State vacating its victories doesn’t change the overall official record. It’s likely, however, that the NCAA will mandate that the Buckeyes have to forfeit all of its games for playing ineligible players that its head coach (Jim Tressel) knew had violated NCAA rules, so in the end the Hoosiers’ record will be 6-6.
The NCAA has final say, just as it did when it got Kentucky to acknowledge that basketball coach John Calipari had to give up a bunch of victories because of issues during his days at Massachusetts and Memphis.
All this won’t change anything as new coach Kevin Wilson begins his new Cream ‘n Crimson football adventure. He’s determined to win right away and if the quarterback situation is satisfactorily resolved and the defense is just mediocre, IU has a chance.
Yes, we know. It’s July when all things are possible, even the Pittsburgh Pirates making the playoffs for the first time since Moses parted the Red Sea.
*****
Detroit point guard Derrick Walton looked awfully good during the adidas Invitational. He’s quick, can score and can handle the ball. He’s rated as the No. 88 player in the class of 2013.
IU coaches took a long look at him, but so did Michigan State coaches, including former IPFW head coach and Hoosier standout Dane Fife, who is now a Spartan assistant coach.
Michigan has offered Walton a scholarship. Michigan State has not. Neither has IU. Xaiver, Detroit, Iowa State and Central Michigan also has offered scholarships.
The Hoosiers might be more interested in another point guard, Demetrius Jackson of Mishawaka Marion. He’s rated as the No. 71 player in the class.
For what it’s worth, Walton is 6-foot and 170 pounds to Jackson’s 6-1 and 179.
IU also is looking at Fisher’s point guard Jaylon Brown and Michigan swingman Bo Zeigler.
As Hoosier coach Tom Crean has said, recruiting never stops. Never.
*****
Indiana Elite/Team Indiana just missed a chance to play in a nationally televised game when it lost in Saturday’s adidas Invitational semifinals to New Heights NYC 60-58.
Jeremy Holloway once again led Indiana Elite, this time with 15 points. Yogi Ferrell had 11 points. The other big gun and IU commitment, Hanner Perea, fouled out with just two points.
Hollowell averaged 21.4 points in the event.
In the title game, which was televised by CBS College Sports TV, New Heights NYC lost to the Florida Rams 89-82.
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