Don't Mess Around -- Seal the IU-UK Series Deal

So it looks like it’s coming down to the wire in the stare down between Indiana and Kentucky in renewing its annual basketball series.

The Hoosiers and coach Tom Crean are fine with keeping things as they are, which is playing every year on-campus, rotating between Assembly Hall and Rupp Arena. Kentucky coach John Calipari, after initially saying he wasn’t sure if the series would be continued because of concerns of too demanding a non-conference schedule in the wake of the SEC adding more conference games, is fine with continuing as long as the games are played on neutral sites.

This would lead to larger crowds and, perhaps, an even bigger national TV showcase.

We did say “perhaps,” by the way.

The bottom line is that this series needs to continue. You can argue whether a home-and-home format or a big-time rotating neutral site is better, but it doesn’t matter. These teams need to play, so somebody needs to compromise.

Yes, playing Kentucky creates a great atmosphere in Assembly Hall and at Rupp Arena. Yes, some of that shatter-your-eardrums drama will be reduced if it goes to, say, Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. Yes, you can’t overstatement how big an advantage the Assembly Hall crowd gives the Hoosiers (see above photo that shows frenzy following Christian Watford's Wildcat-beating three-pointer), who likely will never consistently match the waves of talent Calipari lands every season. Giving that up would be tough.

Kentucky does seem to be throwing its weight around. It was the one who messed up the neutral-site format in the first place and caused it to be moved to Assembly Hall and Rupp Arena. Then it loses at Assembly Hall and now tries to force its way out of having to play there again.

Could that be fear talking?

Could we be using a cheap psychological ploy to try to influence the outcome?

Are we dumb enough to think, even for a moment, that anyone cares what we think?

No comment.

In the end, the main thing is playing the game on an annual basis. If the only way that happens is for the Hoosiers to give in, well, payback can come on the court, wherever that court happens to be.

*****

College coaches are done with their spring evaluation opportunities until mid July. Indiana coaches took full advantage of the last two weekends to see committed recruits as well as investigate new ones.

Crean and assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Steve McClain spent Sunday in Virginia, while Calbert Cheaney checked out the Adidas Spring Invitational in Indianapolis.

Cheaney, by the way, passed on a chance to replace Bennie Seltzer as a Hoosiers assistant coach. He’ll remain the director of basketball operations.

That means, barring a comet hitting the earth (don’t you hate it when that happens), Kenny Johnson will be the next assistant coach. He spent last year as a Towson assistant coach. Yes, that’s the same Towson that went 1-31 last season and lost its last 22 games, but that had nothing to do with Johnson’s coaching or recruiting contacts.

Johnson has long-time connections with Team Takeover, a powerhouse AAU  program in the Washington D.C. area. Current Hoosiers Maurice Creek and Victor Oladipo played for Team Takeover. IU is also looking at a pair of current Team Takeover players from the Class of 2013 in BeeJay Anya and Stanford Robinson.

Eventually, IU officials will make Johnson’s hiring official. Unless, of course, a comet beats them to it.

*****

First, Tracy Smith got his 500^th career victory as a college baseball coach via a series sweep of Michigan. Then, he basked in the knowledge that sometime this month, construction of the long-awaited new baseball stadium will begin.

The Hoosiers are tied for second in the Big Ten with a 9-6 record. Three weeks remain to see which six teams will advance to the Big Ten tourney.

*****

The Hulls family connection to Indiana just got a little stronger. Kaila Hulls, the younger sister of Jordan, will transfer from Bowling Green to Indiana.

This isn’t surprising. She is following Curt Miller, the former Bowling Green head coach who now runs the Indiana women’s basketball program.

Kaila Hulls was an Indiana All-Star after a standout career at Bloomington South. She averaged 20 points and 11.7 rebounds as a senior. She redshirted last season, her first year at Bowling Green, after tearing her ACL.

“We’re excited about Kaila’s decision to return home and become a member of the Indiana Hoosier family,” Miller said in a university release. “She is an outstanding player, but more importantly an amazing person who will represent the university on and off the court.

“Kaila will be an outstanding building block for the next chapter of IU women’s basketball. She is a tireless worker, a fierce competitor and has great three-point shooting ability. She is also a former Indiana All-Star, showing our continued commitment to recruit the best in the state of Indiana.”

The lack of an in-state commitment when it come to recruiting players was among the reasons why former coach Felicia Legett-Jack was fired. Of course, so was a really, really bad record, but that misses the point that Miller is determined to tap into the state of Indiana’s talent pool.

He’ll have lots of competition from Purdue and Notre Dame, but nobody said this job was easy.

******

Do you like late, late Indiana football games?

Do you enjoy seeing Memorial Stadium all lit up?

Is seeing the clock strike midnight on your way back from watching the football Hoosiers high on your list of things to do?

Good news. You’ll get three cracks at it this coming season. BTN has designated that three of the Hoosiers’ six home games will be on a Saturday night. They will have 8 p.m. kickoffs.

Those games are Indiana State (Sept. 1), Ball State (Sept. 15) and Ohio State (Oct. 13).

The last time the Hoosiers opened the season with Indiana State, they won 55-7 in 2007 and went on to play in the Insight Bowl.

What does that have to do with this season?

Nothing. But it was mentioned in the IU press release, and we’re passing it on.

In case you’re wondering, IU also will host Michigan State on Oct 6, Iowa on Nov. 3 and Wisconsin on Nov. 10.

The Michigan State game is the Hoosiers’ Homecoming contest. Given the Spartans’ success in recent years, that seems wrong.

Indiana Basketball – A Commitment Clash; Garl and the Truth

Tom Crean and his staff are working the recruiting hard this weekend. They are in Indianapolis (Adidas Spring Invitational) and in Virginia (Boo Williams) for travel ball events, and talent was everywhere.

There were the guys everybody knows (Devin Davis and Luke Fischer) and the guys everybody is starting to know (Hyron Edwards of East Chicago Central in the Class of 2015, Chandler White of Carroll from the Class of 2015, Aaron Brennan of Guerin Catholic from Class of 2014, Monte Morris from Flint, Mich., in the Class of 2013).

Davis and Fischer will clash this morning when Davis’ Eric Gordon All-Star squad takes on Fischer’s Wisconsin Swing group at the Fishers Fieldhouse. Both have already committed to Indiana as part of the Class of 2013.

The 6-6 Davis is healthy again after dealing with some back issues. He’s running the court well and imposing his will when necessary. His coach for the Eric Gordon All-Stars, Matt Green, said Davis' strengths include athleticism, stamina and rebounding.

“He plays hard. You’re always going to get that effort from him. He’s got to improve his shot and skill set.”

The 6-10 Fischer, who’s been compared to Cody Zeller at this stage (although similar, Fischer is not there yet) is a fan of protein shakes. He’s trying to get bigger and stronger (aren’t we all –- well, stronger at least), and certainly be a dominant inside force.

He was on Saturday. In one game he had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks. In another he had 32 points and 12 blocks.

The 5-10 Edwards already has been offered by IU and Purdue. Both Crean and Purdue coach Matt Painter watched him play on Saturday.

Brennan, for instance, is a 6-6 post player in high school, but that won’t happen in college. He’s got to develop quickness and guard skills. If he does, well, there’s a reason why Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Michigan and Iowa are among the schools interested in him.

The 6-1 Morris, who plays for the Michigan Mustangs, is set to visit Indiana next weekend. USC, Arizona State, Georgia Tech and Iowa State are among the schools who have offered him.

Oh, if you like to name drop, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, Ohio State’s Thad Matta and Butler’s Brad Stevens were among the many coaches in Fishers on Saturday.

*****

Tim Garl is a softie if you like your softies as Marine drill sergeants. The veteran basketball trainer speaks a refreshing truth, and when you’ve been at Indiana for as long as he has (rumor has it Garl began working at IU under Branch McCracken in the late 1930s; we can officially say rumor is wrong – it’s only 31 years), he’s seen a lot of truth.

Let’s just say truth often depends on your perspective.

Anyway, Garl spoke during last Thursday’s celebration award ceremonies at Assembly Hall and put into perspective how rewarding this year’s 27-9, Sweet 16 team was. Remember, he’s seen the best and worst of the Bob Knight era and the arrogant disregard for the Hoosier tradition under Kelvin Sampson.

“What pleases me the most –- and the parents should be credited with this – is you don’t to work in the morning and wonder what knucklehead did something stupid last night and you’ve got to read it in the paper,” he said. “You don’t take kids and say, ‘Hey, there’s a drug test today,’ and worry about are they going to pass it. And if they don’t pass it, what are we going to have to put up with.

“Winning is not the only thing. It’s awfully important, but another factor is we have great kids. We have something we can be really proud of.”

Pride resulted in a number of team awards being announced in a very public ceremony that followed an autograph session as Crean had the fans share the experience with this return-to-glory team one last time. He used it to acknowledge that all good things must end.

“This is probably the last time we’ll ever all be together in this setting,” he said to crowd and then to the players. “I hope you guys take it in. This isn’t the last time you’re going to see each other, but it’s the last time we’re all going to be together like this.”

Powering Up Indiana's Player-Scholarship Crunch

Do you find yourself staying up late at night wondering what Indiana coach Tom Crean is going to do about his players-to-scholarships ratio?

If so, get a life, for goodness sake. Do what all real men do at times like that:

They go shopping!

For power tools!!

Anyway, if that’s not your thing, we’re here to provide some clarity on why Crean would create a situation where he has 14 players and 13 scholarships. And if somehow Matt Roth winds up back on the team, well, let’s stick to what we know.

First, Crean does not have a math problem. He knew what he was doing.

Given these transfer-or-leave-early-for-the-NBA times, rosters all across the country are in flux. As a coach, you never know who’s staying or bolting. As Purdue coach Matt Painter has said, sometimes the coach is the last to know when a player wants out.

Anyway, you have to cover your bases in case the unexpected happens.

Crean knows that from experience. When he was at Marquette he quickly built a solid foundation. His first two teams went 15-14. His third went 26-7 and made the NCAA tourney. He was expecting big things in Year Four, but then three players transferred. That left him with 10 scholarship players and he wasn’t able to sign any more players.

“So we’re getting walk-ons,” he said. “One player averaged 8 points a game in high school. We had to get enough guys to practice.”

Crean made it work, and a big reason was he had a superstar in Dwyane Wade, who led Marquette to a 27-6 record and the Final Four. Still, not every team has a Wade. Crean didn't want a lack-of-player repeat.

“I learned a lot of lessons then,” he said. “I learned to always plan ahead when you have a great player.

“A lot of coaches want to have scholarships sitting there. I’m not in that mindset. I’d rather be prepared for a rainy day. That’s where over-signing comes in.”

The problem, in this case, is IU’s rainy days appear to be over. At least for now. Freshman superstar Cody Zeller stayed despite being a certain lottery pick, and that rarely happens these days. Junior standout Christian Watford stayed and the odds of that back in late March seemed as remote as Bobby Petrino’s chances of returning to coach Arkansas. Maurice Creek seems on pace to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. Nobody apparently wants to transfer. All five incoming freshmen are anxious to arrive on campus.

So IU has a wealth of talented players, and if you remember Crean’s first year in Bloomington, you know there are far worse things to happen to your program.

“I never want to have our program falling short where we are short guards because we didn’t sign one when we could have,” he said.

Still, something has to give.

How?

“These things work themselves out,” Crean said.

Then he added, “There’s not a timetable. That’s the way that it is. It’s something on the horizon.”

As for Roth, he already has his bachelor’s degree in sports communication. He’s set to get his master’s in sports administration and management next week. He has a year of eligibility remaining, so he could start working on his PhD and come back for a final season (and go through Senior Night for a second time, which would almost certainly be an Indiana first). Or he could go to another school and play one year (a lot of teams would love a guy who shoots 60 percent from three-point range), as long as it had a graduate program not offered by IU. Or he could just start his career.

No matter what, Indiana is already one over the scholarship limit. It would be two if Roth returned on scholarship.

“Matt is keeping his options open, which is good,” Crean said. “He’s focused on finishing up (his master’s degree). He had such a big academic load to get to where he wanted to be as far as his master’s. He has options of keeping his eligibility. He’s planning for the future.”

Is there a scenario, even as a walk-on, where Roth would have a spot at IU?

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Crean said. “Any discussions like that will be in house. What’s best for him. He’s looking into his future.”

And if that includes power tools, all the better.

*****

For the record, last weekend was the first of two April evaluation periods for players in the Classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015. A lot of coaching attention centered in Merrillville. This weekend it switches to Indianapolis for the Adidas Spring Classic. Games will be played at eight sites, including North Central, Westfield and the Fisher’s Fieldhouse.

IU committed players Devin Davis, Collin Hartman and Trey Lyles are set to play. So are such Hoosier targets as Chandler White, Hyron Edwards and Trevon Bluiett.

*****

Thanks again, for those who have commented about the passing of Coco, our 14-year-old Shelty. Also thanks for the kind words about winning Indiana sportswriter of the year. Both events created a wide swing of emotion, and a few blog typos. Hopefully, those mistakes are over.

Crean On Recruiting Trail; IU Basketball Celebration

Spring is in the air, and that means that guys turn their thoughts to the intoxicating topic that makes them feel like real men:

College basketball recruiting.

What? You thought we would say girls?

Anyway, college basketball coaches are heavily into the first April evaluation period, which goes from Friday to Sunday. They use this to look at prospects in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 classes as players participate in a variety of travel ball events throughout the country, including Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Minneapolis. There is also another evaluation period next weekend.

On Friday, coaching heavyweights such as Tom Crean, John Calipari, Tom Izzo and more were in Merrillville, Ind. Normally, that small northwestern Indiana community is not a college basketball mecca. But on this night, with players such as Eron Gordon, Jalen Coleman, Vijay Blackmon, Jalen Coleman, Matt Holba and Drake Harris around, it was.

Crean is certain to hit Minneapolis where targets such as Jaquan Lyles, Trey Lyles (already committed to IU), BeeJay Anya and Stanford Robinson are participating.

Crean and his staff have been very active on the recruiting front.

Yes, that is a shock.

Yes, that is sarcasm.

They made two trips to Iowa to see junior college All-American Jameel McKay, and then offered him a scholarship as part of the Class of 2013 that already includes forward Devin Davis, postman Luke Fischer and swingman Collin Hartman.

They’ve offered 2015 combo guard Hyron Edwards from East Chicago in northwestern Indiana. Edwards is competing in Las Vegas this weekend, so Crean figures to be there as well. Edwards averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds this past season.

******

Free is good. So is getting a chance to get up close and personal with Indiana’s glory restoring basketball team.

Both are set to come together this Thursday (April 26) when the IU Varsity Club presents a basketball awards celebration in Assembly Hall. Things are set to start at 6 p.m. Crean and players will be available for autographs from 6 to 7 p.m.

“Our fans played such a huge role in our success this year,” Crean said in a university release. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember the year in a wahy where as many people as possible can be part of it. It should be a great event.”

As far as autographs, on Assembly Hall’s north concourse you’ll find Calbert Cheaney, Kory Barnett, Christian Watford, Victor Oladipo, Daniel Moore, Jordan Hulls. Remy Abell, Tom Pritchard and Derek Elston.

On the south concourse you’ll see Crean, Austin Etherington, Maurice Creek. Will Sheehey, Verdell Jones III, Raphael Smith, Jeff Howard, Matt Roth, Cody Zeller

After the autograph session fans can watch IU coaches present their end-of-season awards on Branch McCracken Court. There are plenty awards from a 27-9 team that reached the Sweet 16 while knocking off the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country.

 “We think it is a fitting way to honor the team and bring the Hoosier Nation together as we celebrate their outstanding season,” athletic director Fred Glass said in the release. “Coach Crean, his staff and all the players have been great ambassadors for the University and we want to bring them together once again to reflect on their memorable accomplishments.”

 *****

 If you believe CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish and Jeff Goodman, who just happen to be two of America’s best college basketball writers, Cody Zeller is the best pro prospect who decided NOT to go to the NBA this season.

The 6-11 Zeller could have been a lottery pick this year after an All-America freshman season in which he led IU in scoring, rebounding and shooting, proved that pressure is just a state of mind.

Let's just say Zeller's return, along with junior Christian Watford, will pay HUGE dividends next season. Crean's recent tweets indicate how hard the team is already working in preparation for what could be a national title run. Now that is really intoxicating.

Indiana Thrives in Updated Basketball Rankings

If you like college basketball rankings, Rivals.com and Scout.com have provided updates.

Rivals focused on the Class of 2013. IU has three commitments from that group. The highest rated is Warren Central’s Devin Davis, who is at No. 107. Just behind him is Indianapolis Cathedral’s Collin Hartman at No. 110. Then comes 6-10 forward Luke Fischer, who is from Germantown, Wis. He’s at No. 134.

The No. 1 player in this class is 6-7 forward Jabari Parker from Chicago. The highest rated player from the state of Indiana is Fort Wayne Northrop guard Bryson Scott, who is headed to Purdue.

Scout.com has Lawrence Central forward Jeremy Hollowell at No. 28 on its Class of 2012 list. Indianapolis point guard Yogi Ferrell is at No. 30. La Lumiere forward Hanner Perea is at No. 49.

Not making the Scout.com rankings were Indianapolis Broad Ripple’s Ron Patterson and North Carolina center Peter Jurkin.


*****

Let’s face it. Playing any type of travel ball event at Assembly Hall and Cook Hall gave IU a big recruiting advantage. Both facilities are extremely impressive – Assembly Hall for its tradition (we won’t go into the challenges its step soaring sides presents to fans) and Cook Hall for its state-of-the-art practicality.

We say this because the annual Adidas May Classic, one of the top travel ball events you’ll ever see, can no longer be held on Indiana’s campus. The NCAA passed a rule last year that non-school events couldn’t be played on college campuses to avoid any recruiting advantages.

Word of this came from the Indianapolis Star’s Kyle Neddenriep. It’s the same reason why the Kentucky Derby Festival Class all-star event in Louisville had to be held at Freedom Hall rather than Louisville’s KFC Yum Center.

That means the tourney will be held at Bloomington North, Bloomington south, the SportsPlex and some other local schools. It’s set for May 11-13.


*****

Thanks to everyone who emailed me and left messages about the loss of my dog, Coco. They were VERY much appreciated.

Why Shouldn't Crean Offer a Standout 8th Grader

Is it wrong to offer an 8th grader a basketball scholarship?

The correct answer –- yes, if it’s the wrong 8th grader.

Eron Gordon is not the wrong 8th grader.

His talent suggests he’ll develop Big Ten-caliber impact. His family heritage, with oldest brother Eric a former Indiana All-America and now NBA player, and another old brother Evan at Arizona State, works in his favor.

He’s a solidly built 6-2 8th grade combo guard, by the way. He just led his Indianapolis Westlane Middle School team to a 53-0 record over the past two years. He’s headed to North Central, which has a rich tradition of producing standout teams and players, including Eric Gordon.

Is he awfully young to be getting a college scholarship offer? Sure, but these are the times we live in.

So IU coach Tom Crean offered him a scholarship as part of the Class of 2016. It’s why Purdue coach Matt Painter will likely do the same thing today, when Eron makes an unofficial visit to West Lafayette.

Eron, by the way, has accepted nothing. Nor should he at this stage. He needs to make absolutely certainly he picks the school that’s the best fit for him, and he has no better example than Eric, who originally committed to Illinois before changing his mind once Kelvin Sampson arrived at Indiana.

When you’re an 8th grader, you’re in no position to know what you want and need in a college. Eron needs to keep all options open for a while.

Jeff Rabjohns of Peegs.com has been all over the Gordon saga. Eron’s father, Eric Gordon Sr., told Jeff they’ll continue to work on Eron’s game and that he’d likely end up at either IU, Purdue, Notre Dame, Louisville, Xavier and Cincinnati. That’s an impressive group, but then, Eron is an impressive player.

He doesn’t need to be in high school to see that.


*****


To the surprise of no one, Kentucky’s five underclassmen are leaving for the NBA. Yes, the one-and-done story is alive and well in Lexington. So is public relation glitz, which is why the Wildcats conducted a nationally televised press conference Tuesday night to announce their decision.

Freshmen Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will enter the NBA draft and not look back. The same is true of sophomores Terence Jones and Doron Lamb. These are the guys, along with senior Darius Miller, who led Kentucky to the national championship earlier this month.

If you like numbers, the five underclassmen averaged a combined 62.1 points. Davis led UK in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (10.4). Teauge led with 4.8 assists a game.

Coach John Calipari used the press conference to promote his players ability and his affection for them. He said they would all finish this semester academically, which is huge in these coach-is-accountable-for-everything times.

Calipari, meanwhile, continues to recruit top-10 talent. Losing his top six players is an inconvenience rather than a major blow. He’s reloaded with another powerhouse class. It features 6-11 center Nerlens Noel, the nation’s No. 2 ranked player, No. 8 Alex Poythress, No. 14 Archie Goodwin and No. 40 Willie Cauley. Rivals.com now rates this class No. 1 in the nation, with IU dropping to No. 5.

The Wildcats will again be a national power next season.

But will they be powerful enough to handle what will be a deep, talented, veteran Hoosier squad, assuming the teams actually play next season?

We’ll find out soon enough.


*****


Is Crean ready to go the junior college route to boost the roster starting in 2013?

It’s possible.

Crean and his staff are taking a long look at Jameel McKay, a JUCO All-America from Indiana Hills Community College in Iowa. The 6-8 forward led Indian Hills in scoring (14.6), rebounding (7.7) and shooting (62 percent) this season. He averaged 15.3 points and 12.5 rebounds as Indian Hills finished seventh in the national tournament.

Wichita State, Arkansas, Marquette and Iowa State already have offered him. He would have two years of eligibility remaining starting with the fall of 2013.


*****


Finally, a personal note.

We unexpectedly lost our family dog the other night. Her name was Coco, a Shelty, and she was famous for, among other things, interrupting Purdue coach Matt Painter’s teleconferences by barking out questions and comments.

Then I would be asked, Pete, is that your dog? And I would answer, with deep sincerity, what dog?

Anyway, Coco and I had a game. I would cut the grass and she would accompany me, barking and giving me grief.

On Monday night our game resumed. About halfway through I stopped cutting and chased her through the yard and around a tree. She’d keep the tree between us, so it was tough to catch her. She was 14 and slowing down, so I eventually did catch her. She was tired and sore (she had arthritis, one of the many drawbacks of growing old) and laid in the grass, first rolling around to scratch her back, then finally just sitting there watching me cut. The sun was shining and she grew sleepy, her eyes half closed.

I was going to just cut the front yard and save the back for tomorrow. Instead, I decided to finish cutting.

I regret that very much now.

I was almost done when a neighbor appeared. I stopped the mower. He told me the news. Coco had been run over by a car in our driveway. She was gone. There weren’t any external injuries other than her gums had gone white from massive internal bleeding. She looked like, in every other way, that she was just sleeping. That any second she would jump up and want to play.

She still does, in my memories.

IU’s national title prospects; shooting and streaks

Are you making late March travel plans to Atlanta and the Final Four now that Cody Zeller and Christian Watford are fully committed for next season?

Do cream ‘n crimson dreams invigorate your nights?

Do you find yourself ready to buy DOZENS of copies of “Hoop Tales -– Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Basketball,” the GREATEST book about Indiana basketball EVER written and, as luck would have it, advertised on this blog so you can order RIGHT NOW, from the convenience of your own home, knowing that doing so will also boost the economy and help wean us off foreign oil?

Who knew?

Anyway, here’s what we know about IU’s prospects for a national title.

The Hoosiers return all five starters, and six of their top seven players, from a 27-9 Sweet 16 team. They have a future NBA lottery pick in Cody Zeller. They have a future pro in Christian Watford. They have one of America’s best shooters in Jordan Hulls. They have a pair of high-energy big-play guys in Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey. They have reserve Derek Elston, IU’s best quote since A.J. Moye, and yes that matters. They have a versatile backup guard in Remy Abell.

Plus, they’re bringing in one of America’s top recruiting classes, highlighted by point guard Yogi Ferrell and small forward Jeremy Hollowell. In a perfect IU basketball world, Ferrell will have the same impact next season as Michigan’s Trey Burke did this season.

REALITY CHECK –- IU’s class dropped from No. 2 to No. 5 in latest Rivals.com poll behind Kentucky, Arizona, UCLA and North Carolina State. Is that a big deal? No. It’s what they do at Indiana that matters now.

Finally, the Hoosiers expect to get back Maurice Creek, once one of the country’s top freshman scorers. If he gets and stays healthy, and regains close to his freshman form (yes, we know that will be a major challenge), look out.

That’s a lot of talent. Coach Tom Crean has said he wants to run a lot, so he’ll have plenty of guys to do it with. He’ll have to work to sort out the playing time, but better to have that problem than what he had his first year, when guys on press row were better than what was on the court.

OK, we’re exaggerating a LITTLE for effect.

Anyway, one thing to consider is that, more and more these days, your national title prospects are often predicted by the number of potential NBA players on your team.

This season Kentucky had six, and beat Kansas (which had three) in the title game.

Crean can’t throw loads of future NBA standouts at opponents, but good coaching often means getting guys to play to their abilities, and a little bit more.

If Crean does that, really look out.

As far as the competition, Kentucky will be a force again even if coach John Calipari didn’t sign everybody he wanted this time. He did add 6-11 center Nerlens Noel, the nation’s No. 2 ranked player, to go with No. 8 Alex Poythress, No. 14 Archie Goodwin and No. 40 Willie Cauley. That prompted Rivals.com to bump this class to No. 1 in the nation.

Yeah, it’s not fair.

Lousville returns most of its players from a Final Four team and UCLA has bounced back from negativity surrounding its program by landing the nation’s No. 1 player, Shabazz Muhammad (he actually said no to Calipari), as well as No. 3 Kyle Anderson and No. 62 Jordan Adams.

IU could play UCLA next November in a tournament in New York City that also includes Georgetown and Georgia. That event showcases an intriguing non-conference schedule that almost certainly will include Kentucky (surely the Wildcats won’t screw up this annual game) and, at least down the road, Kansas.

Louisville’s Rick Pitino has made it clear he’d love to play the Hoosiers on an annual basis, although Crean, unlike Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, isn’t into non-conference overkill.

ESPN.com’s VERY early preseason poll still features Indiana at No. 1, Louisville at No. 2, Kentucky at No. 3, Kansas at No. 4 and Michigan at No. 5. Ohio State was at No. 8 and Michigan State at No. 10.

Yes, there’s a lot to get excited about. There are no promises or guarantees (remember what happened to Duke and Missouri in the NCAA tourney), but there is potential and hope, and that’s big.

When you add it all up, it leads to one inescapable conclusion:

Buy a copy of, “Hoop Tales -– Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Basketball.”



*****


Some have suggested that, for IU to beat its scholarship crunch (14 players, 13 scholarships), some players could just drop their athletic scholarship and get an academic full ride.

Oh, if it were only that easy.

Cody Zeller is an outstanding student. In high school he wracked up the kinds of grades and test scores that could have earned him a ton of academic scholarship money. However, NCAA rules wouldn’t allow it. Once you start recruiting an athlete, you can only give him athletic aid. So you either are on an athletic scholarship, or you’re paying your own way.

As far as an IU player giving up his scholarship to walk on, well, anything is possible, but why would you do that unless your father was Mitt Romney rich? Some have suggested that Jordan Hulls should bite the bullet, take one for the team and give up his scholarship.

Why would he do that?

Maybe -– a big maybe -- that’s smart if that scholarship went to a Michael Jordan clone who would guarantee a national title, but that ain’t happening. Maybe the Hulls family has $15,000 to $17,000 to give to IU for no reason other than to let somebody sit the bench for free, but that seems silly.

How silly? Consider this TOTALLY REALISTIC scenario:

Tom Crean calls his players together after a typically intense, maximize-every-second spring workout at Cook Hall.

CREAN: “Okay guys, as you know, I signed more players than I have scholarships for. Hey, it could have been worse. Gary Harris could have picked us instead of Michigan State. So who’s going to man up, give up his scholarship and walk on?”

JORDAN HULLS: “I’m sure my parents will say yes.”

CODY ZELLER: “Hey, I’m more man than Jordy. I’ll do it, and I’m not asking my parents.”

CHRISTIAN WATFORD: “I’m more man than Jordy and Cody. I’ll give up my scholarship AND shave off my goatee because at least I can grow one!”

And so on.

If nobody transfers or opts out of his scholarship, then the best remaining option is prep school for one of the incoming freshmen. That should go to the newcomer who would play the least. The most likely candidate remains center Peter Jurkin.



*****


A reader questioned Hoosier Dude’s assertion in a previous blog that Ron Patterson is a shooting guard who can’t shoot. The reader said Patterson can shoot, but is streaky. The reader implied, in so many words, that Hoosier Dude was an idiot.

We brought this comment to Hoosier Dude, who responded by downing a WHOLE tray of homemade chocolate chip cookies, then adding this comment.

“Steve Alford was a shooter. Calbert Cheaney was a shooter. Jordan Hulls is a shooter. A shooter is consistent. You know what you’re getting. When the ball goes up, you have a high degree of confidence it will go in.

“Right now Ron Patterson is an OK scorer, but he isn’t consistent. And if he’s not consistent against high school and travel ball defenses, what’s going to happen in college?

“Having said that, if the work ethic Patterson has shown translates to off-season hours in Cook Hall, he can develop consistency. He might not ever match Hulls for accuracy, but who can?

“Will Patterson put in the time? All he has to do is look to Hulls, Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey to see how it’s done.”