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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

sports men's basketball

Muniru catches 1st game inside Assembly Hall

Kyle Taber’s last game inside Assembly Hall was Bawa Muniru’s first.

The incoming 7-footer from Mt. Zion Academy in Durham, N.C., took in the Senior Night festivities behind the IU bench.

Dressed to the nines in a black suit, blue shirt and red tie, Muniru traded a pregame handshake and fist bump with IU strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watkinson and junior guard Devan Dumes, respectively.

He never stopped smiling.

“It’s a great feeling, and I’m so excited to come,” Muniru said when asked about seeing IU play at home for the first time. “I mean, being able to come over here and watch our last home game, I can’t wait until next year. I’m just so excited about it.”

The last recruit in the heralded 2009 class to give his verbal commitment, Muniru is something of an enigma among IU fans.

According to the IU Athletics release announcing his official signing, the native of Ghana averaged 16.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during his senior season at Madison (Ala.) Academy.

He left Madison Academy for Mt. Zion after his original post-Madison destination, Charis Prep in Wilson, N.C., failed to gain accreditation. Muniru addressed the obstacle with confidence Tuesday night.

“I hope everything goes well and as time goes on, when I get my things done at school, I can’t wait to come and get it started,” Muniru said.

On-court results have also been hard to come by. Asked Tuesday night about his improvement, Muniru said he’s been working on better mental focus and “growing as a player.”

It has been reported, however, that Muniru is bigger than he was when he committed. When he gave IU his official commitment, he was listed at 6-foot-11 in the same release. Rivals now have him at an even 7 feet.

Muniru said he’s paid close attention to his future team during what he termed “tough times,” and he made it to Winston-Salem, N.C., to watch them play Wake Forest on Dec. 3.

“It’s been a humbling moment, watching my future team go through tough times, and it humbles me a lot because it reminds me of the tough times that I’ve gone through,” he said.

Still, the man Tom Crean noted for his “fun-loving” attitude remains confident of a turnaround.

“I’m going to be a part of a great program, and we’ll turn it back around,” Muniru said. “There’s going to be a whole bunch of people that (are) coming in with me, and we’re gonna get it done.”

Osterman's Prediction: Michigan State 67 - IU 53

Final result:
Michigan State 64 - IU 59

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