In the wake of the Ice Miller report and Senderoff's resignation, many fans have been asking how this will affect recruiting for coach Kelvin Sampson and the Hoosiers. I have been following IU and national recruiting pretty closely for the last two years. If there is one lesson I've taken from that time is that you can never been sure what is going to happen in any particular recruiting battle. Here is what I've been able to piece together about IU recruiting targets.
Class of 2008 Devin Ebanks - For those of you who don't know, the New York native is the No. 13 player in the class of 2008 according to recruiting service www.rivals.com. Ebanks committed to the Hoosiers during the summer, choosing IU over Miami (FL) and Rutgers. There had been some questions of Ebanks' commitment because of Senderoff's departure. When I have a question about NY recruiting, I immediately go to Adam Zagoria's, a NYC recruiting reporter, blog. Today he had some comments about several IU recruiting targets. It seems that Ebanks will still sign his letter of intent Nov. 14 to play for the Hoosiers.
Terrell Holloway - The newest member of the class of 2008 recruiting class, Holloway committed Monday evening to the Hoosiers. Holloway plays for Harmony Prep School in Cincinnati and is a former AAU teammate of Ebanks. Halloway told the Indy Star ""I was just comfortable with the situation, with coach Sampson."
Matt Roth & Tom Pritchard - I have not seen anything in the news that gives any indication of doubt. As of now, I would expect these two to sign LOI's on the 14th.
Kevin Jones - Jones' brother, Gerald, handles his recruitment. He told the Indy Star "Coach Senderoff played a major part in recruiting Kevin and being a New York guy, kind of helped me and my family with the whole situation." Jones is considering a number of schools with no favorite to be seen as of now. He is expected to make an announcement around the 14th.
Tyler Zeller - Zeller's recruitment has been a roller-coaster ride for the fans of IU, UNC, Purdue and Notre Dame. I have heard Zeller wants to fit in one more unofficial visit to IU, UNC and Purdue (who are the three serious contenders for his services). However, lately there have been some rumblings that he may postpone his decision. Honestly, I would find it difficult to believe anyone outside the Zeller family who told me which school he would choose. Fans from all three schools are just going to have to wait and see what the talented, seven-footer from Washington, IN decides.
Class of 2009 Derek Elston - The only commitment for 2009 has said as of now, he is still planning to be a Hoosier.
Lance Stephenson - Zagoria's story says Stephenson will continue looking at the Hoosiers and that he feels comfortable with coach Sampson. Stephenson is a top-5 recruit in the country, so regardless of the recent situation, he is going to be hard for the Hoosiers to sign with all the tough competition Sampson will face in vying for the NY native's services.
Nolan Dennis, Stephen VanTreese, Mason Plumlee, Dexter Strickland - I have not seen any public comments made by these targets. If anyone has, please post them.
In closing, it is too soon to tell how the absence of Senderoff will affect recruiting. I talked to www.rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Justin Young yesterday about the departure. He said Senderoff did a good job opening the door for the NYC recruits, but ultimately it will come down to Sampson to sign the recruits. Young said assistant coaches can be replaced. Only time will tell.
What is your take on this? Do the Hoosiers have a shot with Zeller, Jones, Stephenson and others?
