Here is the article, alluded to by Zach Osterman below. Don't forget to check out Hoosier Sidelines, a podcast/audio interview in which I discuss Christian Watford and the overall IU recruiting picture with Osterman and fellow IDS staff member Peter Stevenson. One of the topics we address is whether or not Crean will seek to oversign by one and possibly reel in a big man for the already stellar Class of 2009 recruits.
For more about that, here is some of what didn't make it into Wednesday's article about the Watford commitment:
"...Now, the only piece missing may be a true big man. Australian transplant Angus Brandt, ranked No. 146 by Rivals.com and No. 86 by Scout.com, and Bawa Maniru, Rivals.com's 111th ranked prospect, have emerged as the most likely to join the Hoosiers.
IU has been on Brandt's radar for a couple months now, but the Lake Forest Academy (Ill.) center is now being recruited by many other programs throughout the country. Maniru, meanwhile, a Guinea native and current Charis Prep (N.C.) star has also shown significant interest in the Hoosiers.
The catch, however, is that adding one more recruit would put IU over the limit of 13 scholarship players. Eight scholarship players are set to return next season, but with five high school seniors set to join the squad, that leaves Crean with zero open scholarships.
The Big Ten, however, does allow coaches to oversign by one. What that means is that Crean can add a "14th recruit," but must accommodate by parting ways with an existing player on the IU roster.
With six guards joining this year's squad, and with two additional guards--Hulls and Creek--set to join the team next year, Crean could choose to part ways with one of the four freshman guards from this year's squad. While it may sound unfair, transferring is often in the best interest of the so-called odd man out, because staying would likely mean little or no playing time.
If you're an IU fan, this may be seen as a good thing. Crean spent this past spring and summer just trying to field a competitive team. Now, the issue is just finding enough room for all the talent."
