With apologies to Cem Dinc, there's nothing an IU basketball fan loves more than a homegrown product.
"Recruiting Indiana" has been a hot topic in IU circles since the Hoosiers lost out on in-state studs like Greg Oden, Sean May and Dominic James a couple years ago.
Since then, some Hoosier fans have argued that IU must "own" their state's recruits in order to return to powerhouse status.
This season, the Hoosiers will have at least six players from the state of Indiana, Kory Barnett (Rochester), Devan Dumes (Decatur Central), Brett Finkelmeier (Carmel), Broderick Lewis (Lafayette Jeff) and Daniel Moore (Carmel).
While that number is higher than it has been in recent years past, it must be noted that five of those players are walk-ons and the other (Dumes) is a junior college transfer who wasn't originally recruited by Indiana out of high school. (IU is expected to add one or two more walk-ons before the season starts. One of them is reportedly Steven Gambles, a 2005 North Central grad. IU couldn't confirm the addition yet, but Tom Crean announced it earlier this week).
IU's six in-state players are the third-most of any college in the state, behind Butler (10), IUPUI (nine) and Purdue (eight).
My question to you is, do you think "recruiting Indiana" is important? Do you care Zeller is going to UNC? Do you mind the best players on the Hoosiers are not from Indiana? Would you like to see Crean arm wrestle Matt Painter for the state's top products? Let me know what you think.
Note: The good people at the Hoosier Hoops Report put together a comprehensive list of every Indiana high school basketball player now playing Division I. Check it out.
