IU Coach Tom Crean had Cody Zeller to help turn the program around and now new IU women's basketball Coach Curt Miller has Tyra Buss.
Buss, a 5-7 junior guard from Mt. Carmel, Ill. (Mt. Carmel High School), verbally committed to the Hoosiers Wednesday via Twitter and a press release.
Buss is averaging 33.5 points per game during the course of her career, and is the fastest person to 2,000 points in Illinois state history, currently at 2,173 points. As of now she is on pace to break the record of 4,031 career points.
Last season as a sophomore she recorded the third highest season total in Illinois state history.
"I have always dreamed of playing in the Big Ten, and I wanted to stay fairly close to home. Coach Miller has offered me the chance to do both," Buss said in a release. "He has an amazing coaching staff, and he definitely knows how to coach point guards.
"His record speaks for itself. His offense is a perfect fit for me. Most important to me, however, is his philosophy of building his program from the locker room with players of good character. I am very excited about playing for him and my future at Indiana University."
Buss already holds school records at Mt. Carmel for points scored in one game (53), points scored in a season (1,121), free throws in a season (283), three-point field goals in a season (110) and steals in a season (161).
Buss had offers from several other schools in the Big Ten, as well as the Missouri Valley and Southeastern Conference. She has been listed on the ESPN Top 100 since last season.
"Although Tyra is only a little over half way into what could be a historic high school career, I know her decision to join the Hoosiers in a few years is a great choice," Buss' AAU Coach, Phil Kessler, said in a release. "Coach Miller has spent his career recruiting great point guards into his system. IU's academic track record speaks for itself, the new facility is second to none, and with the other recruits who are making commitments to IU, the women's basketball team should rebound similar to the way the men's team has.
"Tyra's best basketball is yet to come in the Big Ten."
As a freshman, Buss scored the most points ever as a freshman in Illinois history, netting a total of 1.025.
Despite her scoring numbers, Tim Willis, her high school coach at Mt. Carmel, says she brings much more to than table than just offense.
"Tyra is the complete package - not only an outstanding scorer, but also a premier defender," Willis said. "Her basketball IQ and a never ending desire to improve will allow her to continue to grow as a basketball player at the next level. Her style of play, ball-handling skills and ability to attack the basket will be a great match with Coach Miller's dribble drive /pick and roll offense."
Later Wednesday evening, the IU women's basketball coaching staff all took to Twitter, although none directly said anything about Buss' commitment due to NCAA rules.
"My family loves to put together puzzles...My Dad likes to yell out when he finds an important piece...I know how he feels today." Miller tweeted.
IU Assistant Coach Kevin Eckert wrote: "EVERY day is a great day to be a Hoosier - but today is even better than most! #FutureIsBright #ALL_IN"
IU Assistant Coach Brandi Poole tweeted two separate items: "Today is all about Family...my Hoosier family grew by one today and my family just arrived in town! #happyhappy" and "Received an amazing birthday present today!! Brent's got some work to do to out do this one...;)"
Senior forward and captain Aulani Sinclair also tweeted: "@tbuss3 Congrats on your decision!! Welcome to the Hoosier family! #iuwb"
