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(11/22/10 12:03am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU got more than a win against Evansville on Sunday afternoon.Two of the top players in the state for the class of 2013 — Devin Davis of Warren Central High School and Collin Hartman of Cathedral High School — decided to commit to coach Tom Crean and the Hoosiers.“We couldn’t find a reason not to go to IU,” Hartman said of his and Davis’ choices. “I think it’s going to be great. We’re great friends off the court, so that chemistry will help when we get to IU.” Davis, a 6-foot-5 forward, is a four-star player, according to Rivals.com and ranks as ESPN’s No. 48 overall recruit in the 2013 class.He could not be reached for comment late Sunday night. Hartman, a 6-foot-6 forward, is also a four-star player, according to Rivals.com.The Hoosiers — with 2011 forward Cody Zeller (Washington, Ind.) and 2012 forward Hanner Perea (LaPorte, Ind.) — have now added four major in-state commitments in the past month. Both Hartman and Davis were at Assembly Hall on Sunday for an unofficial visit. After the game, Hartman and his mother, Melissa, began driving home to Indianapolis. But within 10 minutes of leaving Bloomington, Hartman asked his mother to turn the car around. He wanted to let Crean know his college plans. “I’ve been thinking about it for two or three weeks,” said Hartman, who also considered Purdue and Butler. “I just couldn’t find a reason not to choose IU. This was the place I wanted to go.”Hartman said he really loved how family-oriented the IU program is and said Assembly Hall “has a great atmosphere and a lot of energy.”He also credited Crean as a major reason for committing.“Coach Crean is just a genuine guy,” Hartman said. “He’s trying to push everyone to be better in all ways of life. That’s the kind of coach I was looking for.”Hartman’s mother grew up an IU fan and said her entire family roots for the Hoosiers. Sunday afternoon, though, was the first time she was at Assembly Hall for a game.She said during the game she had visions of her son possibly playing for the Cream and Crimson.“I just got emotional within myself thinking Collin could actually go to school here,” she said. “Honestly, he would get a great education at any of those schools, but the chemistry just fit at IU. It’s unbelievable.”
(11/19/10 5:03am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU senior guard Jeremiah Rivers isn’t one to fill up the stat sheet. He’s not necessarily the best scorer on the court, nor the best passer. But throughout the first few games of the season, Rivers has done the little things — tough defense and rebounding — that has helped enable the Hoosiers to start the season 3-0.Rivers will look to continue his strong start when IU plays Evansville at 1 p.m. Sunday at Assembly Hall. “It’s really about patience,” Rivers said. “Seeing what the offense is giving me, seeing what the defense is giving me. By studying film, getting in the gym and just another year of basketball, it really helps you mature as a player.” While he has not been a starter this season, Rivers has been one of the most effective players for the Hoosiers. In the first three games, when he has been on the court, IU has a 41-point advantage on its opponents.After his team’s win against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 12, IU coach Tom Crean said one of the best ways to figure out if someone made an impact is by looking at that player’s plus/minus.The first name he brought up was Rivers.“Jeremiah Rivers made some tremendous plays tonight,” Crean said. “That’s how he has to play for us. He has to rebound the ball, he has to drive the ball, he has to defend the ball, he has to create open shots for others. “That’s really a microcosm of where our improvement has got to come from.” Rivers said much of the improvement stems from extra time in the film room. He was hurt for part of this summer, and because he couldn’t play on the court, he watched past games to see what he needed to work on.Rivers also had his father, current Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, point out little things to look for. “When you aren’t on the court, you got to figure out something else to do to help the team,” Rivers said. “For me, it was really getting in there and watching film. It really helped me with the little things — the intangibles — so I learned a lot from myself.” The Winter Park, Fla., native hopes to show those new skills against Evansville on Sunday. The Purple Aces (2-0) are undefeated this season thanks largely to an exceptional defense. In its two games, Evansville has held opponents to 38 percent shooting and has forced 33 turnovers.Rivers said his team has worked hard in practice this week and will be ready for the Purple Aces. “We just want to keep adding wins and building our repertoire,” he said. “For us, it’s just about taking one game at a time. We’re not looking forward to anything down the line. “It’s about paying attention to the task at hand, and that’s Evansville on Sunday.”
(11/17/10 5:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU coach Tom Crean has emphasized many times that no spot in the rotation is guaranteed. You have to earn your way onto the court. In IU’s 71-54 win against Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday at Assembly Hall, Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey did just that. The freshmen combined for 18 points — nine each — while providing major sparks for the Hoosiers (3-0) off the bench.“Coming off the bench, we’ll do whatever it takes for our team to win,” Oladipo said. “Coach (Crean) puts us in there because he believes we can help this team. I think Will and I are capable of doing that.”In the first two games this season, Sheehey played a total of 10 minutes. In those games, he made a few plays, scoring six points. Sheehey, though, was on the court for 11 minutes against MVSU on Tuesday. He finished with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting and hauled in five rebounds. “I was just feeling more comfortable,” Sheehey said. “With every game, every practice, Coach has just helped me get a better feel for the game.” Sheehey showed early on why he was recruited out of Sagemont High School in Florida. He attacked the rim at will and did not seem bothered fighting for rebounds down low against MVSU players clearly bigger than him.He really made his mark toward the end of the game.With less than a minute left, Sheehey intercepted a pass at midcourt and raced down for a two-handed dunk that brought the Assembly Hall crowd to its feet.Sheehey put the finishing touches on his breakout performance with five seconds remaining in the game. Junior guard Daniel Moore threw an alley-oop pass that Sheehey laid in while being fouled.“I wasn’t sure that Dan was going to throw a lob, so I kind of timed it wrong,” Sheehey said. “I wasn’t expecting it to go in, but it did.”Crean said he was proud of the effort Sheehey gave Tuesday against the Delta Devils. “I’m really happy that Will Sheehey was able to come in and get confidence inside of the game because he was ready for that,” Crean said. “He needed that type of breakout game.” But Sheehey wasn’t the only freshman to have a major contribution in IU’s victory.Guard Victor Oladipo continued his strong start to the season by adding nine points of his own on 3-of-5 shooting from the field. He was so efficient, in fact, that in the minutes Oladipo was on the court, IU had a 30-point advantage on MVSU. “I was just playing defense,” Oladipo said. “I know the offense is going to come to me. I just got to be consistent and do whatever it takes to help my team. I think I did that tonight.”
(11/15/10 5:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU junior guard Verdell Jones spoke this offseason about increased confidence and a hunger to improve as a leader.He showed both of those attributes Sunday.Jones — who missed the exhibition games because of an ankle injury — paced the Hoosiers with 27 points as they defeated Wright State, 67-44, at Assembly Hall. “The speed of the game felt a lot easier, the ankle felt better, the jumper felt a lot better,” Jones said. “Everything just felt good tonight.”IU coach Tom Crean admitted that he did not think Jones would be at this stage this quickly. He was proven wrong.“I was a little concerned that it would take a little time for him to get back in the flow, especially after the other night, but he blew that theory out of the water,” Crean said. “It was a great confidence builder for him. He came out and played like a veteran, played within himself, made plays for others with a lot of room for improvement.” Though he struggled early on in the playmaker role — Jones finished with six turnovers and only two assists — he took it upon himself to put the ball in the basket. From the opening tip, he did a good job of penetrating the Wright State (0-1) defense. When IU (2-0) was down 4-0 minutes into the game, Jones worked his way below the basket and put in a layup on a feed from IU sophomore forward Christian Watford.Minutes later with the Hoosiers trailing, 10-8, Jones hit a big 3-pointer to give his team its first lead of the game. Jones also played well on the defensive side, causing multiple turnovers and hauling in six rebounds. Jones, though, was not the only player to have an efficient offensive game. Watford continued his strong start to the season despite a tough first half. He had only three points — all from the free throw line — on 0-for-3 shooting.His second half was a different story. Watford attacked the rim at will and found a groove on mid-range shots. In the last 20 minutes, he was 6-for-7 and finished with 17 points.“I knew my points were going to come eventually through the offense,” Watford said. “I tried not to worry about it and get others involved and keep rebounding the ball well.” But while the offense came alive Sunday night, it was the defense that made the biggest impact against the Raiders.Even with 21 turnovers and a period of more than six minutes without a point in the second half, IU’s lockdown defense kept the game out of reach of Wright State.Raiders guard Vaughn Duggins (15 points) was the only player on his squad in double-digit scoring. Wright State shot only 32.6 percent from the field and was doubled on the glass. IU ended the game with 40 rebounds compared to 20 by the Raiders, which was the biggest differential in Crean’s tenure at IU.“For them to defend that way for 40 minutes — this team, where defense in the past has not been where it needs to be — I’m proud of it,” Crean said. “It’s something to build toward.”
(11/12/10 5:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>WASHINGTON, Ind. — After months of speculation, the wait is finally over.Cody Zeller, the No. 20 overall player in the 2011 class according to Rivals.com, announced Thursday that he wanted to play basketball at IU. “Over the course of time, I just knew it was the right thing for me,” Zeller said. “It was a tough process, but I enjoyed it. It’s something you can only do once in a lifetime.”Zeller, a 6-foot-10-inch power forward from Washington High School, chose the Hoosiers instead of Butler and North Carolina. He cited the IU players and coaching staff as the biggest deciding factors in his choice. Zeller also cited proximity to home, the Kelley School of Business and basketball facilities such as Cook Hall as other reasons. Zeller, though, said one of the most important factors for committing to IU was the notion that he could help bring the school back to prominence. “It’s real exciting,” Zeller said. “Obviously growing up in the state, I want (IU) to be good. I think I can help them out.” Zeller’s coach at Washington, Gene Miiller, said he believes his player can help return IU to the pinnacle of college basketball.“Indiana is a great program where basketball is extremely important,” Miiller said. “Hopefully Cody will help them turn it around to be the top-notch program we expect it to be. ”Zeller’s commitment is arguably the most important in IU coach Tom Crean’s tenure in Bloomington. First and foremost, Crean’s getting one of the country’s premier post players. Zeller is an exceptional defender and can score in the post and on the perimeter. And while Crean has brought in top recruiting classes and secured commitments from some of the nation’s best, the addition of Zeller is unlike anyone else.Both of Zeller’s brothers — Luke and Tyler — were named Indiana Mr. Basketball and did not choose IU for college. But his older brothers were not the only highly touted in-state players to go elsewhere in recent years.Since former coach Bob Knight was fired in 2000, many in-state products decided to go to other schools. Crean, however, has made it a priority to get the best Indiana players to commit to IU. Zeller was the main target.“As I said to him this afternoon when I got the call right before his announcement, from the moment I got here, Cody Zeller has been a priority to the program,” Crean said. “When I look at Cody Zeller, I see a great teammate. I see a young man that’s got mental toughness that’s not normal. I see a young man that’s got an endurance and a will about him that is going to pay dividends at Indiana and for many, many years after that.”Austin Etherington, a 6-foot-6-inch small forward from Hamilton Heights (Arcadia, Ind.) High School, committed to IU in August 2009. He and Zeller play for the Indiana Elite AAU program. Etherington said Zeller will have an immediate impact after coming to Bloomington.“It’ll be huge,” Etherington said. “He’ll be able to do everything he’s doing right now on the next level, and I think he will be successful at it.” Zeller committing to IU also could pay dividends with other top players throughout the state.Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell fits that mold perfectly. The Park Tudor (Indianapolis) High School guard — who is the No. 2 point guard in the 2012 class — plays on Indiana Elite with Etherington and Zeller, and all three are good friends.Now that he is committed, Zeller said he plans on recruiting Ferrell to join him in Bloomington. “Hopefully we can get Yogi and a couple of those guys to follow in my footsteps,” Zeller said. “Obviously, I want to play with the best players that I can.”Zeller said he is glad the long process is over so he can concentrate on his senior year. “There was a lot of pressure, but I tried not to pay too much attention to it,” Zeller said. “I’m glad the high school season will be starting up soon. I can get this out of the way so I can focus on winning another state championship.”
(11/12/10 3:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As the rest of his team competed against Franklin College in its first exhibition game of the year, Verdell Jones sat on the bench in a gray IU sweat suit.With a sprained ankle keeping him out of the lineup, the junior guard did what he could to help the Hoosiers. He stood up and cheered. He yelled on-court adjustments. He gave high fives at timeouts. But for most of the game, Jones had a serious look on his face. He wanted to play. He also — and more importantly — wanted to lead his team.And with the regular season here, Jones will finally get his chance.“I’m trying to be more vocal and really take charge of that leadership role,” Jones said. “This is especially true in practice. I think the young guys have really followed me in that aspect.”NEW TEAM, NEW LEADERWithout its top 10 scorers from the 2007-08 season — three graduated, one left early for the NBA and six others were either dismissed from the team or transferred — IU was forced to give significant minutes to new additions.Jones was no exception.One year after leading Champaign (Ill.) Central High School to the Class 3A semifinals, he was named the starting point guard of a Big Ten team.Despite averaging 11 points and 3.6 assists while starting 25 games during IU coach Tom Crean’s first season, Jones said he wasn’t as much of a leader as he could have been. His sophomore season, he said he improved but still did not take full control of the team.This season, though, he’s gained a new sense of confidence that has enabled him to improve as a mentor for his teammates. “I think the point guard is an extension of the coach, so you have to be a leader,” Jones said. “I’m much more confident going into this year than when I was a freshman and sophomore. I keep trying to build each year.”Jones said he’s tried to put an emphasis on working with the younger players. A couple times each month, he’s taken freshmen players out to eat. He’s also had them over to his place to watch sporting events and hang out. “Last year, I started with the freshmen, and I’m doing the same thing again this year,” Jones said. “I think the closer we are off the court, the closer we will be on it.”ON-COURT IMPACTSophomore guard Maurice Creek remembers the time this season when he noticed a change in Jones’ leadership ability. At a practice in late September, he said there was a small incident that Jones quickly resolved.“Verdell brought all of the guys together and told us, ‘Stick together as a family and never get away from that,’” Creek said. “That’s when I saw him becoming the leader that we need.” Sophomore forward Christian Watford echoed Creek’s sentiments about Jones.“Actions speak louder than words, and that’s what he’s trying to do,” Watford said. “When practice is starting to go downhill and coaches are starting to get mad, he instantly calls us together and picks us up. Everything goes smoother from then on.”Jones not only worked this offseason on being better as a leader, but also as a more well-rounded player. He met often with new IU strength and conditioning coach Je’Ney Jackson to add more muscle — 15 pounds since March — to his frame. He also spent countless hours shooting in the gym.Last season, Jones started all 31 games while averaging 14.9 points and 3.4 assists per contest. Even with these statistics, Crean said he can see a better year ahead for Jones if the right adjustments are made.“We’re excited about his upside,” Crean said. “The keys for him are to take care of the ball better, be better defensively, and run our club along with Jordan Hulls and Maurice. He’s such a good scorer — he has very good vision, a very good feel for the game. If that maturity continues to develop, I think he’ll be very good.” LONG-TERM GOALSThough he praised Jones for his overall improvements, Crean said he does not like to single out any player over another. Individuals do not win games; teams do, he said.The third-year coach said he is happy with the unity this season’s squad is showing.“For everyone in the offseason, you are responsible to make sure you are getting better,” Crean said. “When guys bring people with them along the way, that’s really important. It can’t happen one or two times — it has to happen over a period of time. That’s where your consistency in leadership comes. “Hopefully that will emerge in all of them.” Jones, like Crean, is not a fan of promoting one player above the rest. He said he realizes the importance of coming together as a unit, and that’s why he’s made such strides in the offseason to better not just himself, but all of his teammates. Once that is done, he said, the success will follow.“My personal goal is to help us win and get to the postseason,” Jones said. “I’m tired of losing, and I know Indiana Nation is tired of losing. This is going to be a big year for the team.”
(11/12/10 2:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When IU guard Maurice Creek came to Bloomington from Oxon Hill, Md., as a freshman, he had a hard time adjusting.He wasn’t used to the small-town feel. He wasn’t used to being so far away from his family and friends. But as time went on, Creek adapted to his new surroundings and became close to his teammates. That learning experience paid off not only for the now-sophomore, but also for his close friend and current freshman guard Victor Oladipo.“I think he had the same problems early on,” Creek said of Oladipo, who is also from a Washington, D.C., suburb in Maryland. “He’s talked about wanting to go home and being homesick, but he eventually felt us coming together as a team. He saw the family being built, and he didn’t want to go home anymore.”Creek, though, doesn’t only want to provide the occasional guidance to Oladipo; he wants to act as his mentor.TOGETHER AGAIN Creek and Oladipo’s relationship extends back about eight years. Both played for the same AAU program, Triple Threat, and became good friends. And even though they attended different D.C. area high schools, their relationship remained intact. Creek and Oladipo continued to play AAU together and hang out off the court. Once Creek committed to IU before his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy — then at South Kent Prep (Conn.) — Oladipo quickly became interested in the Hoosiers.“We already kind of knew he was going to go wherever Coach (Tom) Crean went,” Oladipo said. “When Coach Crean came here and he committed here, we definitely talked about playing together. They were always on my list from then on.”Oladipo, then a star guard on powerhouse DeMatha Catholic, ended up taking an official visit to Bloomington in early September last year.Though he was with the IU coaching staff during his time on campus, Creek ultimately was the reason Oladipo committed a few days later.“When I came on my visit, he made me feel at home,” Oladipo said. “He let me know if I came here, I would play and help this team get back to where it belongs. He basically drew me to love Indiana.”‘LIKE MY BIG BROTHER’Creek and Oladipo are very similar players on the court. Both are 6-foot-5 guards who like to slash to the rim. Both can create their own shots and hit from long range.But the similarities do not stop there.Their personalities are very alike, making it hard for them to stay away from each other off the court. “I’m always at his apartment — going out to eat and just kicking it,” Oladipo said. “He’s like my big brother, my best friend. We’re very close.”Creek said he loves having Oladipo on the team because they share the same type of personality and background. He also enjoys teaching Oladipo the right way to go about things.The sophomore guard said he tries to give Oladipo guidance in all different areas of life. Creek will point out things in practice that the freshman should work on. While back home in Maryland during breaks earlier this year, they hung out and — per Creeks advice — lifted weights and shot together.“He looks up to me like I’m his older brother,” Creek said. “I try to take care of him. We have that brother-to-brother connection.” Junior guard Verdell Jones said Creek has done a great job helping Oladipo transition to the college level.“He’s trying to take him under his wing,” Jones said of Creek. “Even in practice, when Vic gets frustrated, Mo will go talk to him and calm him down. They’re real close and always acting goofy together.” WORKING TOWARD A COMMON GOALCrean joked that Creek had better not give away too much knowledge because Oladipo is “right there nipping at his heels.”The third-year coach, though, said he hopes the guards’ tight bond resonates throughout the team.“They have a really good relationship, a great friendship,” Crean said. “But again, our situation has got to be where the team continues to grow and become closer all of the time. Those two are going to be mainstays in our program. “You hope that continues to develop, and other people are a big part of that, as well.”Creek worked hard this offseason to get healthy after missing most of last year with a knee injury. Before that point, he led all college freshmen in scoring with 16.4 points per game. Oladipo came to Bloomington known for his athleticism and energy. In the little IU fans have seen from him, he’s lived up to those expectations.Both players believe they can have a significant impact on the success of the team this season. But regardless of how the year goes, one thing is certain: it will be achieved together.“We’re like family,” Creek said. “No matter what happens, we got each other.”
(11/08/10 11:49pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Welcome to IU basketball, Victor Oladipo.Despite the Hoosiers trailing most of the game, the freshman guard’s late heroics — a four-point play and a last-second blocked shot — were the difference in IU’s 78-65 overtime win against Ferris State on Monday at Assembly Hall.“The game is never over until the last buzzer buzzes,” Oladipo said. “I’m doing all in my power to do whatever it takes to help my team win.” With 10.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Oladipo hit a falling away 3-point basket while being fouled to draw the score to 61-60. He followed by making a free throw to tie the game. On the next possession for Ferris State, Oladipo came from behind from the left side of the baseline and blocked sophomore guard Kenny Brown’s shot into the stands. Moments later on the inbounds play, Bulldog forward Jerrell Sanders made a shot, but it was reviewed and disallowed.With all the momentum on their side, the Hoosiers dominated in overtime. IU sophomore forward Christian Watford began with a turnaround jumper to put IU up 63-61. On the next possession, sophomore guard Maurice Creek hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to give his team a 5-point lead. The Hoosiers cruised the rest of the extra period to take the 13-point win. Oladipo said “a lot of energy” was the difference in overtime.“Mo Creek hit a big shot, Christian hit a big shot, Jordan (Hulls) hit a big shot,” Oladipo said. “It just seemed like big shots were coming from everywhere. After that, the intensity just skyrocketed.”Although IU earned the victory, it did have some misfortune.Early in the second half, IU junior guard Matt Roth — who missed most of last season with an injury — hit the ground hard. After lying on the hardwood for a few minutes, he was helped up and taken to the locker room. IU coach Tom Crean said last week he hoped the exhibition opponents provided the challenge his team needed to prepare for the regular season. He got it on Monday night. For most of the game, IU appeared outplayed. Ferris State controlled the interior in the first half, outrebounding IU 18-16. Bulldog center Justin Keenan, had his way down low.Poor shooting early on by IU – 35.7 percent in the first half — and hot shooting by Ferris State (59.1 percent) put the Hoosiers down 35-32 at halftime. IU also struggled against Ferris State’s tough zone defense.“We figured they were going to do some zone, but not as much,” Watford said. “We just had a hard time executing. But we’ll get through it.” Much of the second half was the same. Poor shot selection and casual passes led to fast break points by FSU. With 7:30 remaining in the game, the Hoosiers faced their biggest deficit, 13 points. But the resiliency in IU didn’t allow the deficit to grow. IU senior guard Jeremiah Rivers’ layup with 2:45 remaining cut FSU’s lead to eight. Creek hit a 3-pointer moments later that pushed FSU’s’ lead to 59-53.Creek missed a 3-pointer with one minute remaining, but Oladipo got the offensive rebound and was fouled. He calmly hit two free throws to put the Hoosiers within four points. His clutch plays down the stretch eventually sent the game to overtime.Crean said while it wasn’t his team’s best effort, the comeback said a lot about his squad’s heart.“The bottom line for those guys tonight is they kept going,” Crean said. “I love the fact that a young team — young in the fact that they haven’t won — there was no panic over there. I loved it. That’s something that we got to build on.”
(11/04/10 4:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The NCAA is looking into the amateur status of junior center Guy-Marc Michel, IU Athletics announced in a statement. Because of the investigation, Michel, a 7-foot transfer from Northern Idaho College, did not play in IU’s exhibition opener against Franklin College on Wednesday. Michel will be out indefinitely until the matter is resolved. “Prior to attending North Idaho Community College, Guy participated in club basketball in France, where he finished high school and enrolled in some college courses,” IU coach Tom Crean said in the statement. “In three years with the French club, Guy participated as a member of an amateur team. In his third year, he was ‘called up’ for limited participation with a team that included professional players.”While the NCAA has looked into the experiences of international student athletes for a long time, it has recently become a larger issue. The most prominent occurrence of late has been Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter. Kanter’s status is being investigated because reportedly he was compensated for playing on a club team in Turkey.Crean said he is optimistic that Michel’s situation will end in a positive manner.“We are hopeful for a positive resolution to Guy’s case within the coming weeks,” Crean said. “While he is not eligible to compete at this time, he will continue to improve in practice, and he’ll continue doing very well in the classroom until the process is complete.”— Greg Rosenstein
(11/03/10 5:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With his most experienced team since taking over as IU coach, its no surprise Tom Crean is ready to begin the season.He’ll get his wish tonight, as the Hoosiers take on Franklin College at 7 p.m. at Assembly Hall in the first exhibition game of the season.“We’re excited to play, I don’t think there’s any doubt,” Crean said. “It comes fast as a coach. I’ve said it every year and I’ll probably continue to say it for as long as I coach, you are never where you want to be when you play the first game. But we are anxious to be able to play.” In Franklin, IU faces a team that finished 8-18 last season. The Grizzlies will bring experience to Assembly Hall, as its top three scorers from last season – junior center Will Conoley, junior guard Clay Starrett and junior center Zach Merschbrock – all return. One reason the Hoosiers scheduled Franklin for the exhibition matchup was because of their ties to Bloomington. Head coach Kerry Prather holds bachelor and master’s degrees from IU. Assistant coach Jarrod Brett also has a master’s degree from IU while fellow assistant Adam Martin is a Bloomington native. Crean said Franklin will provide a challenge that will make his team better in the long-run.“We think they are going to be a worthy opponent,” Crean said. “It’s been fun to watch them on film because they do a good job playing inside and out. They’re going to put some pressure on our pick-and-roll defense, which I’m excited about.”One major advantage the Hoosiers have compared to Franklin is size. The tallest player on the Grizzlies is Conoley, who stands at 6-foot-6. In contrast, IU has seven players that height or taller. Despite the size difference, sophomore forward Derek Elston believes Franklin will be a good test for the first game.“They like to get out and run, they have a lot of kids that are scrappy,” Elston said. “We’ll see how we match up with them. We’ll see how our toughness is compared to last year.”And similar to their coach, the IU players are excited to finally play someone from a different school.“It’s great to finally get out there and show people what we’ve been working on,” sophomore forward Christian Watford said. “I’m looking forward to it and it should be fun.”
(11/01/10 4:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Hanner Perea did not want to wait any longer.After a weekend visit to Bloomington, in which he saw the IU men’s basketball team scrimmage and the football team face Northwestern, the No. 10 overall men’s basketball player in the class of 2012 decided he wanted to commit to the Hoosiers. “I’ve been thinking about going to IU for a few days now,” Perea said. “I told my family everything about IU and that I wanted to come here for college. They said, ‘If that’s what you want to do, go ahead and commit.”Perea, a 6-foot-8 power forward at La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Ind., is the highest-ranked prospect to choose IU since Eric Gordon in 2006. The Colombia native selected the Hoosiers over Baylor. He becomes the third player in the class of 2012 to commit to IU. Perea joins Broad Ripple (Indianapolis) shooting guard Ron Patterson and United Faith Christian Academy (Charlotte, N.C.) center Peter Jurkin. And similar to other recent IU commitments, Perea said the deciding factor in his decision was IU coach Tom Crean.“He’s a great coach, and I really like his coaching style,” Perea said. “I know he’s going to help me get better in any way he can. He’s going to make my dreams come true.”In terms of juniors in high school, Perea is one of the most dominant in the nation. He has upper-level post skills and utilizes his 7-foot-4 wingspan to block shots.Mike Pegram, publisher of IU’s Rivals.com website, said he has seen Perea play more than 40 times in person. He described Perea as arguably the best athlete in the class of 2012. “He is probably the guy that has been called a ‘freak athlete’ as many times as I’ve ever seen from recruiting analysts,” Pegram said. “He has an amazing combination of unique reach and jumping ability. The national scouts are just awed by his athleticism.”Perea said while he is known mostly as a post player, he has worked this offseason on improving his range.“Right now I’ve been working on extending my game,” Perea said. “Most of my work is done around the basket — rebounds, blocked shots and dunks. I want to get better with my shot and my dribble so hopefully when I come to IU, I am going to be much better.”Perea said IU’s recent struggles on the court did not play a part in his decision. He thought primarily about the future of the program and what players might be joining him in Bloomington.He grew up with Jurkin and played alongside him for two years while at United Faith Christian Academy. Perea also has a good relationship with many of the players IU is currently pursuing, including AAU teammates Cody Zeller (No. 20 overall in 2011 class) and Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (No. 17 overall in 2012 class).Perea said Crean has done a great job recruiting the state of Indiana and believes this recruiting effort will help achieve major success in the coming years.“He’s been trying hard to bring everyone together,” Perea said. “He’s building everything back up.”
(10/19/10 4:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As the IU men’s basketball team began its first official practice of the season, the chants started. “YO-GI…FERR-ELL.” “YO-GI…FERR-ELL.”Many of the 13,100 fans at Hoosier Hysteria Friday joined in to let one of the top recruits in the class of 2012 — Park Tudor High School (Indianapolis) guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell — know that IU was where he needed to play college basketball. But that chant didn’t happen one time. It happened on two other occasions.And by the Hoosier fans providing that simple gesture, it showed Ferrell — and the dozens of other highly-touted recruits sitting together in Assembly Hall — that despite IU’s losing record the past two years, support for the team remains. “That was a lot of fun,” Ferrell, who www.rivals.com ranks as the No. 2 point guard and No. 17 overall player, said of the chants. “I really liked Hoosier Hysteria a lot. Even though they didn’t win that many games last year, it shows that the fans still give a lot of support.” Similar to a football game, an event like Hoosier Hysteria is immensely important not just for who is playing but also for who is watching. On Oct. 2 when IU lost to Michigan, 42-35, many of the state’s top high school basketball players were at Memorial Stadium.Friday was no different. At least 20 highly-ranked recruits were in Bloomington to take in the action. By seeing Hoosier Hysteria, they were able to interact with the IU players and coaching staff, other potential recruits and the fans. Some, like Heritage Christian High School (Indianapolis) small forward Basil Smotherman, were even treated like celebrities. “I signed my first autograph to a little kid on his poster,” Smotherman, one of the top 2013 players in the nation, said. “People were just telling me to come here, saying ‘Basil, you’re the next Calbert Cheaney.’ That just made me very happy. I felt like I was at home.” But talking to the crowd was not the only thing the recruits did Friday. They were able to see the Hoosiers compete in a scrimmage, dunk contest and three-point contest. Jeremy Hollowell, a 6-foot-6 small forward from Lawrence Central High School (Indianapolis), could not pinpoint one particular facet of Hoosier Hysteria that was better than the rest. “I liked it all,” said Hollowell, the No. 39 overall player in the 2012 class. “It was cool to see the players interact with each other and have fun out there while getting ready for the season.”Some of the recruits who attended the event were also able to see a glimpse of what a real college practice looks like. Trevon Bluiett, a freshman guard from Park Tudor, said he was able to watch practice at Cook Hall before the event for more than an hour. He said the one thing that stood out was the overall intensity of both the coaches and players. “It was pretty intense,” saidBluiett, who ESPN ranks as the No. 23 overall prospect in the 2014 class. “They were going over plays and getting straight to it. Coach Crean never takes a minute off, even for the first practice.”Smotherman, who also saw a portion of IU’s practice, said he was very impressed with what he saw out of the Hoosiers’ third-year coach. “I really liked the practice,” Smotherman said. “I see Coach Crean at some of my games and think of him as a nice person, but when he’s in practice with the players he’s totally different. He’s yelling at them and trying to help them get better. I like that.”
(10/18/10 4:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When fans see IU coach Tom Crean, he’s often screaming, clapping and loudly guiding his players on the court during games. But thanks to a practice earlier in the day and individual workouts the previous two days, that voice was almost gone when he addressed the crowd at Hoosier Hysteria on Friday. And he was fine with it. He wanted to let his team’s playing do the talking.“My voice is just shot already,” Crean said. “But I didn’t want (the microphone). I wanted to watch and enjoy it.”He wasn’t the only one. More than 13,000 people came to Assembly Hall to see the new-look Hoosiers on the first official day of practice. The men’s portion began with a three-point contest that showed two things fans don’t see often. One was the long-range talent of 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Christian Watford, who reached the finals of the competition by consistently knocking down shots from behind the left elbow. The other was his challenger in the final round, junior guard Matt Roth, who sat out most of last season because of a foot injury.And despite the tough rehabilitation process he had to endure, Roth didn’t appear rusty. He made shots from many different locations around the three-point line — including a couple from half-court — to take the title. “I feel good,” Roth said. “It’s been a long time, but I was definitely anxious to get back out here. I was able to go out there and shoot the ball well, so it was fun.” What fans will probably remember the most, though, was the high-flying exhibition put on by freshman guard Victor Oladipo. The Hyattsville, Md., native was known to be a tremendous dunker when he committed to IU. He proved it in the dunk contest.Oladipo began with a one-handed slam over six elementary school kids. He followed with a one-hander, this time from a pass off the side of the backboard from sophomore guard Maurice Creek. In the final round, he easily defeated fellow freshman Will Sheehey with two more dunks that livened the crowd. The first was a through-the-legs windmill and the last was another through-the legs dunk, this time down the baseline. Oladipo said he was glad to be able to give the fans a show. “I love it,” Oladipo said. “I wanted to come out, have some fun and just interact with Hoosier Nation. I’ve been dreaming about this since last year.”The night concluded with a team scrimmage that displayed Oladipo’s all-around game. He led all scorers with nine points as his “Cream” team defeated the “Crimson” squad, 26-19.While it was an overall well-played game, the biggest story was who wasn’t on the court. Creek, who missed most of last season because of a fractured left knee, participated in the 3-point contest but was out of the scrimmage for precautionary reasons. “He’s still going through a very strenuous rehab,” Crean said. “We got to get through the drills, the scrimmages, the day-after-days, get him to the games, and eventually I think you will see a kid that will really take back off. I just don’t want to rush it.” Creek said he felt 95 percent healthy and was sure he would be able to go full speed soon. “It’s going to take some time to get to 100 percent, but I feel really good about myself,” he said. “Just coming out here, not being sore. I’ll bide my time, and I should be ready by the season.”
(10/05/10 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The men’s basketball program welcomed many of the state’s top recruits at Saturday’s football game.IU men’s basketball beat reporter Greg Rosenstein caught up with shooting guard Gary Harris, Rivals.com’s No. 24 overall player in the class of 2012.IDS How was your time in Bloomington?HARRIS I had a great time with everyone on Saturday. Unfortunately IU couldn’t win, but it was still a fun game to watch. IDS What does it mean that IU was able to bring in so much talent to Bloomington this weekend? HARRIS It just shows you that they are really starting to turn things around. They are trying to bring IU back to winning ways. (IU coach Tom) Crean is doing a great job of doing it. The program is moving in the right direction.IDS When did you get to Bloomington, and what things did you do while there? HARRIS We got there about 1:30 p.m. We started with a tailgate inside of Cook Hall. After we ate a little, we went down to the field at Memorial Stadium. After watching the game, I hung out with the players later on that night. IDS Which players did you hang out with?HARRIS I was with Victor Oladipo and Maurice Creek. I had a great time with those guys and really enjoyed myself. IDS Have you been to other football games this year during visits? If so, how did the atmosphere on Saturday compare?HARRIS The only other football game I’ve been to this year was the Michigan State vs. Notre Dame game. They were both great games that went all of the way down to the very end, so I enjoyed them. IDS What is your relationship with coach Crean right now?Harris We have a really good relationship. I talk to him a lot. Each time I go down there I like him even more and more.IDS What is appealing about a school like IU?HARRIS It’s a great school. Like I said, they are really turning things around. I can see myself fitting perfectly with this program, as I can with a lot of other schools. Coach Crean is also a great guy with a passion for the game. IDS Have you set any form of time-table in terms of visits or making a decision for college?HARRIS I’m in no rush right now in terms of making a decision. I’m just taking it slow. For more recruiting information, check out hoosierhype.com.
(09/28/10 4:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It didn’t matter that he was a 14-year-old freshman. It didn’t matter that he had yet to play in a high school game. Indianapolis Arsenal Tech forward Trey Lyles, ESPN’s No. 1 player in the 2014 class, was ready to decide where he wanted to play college basketball.And after an unofficial visit Sunday in Bloomington to meet with IU coach Tom Crean, Lyles committed to the Hoosiers. “When coach first showed me around the campus, I really liked the atmosphere and the people around it,” Lyles said. “I’ve known for a while IU is where I wanted to go. I’m very confident with my decision.” Lyles’ father, Tom Lyles, and Spiece Indy Heat AAU coach Reynardo Bluiett both separately said the 6-foot-9 forward could play all five positions on the court. ESPN recruiting analyst John Stovall said Lyles reminds him “of a young Tim Duncan offensively.”In fact, Tom Lyles said his son’s nickname, like Duncan’s, is “The Big Fundamental.”“He has an old-school game with a new school game,” said Tom Lyles, who is also an assistant coach at Arsenal Tech. “He’s very fundamentally sound and has a very high basketball IQ. Trey can play every position offensively and can also guard every position on the floor.”Those skills are why many major college programs showed interest and offered scholarships to Lyles despite his young age. Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgetown, Florida and North Carolina were all looking closely at Lyles, his father said. But in the end, there was only one true option.“Growing up, I wanted to go to North Carolina, but after my visits to IU, it just really came down to them,” Lyles said. Though Lyles decided earlier than most other high school players, he was not alone.His friend and AAU teammate James Blackmon Jr. committed to the Hoosiers a couple of weeks ago. Blackmon, a shooting guard, is the No. 7 overall player in the 2014 class.Lyles said his teammate’s recent decision had no effect on his choice of schools, but is glad he can continue his basketball career with Blackmon.“He and I are real good friends, we talk almost weekly,” he said. “I really enjoy the fact that we can play together in college. I think it’s going to be fun.”One person who knows both Lyles’ and Blackmon’s talents better than anybody is Bluiett, who coached them all summer on the AAU circuit with Spiece Indy Heat. Bluiett said he is confident they will have a major effect on the program when they get to Bloomington.“I think it’s going to be a great fit,” Bluiett said. “Both guys love playing with each other, and both are going to get better as time goes on. They grabbed two of the top two players in the state, for sure.” And, like Blackmon, Lyles said Crean was the major factor in his decision. He and his father said they were impressed with Crean’s coaching philosophies and that he is a very family-oriented man who stresses education. “He was really impressed with coach Crean and the passion that he brings,” Tom Lyles said. “As animated as he is on those sidelines, he’s just that animated when he is having that one-on-one conversation with you. We had other visits, but truly, in Trey’s words, there was no other place that felt like home.”
(09/27/10 3:44pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Trey Lyles, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward from Indianapolis Arsenal Technical High School, has committed to IU, his father Tom confirmed to the IDS.According to ESPN, Lyles is the No. 1 ranked player in the 2014 class. Lyles will join his Spiece Indy Heat AAU teammate and No. 7 overall player James Blackmon Jr. in Bloomington.Tom Lyles said Trey decided he wanted to play for the Hoosiers about a year ago, but wanted to wait to make a public announcement.“We had other visits, but truly, in his words, there was no other place that felt like home,” he said. “He was really impressed with Coach Crean and the passion that he brings. As animated as he is on those sidelines, he’s just that animated when he is having that one on one conversation with you.”Lyles had interest from a multitude of schools including Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgetown, Florida and North Carolina, Tom said.But despite the long list of suitors, Trey said he knew all along he wanted to come to Bloomington for college.“He was very adamant about where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do and who he wanted to play for,” Tom Lyles said. “He stuck to his guns. He said, ‘Dad, this is where I want to go.’”Stay with the IDS and Hoosier Hype for updated information regarding IU’s newest basketball commit, including exclusive quotes from Trey Lyles, Tom Lyles and Spiece Indy Heat AAU coach Reynardo Bluiett.
(09/17/10 2:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Playing without your most consistent 3-point shooter is tough. Doing it without the nation’s top freshman scorer is another story.But after months of rehabilitation from injuries, junior guard Matt Roth and sophomore guard Maurice Creek are finally healthy and ready to make an impact for the Hoosiers. “I’m just feeling really good right now, about 90-95 percent,” Creek said. “Rehabbing was tough at first, but they said I would make it through. I made it through.”The sophomore guard fractured his left knee against Bryant University in December and was forced to undergo season-ending surgery. Before suffering the injury, Creek was the Big Ten’s top freshman scorer at 17.6 points per game.With his return, IU regains its most potent and versatile player.Creek can score from anywhere on the court — he shot 53 percent from the floor — and can defend almost every position because of his long arms.But after last season’s injury, that go-to scorer wasn’t available for the Hoosiers. Junior guard Verdell Jones filled in, scoring 14.9 points per game, but his main strength is as a playmaker. Adding Creek to the lineup again will provide IU with someone to give the ball to at any point of the game. He hopes to prove that his 31-point performance against Kentucky last year isn’t a thing of the past. Creek said he is confident he will be as good this season as he was in 2009.“It shouldn’t take too much time, I still know how to play the game,” Creek said. “It’s a matter of work. I should be able to go out and be as good as I was last year. That’s my goal.” Roth said he also believes he will be ready for the season opener against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 12. “I feel like I’m 100 percent and just trying to continue to improve as a basketball player,” Roth said. “I can’t wait for it to get here. It seems like it’s been a long time coming, but I’ve been working hard and I’m ready for the season.”The junior sharpshooter broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during a practice at a tournament in Puerto Rico last fall. Forced to immediately have surgery, Roth sat out all but the first two games of the season.Early in the rehab process he used stimulators to grow the bone back to its original size. Once there was enough stability in the bone, Roth worked on balancing on the foot again. It wasn’t until later in the spring that he truly did not feel any pain.This summer Roth was finally able to run full speed and participate in all basketball activities. “Once I got to 100 percent and felt confident with myself, I just tried to build my game as if I had never been injured,” Roth said. Though he isn’t the top scorer on IU, Roth’s presence on the court alone brings a different identity to the Hoosiers. Without a true perimeter threat in 2009 — IU ranked 10th in 3-point field goals made and did not have an individual player in the Big Ten’s top 15 — the Hoosiers were forced to attack mostly inside or settle for mid-range shots. But by adding Roth back into the mix, IU has that consistent outside option. His 37.3 percent shooting from long distance as a freshman forced opposing defenses this season to constantly watch for him. This will help spread the floor and allow IU coach Tom Crean’s offense to run more smoothly. Roth believes his hard work will be evident this season. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and putting in the work this year,” Roth said. “I just want to move forward.”
(09/06/10 4:19am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Since being hired as IU men’s basketball coach in April 2008, Tom Crean has continually stressed the importance of getting in-state talent to come to Bloomington, and they’re joining him young.James Blackmon Jr., a high school freshman guard from Fort Wayne’s Bishop Luer’s High School told Crean on Thursday that he wanted to commit to the Hoosiers. “I’ve been to Bloomington a couple of times for a couple of visits, and every time I went there it kept getting better and better,” Blackmon Jr. said. “I could go to another college in another state, but I’m from Indiana, and I grew up in Indiana. It was always one of my top places to go.”Blackmon Jr. took an unofficial visit to Bloomington to meet with the IU coaching staff and see the Hoosier football team face Towson in its season opener. Shortly after the game, he told Crean IU was the perfect fit for him.The 6-foot-2 combo guard is one of the top freshman players in the country. Blackmon Jr., who has not even played his first high school game, is the No. 1-rated shooting guard and No. 6 overall player, according to ESPN’s rankings for the 2014 class. “On the court, he’s just a relentless player,” said Reynardo Bluiett, Blackmon Jr.’s AAU coach at Spiece Indy Heat. “He doesn’t ever take plays off, and at this age, that’s pretty hard to find. His upside is very wide open.” Though most high school players wait until at least their junior year before committing to a college, Blackmon Jr. said he has known for a long time IU was where he wanted to be. Growing up in Fort Wayne, he always supported IU and thought about playing Division I basketball near his home. And while he could have waited out the recruiting process and had more big-time programs try to sway him, Blackmon Jr. figured the time to decide was now. “After IU offered, I went on a visit and they showed me around the campus, and I liked it a lot,” he said. “My family then talked about the pros and cons of committing real early. I went up on Thursday, and we were in coach Crean’s office. We talked about how Indiana could be great for me, and I told him right there I was ready to decide.” One person who knows the recruiting process better than anybody is his father, James Blackmon Sr., a former Kentucky standout and the current men’s basketball coach at Bishop Luers. Not only was he looked at heavily in high school, but he also recently went through it with one of his own players. Blackmon Sr. coached Deshaun Thomas, the 2010 Indiana Mr. Basketball, who committed his freshman season to Ohio State.He said deciding early helped Thomas concentrate on and off the court, and he hopes the same will happen with his son.“I felt like the distractions for Deshaun, as far as getting all of the attention, were gone because he was able to focus,” Blackmon Sr. said. “He went on to have a very successful high school career.”But the real deciding factor, Blackmon Sr. said, was Crean and his vision for the future of the program. “He’s definitely a motivator, and that’s what it takes to get the players in the right mind frame to go out there and compete every single possession,” Blackmon Sr. said. “I think he has people playing up to their potential. You want to put yourself in a position where you are going to get better. Coach Crean has the program headed in the right direction.”
(09/06/10 4:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Since being hired as IU men’s basketball coach in April 2008, Tom Crean has continually stressed the importance of getting in-state talent to come to Bloomington, and they’re joining him young.James Blackmon Jr., a high school freshman guard from Fort Wayne’s Bishop Luers High School, told Crean on Thursday that he wanted to commit to the Hoosiers. “I’ve been to Bloomington a couple of times for a couple of visits, and every time I went there it kept getting better and better,” Blackmon Jr. said. “I could go to another college in another state, but I’m from Indiana, and I grew up in Indiana. It was always one of my top places to go.”Blackmon Jr. took an unofficial visit to Bloomington to meet with the IU coaching staff and see the Hoosier football team face Towson in its season opener. Shortly after the game, he told Crean IU was the perfect fit for him.The 6-foot-2 combo guard is one of the top freshman players in the country. Blackmon Jr., who has not even played his first high school game, is the No. 1-rated shooting guard and No. 6 overall player, according to ESPN’s rankings for the 2014 class. “On the court, he’s just a relentless player,” said Reynardo Bluiett, Blackmon Jr.’s AAU coach at Spiece Indy Heat. “He doesn’t ever take plays off, and at this age, that’s pretty hard to find. His upside is very wide open.” Though most high school players wait until at least their junior year before committing to a college, Blackmon Jr. said he has known for a long time IU was where he wanted to be. Growing up in Fort Wayne, he always supported IU and thought about playing Division I basketball near his home. And while he could have waited out the recruiting process and had more big-time programs try to sway him, Blackmon Jr. figured the time to decide was now. “After IU offered, I went on a visit and they showed me around the campus, and I liked it a lot,” he said. “My family then talked about the pros and cons of committing real early. I went up on Thursday, and we were in coach Crean’s office. We talked about how Indiana could be great for me, and I told him right there I was ready to decide.” One person who knows the recruiting process better than anybody is his father, James Blackmon Sr., a former Kentucky standout and the current men’s basketball coach at Bishop Luers. Not only was he looked at heavily in high school, but he also recently went through it with one of his own players. Blackmon Sr. coached Deshaun Thomas, the 2010 Indiana Mr. Basketball, who committed his freshman season to Ohio State.He said deciding early helped Thomas concentrate on and off the court, and he hopes the same will happen with his son.“I felt like the distractions for Deshaun, as far as getting all of the attention, were gone because he was able to focus,” Blackmon Sr. said. “He went on to have a very successful high school career.”But the real deciding factor, Blackmon Sr. said, was Crean and his vision for the future of the program. “He’s definitely a motivator, and that’s what it takes to get the players in the right mind frame to go out there and compete every single possession,” Blackmon Sr. said. “I think he has people playing up to their potential. You want to put yourself in a position where you are going to get better. Coach Crean has the program headed in the right direction.”
(04/26/10 4:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Rodger Saffold sat with his family and friends on Thursday night in Bedford, Ohio, waiting for his phone to vibrate. But after no team called to let him know he was chosen in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the former IU offensive lineman went to bed unsure of his future. Fortunately for him, the wait didn’t last long.Saffold was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the first pick in the second round, No. 33 overall, on Friday night. He was not the only former Hoosier taken in the NFL Draft this weekend, as defensive end Jammie Kirlew and cornerback Ray Fisher were also picked.Kirlew and Fisher were both taken in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Saffold said he has already spoken with No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford – the former Oklahoma quarterback he will protect on Sundays – and is ready to join his new teammates in St. Louis.“He texted me last night and said he was real excited and looking forward to playing with me,” Saffold said. “I told him I’m going to keep his jersey clean. That’s pretty much how a tackle and quarterback are supposed to be.”Saffold added that his idol, former St. Louis offensive tackle Orlando Pace, came into a struggling franchise in 1997 and helped turn it into a Super Bowl champion. With all of the Rams’ recent additions, he sees a similar story unfolding in the coming years.“It’s a dream come true,” Saffold said. “I’m really excited for what’s about to happen.”That same excitement can be seen in Fisher. He said the Colts look to make the most of his speed, especially as a punt and kick returner on special teams. The Cleveland native had two touchdowns and averaged 36.1 yards per return on kickoffs last season for IU. Fisher said the chance of contributing to a top franchise next season is unbelievable. “It’s a great thing to be able to go to a winning team that competes every year for a Super Bowl,” he said. “I’m happy where I’m at. It’s a great opportunity for me.”While Saffold and Fisher are remaining at their natural positions, Kirlew’s situation is different in Denver. He said the Broncos want to utilize him as an outside linebacker rather than a defensive lineman, and he is fine with the change. “I just think it’s going to be a great fit,” Kirlew said. “That’s something that I worked on a lot during the offseason, and I knew some teams would be looking at me at that position.”Despite the position switch, Kirlew is optimistic about his future in the Mile High City. “I fit the mold for what they are trying to do,” he said. “They have good guys who play well, are intelligent and just want to win and work hard. That’s me.”