Great article on IU cornerback Bruce Hampton, who is trying to land two jobs: starting cornerback for the Hoosiers, and JPMorgan investment banker.
Monthly Archive for June, 2008
Ted Bolser, a 6′6″ 220 lb tight end from Cincinnati, has committed to the Hoosiers. Bolser is described thusly:
He’s a big, athletic target who caught 68 passes for 1,068 yards as a junior while playing primarily at wide receiver for an Indian Hills team that went 12-3 and advanced to the regional finals.While the tight end does not get a lot of play in the Hoosier offense, having that sort of size and (presumed) athletic ability at that spot should give IU many more options. You can imagine Bolser being a big past of Kellen Lewis’ (hopeful) senior season as a big safety valve and offensive threat, especially if the new crop of wide receivers pan out.
This commitment is also notable for two reasons. First, IU is once again going up against and beating bigger programs. Bolser definitely had an offer from Kentucky, and went to Louisville’s senior camp. He was also beginning to draw interest from Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State. But he wanted to commit early, and had focused on IU, UL, and UK. Second, there’s this:
“They’ve talked a lot about the upgrades with the stadium, and how they’re re-doing and remodeling everything,” Bolser said. “They’ll have a new huge players’ lounge, a new weight room, everything.”Here’s proof that the new facilities upgrades are already paying dividends. While lots of recruits had mentioned them, Bolser not only mentioned IU’s upcoming new facilities, but spoke very highly of Kentucky’s as well. So it seems like the quality of facilities was a big factor for him, and luckily IU is quickly getting competitive on that front.
I agree with everything Big A said at Inside the Hall. The NCAA is strongly advising the Big Ten to not allow IU to hold the recruiting barnstorming tour, now quickly becoming a summer basketball tradition. Totally harmless, good fun, and utterly defenseless given IU’s current position with the NCAA.
First off, let’s get the basics out of the way. There is no question that EJ crushed everyone else for Best Suit:
So in the end, all the reports of draft maneuvering and jockeying were sort of correct. The Clippers were willing to trade up to the #4 to get Gordon, but only at the right price. When the Sonics demanded too much, it led to some tense moments, but they got their man:
“We have a lot of guys on our team who post up and get double teams and he’ll be able to stretch the floor for us, but he’s also a guy who attacks the rim and gets to the free-throw line,” Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said.
Eric Gordon was our man all the way,” said Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations.Gordon also sounds like he’s ready to get to work, and provide the Clippers with something they’ve lack for a while - defense:“We were hoping he would be there. We heard talks, rumors about who different teams were going to pick, then we were pretty sure he was going to be there.”
”I really enjoy playing defense, because I’m strong enough to maneuver guys that are taller than me, and quick enough to guard guys that are shorter, too,” Gordon said.Much less is being said about DJ, but the Sonics are looking at him as a guy who can step in and give them something right away, especially considering they also drafted raw big man Serge Ibaka:If he had not hurt his wrist, which he said is fully healed now, Gordon agreed with Dunleavy’s assessment that he might have gone higher in the draft.
”I thought I would be better off if I did not have an injury throughout the season, but stuff happens and you have to play through it,” Gordon said.
“He’s going to play the four,” Presti said. “His length is a great asset and he has a nice touch around the basket. We believe we’re adding to the foundation we’re still trying to build here, one piece at a time.”Actually, quite a bit is being said about DJ, but most of it focuses on Detroit’s decision to trade him. However, Seattle was after him all along:
Dumars was prepared to take him [Walter Sharpe] at 29 when Seattle called and wanted to trade up to get D.J. White. Dumars saw it as an opportunity to get the guy he wanted and pick up and extra pick in the deal. He also said he knew of two teams preparing to trade up to take Sharpe.So Gordon heads the Purdue of LA, while DJ is off to parts unknown. Gordon will be asked to back up Cuttino Mobley, start at the two, and/or provide relief at the point. DJ’s role looks to be a lot clearer: provide a proven, polished backup to Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison, amidst all of Seattle’s projects and busts on their front line.
Eric Gordon was selected by the Clippers with the 7th overall pick. DJ was selected by the Pistons with the 29th pick, but was immediately traded to the Sonics for two second round picks this year.
More tomorrow.
UPDATE: Andy Katz is reporting the deal is off, although I leave Chad Ford’s thoughts because it could always be back on.
Just after I wrote that no one “fell in love” with Eric Gordon, someone just might have. Chad Ford is reporting that the Clippers are after him and think he’s worth not one but two first round picks:
Two big deals have just gone down in the past few minutes that could change the face of the draft.So to recap: the Sonics want Mayo, but if they cannot get him, they’re willing to trade down and take Bayless or Lopez. And the Clippers, afraid that Gordon will go to either the Grizzlies or Knicks, are willing to trade next year’s first round pick to get him, although that article suggests Russell Westbrook is the target.The Clippers and Sonics have agreed to swap picks as long as the Wolves take O.J. Mayo at No. 3. If Mayo isn’t drafted at 3, the deal is off according to two sources close to the information.
With the No. 4 pick, expect the Clippers to take Eric Gordon of Indiana. They’ve coveted him as the type of dominant scorer they’ve been looking for.
The Sonics will take Brook Lopez or Jerryd Bayless at No. 7. However it seems Lopez will be the guy.
Depending on your views, one or two big shoes dropped on IU today. First, the NCAA added an allegation of a failure to monitor (PDF). This fairly damaging allegation means IU as a whole is formally being blamed for not keeping Sampson on a tighter leash. IU is being cited for:
[I]ts failure to provide the extra close oversight and scrutiny of all aspects of the men’s basketball program that was required by the prior infractions record of the former head coach including the conduct of members of the men’s basketball coaching staff in the failing to document or improperly documenting, recruiting calls, and the university’s approach to the investigation of secondary violation committed by members of the men’s basketball coaching staff.This is the most serious allegation yet and opens IU up to the possibilities of severe penalties including the postseason ban many fans have been dreading. And with this new allegation, the case has claimed another victim. Rick Greenspan announced he will step down at the end of the year:
“This has been a very difficult time and I am aware that I have become the focus of criticism which will continue to distract Indiana University from its core educational mission. Consequently, I believe a new person will be in a stronger position to lead IU Athletics moving forward and it is in IU’s best interests for me to stand down. You can rest assured that I will work with great diligence and effort on behalf of our student athletes and coaches over the next six months. They deserve nothing less,” said Greenspan. “Without question, I am extremely disappointed in the new charges brought by the NCAA Committee on Infractions against Indiana University that were released today. I disagree with these charges, particularly since the NCAA Enforcement staff did not reach this same conclusion after their original, in-depth investigation. Nevertheless, the new charges must and will be answered,” said Greenspan.That means IU is now searching for yet another athletic director, its third in six years and at a critical time with massive construction projects, a football team on the verge of breaking through, and a basketball program that will need a patient hand.
Inside the Hall, the fantastic IU Basketball blog, turned one year old today. Congratulations for hitting that milestone guys, even if this year was more about IU’s downs than their ups.
On the eve of fulfilling his dream of making it to the NBA as an early lottery pick, Eric Gordon - he of the icy stare, lack of smile, and no emotion - opened up to Andy Katz. Gordon first talked about the rebuilding process underway:
“Man, I would say at least three to four years,” Gordon said of the length of Indiana’s recovery process. “I don’t think it will happen within the next two years. It’s so gutted, and the talent isn’t what it used to be in Indiana. It’s going to take time.”I guess I don’t understand the “talent isn’t what it used to be in Indiana” line. It’s still to high school basketball what Texas is to high school football. Indiana will always produce guys who will fit into Crean’s guard focused system. I haven’t written extensively on this, but I’m not sure something can’t be done sooner than that. If you can get anything out of Tijan Jobe, and Tom Pritchard learned something after Delvon Roe went down last year and he was forced to carry his high school team, I actually like the roster next year. I guess I wish Gordon sounded like he was preaching patience rather than just lamenting about how bad it is.
But this comment was much, much more insightful:
“It was a tough situation, and sometimes you could see that all of [the player defections were] going to happen with a new coaching staff,” Gordon said. “I’m not surprised. The crazy part was how good we could have potentially been. But sometimes there was no team concept. And you could tell during certain parts of the season that we weren’t [together] collectively as a team.”Note that he says “parts.” Not “the end” or “after Sampson left.” I guess it makes a lot of sense. The idea that team culture could absolutely collapse after the coach leaves is pretty unbelievable. If it does, it was likely not very good or strong culture to begin with. And considering they had a strong willed leader in DJ White around, that’s saying a lot about the culture for it to crumble like it did.
Bob Kravitz - Now 1% more correct!
I’ll give credit where credit is due. Bob Kravitz’ crusade for Rick Greenspan’s head was probably based on the belief that he was vulnerable to some sort of pressure, and that believe was correct. So kudos, you were right Mr. Kravitz. I was very wrong. I firmly believed that Greenspan, having survived as long as he did, was in the clear. I would assume he would revel in the feeling of quiet confidence he gets. That’s right, of course he wouldn’t. In fact, why not just kick off your celebratory column like this:
Right off the bat, Mr. Kravitz brings it strong with every columnists two favorite tools: misrepresentation and hyperbole. Greenspan made at least one (hiring Sampson) and arguably two (failing to monitor him) big mistakes. But to characterize this as a reign of “error” is to flat out ignore the improved football program, enhanced facilities, excellent other coaching hires, and improved financial position the athletic department is in. We can debate whether these mistakes were so bad that he deserves to be fired, but they have to be debated against all the good things Greenspan has done.And to call this a reign of “terror” is to suggest that this was all intentional. That Greenspan hired Sampson and stop watching him for the purpose of damaging the IU Basketball program to the extent it was. To accuse Greenspan of gross professional negligence is one thing. To accuse him of malicious intent is entirely another. And if you’re going to try and be cute with letters in parentheses, at least get the spacing right.
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