The Indiana Hoosiers could be the preseason #1 next year. If instant impact freshman Cody Zeller and hero of the Kentucky game Christian Watford return, and former star wing Maurice Creek is the same player he was before injury, IU is going to be a juggernaut.
They have a very solid core returning, and the 3rd rated recruiting class coming in. The Hoosiers have five solid incoming freshmen, one at each position, with Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell leading the way.
Yogi, in Chicago for the McDonald’s All-American game, is the headliner of this class.
Ferrell choose Indiana partially because of the location; allowing his family to come watch all his games. He also prioritized playing time
“I definitely wanted to go to a program where I knew I could start the first day I went,” Ferrell said.
Indiana has no true point guard next year, so Yogi will be replacing the graduated Verdell Jones III, but Jordan Hulls could hold it down while Ferrell adjusts to college life. Hulls is anything but a true point, and he’s a horrific defender, but he is a dangerous perimeter shooter. After the first three years of the Tom Crean era were extremely lean, the Hoosiers broke through this year, earning a national ranking for much of the year and reaching the sweet sixteen.
“For them to be this good now, and for me and the four other guys going there next year, I feel like we can be even better and hopefully make it to the national championship,” Ferrell said.
On paper, it appears IU will produce Ws like the Palin family produces children next season. Especially if Creek returns and blends “He’s definitely an offensive threat, and someone I want to find on the court,”said the 5-11 Indianapolis and Park Tudor high school product.
“It’s very physical, some big bidies down low, so I know I can’t go in amongst the trees,”
Ferrell is a high IQ player, who’s strengths include court vision, on-the-ball defense, defending in pressure situations and the mid range jumper. What does he to improve upon?
“getting stronger and finishing around the rim. I feel tall guys put a little bit more loft on the ball,” said the young floor general who looks up to Chris Paul.
Here’s an in-depth scouting report on Ferrell
And a breakdown of the Hoosiers stellar recruiting class
Ferrell choose IU over Florida, Virginia, Butler, Wake Forest.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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How many games have you seen IU play?
To say Hulls is a horrific defender is. Ridiculous
Without Hulls on the floor the team doesn’t
Win. Just ask Crean!
John,
Hulls is a terrible defender…what games are u watching? He has a great shot and quick release but is limited with athletic ability and overall speed…you should have seen at on the VCU game.. He got beat to the hole all year…i cant even count how many layups he gave up.
thank you! he’s one of the worst defenders in Div 1. Just because he’s described as a “gamer” by coaches or media or “winning pct as a player” that doesn’t always reflect accurately individual traits in their game