Day 2 – Abraham decision coming soon…I hope

By Sean Morrison | IDS multimedia editor

Posted at 9:31 am on March 15, 2010 | | | Comments (6)

Update:

John Decker of IU’s Scout affiliate just tweeted this story (subscription required). Seems like no decision tonight after all. I’ll keep watch in case anything changes.

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Update:

Still no word at half past seven. We’ll keep trying. Bear with us.

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Update:

All signs point toward a decision coming tonight in the next couple of hours. About to settle down with some food from my favorite restaurant back home and wait. Might be another late night, so I’ve already made the coffee. Should, hopefully, be very eventful and pleasant.

Join me, won’t you?

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Update:

Crean has returned to Bloomington and is touring the new basketball facilities according to his Twitter account, indicating to me that he won’t be taking a return trip at the end of the no-contact period tomorrow. This is a bit of a stretch, but that could mean he has said all there is to say to Abraham, strengthening the possibility of a decision being made tonight.

Looks like we’ll see in a couple hours.

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Update:

Inside the Hall is now reporting the decision might come at 9 p.m. Not sure of the reason for the discrepancy, but I’ve reached out to my source to receive some clarification. Regardless, all signs point to tonight as the night. Then again, all signs pointed to last night as the night, too. We’ll see what happens.

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Update:

For what it’s worth, I just received confirmation that Abraham will make his decision at 7 p.m. tonight. It’s reasonable to assume he could really go either way at this point. Stay with us for more coverage. Also, the no-contact period ends tomorrow, and with Crean in the area, there could be a potential meeting between the two should tonight’s decision time fall through.

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Update:

Here’s the gist of what I just gathered:

Abraham was supposed to decide yesterday. He talked to Crean yesterday, as well. Suddenly, Abraham didn’t feel like deciding anymore – or at least couldn’t based on what he’d heard.

This morning, Crean spoke to Abraham again. It’s obvious to my source that there’s something going on there, because otherwise Abraham would already be a Hoya. That’s Georgetown, to those of you unfamiliar with the situation.

Basically, Crean has tried to sway Abraham, and has, in part, been successful. If you were to ask me as of right now, I’d say this bodes well for IU and that the longer Abraham takes, the better for the Hoosiers.

Not necessarily better for me. But more fun, at least.

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Update:

Just got a text saying Abraham has already spoken with Crean. I’m working on finding out what they spoke about and the impression Crean made. We’ll hopefully hear back soon. Stay tuned.

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After a late night last night, I awoke to see Dustin Dopirak of the Herald-Times was the first to reach someone this morning. A source close to the situation told Dopirak “Indiana is doing a great job” in this final surge, making Moses Abraham’s decision difficult, and that Abraham will speak with IU coach Tom Crean via phone again today.

There was also no timetable placed on Abraham’s decision, as the source said that was “Up to Moses.”

I’m working on getting confirmation of my own. Follow this thread for more news as the day wears on.

Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comments (6)

What if…

By Jordan Cohen | IDS men's basketball columnist

Posted at 9:30 am on March 15, 2010 | | | Comment (1)

If Moses Abraham chooses IU today (or tonight, or at 3:30 a.m. or next week), the Hoosiers will fill their last scholarship opening for 2010-2011 and should be done with the 2010 class.

Assuming IU grabs one more member of the senior class — whether that’s Abraham, Will Yeguete or anyone else — the Hoosiers are already on pace to be one over the 13 scholarship limit for the year after.

Jeremiah Rivers is the only senior on next year’s team, but IU already has two verbals (Matt Carlino, Austin Etherington) tentatively set to come in for 2011-2012. 

Certainly, Crean is still targeting 2011 hard (Cody Zeller, Jeremiah Davis, etc.) and Big Ten rules permit a team to oversign by one. In other words, IU will need someone to leave if the team wishes to sign more than two players next fall.

Or a player would have to leave before next April if IU were to sign two in the fall and wanted to add another in the spring.

These things typically work themselves out, however, so we’ve just got to let it play out and go from there.

Scholarship numbers after the jump:

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Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comment (1)

The Real Ride – Little 500: Jordan Bailey Week I Part III

By Stephanie Kuzydym | IDS Little 500 beat reporter

Posted at 6:09 pm on March 14, 2010 | | | Comments (0)

This is the true post of Little 500 riders picked to have their lives surrounding America’s Greatest College Weekend posted to the web. To find out what happens when the IDS stops just reporting and starts getting real…check here for The Real Ride — Little 500 style.

I had a blast traveling to Florida.  I got to mingle with a lot of studs from the pro triathlete circuit, made a trip to Disney World, and had a good race to boot.  I finished the race in just over an hour, and I met all three time goals that I had set for myself.  I finished the swim in just over 9:00 minutes, the bike in about 29:00 minutes, and the run in about 19:00 minutes.  Overall, I placed 20th out of 40 competitors, and was the fifth fastest amateur finisher.  I was stoked about all of my times, though. They are definitely a positive indicator of good things to come in April.

The weather in Florida was fantastic:  70 degrees, sunny, and minimal wind — the perfect racing conditions.  I felt like I had brought the Florida weather back with me to Bloomington, because upon my return, suddenly spring started to rear its face around campus.  I was able to get in my first Frisbee golf game of the year Monday under beautiful sunny skies and nice 60 degree temps.

This past weekend, the Black Key Bulls made the trip to Greencastle, Ind., to race the DePauw Collegiate Road Race.  Stephen Mis posted a top 20 finish in the C’s race, Stephen Quay and I both finished in the top 20 of the B’s race, and Ren Jay Shei put in a valiant effort in the A’s race before dropping out with a lap to go.

Last night, all of the BKB riders along with the coaching staff of Isaac Neff and Valentin Todorow moved into our condo at the Eagle Point Golf Resort on Lake Monroe, where we will be staying for the duration of spring break.  The Point is truly an awesome place to stay, because our condo has more than ample room for all of our personnel and equipment, not to mention it gives us the feel of going away for spring break. But at the same time, we are still close enough to campus that we are able to go to the track every day to get in our workouts.  This week, we will be putting in a lot of hard, intense efforts on the track, as well as practicing numerous exchanges in order to get ready for qualifications, which will be the weekend after spring break.

Jordan

Jordan Bailey is a junior majoring in History. He rides for the Black Key Bulls.

Sections: Little 500 | | | Comments (0)

Pitching Hurts Hoosiers Again

By Pat Hickey | IDS baseball writer

Posted at 7:50 pm on March 15, 2010 | | | Comments (0)

Early pitching struggles forced a 9-0 deficit after three innings, and it proved to be too big of a lead of come back from as IU (5-9) dropped its’ afternoon match-up against Yale (5-3-1) by a score of 10-6.

The Hoosier offense began chipping away at the Yale lead in the fourth inning, when Alex Dickerson hit a two-run double. He would finish the game 2-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

The Yale offense tallied six extra-base hits in the contest, including three home runs.

Casey Smith is tagged with the loss, going only two innings, surrendering sevens runs. Matt Igel came in relief, firing four and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks.

IU will return to action on Tuesday with a 3 p.m. game against Bradley (4-6).

Sections: Baseball | | | Comments (0)

Midnight Madness – Moses Abraham decision coming soon

By Sean Morrison | IDS multimedia editor

Posted at 10:34 pm on March 14, 2010 | | | Comments (10)

Update:

One thing my youth and being on spring break affords me – time. I’m not giving up just yet, but if you’re feeling tired, I’m about 90 percent sure the decision isn’t coming tonight unless Abraham is a serious night owl. I’ll probably be up all night, anyway, like we crazy college kids always are, so I’ll be ready if anything breaks.

To those of you heading out, good night. To those of you staying on, thanks for the support. It’s what keeps me going.

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Update:

Here’s some video of Abraham with some pretty good commentary and a look at his abilities (in case you’re tired of refreshing the screen and need a five-minute break).

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Update:

Next text: “Trying might take to tomorrow”

Means two things: A long night ahead and a tough decision for Abraham.

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Update:

Just got a text from Boncore saying Abraham is indeed down to IU and Georgetown, dispelling rumors of it being a Maryland-Georgetown race. Asking if Abraham is making a final decision as I type. Check back soon.

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So, I’m at my grandfather’s desk right now as I type this. It’s 11:31 EST, my head hurts from all the coffee and I am waiting for a call. It’s the same call you all have been waiting for – the call Moses Abraham, the current name on every Hoosiers’ mouth, will make about which school he chooses to attend.

I’ll be up until the story’s up. If anyone has any leads, comment. I’ve called and texted his guardian, Joe Boncore, but no success as of yet. Follow this post for more updates.

Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comments (10)

Top recruit Abraham to decide tonight

By Greg Rosenstein | IDS sports editor

Posted at 4:12 pm on March 14, 2010 | | | Comments (0)

According to Inside The Hall’s  Zachary Osterman, 6-foot-9 IU target Moses Abraham will make his college decision late tonight. Abraham, rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, plays for Progressive Christian in the Washington D.C. area and is being looked at by many of the nation’s top programs.  

The Nigeria native has only been in the United States since late November, but possesses many of the explosive traits Division 1 programs are looking to add to their frontcourt. 

The Washington Post had an article today that linked Abraham to either Georgetown or Maryland, while other reports say its down to either the Hoyas or IU.  

Stay with the IDS and Hoosier Hype for updated content of IU men’s basketball recruiting.

Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comments (0)

Leininger, Offense Dominate

By Pat Hickey | IDS baseball writer

Posted at 2:55 pm on March 14, 2010 | | | Comments (0)

Sophomore pitcher Drew Leininger pitched the first complete-game shut-out in IU history since May of 2006, and he got three home runs in support as Indiana (5-8) beat Central Michigan (4-6) by a score of 9-0 on Sunday.

Leininger improves to 2-0 on the season, scattering eight hits and no walks in yet another impressive outing for the Hoosiers. He struck out four and induced nine ground outs in a 113 pitch day.

Alex Dickerson (6), Micah Johnson (4), and Ethan Wilson (1) all homered in support.

IU will return to action on Monday to face Yale (4-2-1) at 3 p.m. ET.

Sections: Baseball | | | Comments (0)

Slug Fest

By Pat Hickey | IDS baseball writer

Posted at 7:26 pm on March 13, 2010 | | | Comments (4)

After the field conditions forced the cancellation of the previously scheduled Bowling Green game, the Hoosiers found a game in Ocala, Fla. to play Miami (Ohio). Each team would hit five home runs a piece, but the RedHawks offense was just too potent, as they would end up winning 19-7.

Alex Dickerson hit two of the five Indiana (4-8) home runs. Micah Johnson, Josh Lyon, and Michael Earley would add one a piece.

Walker Stadler got the start for the Hoosiers, going 4 innings, giving up 10 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits and before getting the loss. He fell to 1-2 on the year.

The Hoosiers will face Central Michigan at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.

Sections: Baseball | | | Comments (4)

Rick Greenspan athletics director again

By Ryan Winn | IDS sports editor

Posted at 1:00 pm on March 13, 2010 | | | Comment (1)

Former IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan, notoriously known as the man who failed to monitor Kelvin Sampson, has been hired as the new athletics director at Rice University.

He replaces Chris Del Conte, who left Rice in October to become the athletics director at Texas Christian University.

Greenspan worked at IU from 2004-08, hiring current IU coach Tom Crean before Fred Glass took the job.

Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comment (1)

Transcript from last night’s press conference

By Jordan Cohen | IDS men's basketball columnist

Posted at 11:53 pm on March 12, 2010 | | | Comments (3)

It’s a night late, but here is the transcript from yesterday’s press conference following IU’s season-ending loss to Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament:

COACH CREAN (opening statement): I think the story of the game for us was really when we were up six, had six turnovers within four minutes and went down four. The bottom line of this game was the points at transfers, the transfers came at very tough points for us. There were times I think our youth showed maybe in the sense we were tentative in our first postseason type of action here with a lot of our — with probably half our team. But when we just were confident and attacked and got the ball into the middle against their press, we did some really good things. But we had a couple tough times with the ball, and they made us pay, and we’ve just got to continue to build our will on both ends of the court, build onto the rebounding mindset and culture that we’ve started to build again this year, and take that into a lot of different areas as we continue to bring the program back. I thought our guys moved pretty well defensively. They made a couple tough shots. When half your shots are threes, some of them are going to go in. But I think to hold them to 22 percent in the game, I think was a tribute to the way these guys defended. They were very active. But again, it was the points off turnovers, which got us and they did a great job of capitalizing on that.

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Sections: Men's Basketball | | | Comments (3)