Possibilities for IU next year

With IU stalwarts Derek Elston, Jordan Hulls and Christian Watford graduating, the IU lineup will look noticeably different next season with at least two new starters.

The question becomes just how different.

Both sophomore forward Cody Zeller and junior forward Victor Oladipo are considered likely lottery picks in the NBA Draft if they enter it this year.

There is also the matter of new faces on next year’s squad.

IU has a six-man recruiting class headed to Bloomington for next season, meaning six scholarships must be cleared up for the new freshmen. Departing seniors will account for half that number, but at least three other players from this team must leave to make room.

Either Zeller or Oladipo leaving early would help in that regard, but even if both left, IU would still need another spot to open up another way. Someone else could leave early for the draft, though that appears unlikely.

Some have speculated that perhaps junior guard Maurice Creek would forego his final season of eligibility. A member of the same 2009 class as the departing seniors, injuries largely derailed his career after a stellar start to his freshman season.

Another possibility would be a transfer from a current player in search of more playing time in a new situation. Sophomore forward Austin Etherington and freshman center Peter Jurkin, both of whom dealt with injuries this season, have been speculated as candidates.

Either way, at least six spots must open up and maybe more. The weekend also brought news that IU may look to add a seventh player to its 2013 recruiting class.

New Jersey point guard Jaren Sina was once committed to Alabama and later signed with Northwestern. However, the Wildcats’ coaching change led to Sina reopening his recruitment, and IU has emerged as a possibility.

There is also the possibility of one or more of the six freshmen, all of whom have already signed binding letters of intent, not making it to campus. Two IU signees under Crean, 2010 junior college center Guy-Marc Michel and 2012 guard Ron Patterson ultimately never suited up for IU.

Michel was hindered by eligibility clock questions, while poor grades troubled Patterson, who went to prep school and is now slated to attend Syracuse next year.

Neither appears likely to be an issue for anyone in the six-man class.

With all these factors, there are a number of possible lineups the team could field next season.