DISQUS

Tom · 1 year ago

Let him go. The reason Sampson got in trouble was kissing up to certain guys. Memphis is a good spot for those guys.

B (MD) · 1 year ago

Ummm, call me crazy, but speaking of NCAA violations, isn't Memphis contacting a player that currently has a signed letter of intent with another school against the rules?

Isn't that way worse than extra phone calls?

Chris · 1 year ago

No, the article states that his coach said Memphis contacted him and his AAU coach, not Ebanks himself. As well, Memphis was one of the main schools recruiting him before he committed here, so they were most likely just picking up where they left off.

As much as I don't like to hear of talent leaving IU, Calipari runs a clean program in Memphis and we should give him his due.

Brian · 1 year ago

Eric Gordon changing his mind and going to IU has been such a huge story nationally. So many coaches and analysts have been very outspoken about Sampson and how he should have handled that situation (i.e. contacting Weber first). I just wonder how many of these current coaches contacting Ebanks have called IU to say, "Do you care if we recruit Devin even though he has already signed his LOI?" In my opinoin, this is much worse than the Gordon situation but it is not getting the national attention. Ebanks may not be as talented as Gordon, but he is still a Top 15 prospect.

That being said, I can't fault Ebanks for wanting out but at least give IU a chance to hire a new coach first.

Ricky · 1 year ago

The article did not say if Memphis actually talked with Ebanks himself, just his coaches, and I would guess that that is ok. i don't really know the rule, but still.

And I know the situations are totally different and I'm not saying anyone has done this, but lets not stoop to Illinois' level and bitch and moan about a player decommitting. If I were him, I wouldn't want to come to IU at this point in time because there is so much uncertainty. And I've said before, he could just be a big headache. Someone as good as him has to do a lot of bad shit to get suspended from a high school team, but he did get suspended so he must have done something. He has a history of doing dumb shit. He is a good player but he might not be worth the headache

IndianaJoe · 1 year ago

Ebanks signed a letter of intent. Gordon was only verbal. Completely different situation, but I can't blame Memphis. This whole situation reminds me of picking up chicks on the rebound. Some said it's like shooting fish in a barrel, and I think that's what Calipari is trying to do. Calipari should definitely wait for Devin to make up his mind, but that's not the coach he is.

Matt J. · 1 year ago

Are you kidding, he's already fanning the ink on the check. Calipari is such a scumbag.

Matt T · 1 year ago

so i guess that you would hate it if your coach picked up a player that is talking about decommiting. shit man its called being a great coach. pitino does it, so i guess he is a scumbag too. so shut up dude

B (MD) · 1 year ago

Like Joe said, Gordon was only a verbal commit, so it's totally different situation (although I've always thought Sampson should have notified Weber, although I also think that Weber is such a baby he would have thrown a fit anyways, but I digress).

I'm pretty sure even contacting the coaches and putting out feelers of a signed player is against the rules. Pretty sure it's against the rules until Ebanks is given a release.

I can understand a kid wanting to re-explore his options in this situation, but I think it's poor for a player to not at least keep their current school high on his list and give a new coach the chance to keep him.

Joseph P · 1 year ago

You guys are all a bit off target. From this article and everything else I've heard, Ebanks' HS and AAU coaches have reached out to Memphis, but there has been no contacting of anyone from Ebanks' side by Memphis to date.

Calipari obviously knows the rules. He's hasn't coached for this long to not know how to handle NLI's.

Patrick Donohue · 1 year ago

Without question, college basketball is, and to some extend always has been, a coaches game. Whereas the NBA is a players league dominated by superstars, college basketball is a game of superstar coaches and it should come as a surprise to no one that kids are picking colleges because of the coach there. How else would you explain the recruiting class that Tommy Amaker has going to Harvard next year, aside from the fact that the university has apparently lowered admission standards?

Making sure Ebanks came to IU next year and a win at Michigan State were two things I thought Dan Dakich could do to really bolster his resume and strengthen his case for why he should be kept on as head coach. It now appears he will do neither.

Sherron Wilkerson · 1 year ago

I tried to tell you that he isn't coming to IU because he cant wear a headband. Lets win one for DJ who has given everything he has to the cream and crimson. Thanks for everything D, your officially one of my favorite Hoosiers of all time

tberry · 1 year ago

Yeah, that headband crap is the one thing I think makes the Tennessee team look hoakie. Bruce Pearl is a great coach but I can't stand the headbands.

IU better get used to the fact that none of the really good recruits are going to hang around if other really good programs come calling. They have no idea who IU's new coach will be and with Greenspan's record, it will be some second rate hold over coach. The good recruits want to know they are playing for a coach that will get them to some type of championship.

drode · 1 year ago

With or without him next year is going to be a rebuilding year. He will be a one and done just like Gordon. There is something to build on with Roth and Pritchard for the next coach. Get use to the fact that next year we will be in the middle of the big ten while purdue is at the top. This is the price we are paying for gambling on a hire like sampson. This guy will not hang another banner in Assembly Hall. Smart recruiting (hint: matt painter) will hang more banners. This makes my main concern our next coach, not an immature high school senior who has tunnel vision straight to the NBA. Teamwork and smart basketball wins at the college level, not 6'9" wingmen (Kevin Durant). It would be nice to see him next year in Bloomington, but not the end of the world if he doesn't. Go hoosiers!

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

I agree and disagree.

Take the story of Carmelo Anthony. I really think he was a "one-and-done" guy who did it the right way. They played great team ball. Hakim Warrick was a stud. Gerry McNamara showed what he was going to be able to do for a few more years. Kueth Duany, the B-Town boy did the little things.

Some say Carmelo hung that banner...and we all know the kind of immaturity he had (just google "Stop Snitchin' if you don't believe). But, it was great teamwork that really did it.

Success comes when you take a superstar with tunnel vision, distract him into playing team ball, and surround him with guys who do one or two things REALLY well. Takes a great coach to do that.

We could have that type of situation next year. Think about it. Bassett could fill that McNamara role. We don't have a shotblocker like Warrick, but 'Cuse really didn't have a playmaker like The Undisciplined One. Ellis is a favorite to fill the Duany role. Would love to see Roth come in and shoot the lights out in spots. All we need is that one "it" guy, and a coach to put it all together.

Unfortunately, those two things are the toughest things in college ball to find.

drode · 1 year ago

Very good points, but that is a real stretch. I love your optimism, and being a hard core hoosier fan I carrry that attitude myself. Hopefully, the next coach has a S on his chest and can come in and save the day. We also do not know who is going to jump ship, mainly, Bassett. I just pray that Dak can hold it together this year long enough for us to make a good run.

Joe · 1 year ago

Here's another thing to consider.........what promises were made to Ebanks that can't be kept, now that the man that made them isn't there anymore. Most of these kids, before they set foot on the gym floor, want to know how much playing time they are going to get. For all we know Sampson may have promised him he'd be on the floor for the first tip of the '08-'09 season. With that gurantee gone, he (or his people - amazing isn't it that he already has people) are now shopping for a starting position. Calipari is just the type to make that promise. Good luck and good riddance!

Kevin · 1 year ago

Both Ebanks and Indiana agreed that if there was a coaching change than Ebanks would be let out of his LOI. In addition, we'll see some type of NCAA sanctions over this. A lot has changed since Ebanks signed his LOI.

Jay · 1 year ago

I don't understand the venom directed toward Devin. It makes a monority of IU fans look like foolish vindictive hicks. Sorry, gang, but it does.

IU caused its own problems. We did this to ourselves, and now we have to pay the price for mind-boggingly incompetent administrators. We should direct our anger there, where it belongs, instead of railing against a high school kid.

I hope Devin comes to IU and has a terrific career. He would be great for IU, and IU would be great for him. If he chooses to go elsewhere, I still hope he has a great career. Just not against us.

Jay · 1 year ago

Oops. I meant "minority." Hey, ITH, how about adding SpellCheck for foolish hicks like me?

Alex · 1 year ago

Jay,

Get Firefox. Any word you misspell will be underlined in red as you type.

Jay · 1 year ago

Thnks.

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

if I were Ebanks I would at least consider leaving for a school that has a chance at a Final Four in my one season there. Why would he want to play for a team that's going to win 30+ games in a mid-major league and get bounced in the Elite 8 again (like they will this year)?

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

Mid-major? In the last 9 years, we've had 9 Final Four teams in the Big Ten. Not bad when you consider there's other good conferences like the ACC, Pac-10, SEC, Big East and Big 12. I'll take a quarter of the Final Four teams any day.

Granted, it's been a down few years for the Big Ten, but mid-major is a little dramatic.

And, given what's happened this year, I'd be quite happy with a Elite 8 finish...you know, after a week or two or however long it takes me to gain some perspective.

Phil · 1 year ago

He was calling CUSA a mid-major, and that Memphis will lose in the elite 8 like they have the past two years.

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

Ah.

James D · 1 year ago

Let's not stoop to the level that Illinois did with us when EG came to Bloomington. We make ourselves look bad when we disparage everybody else. Calipari runs a first-rate program down there (definitely not a mid-major team even though they are in that league) and we should just let the kid decide for himself and move on. If he ends up deciding to stay, that's fine too.

All of this is just an extension of the whole Sampson mess, and we'll deal with it and move on to rebuild next season and be fine.

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

It's almost 5 pm EST on game night and Timmy hasn't posted his traditional "Who the hell cares, where's my game thread?" post.

This world never ceases to surprise me.

drode · 1 year ago

Another comment for those of you who insist on an "Indiana guy" for the next coach. Robert Montgomery (Bob or Bobby) Knight (born October 25, 1940, in Massillon, Ohio). Began his coaching career at the United States Military Academy. I may be blind, but I do not see the word Indiana in either of those sentences. The point is quit looking at the past, and look to the future. I, honestly, could care less if the next coach grew up shooting at a termite infested backboard tacked up on the side of a southern Indiana barn wearing cream and crimson stripped shorts. If the next coach can read x's and o's, and hit the recruiting circuit hard, then I do not care where he is from, or what ties he has. A few words for those of you whining about an "Indiana guy". Quit eating up my social security, because I won't be able to retire until I'm 70, and accept the fact that college basketball has changed. Kids do not care (in most cases) about the name on the front of the jersey. Granted our rich tradition helps with recruiting, but it isn't everything. I want an offense that is constently moving, and a defense that is suffocating (whether it be zone or man). Whomever it is that can bring that to Indiana University I do not care. Take your blinders off and smell the coffee. It is time to wake up. We need more recruits like D.J., recruits that have heart. Any coach that can consistently bring that to B-town I am content with. Next year will be a new chapter in IU basketball, hopefully, it is a chapter that brings more NCAA championships. FYI if anyone wants to see purdue get beat again they have a replay on ESPNU. It kinda makes me smile!

Chuck · 1 year ago

If he does not want to play for IU, then I want the kid to be happy in his college experience. If getting the IU program back on the right path means losing a few players and having a couple of down years, then so be it.

CB in OR · 1 year ago

Memphis? I mean come on. Damn. Memphis? Basketball facilities? Memphis? Academics? TV time? I think that we may as well end the hipocrisy and offer a One_and-Done scholarship for the golden children. Ebanks, no thanks.
Look, I wanna win like everyone else but there is that "something" called integrity or ethics of sportsmanship but that "something" says we WANT to interview DD and we will consider him and if he is a winner we will award him the job because he earned it.
Also, I think Ebanks needs to be released from his LOI to allow the courting process to begin anew. Someone at the NCAA has obviously been sucking farts outta dead goats.

Burn Master · 1 year ago

Memphis? Yes, Memphis. Basketball facilities? Fed Ex Forum--enough said. Academics? I went to Memphis and I know that hypocrisy is spelled with a "y" and not an "i". Speaking of hypocrisy, it's interesting that another poster put down Memphis for losing in the Elite 8 the last two years, when your beloved Hoosiers failed to make the Sweet Sixteen. The real question is why would Ebanks have signed with Indiana in the first place. But, I guess we all know the real answer to that.

TopDog · 1 year ago

Well, IU used to have a top program. Today, they can only wish that their program will one day be at the level of Memphis.