DISQUS

kelin · 2 years ago

I think TZ ends up in North Carolina. His brother not playing much at ND doesn't help them and PU has J.Johnson and in TZ's class there isn't as much coming in with him at PU.....as far as IU, I don't think the sanctions hurt IU that much with him, he just may be a better fit with Roy than KS...I am more of a K.Jones fan than TZ....

Tim · 2 years ago

I just don't get the comments he makes. He says that he has no idea where he is going, and that he is just waiting for the day he wakes up and knows where he is going to go to school. It is just more proof that picking your college is the first real decision a person makes. Because if he had ever made a tough decision before, he would know you don't just wake up one morning with all your decisions made for you. Someday pretty close to signing day it will hit him like a ton of bricks, "Shit, I'm going to have to make a conscious decision and live with the consequences!" That is the way adulthood and the real world works.

Patrick · 2 years ago

While im holding out hope that he comes to Bloomington next year, UNC seems to make a lot of sense. My first thought when I heard UNC was that they already have a player just like him. Tyler Hansborough (sp?) was a very very similar player at the same age. Roy probably used that in his recruitment and how well it panned out. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Tyler wants to step out of our state's spotlight and go elsewhere to make a name for him self much like McRoberts did.

jaime gongora · 2 years ago

In the end I think that he going to choose UNC mainly because he gets along well with Roy williams. It kind of seems that the indystar believes that he's going there as well, because the majority of the pics that they show of tyler zeller have Roy williams right beside him.
Anywho I still think that Indiana would have been the better home because IU offers practicaly the same education, fan base ( though our students are more crazy), and basketball tradition. However, IU is closer to home, (it is cool when your parents can come watch your games, and his good friends are going to be playing at IU. If he does not choose IU, I think we can still benefit from it, because it opens up a scholarship for the highly talented 09 class. I would rather have room for stephenson if he decides to come to IU than Zeller. Who knows whats going to happen, but either way IU can still have the glass full mentality.

Anthony Hill · 2 years ago

I don't think you guys understand how important a quality big man is to this class. DJ will be gone and Eli can't do it alone. Zeller would not have the immediate impact of a Gordon or Stephenson, but he'd do a lot more for the program over four years. I think we're sitting better than everyone else here thinks. Come on Zeller.

kelin · 2 years ago

I guess what we all are saying is TZ go anywhere but PU

Craig · 2 years ago

Zeller was not born when either Eric Montross or Rick Fox began their careers at UNC.

And I doubt he was watching in his crib when Montross helped lead Carolina to the NCAA Championship in 1993.

I have a hard time believing that Zeller is more likely to head to UNC because "he wouldn't be the first Indiana kid to head to Chapel Hill".

I'm guessing if he ends up going down south to play in the ACC, it is more likely because of the opportunity for exposure, chance to play for a storied program, and the possibility of soon filling the role that Tyler Hansbrough currently holds in Roy Williams' lineup.

MPmike · 2 years ago

Zeller will probably end up at UNC, just like the other prized in-state big men-ala Montross, May, Fox etc. I'm hoping that maybe Zeller will turn the tide and start a wave of in-state big men landing in Hoosierland. Who knows? Sampson is starting to get some of the NY-NJ area players interested in IU. That's a first in how long? Would you say IU never had a east cost connection of recruits? Heck, we finally got a player from Kentucky for the first time in over 50 years. Oh, I forgot we had one- Mackey. If Sampson's only violation is having his assistants making too many phone calls,besides the three way calling, than this is a not a serious problem until he does it one last time. Give Sampson some time and we will see him run a program that will make us proud and stand up and shout IU!!!

Big A · 2 years ago

Craig,

I'm not saying that he'd go to UNC because other Indiana kids have gone there, I simply stated the facts, other Indiana kids have attended North Carolina. Whether or not it has any effect on Zeller is anyone's guess. Probably not. I mentioned UNC's prominence as a program and his relationship with Roy Williams.

Paul Newbill · 2 years ago

Big A,

Can you please explain what you mean by "And we all know the appeal of playing at IU." What is the appeal of playing at IU. The coach is a cheater and the facilities are poor.

Please advise.

kelin · 2 years ago

Paul are you that disgusted with the program that you overlook..."the team?". I understand your feelings about the coach, but what did DJ, EJ, Lance, Jordan...what did they do to you? Can you not separate the two? For a place with poor facilities there must be some appeal for roth, elston, ebanks and the rest.....

Mark · 2 years ago

I'm thinking he's leaning to PU. He has 3 in state schools left on his list. I get the feeling he doesn't want to go too far away. ND is probably out. His brother isn't getting any pt and Harangody will still be there clogging up the middle and Brey can't coach big men. IU probably was in the thick of it before the phone call debacle and I think that hurt them enough to move them into a strong 2nd place. So that leaves PU, who has a coach that has proven to do well with recruiting Indiana kids, seems to be a disciplinarian, runs a clean program, doesn't swear and PU isn't too far away. Plus any thought that IU may be hit hard by the NCAA will play a part in his decision. I think NC is a courtesy at this point. He visited PU last and that will be his lasting impression. Painter wins this round in my opinion.

Tim · 2 years ago

I feel that he is going to pick Purdue. He passed on going to Midnight Madness at either IU or UNC. That tells me that he didn't want to see the best each had to offer so he could more easily choose another. I also think ND is way more in the running than most are giving credit. The Catholics in Washington are very religious, including Zeller's family, and don't think that won't weigh a great deal in his decision. But with everything I know about Zeller, since the beginning he has just always 'seemed' like a Boiler. It would be a disappointment, really. :{

Witt · 2 years ago

kelin, every time someone says something that doesn't praise IU you jump on them like they are a complete moron. you need to look at things a more open mind. i think paul does raise an interesting question as to the current state of hoosier basketball. what exactly is the appeal of playing here?

i believe IU has one of the best programs in the country, but any recruit would be wise to carefully evaluate where he individually thinks the program is headed. it can easily been seen that IU is losing respect nationally. at the same time, sampson definitely knows how to win. the big questions won't be answered for at least two years, but that doesn't mean we can't discuss them.

yours truly,
witt

Jack Schneider · 2 years ago

Tyler has commented more than once about the excitement of Hoosier Hysteria, which translates into IU basketball. I believe he'll decide to stay at home and help IU compete for Big Ten and NCAA championships. IU will always be Indiana's flagship basketball school, and playing for the Hoosiers will mean more to Tyler throughout his life than playing for any other school. In a short time Sampson has IU back in the national elite. Tyler will want to help keep the Hoosiers there.

Jack Schneider · 2 years ago

When Witt says "it can easily be seen that IU is losing respect nationally," I wonder what basis he has for that. The fact that Sampson's program is gaining interest from potential recruits in most areas of the country refutes that. I don't believe players or fans care much about a few excessive phone calls, even if Sampson's judgment clearly can be called into question. When Sampson guides the Hoosiers to a Big Ten championship and into the NCAA Final Four this season, respect for IU basketball will be soaring.

Witt · 2 years ago

Jack-o-lantern,

I don't think losing scholarships persuades recruits to play for IU. I do agree that the program is gaining interest through the press, but I'm not sure that it is good press. I also agree that well will see quite a bit of success this season, there's just too much talent. I'm really just raising the flags for concern and not jumping ship. Fans and recruits probably don't care too much about these recent violations, but I don't see how they could possibly have a positive impact on the Hoosiers in the future as you seem to imply.

kelin · 2 years ago

Witt if you read Pauls post he talked about IU's poor facilities and their cheater coach....I jumped on him and you can have some too because...the facilities were poor before EJ signed, KS had sanctions before EJ signed...shall I go on....Before Jamarcus, Ebanks, Roth, Elston, crawford, Deandre, all signed the facilities were still poor and ks still had the sanctions following him...NOW GIVEN ALL of those FACTS and not random statements made by Paul and you....tell me where the facilities and cheater coach is hurting this program.....

WHY would over a dozen recruits come to IU's midnight madness with those crappy facilities and a coach who can't stay off the phone...UNC has better facilities...so does Duke....

I will await your response...and please answer my questions and read my post. You can smash KS as much as I have at times but don't over blow what has happened GOOD and BAD...IU is a NATIONAL program STILL and gaining ground.

OH wait is the program hurting because Kent Benson said it was? or was it Ted Kitchel?

Witt · 2 years ago

kellen,

i was just asking you not to jump all over people, i didn't credit or discredit anything you have said, just your general attitude. and again, i call you out and you pounce like an eager simba learning to hunt.

i raised the question, what is the appeal of playing at IU? i was trying to open some discussion about what exactly makes recruits want to play for IU in light of the recent tragedies, but you gave your standard response:

EJ, roth, ebanks, eli, jamarcus, etc.... then it must be good.

however, just because we're getting some great athletes right now, that doesn't answer the question as to why they want to come here. you may also note that i stated that i expect success this year because of how much talent we have. so i'm not sure where you get this idea that i believe our program is hurting.

if i ever had the opportunity to play here (implying that i grew 4-10 inches and learned how to make a layup), IU would absolutely be on the top of my dream program list. yet, i don't know why or at least how to verbalize what would attract me to the program.

so, i reapeat...

what about the IU basketball program appeals to recruits? is it the short skirts with ugg boots? or maybe the dorm food? perhaps it is the kinsey institute promising free condoms?

conversely, how does that compare to the things that may detract from our greatness? possibly the strained politics between different IU campuses? the missing oaken buckets? do i even need to mention sanctions?

thanks,
witt

p.s. please read at least 3 times and take a cold shower before responding.

Witt · 2 years ago

kellen,

i'm glad you have confirmed my assessment that you don't open your eyes when you read. my post was to point out your closed-mindedness and not to take a side. just like you did with timmy boy, as soon as i called you out on your poor blog comment etiquette, you pounced on me like a young eager simba learning to hunt. if you actually take the time to read and think at the same time, you will notice that i did not credit or discredit much that you or paul had to say. i simply asked a new question intending to create some intelligible discussion on what exactly attracts recruits to iu.

naturally, your response is and will always be the same and something like this:

EJ, eli, jordan, roth, pritchard, ebanks, elston, deandre, etc.... it must be the best place ever if they are coming. >

however, though this may be a completely true and accurate statement-note my last post stating the amazing talent we have this year-it doesn't answer WHY they want to come here. and when i say they, i don't mean recruits that we already have, but recruits we are still trying to get, such as zeller, van treese, stephenson, and so on.

so i repeat....

what attracts recruits to IU's program? is it the dorm food? maybe its the ugg boots with skirts and tights combo that the ladies fashion here? perhaps its kinsey institutes infinite supply of condoms?

conversely, what types of things detract from the IU program? could the strained relationship between IU campuses hurt our recruiting? or are the weather patterns just completely unattractive?

my point, kind sir, is that you just attack other people's comments instead of contributing to worthwhile conversation.

to answer the only question that seems worthwhile, the cheater coach hurts the program when we can't recruit as many athletes each year. lost scholarships cannot possibly by any twisted mind be conceived as a good thing.

thank you for your time,
witt

p.s. please read at least 3 times AND take a cold shower before going into simba mode.

Witt · 2 years ago

on facilities though... does anyone else find it odd that the trustees approved to build a new arena that doesn't seat more people than assembly?

Tim · 2 years ago

Witt,

I don't find it odd because the trustees have not approved to build any new arena. They have approved recently the North End Zone Complex, the Basketball Development Facility, new Baseball and Softball Fields, and a decision not to renovate Assembly Hall but rather to replace it in the indefinite future with a yet to be designed new arena.

P.S. What about anything you have posted is "worthwhile conversation"? You're just spouting off random incoherent statements.

kelin · 2 years ago

I'm sorry DimWitt-
Maybe it is you who need to read what you, paula, and myself are posting....here is part of your quote DW

"it can easily been seen that IU is losing respect nationally. ....."

and ofcourse here is part of your hero's quote..."What is the appeal of playing at IU. The coach is a cheater and the facilities are poor."

Now I understand you are new to the computer world and that Atari 1500 has been hard to let go, when it comes to a "blog" spelled B-L-O-G, I and everyone else has to right to say what we want. I think Paul's comments as well as yours are an indication that both of you are distant relatives of Bob but you just don't want to admit it, you have a hard time separating the team and the coach, and if you think kids come to schools for facilities....you are sadly mistaken in 2007!

I won't waste my time picking apart your quote of IU losing respect nationally because it has no foundation....oh wait yes it does...Kent Benson, Joe Hilman, and Ted "recruit my kid" Kitchel ALL believe IU is a step above Hell now. So DW yes if I feel something on this blog..spelled B-L-O-G is worth responding too I will......just as everyone has the right to do the same with my post.

jaime gongora · 2 years ago

Witt, you really are spouting incoherent statements. Sad........ Very Sad. Sniff.. For one I believe there is plenty of constructive arguments that argue against IU's favor. Just look at both sides of the coin with the Sampson phone call issue and the Bud mackey situation. I think there is a difference when someone provides good argumentative points, instead of treating someone like an idiot. AKA like how Paul insulted our program and how you insulted Kellen. At times I disagree with them but I don't treat them like idiots. Respect, thats what it all boils down to.
jaime

Witt · 2 years ago

i prefer nitwitt.

to clarify on IU losing respect nationally. i meant that it is easy to perceive the situation as bad press for IU basketball, not that "Oh my god, IU is now the worst program ever." i believe i followed that statement by crediting sampson's ability to win, which should ultimately outweigh this setback. i'd challenge you to make a case that self-imposed and/or NCAA imposed sanctions are good for a large basketball program, because it sounds as though you are in complete denial that this will have any effect on us. how can losing scholarships not affect us? even with bud mackey gone, could we not give the scholarship to someone else?

also, i'd like you to find a quote where i say that we are losing appeal due to facilities, you are assuming this is my stance because i just happened to make my remarks following paul's comments. i read paul's comment and thought to myself, "gosh, what is making people still want to come here? we've clearly had some bad issues that should theoretically push athletes away, yet we seem to still be recruiting top prospects. hmm, why is that?"

you have yet to even attempt to answer that question. it is practically an open-ended essay on why you are an IU fan.

i don't know where the bob knight comments come from. i believe he was a great coach in his time, but he WAY outlived his time here. if you disagree with him being a good coach and for the most part developing IU's winning tradition, then i feel that you should personally remove the banners from assembly. yet, i wouldn't want him back right now either, his ship has sailed. in fact, i haven't even proposed that we seek a different coach, just that we evaluate sampson at the end of the season (which i hope we do with all coaches at the end of every season anyway). unfortunately for sampson, he isn't starting this season with a clean slate.

just so we're clear..

i'm not anti-sampson. however, i'm extremely skeptical of him. he's made the same mistake twice within a VERY short time span. believe it or not, the best predictor of a person's future actions are the actions of his past. that's not saying that people can't change, or the sampson should be branded a cheater for life, it's just an observation on society in general. i would love for him to get his act together and prove 'NitWitt's postulate of behavioral predictors' completely wrong. i think IU basketball will have a lot of success on the court as long as he is the coach. however, success on the court isn't the ONLY thing that is important in college basketball. unless he can guarantee every single one of his athletes a professional basketball career and no risk of injury, i think it is in the athlete's best interest to go to class and graduate.

i must admit, your response was quite witty, no pun intended. i'll be on the lookout for Mr. Hanson.

did i spell blog wrong? i didn't get the B-L-O-G remarks.

regards,
witt

kelin · 2 years ago

Witt....here is a non-insulting post for you...which is my norm whether you agree with me or not....

What is the attraction to IU despite the poor facilities and the KS cloud? Trying to look through the eyes of a teen phonom I would have to say it is a few things....from a basketball standpoint IU is a "Nationally Exposed" program and the fan base is very knowledgeable and strong. I heard Jamarcus Ellis say at Midnight Madness was the largest crowd he has played in EVER in his life and has seen nothing like. I read one of the recruits at midnight madness say IU fans are very Knowledgable and he didn't get that feeling on other visits elsewhere. Indiana basketball receives a lot of exposure and kids know that.....

Secondly, I think kids are far far more forgiving than adults are, which is the way our society works these days.....I think KS is very engaging to them and they can relate to them. In some cases he is that father figure they are use too or have not had and those things are attractive. I look at his interaction with the players and no matter which player it is, they all give him a balanced amount of respect. The sanctions I believe do not work against him when it comes to the "player" looking at IU.....(unless you know what happens with the ncaa..i don't want to say the word")

Finally, losing a scholarship I don't believe will have a major affect on IU under the circumstances of our team....we are young, we have kids who may be leaving early, and the unfortunate incident with Bud...I am looking down the road but I think the effects will be minimal.

robert · 2 years ago

Take this for what it is worth, but a good friend of mine's brother is on the team with him and he told him that Tyler's mother does't want him to go to IU and this was a recent revelation. I'm guessing it has to do with the phone call business. I'm not making this up only relaying information that I was told. Not sure all this plays into his decision, but after talking with him I have the feeling that UNC has the upper hand.

Witt · 2 years ago

i feel like this is one of the bucceto's pizza greek house races at football games... where two kids from 3 different frats and sororities stand there while it ends up just being a random algorithm with animation to determine the winner.

i guess we'll know sometime around the ball state game...