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    Things are Heating Up With Indiana’s 2019 Recruiting Targets

    Mike SchumannBy IU Basketball No Comments

    As we have previously written, while Indiana’s 2018 recruiting class is solid and possibly great, it is the 2019 class that will really determine the trajectory of the program under Archie Miller.  High level college basketball recruiting is a never ending process of reloading top talent.  Miss on a class or two, and the results will be felt for years to come.

    Archie Miller and his staff need to come up the formula that makes IU a destination program that produces top 20 recruiting classes year in and year out.  If that doesn’t happen, all of the coaching talent in the world will struggle to survive the rigors of the Big Ten and consistently compete at the elite levels of the game.

    The potential for a home run 2019 class is certainly there.  While Miller isn’t necessarily casting a wide net, Indiana is in the hunt for some of the premier players, including the top guys in-state.  This is the time of year that will make or break the class.  Visits are being set up and lists will begin to be trimmed.

    Indiana had received commitments from 2018 signees Jerome Hunter and Damezi Anderson by July of 2017, Robert Phinisee in August and Jake Forrester in September.  Many of the visits, discussions and ultimately the decisions happened between those commitments and April of 2017.  So the time is now for the ultra-important 2019 class.

    We will continue to monitor what is going on and keep you up to date.  Here is what we’ve learned thus far:

    KEION BROOKS

    If Archie Miller wants to focus “inside out” and secure the state of Indiana’s top talent, then Keion Brooks is job one.  Reports suggest that Indiana will be in Fort Wayne this weekend to visit the home of Brooks and his family.

    While some believe that Indiana is in the driver’s seat with Brooks, it is far from certain with the impressive list of other schools competing for the 5-star 6-8 wing from Fort Wayne North Side.  If you believe the predictions at 247 Sports (which we caution against), then it appears that Michigan State is in the lead, but Indiana has made up ground.  The truth is that it is too soon to know on this one.  It could be the Hoosiers, Spartans or a surprise at this point.

    TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS

    Jackson-Davis took an in-home visit with Archie Miller and other assistants on Thursday.  Indiana is thought to be in the lead for the 6-8 forward from Greenwood, Indiana, although he has offers from several Big Ten programs.

    Other outlets have suggested that Jackson-Davis will take at least 3 in home visits this month.  He also had the opportunity to participate in Team USA workouts last week in San Antonio in connection with the Final Four.

    TRENDON WATFORD

    Watford, the younger brother of former Hoosier Christian Watford, is generally thought to be leaning towards Alabama.  He is still entertaining Indiana as an option however:

    In addition to the in-home visit with Watford, Indiana is anticipating that the 6-8 5-star from Alabama will be making another visit to Bloomington.  He also visited IU in September.

    OTHER NAMES WE ARE WATCHING

    • Matthew Hurt (6-9, 5-star, Minnesota):  The competition here is ridiculously steep, with Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Bill Self and John Calipari all visiting this week.  Reports have IU visiting Hurt in mid-April.
    • Isaiah Stewart (6-8, 5-star, LaPorte, IN):  Thought to be a Duke lean and taking visits from Coach K and Syracuse this week.  Indiana apparently still in the hunt but not viewed as likely.
    • Aidan Igiehon (6-10, 4-star, New York):  Not a lot of news but IU is still viewed as an upper tier contender.
    • Mason Gillis (6-7, 4-star, New Castle):  Has offers from Purdue and Ohio State but not from Indiana yet.
    • Armaan Franklin (6-4, 4-star, Indianapolis):  Same as Gillis — offers from Purdue and Ohio State.  Indiana is still watching.
    • D.J. Carton (6-3, 4-star, Iowa):  Indiana is scheduling an in-home visit this month per @matthewbain_.
    • Brandon Newman (6-3, 3-star, Valparaiso): An emerging in-state player that is starting to get the attention of the big programs including IU, Purdue and Minnesota.

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    Photo credit – prephoops.com

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