by Kent Sterling

Last night’s game was just about what was expected – Purdue played some very good defense and rode JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore offensively to a drama free win.  Indiana played hard, but they don’t have a Moore or Johnson.

Indiana fans are looking forward to saying goodbye to both of those seniors, who have led the Boilers to four straight wins over the Hoosiers and coach Tom Crean.  They are also looking forward to a big hello to recruits who have signed to join the Indiana program next year and given a verbal commitment for years beyond that.

Both Christian Watford and Crean told Dan Dakich yesterday that they believe Watford’s hand will be healed sufficiently to allow him to play this Saturday against Michigan, which would mean a significant immediate improvement over what Indiana had since the loss to Michigan State.

Indiana fans need a pick me up today, and so below is the most positive and optimistic assessment of the future I can muster.  With an eye toward that bright future, here’s look at the Indiana roster of scholarship players (hey, I love walk-ons, but they are impossible to project into the future) for the next four seasons:

’10-’11

• Bobby Capobianco
• Maurice Creek
• Derek Elston
• Jordan Hulls
• Verdell Jones III
• Victor Oladipo
• Tom Pritchard
• Jeremiah Rivers
• Matt Roth
• Will Sheehey
• Christian Watford

’11-’12

• Bobby Capobianco
• Maurice Creek
• Derek Elston
• Austin Etherington
• Jordan Hulls
• Verdell Jones III
• Victor Oladipo
• Tom Pritchard
• Matt Roth
• Will Sheehey
• Christian Watford
• Cody Zeller

’12-’13

• Bobby Capobianco
• Maurice Creek
• Derek Elston
• Austin Etherington
• Yogi Ferrell
• Jordan Hulls
• Peter Jurkin
• Victor Oladipo
• Ron Patterson
• Hanner Perea
• Matt Roth (must apply and be approved for medical redshirt)
• Will Sheehey
• Christian Watford
• Cody Zeller

’13-’14

• Devin Davis, Jr.
• Austin Etherington
• Yogi Ferrell
• Collin Hartman
• Peter Jurkin
• Victor Oladipo
• Ron Patterson
• Hanner Perea
• Will Sheehey
• Cody Zeller

’13-’14

• James Blackmon, Jr.
• Devin Davis, Jr.
• Austin Etherington
• Yogi Ferrell
• Collin Hartman
• Peter Jurkin
• Trey Lyles
• Ron Patterson
• Hanner Perea
• Cody Zeller

If there is anything Indiana fans need to see on the morning after a loss to Purdue is that series of rosters.  The ’12-’13 roster is plus one with 14 players, but those roster issues have a way of working themselves out, or having a coach work them out if they don’t get there on their own.

A lot of those names might not be familiar with high school kids in Indiana.  I’ve seen all but Devin Davis, Jr., and can tell you that every one of these kids can flat play.  Etherington and Zeller are outstanding.  Don’t let Etherington’s lack of a ranking in some services bug you.  First of all, the rankings define meaningless.  He is a gritty defender who can flat shoot, and plays at the rhythm of the game.  Great kid, and really good player who will make Indiana better.

The freshman class coming in for ’12 is stacked.  Perea is a freak athlete at 6’8″.  Ferrell is a great leader, and pure point guard who can do everything well.  Jurkin is similar in frame and ability to JaJuan Johnson.  Patterson is a defensive stud built like a free safety who rebounds exceptionally well for his height – 6’4″.

The duo in 2013 is a little farther out.  Collin Hartman is 6’6″, and good at everything, but his best trait is his ability to learn and compete.  He can shoot it, and is strong for his age.  Davis, as I wrote earlier, I haven’t seen.

James Blackmon, Jr., and Trey Lyles have a chance to be the Michael Conley and Greg Oden of this class.  Lyles is a freshman who looks nothing like a freshman with great hands and feet.  He can handle and shoot it.  I don’t know whether he has the motor that Alan Henderson had, but he sure plays like him.  Blackmon looks and acts like a basketball player who is going to be crazy good.

The waiting is the hardest part, according to Tom Petty, who must be an Indiana basketball fan.  People in Indiana who need a quick pick me up should get out and watch any of these kids play.

If you are heading to Carmel High School tonight to watch Hamilton Southeastern’s Gary Harris play against the Greyhounds, make sure and say hello.  Harris is as good as anyone in the state of Indiana, and is undecided as to where he’ll go to college.  If IU kind get Harris, it might be time to start cutting red fabric.

A lot can happen between now and the next five years, but there the light at the end of the tunnel is coming and when it gets here, you better have your sunglasses ready.  Go see the kids who’ve promised to head to Bloomington, and tell me I’m wrong.

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