I’m not saying he will, just saying that a learning disability doesn’t preclude you from success.

Yes, if I had to choose 1 it would be Bertrand. He’s in many 2014 mock NBA drafts. While that doesn’t mean a whole lot, I’m just saying he has shown a lot in the past that should put him in this top 25. His stats may not paint the whole picture because he’s been a sixth man for the past couple years, but it’s very reasonable to assume he will make a big step this year as a starter.

Also, Abrams finished top 10 in assists and steals in the B1G on a team that was led by 4 seniors. I believe he deserves mention too.

Rayvonte shouldn’t be on this list because he hasn’t played a B1G game, but I think he will be by the end of the year.

I truly believe Illinois will surprise people this year. There’s a lot of talent on the roster and the new coaching staff is a force to be reckoned with. They finished in the bottom half of the league last year and almost made it to the Sweet Sixteen. I think UI vs. IU will be wayyyy more interesting than people think. Can’t wait to see it.

Right, but the kids should know better than listen to another coach talking about a situation elsewhere.

The teams Michigan faced had no big men? McGary went to head with each of the following on the way to the Finals:

Jeff Withey (Kansas) – Co-National Defensive Player of the Year

Patric Young (FL) – Not a stout offensive player, but is made of pure muscle

Whoever on Syracuse (everyone here knows their bigs gave Cody fits)

Gorgui Deng – Big East DPOY, NBA 1st rounder

my list would be GRIII Mc Gary then Vonleh then Harris. This is similar to nba draft express… MSU and MICH had 3 on the top 100 list. IU had two with Sheehey being the other at #88.

Rankings are not perfect. Take a look at the top recruits the last couple years…

If Teague would’ve come to IU instead of UK, would we have beaten them in the tourney a couple years ago? Some say, all that we were missing was a PG, and the eventual champion would’ve been weaker without him.

If Gary Harris would’ve come to IU, would we have gone further in the tourney this last year? A tall guard against ‘cuse would’ve helped. I still blame our style of play (and inability to beat slow Wisco type teams) & only 3 days of prep time as to why we lost to ‘cuse.

Unfortunately, missing out on that “top ranked” in-state could have made made a HUGE difference the last couple years. I’m just bitchin’ out loud in response to the first comment about “locked up” boarders.

Here’s hoping that by the end of this season, Ferrell will replace Craft in everyone’s top 5. Can’t argue with your other 4 though.

It is tough to choose. We are pretty much in agreement. I’d go:
5. Frazier (no idea why he was so low)
4. Craft
3. McGary
2. Dekker
1. Harris

It is tough to choose and I think anyone getting riled up about anything on this list is pretty funny. It makes for interesting discussion but it’s not a list that will “put chips on shoulders” or have any consequences when practice starts. Oh well, people have to be mad about something I suppose.

I had forgotten about Teague…thanks. I don’t think rankings don’t matter (if your comment was directed at me) but I also don’t think they are the end all, be all. There’s no recruit from Indiana in the last 5 or 6 years I would have rather had than Cody, I’m not talking about rankings or anything else. Just my personal opinion.

Thanks for asking… Not going to deny its a tough year to choose. Lots of young players… Guys like Thomas who should have stayed decided to leave… No dominant returning force. Here is my list though:

5. McGary
4. Craft
3. Frazier
2. Dekker
1. Harris

Yes. Last paragraph is my point. It’s kind of like saying its a miracle that a one armed person can become a major league pitcher…

Marquis Teague was “ranked” higher. Just reminding folks about the instate recruiting trend. No need for the ‘rankings’ don’t matter stuff. Teague also won a nat’l title…for now.

Not necessarily. I understand that he will have an expanded role this year, but I don’t see him filling either the role of Burke (playmaker, distributor, 1st option on offense), or Hardaway (perimeter sharp shooter).

I see Robinson as more of a Dawson type player. I don’t think he can be the #1 scoring option for them. He may not need to be, but I don’t see him as capable of that role. Or perhaps said better…I don’t believe UM will be as successful with him as the #1 scoring option. I don’t believe he is a distributor or a sharp shooter either.

I think he could become a playmaker and more reliable rebounder, defender and scorer, but that is a lot of “ifs” for a guy at #5 on the list, imo. Again, I like his game, and I’d be surprised if he failed to be an all conference player, but I don’t view him as a 1st team All-B1G selection…at least not preseason.

Again, you are entitled to believe he is overrated as a player. I like his game, but again, my opinion.

However, I really can’t see how you can believe “it’s a damn near miracle” that he is academically eligible. He is a former B1G All-Academic team member. Do you find it hard to believe that Victor was academically eligible? He made the same All-Academic team that Payne did. The conference doesn’t just hand those out without consequence.

What one might see as a miracle, I see as hard work, desire and will to overcome obstacles. I guess we could agree that it is miraculous to watch a young man work so hard to overcome a learning disability.

Jeez guys, I didn’t mean to start a lengthy debate over the mans talent or academic eligibility. When I made the “poor mans” reference, I meant that his size and athleticism are comparable to what I saw in Duncan’s first couple of pro seasons. Yes, Duncan is one of the all time greats and Payne will likely never achieve that kind of success. However, I still see something there that only time will tell.

Just curious Scoop…who’s your top 5?

I don’t know how many high school prospects in the state were rated ahead of Cody Zeller when he was a senior but he was the #1 guy in the state in my book and last I checked, he was a Hoosier.

I’m not sure it’s “absurd”… Those are 3 players capable of being there at the end of the year, and someone will have to put up stats for a team that will finish in the bottom half of the league. If you have to choose 1 is it Bertrand?

all around? He only shows up to play offense every 3rd or 4th game

ok, Craft has very little offense and his great defense is dependent on fouling people. I would take Gary Harris’ offensive proficiency any day over Craft. His defense will get much better