A word from Indiana head basketball coach Tom Crean

Hi there, Indiana basketball fans! Boy, it's really been an exciting few weeks for our program. There have been a lot of changes since last season, and we couldn't be more optimistic about the direction our program is headed in.

I've always said that Indiana has the best college basketball fans in the country, and I truly believe that we will reward you all with a great season and compete for the Big Ten title.

As many of you may have heard, we recently released a few members of the team from their scholarships for various reasons. Unfortunately, these young men weren't the right fit for what we're trying to build here. The great Indiana basketball tradition is something that's always been very special to me, and upholding that tradition is a responsibility I put above all else.

Fortunately, those vacancies have opened the door for some fresh, young talent, and we couldn't be more thrilled with our nine newcomers and two returning players that will don the crimson and cream come November. We also have two remaining scholarships on our roster that we have yet to fill, but I couldn't be more excited about some of the players who have expressed their interest in joining the Indiana basketball tradition.

The first is a young man named Tyler Mooney out of Muncie, Indiana. Tyler is a superb talent who was one of the most highly recruited players in the Muncie area when he played in the Indiana Juniors 13-and-under League as a 5'7" power forward. He has since grown to 5'9" and now plays guard, but he has retained those big-man instincts and low center of gravity. He's also a coach's son, having played for his father on the Ward 6 Mad Ballers in the Muncie Park District League back in 2000, so you know he has a high basketball IQ. Tyler would have been one of the top recruits in the country this year, but he flew under the recruiting radar after taking the last four years off to focus on his academics. We are very excited about Tyler's future with Indiana basketball.

We also have a verbal commitment from a 7-footer out of the Republic of Congo named Jacques Massamba-Mvouba whom we are very excited about. Jacques is a very gifted athlete with limitless potential who is just beginning to learn the game. When we first met Jacques sixteen days ago and rolled out a basketball for him, he sliced it in half with a machete and threw it in a boiling pot. He's really come a long way since then, and once we break him of a few bad habits--like kicking the ball and heading the ball--we think he will be an excellent player on the collegiate level and maybe beyond.

Also in the mix is Walt Stump, a 6'3" forward from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Walt was the star of the 1980 Eau Claire Prep team that went to the Wisconsin state quarterfinals. At the time, Walt was being recruited heavily by several programs, including University of Wisconsin Steven's Point, St. Cloud State, and Benedictine University, but he opted for military service instead. He has maintained his collegiate eligibility and stayed in such great basketball shape since then that you would never even guess he's 47 years old. Walt comes from a great family background--both of his parents are heavily involved in their church and also their retirement community--and we would be very proud to have Walt become a part of this program.

Finally, we are looking closely at a transfer from Santa Rosa Junior College named Chris Lee, a 6'1" guard who originally hails from Modesto, California. Lee has had some trouble with the law in the past, but he has really righted the ship in the last year, having passed nearly all of his classes and avoiding arrest for over five months now. He has also blossomed into a excellent basketball player, averaging 9.3 points per game for Santa Rosa last season. I've always been a big believer in second chances, and I really believe Chris would be an incredible addition to our program.

I couldn't be happier with the future of the Indiana basketball program, and I truly believe 2008-2009 will be fantastic year for Hoosier basketball. I can't wait to see all of you coming out to support us in Assembly Hall later this year. The Indiana Hoosier basketball fans are the absolute best in the country, and I know you will see some wonderful things on the court this season. I can't wait!