IU recruits don’t get much time together in all-star games
By Andy Proffett Post-Tribune correspondent June 10, 2012 7:56PM
Indiana's Yogi Ferrell defends in the back court against Kentucky's Alan Bopper Stenzel during the boys All-Star basketball game Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Rob Goebel) NO SALES
Updated: July 12, 2012 6:12AM
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana basketball fans didn’t get much opportunity to see this fall’s incoming Hoosiers on the court at the same time on Saturday night.
IU recruits accounted for three of the 13 spots on the roster of Indiana’s Boys All-Star basketball team. But the trio of Ron Patterson, Jeremy Hollowell and Yogi Ferrell were on the court together for less than a minute of total game time in the 83-73 win over Kentucky’s All-Stars.
In the first half, Patterson came in at the 13:54 mark in place of starter Kellen Dunham. Patterson rebounded a missed jumper by teammate Glenn Robinson III of Lake Central, then missed a layup of his own. Hollowell rebounded, missed a layup, rebounded, then was fouled by Jay Johnson. Hollowell hit both free throws, then Ferrell subbed out.
The second half saw the three future Hoosiers on the court together for a 37-second stretch that saw Johnson score on a layup to put Kentucky ahead 55-49, Ferrell miss a jumper and Johnson rebound the miss.
Not exactly the stuff of legend surrounding “The Movement,” Indiana’s much-hyped recruiting class that also includes Peter Jurkin and LaPorte Lumiere’s Hanner Mosquera-Perea.
But considering how the newcomers must mesh with IU’s returning players, Saturday’s game may be a better indicator of what “The Movement” will bring to the Hoosiers:
Patterson had 14 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes of play, showing his ability as a bench scorer;
Hollowell came up big on the boards — his nine rebounds were tied for game-high honors with Kentucky Mr. Basketball Nathan Dieudonne;
And Ferrell had four assists, tied with teammates Ronnie Johnson and R.J. Hunter for game-high honors.
Just as the Hoosiers already carry the burden of early expectations, this Indiana All-Star team was expected to cruise to wins over their Kentucky rivals — especially with four other Big Ten signees on the roster in Mr. Basketball Gary Harris (Michigan State), Robinson (Michigan), Ronnie Johnson (Purdue) and Patrick Ingram (Iowa), not to mention Notre Dame-bound Austin Burgett.
Still, Kentucky’s All-Stars kept both games close, giving their more-hyped rivals good experience in preparing for teams that won’t be starstruck next season.
And the pressure is now on for next season’s batch of Indiana All-Stars, what with Indiana’s winning streak in the series at nine games—the longest such streak in the series since the teams began playing twice each year in 1955.
“Indiana continues to be one of the best classes in the country,” Ferrell said. “Everyone thinks that, and I think that personally.”
