A Deeper Dive Into Indiana Basketball Recruiting Efforts and It’s Value

Written By: Joel Wonder (@cabbyfromgreene)

Indiana basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the news this Friday concerning the future destination of 2020 recruit Anthony Leal. The folks who follow Indiana recruiting closely are very excited about the potential of another hometown kid wearing the candy stripes. Leal's recruitment might have been slightly different than most just due to the fact that he lives in Bloomington and both his parents work for IU but I’m sure the IU staff treated him the same as they would any big time recruit. But what does it take for Archie and his staff to lure a player to a program that hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament in 3 years?

Besides the common minutiae that all coaches practice, IE. watching players, texts, phone calls and letters, there are other details that might be overlooked by the casual fan. Fans tend to believe that the name on the front of the jersey, tradition or facilities are enough to entice an Indiana high school player to come to Indiana, but that isn’t the case with this generation of players. So what does a coach do to stand out when recruiting this type of player? What are the behind the scenes tactics that are available to Archie and his staff?

The first thing in my mind would be the staff’s organizational skills. Recruits are given an itinerary of plans for their visit from arrival to departure. The following is a basic timeline of the day in the life of a Indiana University basketball recruit.

The first day is simple, check into a local hotel (the Gradate Hotel) and relax.  Later in the evening, the recruit visits Archie for an informal dinner where coach and player can become better acquainted. Later in the same day the recruit spends time with a student host.

The second day is when Archie has the program and the town on full display, starting with breakfast at a local spot on Kirkwood. Next is the photo shoot in Assembly Hall followed by a tour of Cook Hall facilities, including the new locker rooms. The tour continues with the new nutritional center and weight room at Memorial Stadium. This is followed with introductions to the staff in charge of the athletic department and academic coordinator. 

Next is a tour of the campus which speaks for itself, with its grandeur and beauty (this is where you might see the caravan of custom golf carts). Lunch is at a local iconic restaurant (Nick’s or Buffalouie's) followed by a tour of the new gem at the disposal of the Indiana staff, the Evolve Luxury Apartments. Some may not have heard, but Indiana University is allowing freshman to live off campus at Evolve, which features a clubhouse with game room, indoor basketball court, courtyard with flat-screen TV, swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, not to mention several other features. The new living arrangements are not to be overlooked. Several recruits have mentioned all the amenities at the Evolve living quarters several times when interviewed this past spring. Having these luxurious apartments so close (17th & Dunn) to the newly opened Tobias Nutrition Center is a key recruiting tool.

Continuing with the rigid schedule, the recruit meets with Cliff Marshall who explains how this staff plans on making the player stronger and more agile. This point should also not be overlooked because players are very cognizant of their need to get bigger and stronger in order to play at this level. Dinner with the staff and some players comes next, followed by time spent with current players. This is when recruits can get a feel from players about life as a collegiate basketball player.

The last day of the visit is when Archie shows how a recruit will be utilized in the offensive and defensive scheme. Here is when the coaching staff makes their last pitch to both family and player. Archie seems to understand how to recruit Indiana kids, his attention to details has paid off so far, and that may include another Indiana player in Bloomington South’s Anthony Leal. Hopefully, Leal will continue the line of succession of tough, hard working kids from South. Hoosier fans watching Indiana kids play for IU again is always special and my guess is that we all get to witness another 4 years.

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