A little over a week ago we updated you with a list of names that Indiana has been pursuing and watching in connection with the class of 2018. As the grad transfer market continues to evolve, so does the last of potential candidates to wear the cream and crimson in November.
With new names continuing to emerge, the implication would seem to be that IU isn’t comfortable with Romeo Langford’s decision that is coming in a few weeks. With two open scholarships however, it would still be possible to sign Langford and one additional class of 2018 target. Of course it is also still possible that Juwan Morgan could decide to play professionally or a current IU player could transfer.
The situation is still quite fluid, and likely will be for the next 6-8 weeks. Here are the latest names that have emerged on the grad transfer wire with at least some indication of interest by the Hoosiers:
MATT MOONEY
Mooney is a 6-3 guard from Wauconda, Illinois that played for South Dakota the last two years. He attended Notre Dame College Prep near Chicago and attended Air Force his freshman year before transferring and then sitting out the 2015-16 season.
On Thursday Mooney announced that he requested and received his release from South Dakota, and Evan Daniels and others announced an expected Indiana visit this weekend.
South Dakota graduate transfer Matt Mooney (18.7 PPG) will host Bobby Hurley & an assistant from Iowa State today.
Creighton & possibly Memphis will be in tomorrow. Indiana, Texas Tech & Northwestern are expected in on Sunday.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 6, 2018
South Dakota plays in the Horizon League, which is also the conference of IU nemesis Fort Wayne. Mooney started all 34 games for South Dakota. He averaged 18.7 points per game and added 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
Mooney shot 45 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3, and 83 percent from the free-throw line this season. He could provide a much needed additional perimeter shooter, especially in the event that Langford goes elsewhere.
The competition for Mooney will be a challenge. Jeff Borzello indicated that “South Dakota’s Matt Mooney has had Arizona State, Oregon, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Missouri, Northwestern, Memphis, TCU, Creighton, Nebraska, Indiana, Virginia and Arizona reach out to him as a potential grad transfer”.
TREY PORTER
The other name that IU has been connected with is Old Dominion center Trey Porter. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound post player averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for 2017-18, helping lead the Monarchs to a 25-7 record.
Expect Old Dominion grad-transfer Trey Porter to be one of the more heavily pursued prospects this spring. Has heard from Indiana, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Georgetown, Murray State, Maryland, DePaul & handful of others since receiving release
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) April 3, 2018
Porter shot 59 percent from the field and was a big factor on the defensive end. With a 7-foot wingspan, he blocked 1.3 shots per game. ODU allowed fewer points per possession when he was on the floor. Porter has a 7-foot wingspan.
Porter plays the five and could be a nice complement to De’Ron Davis. He was voted by his teammates as the Most Improved Player on the team after showing significant statistical improvement this year vs. 2016-17.
Several other schools are pursuing Porter including Arizona, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Georgetown, and DePaul. It isn’t clear at this point whether IU has scheduled any visits.
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