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Indiana Basketball: Analyzing 2020 recruiting targets for the Hoosiers

By Lukas Harkins

BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 28: The Indiana Hoosiers huddle before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 28, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 28: The Indiana Hoosiers huddle before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 28, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: The Indiana Hoosiers cheer team performs. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: The Indiana Hoosiers cheer team performs. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Matt Cross – Woodstock Academy (CT)

PF | 6-foot-6 | 205 lbs | No. 79 overall

Matt Cross was a strong performer throughout the EYBL season and it has resulted in his recruitment seriously heating up. He has risen all the way up to No. 79 overall in the class and the talented small-ball power forward is being heavily targeted by six programs. In addition to Indiana, he has taken visits to South Carolina, Butler, and Miami with trips to Florida and Texas A&M coming in the near future. While this will be a tough list to beat, the Hoosiers are from underdogs in the recruiting battle.

Indiana will be able to offer immediate playing time in the frontcourt and the opportunity to compete for one of the most historic programs in the nation. Cross is reportedly expecting to make his final college decision in August, so his recruitment is coming to a close rather quickly. It seems to be a six-team race at this point and there might not be a true favorite. Each program can offer something a little something different.

Dawson Garcia – Prior Lake (MN)

C | 6-foot-11 | 220 lbs | No. 32 overall

One of the most highly-rated big men in the class, Dawson Garcia is ranked at No. 32 and was offered by Indiana in late-April. Garcia is an extremely versatile center with his play on the offensive end of the court. He runs the floor well, can stroke it from distance, and has the ability to take his man off the bounce. There is room for his development in the paint but he is already one of the top centers available. He is clearly talented and he is the type of player that can fit within just about any offensive system.

Considering his national ranking, it should come as no surprise that Garcia is being targeted by some of the top programs in the entire nation. The bluebloods are starting to become heavily involved in this recruitment and that might put Indiana out of the running.

Zach Loveday – Huntington Prep (WV)

C | 7-foot-0 | 200 lbs | No. 109 overall

A fringe top-100 prospect, Zach Loveday seems to be one of Indiana’s biggest priorities in the frontcourt right now. He is a true seven-footer that has recently played for the same AAU team as Jalen Bridges. Another versatile frontcourt talent, Loveday attacks the basket with consistency and runs the floor at an elite level for a center. This versatility makes him a potential matchup nightmare for opposing bigs at the college level and is a major reason for his popular recruitment. In addition to IU, Loveday has received offers from the likes of Louisville, Baylor, and Florida (among others).

According to Inside The Hall, Loveday indicated that the IU coaching staff showed him some tape of Juwan Morgan to give a sense of how he would be utilized with the program. Indiana seems to be among the programs that are prioritizing Loveday at this point in time and they have been involved in the recruitment for some time. It is expected that Loveday will trim his list relatively soon and it would be a surprise if Indiana did not make the cut.

Jaemyn Brakefield – Huntington Prep (WV)

PF | 6-foot-8 | 210 lbs | No. 33 overall

One of the most recent additions to Indiana’s list of targets, Jaemyn Brakefield was offered by the program in late June. A top-50 prospect in the entire class, Brakefield is an outstanding talent. He is a great athlete, solid shooter, and can operate in a variety of roles. He brings plenty of size to the power forward position and his versatility is on display every single time that he takes the court. There is no question about his talent on the floor and bluebloods are heavily interested in landing his commitment. At this point in time, Kentucky holds all three Crystal Ball predictions for Brakefield.

With that said, though, Brakefield is expected to take a visit to Bloomington. This will give Coach Miller and Co. the opportunity to show him the campus and give a full recruiting pitch. Brakefield’s potential is off the charts as a big-time prospect. Landing him would be a massive win for the IU program, but it will be a very difficult recruiting battle to win.

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