Indiana Center Eli Holman Intends To Transfer

Indiana's freshman center Eli Holman met with coaches thursday, telling them he planned to transfer, which would make new head coach Tom Crean's rebuilding project even more difficult.  Sources say that Holman threw a tantrum in the coaches office that required assistance from the campus police.  Crean stated that he was surprised by Holman's behavior and wants to help him figure things out. Holman was not threatening anyone but was obviously upset, for what is now an unclear reason.  The 6-9 center was a medical redshirt last season after injuring his left wrist and averaged 1.0 PPG and 1.7 RPG, in only six games.  Holman was to be a crucial part of the Hoosiers next season, but if he leaves, Indiana will be left with only five returning players from the 2007-08 season.

This is potentially really bad news for Indiana.  If Holman does in fact transfer, it may take another year or two for Crean to get Indiana back to the top.  Holman was Indiana's top recruit last season after Eric Gordon, and was a top 100 player in the very deep 2007 recruiting class.  The Hoosiers are already without their starting five from last season, which could make for an ugly first season for Crean. Due to Kelvin Sampson's violations, Crean has already lost one scholarship, and could lose two more if the Indiana players don't score higher on the NCAA academic progress report.  Crean is welcoming a less than impressive recruiting class, and these loss of scholarships could lead Indiana toward the bottom of the Big Ten.  Holman's absence would just fuel the fire and leave Crean with a depleted Indiana roster.