Indiana basketball going ‘head-to-head’ with Kentucky for five-star guard

There is no question that the Indiana basketball program is heavily involved and sit in a good spot with numerous top prospects in the 2024 class. Because of that, it’s a heavyweight fight until the end.

One player that emerged high up on the Indiana basketball radar this summer is five-star point guard Boogie Fland. Fland is a top-20 player in the class and has all of the tools to be a starting lead guard as a freshman on day one. This summer he released a top eight list that included: Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Maryland, UConn, and St. John’s in addition to Indiana.

Fland took an official visit to Indiana in June and then on Tuesday of this week, Mike Woodson and assistant Yasir Rosemond went to see Fland for an in-home visit. Woodson was set to speak at a coaches clinic at Archbishop Stepinac (NY) on Wednesday, the same high school that Fland stars for, so they made it into a couple day trip.

The five-star point guard is coming off of a visit to Kentucky and has additional visits to Alabama and Maryland later this month. But, the visit to Lexington was a critical one.

On Tuesday night, 247Sports National Analyst Travis Branham joined the ‘Sources Say Podcast’ — part of the Kentucky Sports Radio On3.com site. Among other topics, Branham mentioned that Fland could fall in the category of ‘like not love’ prospects for the Wildcats.

But, he did emphasize that Kentucky could get him if it really wants. That remains the biggest question, however.

“If they want them, you can get him,” Branham said. ” … I do believe Kentucky is the leader for that recruitment, going head-to-head with Indiana.

“Gauging the 2025 recruits will be very valuable … do we have a legitimate shot at them, can we actually get them? Is that worth passing on some of these other guys?”

Sources have been consistent telling HoosierIllustrated that Indiana is definitely pushing hard for Fland and remain near the top for the talented guard.

Related: 2024 top-10 point guard Boogie Fland discusses Indiana basketball visit

Indiana’s push for athletic guards who can play both on and off of the ball has been an appealing part of its pitch to Fland. That has been part of a ‘consistent’ message from the staff.

“IU style of play fits Boogie’s game perfectly,” Fland’s father told HoosierIllustrated following his visit this summer. “They play an NBA style of play and run a lot of pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop. Double screens etc they run the ball no matter the position which is also great because Boogie can just run and doesn’t always have to have the ball in his hands after a rebound.”

Style of play was part of what set up 2022-23 Freshman of the Year Jalen Hood-Schifino for success last season. Hood-Schifino was given the keys to the offense and was allowed to play through ups and downs. It resulted in a one-and-done college career and getting drafted 17th overall in this summer’s draft.

“I mean it kind of gives the overview and puts things into perspective. As a freshman (Jalen Hood) Schifino was able to come in play a bunch of minutes and impact the winning Indiana did last season,” Fland told HoosierIllustrated this summer. “To see that at the guard position is big (for me).”

Regardless of how much Kentucky ‘pushes’, the Indiana basketball program will play a significant role down the stretch.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball in the ‘upper tier’ for five-star point guard

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