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2017 recruits Clifton Moore and Al Durham Jr. ask for release from Indiana

By Jordan Maly

Feb 25, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; The Indiana Hoosiers huddle up as a team before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; The Indiana Hoosiers huddle up as a team before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Less than a week after Indiana fired Tom Crean 2017 signees Clifton Moore and Al Durham have asked for their release from the program.

It took less than a week after Indiana fired head coach Tom Crean that recruits decided to head for the exit. It should come as no real surprise as it’s common for recruits to ask for release from the program after a coaching change.

We learned late last week after the coaching change that one of Indiana’s targets for 2017 was no longer interested in the pursuing the program. Jordan Tucker, a four-star forward rated the No. 54 recruit for 2017 could have been the Hoosiers best recruit.

The rumors circulating of Tom Crean on the hot seat in January and February led to Tucker looking at other schools. He took a visit to Oregon and had interest in Georgia Tech over the course of the last two months of the season.

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Monday it appears that two of the three players committed to Indiana for 2017 have asked for their release. Guard Clifton Moore rated the No. 143 and Al Durham Jr. the No. 239 prospect by 247Sports have decided to opt of out their National Letter of Intents signed with Indiana. Moore and Durham were suppose to join four-star forward Justin Smith, the only other Indiana signee still committed.

According to Inside The Hall, Al Durham Sr. believes that Indiana could still be an option for Al Durham Jr.

"“Indiana is still an option… The new coach would have to recruit him.”"

The recruiting process could continue to stand pat while the Hoosiers search for their next head coach. Indiana will need to make a decision sooner rather than later on who that might be. The recruiting process for 2017 is beginning to wrap up and Indiana will want to salvage every last bit of that time.

Next: Indiana holds NCAA committee credibility Greg Marshall wants

The Hoosiers roster for 2017-18 is something to monitor in the coming weeks. The decision by Fred Glass could depend on whether or not some of his players come back. O.G. Anunoby could be one player heavily considering the NBA Draft this summer. Anunoby is projected to be the No. 18 pick in the first round by Draft Express. Thomas Bryant has been one player to publicly support Tom Crean. His support might lead us to believe that he will take a long, difficult look at the NBA Draft this summer.

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