Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers hosting important five-star visitor this weekend

It is not only Indiana basketball’s unofficial start to the 2019-20 season this weekend but they also play host to a major 2021 target.

The Indiana basketball program got underway with the 2019-20 season on Saturday with the first ‘official’ practice of the season but it’s not until this weekend that the Hoosiers’ season will feel like it is officially underway.

Hoosier Hysteria will take place on Saturday Oct 5 and will be the event that gets fans ready to go for the upcoming season as it’ll be their first look at the team.

While there are a lot of storylines to go with it, the biggest name in Assembly Hall this weekend won’t even be on the court.

Five-star guard Khristian Lander will be on campus for a junior year official visit and will be accompanied by two IU 2020 commits, as well as AAU teammates, in Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal.

Lander told 247Sports’ Brian Snow about the upcoming visit.

"“I have been looking forward to this for a while,” said Lander of his upcoming Indiana official visit. “It is always good to get there and spend time with the coaches and players, and it should be a great atmosphere.”"

The Indiana staff has long prioritized the in-state guard and will be in need for the ‘point guard of the future’ as Rob Phinisee will be a senior come Lander’s freshman season.

The biggest competition for IU up to this point has been Louisville and they hosted the Evansville native last weekend

Lander came away extremely impressed with not only the program, but also the atmosphere.

"“It was a super exciting event,” said Lander. “It was a lot different than other events I have been to because it was outside on Fourth Street. It was different, but it was a lot of fun…They stressed to me that I could come in and have an opportunity to play right away. They want me to be their point guard of the future, and they want me to stay local and play for them.”"

While Lander’s recruitment has been relatively quiet thus far in terms of him giving hints about where he is possibly leaning, the Indiana staff has done everything and more to make him feel like they need him and not just want him.

With the in-state class of 2021 being one of the best in recent memory, Archie Miller’s ability to recruit in-state talent has shown in his short time in Bloomington. He hopes to do the same with Lander and potentially have a shot at landing four straight Indiana Mr. Basketball recruits if Leal wins it this year (Langford, Jackson-Davis, Leal, Lander).