Indiana Basketball: Could Hoosiers have short end of stick for 2021 five-star?

Despite the Indiana basketball program sitting nicely for one five-star prospect in 2021, there could be another team in better position.

All of the talk about the in-state class of 2021 has circulated around the top trio in the state. While the rest of the class is part of the deepest and most talented in the country, and one of the best high school classes to come out of Indiana in recent history, the Indiana basketball program could be striking out with the state’s top talent.

Khristian Lander is easily one of the top point guards, and players, in the 2021 class and has been a top priority for the Hoosiers up to this point. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about a possible reclassification to the 2020 class for the five-star guard, with Indiana getting a lot of the attention.

However, there is a sleeper program that seems to be gaining a lot of ground and could actually be leading for the talented prospect.

"“There is a fair chance that he makes the move into the 2020 class with his top three potential landing spots being Indiana, Louisville and Michigan,” Said Rivals analyst Corey Evans. “Lander took official visits to all three programs in the fall and while Indiana had garnered most of the talk at one point, Louisville might sit in the best spot right now.”"

Lander has expressed his interest in Louisville in the past and with Chris Mack’s ability to grow and develop guards for the next level, playing for the Cardinals could be a real possibility, and pose the biggest threat to the Hoosiers. With no point guard committed to the Cardinals in 2020, and their backcourt struggles this season, Lander would be a perfect fit for what Mack wants.

With Xavier, Mack had Trevon Bluiett, Edmond Sumner, Semaj Christon, Mark Lyons, and Tu Holloway, amongst others, and Lander would fit in perfectly with the freedom Mack gives his guards.

Despite Indiana’s need for an additional ball-handler and the in-state pull, there seems to be a lot more work to be done for Archie Miller if he wants to secure a commitment from his potential point guard of the future.