Indiana Basketball: Big Ten transfer would be great fit for Hoosiers

Cole Bajema – Small Forward

Bajema committed to Michigan when John Beilein was still the head coach but stayed with the Wolverines when Juwan Howard was named head coach. While just a freshman last year, it still looked like he might be able to find some time in the lineup but it never happened.

Bajema would play in just 10 games and 37 total minutes, only getting time in mop-up duty. It wasn’t what he was expecting and with Howard recruiting the wing spot he didn’t see his time improving for the Wolverines.

He is from Washington so he may decide to head back out West and has reported that Gonzaga, Washington, and BYU among others have reached out to him. Even though he is from across the country this is a guy that Miller and the Hoosiers should reach out to.

Miller wasn’t going to go after Haarms and DeJulius didn’t make a ton of sense, but Bajema would fit much better with the Hoosiers.

Bajema is a 6’7″ small forward that can absolutely shoot the ball from deep. He needs to put on some weight and muscle but he is exactly the type of guy the Hoosiers could use.

Coming out of high school he was rated as the 27th best small forward in the country by 247sports and it was mostly because of his long frame and ability to shoot from anywhere.

It has been no secret that the Hoosiers have struggled mightily from the outside recently. They are trying to address that situation with the recruits they are bringing in with Anthony Leal and Jordan Geronimo but it never hurts to have more.

Bajema size can be matchup problems for opposing teams, especially with his ability to stretch the defense with his shot.

The other plus of going after him is that he still has three years of eligibility left and could be a part of the future of the Hoosiers.

Indiana is in need of a stretch small forward and Bajema fits that profile. Will the Hoosiers be alright without him, absolutely and could they get him in Bloomington maybe not. But this is a player that is familiar with the midwest and it isn’t out the realm of possibility that Miller could sell him on Indiana.

Miller might have his eye on someone else, but with a scholarship open this is a guy that he should make a call too. He would be a great fit for the Hoosiers.