Multiple Indiana Hoosiers Plan to Transfer

Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers players Devin Davis (15), Jeremy Hollowell (33), and Austin Etherington (13) react on the bench as they lose to the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of Noah Vonleh‘s departure yesterday, three other Indiana Hoosiers are set to leave the program. Sophomore Jeremy Hollowell, redshirt sophomore Austin Etherington, and walk-on Johnny Marlin are all planning to transfer.

Hollowell will leave the biggest hole out of the three. Although he hasn’t panned out into the player he was supposed to be, Hollowell still has a great deal of potential and could develop into a talented forward.

IU issued a news release on the transfers yesterday afternoon.

“Jeremy has indicated to us that he would like to transfer to pursue another college opportunity,” coach Tom Crean said . “We have put a lot of time and effort into Jeremy, both on and off the court and it is our expectation that he finish strong in school and adhere to team rules. We will be there to provide any help we can give to him to find another program. We hope he realizes his full potential and we believe we did everything over the last two years to help make that happen.”

“Things don’t always go as planned,” Hollowell said. “I want to thank Coach Crean for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at IU. He has taught me a lot and has always wanted the best for me.”

Hollowell doubled his production in his sophomore year, averaging 5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and an assist per game. He did have trouble finishing and was shooting just 35-percent from the field.

Hollowell was benched early in the Big Ten season for three games. It was never quite clear what the issue was, but a report indicated that he was having trouble “focusing.” A lot of people noticed that his effort simply wasn’t where it need to be, neither on or off the court.

Hollowell was a talented player in high school, but he relied on his size and natural athletic ability to pick apart his physically inferior opponents. In the Big Ten, he’s not the biggest guy on the court and that sort of play wasn’t going to cut it.

Frankly, if Hollowell wasn’t willing to put in the effort then is wasn’t worth having around on the team.

Etherington’s biggest impact might have been off the court. He played a pivotal role in helping IU land Cody Zeller and Yogi Ferrell, who he is good friend with. Etherington missed most of the 2012-13 season with a fractured knee cap.

He averaged about 10 minutes per game this year but only recorded two points per game. Etherington plans to graduate in May and use the transfer exception to play again next season. This was the same rule that allowed Evan Gordon to transfer to IU.

Marlin was a transfer from IPFW who came to IU two seasons ago. For some reason he occasionally saw minutes on the floor. Marlin wasn’t on scholarship.

Coupled with Luke Fischer‘s departure in December and Vonleh leaving early, the Hoosiers will have lost four scholarship players this season.

The losses leave IU’s front court even thinner, and is forcing some late recruitment for 2014.

We’ll have more on the Hoosiers later in the week.

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