Patience isn't a trait of the feverish Indiana basketball fandom.

But our neighboring Hoosiers might be more willing to wait because Wednesday's signees are projected by Scout.com as the top class in the nation.

This can change, of course. Academics are unresolved in some cases, and eight of Scout's Top 25, including No. 1 Shabazz Muhammad and flashy Hoosier shooting guard Gary Harris, still are twiddling their thumbs.

But we have enough information to accept the fact that, regardless of what happens this winter, Indiana's three-year stretch of 20-loss misery will not last forever.

Like most losers, Indiana has struggled at key positions: point guard and center. Coach Tom Crean resolved the post problem with current freshman Cody Zeller, who is meeting expectations in exhibitions.

The future point is Yogi Ferrell of Park Tudor, who signed Wednesday along with 6-9 Hanner Perea, 6-6 Jeremy Hollowell, 7-0 Pete Jurkin and 6-3 Ron Patterson.

"This class will completely change IU's talent level in 2012," said Jeff Rabjohns of Rivals.com in Indianapolis. "It's been a while since Indiana had an elite point guard."

Joe Henricksen of City-Suburban Hoops said Ferrell will be an Indiana mainstay "for four years because he doesn't project as an NBA player."

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, an emphasis on big men found Michigan landing Scout's second-ranked player in 6-10 Mitch McGary, Iowa resisting elite challengers to keep Sioux City's 6-11 Adam Woodbury and Purdue adding 7-foot post-up husky A.J. Hammons.

Straight to the point

You can't have too many point guards. Fact is, three is the perfect number — how about Dee, Deron and Luther — to have on the court because playmaking skills far outweigh jumping ability when it comes to getting the ball in the basket.

That's the problem with the Illini team that opens the season at 8 p.m. Friday against Loyola. Transfer Sam Maniscalco will be limited to 15 minutes or less as he tests a surgically repaired ankle, and freshman Tracy Abrams is developing at a point position he didn't play in high school.

So Bruce Weber has Crete-Monee's Michael Orris as his only commitment for 2012 and also has a verbal from Chicago Hope's Jalen James in the following class. The good news is that both are natural points.

"It's important for team balance to get the right mix," Weber said Wednesday. "We have learned in recent years that it's important to have more than one who can handle and pass. So we targeted the best senior point guard in the state, and we are pleased to have Orris because he has a great feel for the game, is feisty and enjoys passing. And he had some high-scoring games in the 30s and even the 40s this past summer."

Orris, who originally chose Creighton before decommitting, won't arrive with large expectations. His prep numbers as a junior were 10.2 points and 6.2 assists for a 25-4 sectional champion.

Said Henricksen: "Orris may not be a difference-maker, but he fits the profile for what Illinois needs. He has a toughness about him, a pass-first guy who is developing as a shooter. This means the 2013 class will be a key one for the Illini."

There'll be more talent available in the state the next two years. This is arguably the weakest senior class, with no player in Rivals' Top 100, and only one in Scout, Marquette-bound Steve Taylor of Simeon.

Turbulence in Kansas

Maybe it's habit, and maybe some opponents simple enjoy putting Kansas on the spot, but it hardly makes sense that Big 12 coaches projected the Jayhawks alongside Texas A&M as conference basketball co-favorites.

Coach Bill Self, who voted for Baylor, is dealing with a thin roster, seemingly his weakest since before he came to Illinois in 2000.

Only Thomas Robinson, backup center, returns among last season's top eight scorers. Gone are the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff, who averaged 30 points and 16 rebounds. Gone from a seventh straight Big 12 champion are Tyrel Reed, Brady Morningstar, Mario Little and Tyshawn Taylor. Self's best recruit from 2010, Josh Selby, left early. Worse yet, super prospect Ben McLemore is ineligible this season, and freshman Jamari Traylor hasn't been cleared.

Nor is this a typical Kansas recruiting season. Arizona spiked a huge class by taking 7-foot Kaleb Tarczewski after he had been linked with the Jayhawks, and turndowns have Self working on Plan B.

Tarczewski is listed from New Hampshire, reminding that many of the nation's top 25 prospects hail from a variety of "academies" such as Brewster, Findlay, LaLumiere, Oak Hill, Grace Prep, Scots College and — don't you love this one — Upper Room Christian Academy. Are even half of the top preps finishing at the same high school where they started?

On another subject, Self had interesting comments about Missouri's departure for the SEC, mentioning that the Jayhawks won't be interested in scheduling the Tigers after the two games this season.

Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at ltate@news-gazette.com.