Max Bielfeldt on transfer to IU: 'I know what to expect'

BLOOMINGTON -- Indiana was able to address its need for experience and depth inside Tuesday when Michigan transfer Max Bielfeldt picked the Hoosiers.

Bielfeldt announced his decision via Twitter, and confirmed it in a phone conversation with The Star.

"I think it was a mix of the athletics and school, academics," Bielfeldt said, when asked what made Indiana his choice. "I think I'll fit in well with the guys, and playing for (IU) coach (Tom) Crean, I think he's really good at developing players."

A 6-8, 245-pound forward, Bielfeldt started three games and appeared in 30 last season averaging 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He was named the Wolverines' sixth man of the year, according to his official Michigan biography.

Bielfeldt was granted permission to transfer without penalty in-conference, a dispensation not normally awarded to athletes leaving Big Ten programs. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Staying near his home in Peoria, Ill., was a greater priority for Bielfeldt than staying within the Big Ten. He looked at several schools, including some Missouri Valley Conference programs and others nearby, like DePaul. IU, Nebraska and Iowa State were his finalists.

By random chance, Indiana found itself in need of post help just after Bielfeldt obtained his release to transfer within the conference.

The Hoosiers dismissed forwards Devin Davis and Hanner Mosquera-Perea last month, after an incident on campus during which Davis was cited for marijuana possession.

"Coach Crean said it's unfortunate how the whole situation developed," Bielfeldt said. "It just happened to be around the same time where I was getting my waiver to go anywhere."

Bielfeldt visited Indiana in early May. He met with IU's coaching staff and some players, as Crean outlined his vision for Bielfeldt's role in his program.

"They said they are in need of a versatile big who can score the ball in a multitude of ways," he said last month, "and that I'm just the guy who could come in and help them."

Indiana struggled in the front court last season but the signing of McDonald's All American Thomas Bryant, combined with sophomore Emmitt Holt's development and now Bielfeldt's arrival, should given the Hoosiers a strong interior rotation.

"It'll help a little bit," he said of his Big Ten experience. "Obviously, I've played against the coaches and the systems before. I know what to expect."

Bielfeldt said he plans to enter a graduate program in IU's Kelley School of Business, and pursue a degree in finance or entrepreneurship.

Bielfeldt was told before last season he would have to seek a transfer to complete his eligibility, according to the Detroit Free Press. And while he expressed interest in returning for a fifth and final season at Michigan, he received no assurances from the staff there, according to Mlive.com.

Instead, he's headed to Bloomington, and headed there soon.

"I'll probably be on campus early next week," he said. "Start getting my stuff figured out there, pretty fast."

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.