BGleas

Not that it will happen, but would love to hear off-the-record thoughts from Max on the difference between IU and Michigan, even down to the difference in strength and conditioning training, players development and of course coaching. Not even necessarily in terms of one being better than the other, but even just the different ways they do things.

If you remember, there was a leak that Max might transfer and then several days before it was then officially announced. Everything I was reading various places was that Crean was trying to talk him out of transferring.

This is MSU vs. UK all the way. Even if we make the final 3, he's not coming to IU.

Yes, there's a difference, but let's not take ourselves so serious that we're over-analyzing this. Let's focus on the content of the letter, which I'm sure were Max's words, despite who told him to write the letter. To use your analogy, yes maybe your mother told you to go say hi to Mrs. Jones, but your mother didn't tell you to sit down and speak with her for 5 minutes. She didn't tell you to ask Mrs. Jones how her days was and to tell her a little about how the new school year is going and what classes you're taking, etc. She just told you to go say hi. I'm just saying, Max wrote a great letter, and I doubt Crean told him to ask A.J. to lunch, etc. I'm as down on things as everyone else, but let's focus on the content. It was a great letter regardless of how the idea originated.

That was my thought when seeing this as well. Though, I don't know why everyone thinks that takes away from the sentiment, or somehow makes it meaningless. It's still a great letter Max wrote. It's not like Crean sat over them dictating to them what to write. But, having the team write letters to former players sounds so much like a Crean type of move (I don't mean that in a bad way).

Probably not the thread for this, but why does it seem Izzo is visiting everyone, Georgetown is visiting Jones & Bruce Brown, UCLA is everywhere, Maryland is everywhere, and the only thing IU has lined up is the in-home with Davis. Kegler has a host of schools visiting him and we're not one. Brown had numerous schools in and we're not one. Bridges has a bunch of schools in and we're not one. Leaf is visiting with a bunch of schools and we're not one.

He hasn't been cleared by the NCAA yet though.

While I think Holt's numbers would have been improved this year, it's not really about stats. It's about versatility, flexibility and depth. Unless someone like Morgan really surprises and is ready for a somewhat large role at this level, we've lost the ability to go big for extended stretches. We're pretty much relegated to small ball now. Say Maryland, Duke, Purdue, MSU, etc. are killing us inside, we would have been able to slide Troy to the 3 and then play Holt/Davis next to Bryant. In that case we'd still have Max to back-up Bryant. We could still slide Max to the 4 next to Bryant to go big, but then we risk Max and Bryant getting into foul trouble, with nobody behind them. IMO, losing Holt and Davis really hurts our versatility and ability to play varying styles. Now the comeback to that is that Crean has never shown an ability or desire to play varying styles, so maybe it's moot.  

I guess my point is, if a bunch of people on a message board found out, it must not be the best kept secret. If a bunch of people on a message board found out, I'd be shocked that police investigators wouldn't have figured it out. That's pretty much why I don't believe it. But if it is true, and a bunch of people on a message board found out, I'd bet teammates know and maybe even people on the staff, which is awful/fireable IMO.

I don't believe this, at least at this point. But if it is true, you don't think it would be important to find out if Holt was covering for a drunk friend? To find out who all knew that information and helped cover it up? That's a pretty big deal. Devin Davis almost died. Police did an investigation (partly why I don't beleive this, the police would have discovered this information if it was true). Wouldn't it be obstruction of justice? Covering up a crime?

What's this about Emmitt maybe not being behind the wheel in the Davis situation? If you know the story, might as well say it on the board at this point. If that's true, then there's a lot of investigating that needs to be done.

There is a ton of pressure to win in Boston. It's one of the toughest media markets in the country, and like at IU, one of the most knowledgeable fan bases. One thing that does eliviate the pressure is that Wyc and the owners and Danny Ainge are fully in Stevens corner and they don't bail quickly on coaches they believe in.

If we start OG at the 4, we're going to get crushed in the paint more than I already think we will.

You could argue the only two that we have a real shot at are Davis and Jones. I just see this getting way worse before it gets better.

I heard Hanner couldn't grab the bottles because he was actually behind the car checking out the bumper stickers!

5 years further removed from being relevant at an elite level?

In Crean's defense (not that I want to be defending him), he learned from Izzo. Izzo hasn't been the toughest in terms of handling these situations either. He's had his fair share of player indiscretions with minimal punishment.

With Hanner, Davis and Holt, you can make an argument that the 15-16 team is more talented. But, I've always said the 12-13 teams advantage in heart, basketball IQ and intangibles is much greater than any gap the 15-16 team could ever have in talent.

Agree. I did not really share you opinion on all of this. Agree with your sentiments, but felt dismissal was too harsh and that Holt was paying for Crean's ineptitude and other players transgressions. But, with this news, my opinion has changed and Crean's quotes from last week make much more sense. You just can't keep Holt knowing he got in trouble hanging out with Hanner, and bringing two freshmen into that. It changes the equation.

If that's accurate, you have to think that getting in trouble hanging out with Hanner, a former player that was dismissed for similar reasons, is almost more the reason for Holt's dismissal. You have to be really dumb to be on a basically zero tolerance, then go out partying with Hanner and bring two freshmen with you.

Not much. Holt and Bryant's offense was FAR less severe than Hanner's.

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. I though you meant it would be some huge upset if we beat Kansas. Agree with you. at home Crean's teams can beat anyone, on the road not so much.

Why would beating Kansas be so unbelievable? I don't know who I'd pick to win that game going into it, but we're a highly ranked team too, no reason it shouldn't be a great game with either team having a chance to win.

Just so we're using the facts, the bottles were not opened, still sealed. They weren't drinking in the car.

I still think it depends on the transgression. DUI? Failed drug test suspension (meaning the player had previously failed as well)? I think he's gone. Another minor citation me be a grey area for the administration.