eprobono

We're into the final month of the regular season and we've had a chance to watch the first year B1G bball coaches in action.  From what I've seen the rookie coaches have done a pretty good job and have definitely raised the bar in the league.   Here's how I'd rate the current class of B1G coaches based on the following factors: win/loss results; recruiting; program progress; player development; game preparation; and game management.  I'd be interested in reading how the rest of you would rank these guys.   1. Tom Izzo - MSU 2. Bo Ryan - Wisconsin 3. Thad Matta - OSU 4. Fran McCaffery - Iowa 5. Chris Collins - Northwestern 6. John Beilein - Michigan 7. Tim Miles - Nebraska 8. Rich Pitino - Minnesota 9. Pat Chambers - Penn St. 10. Tom Crean - Indiana 11.John Groce - Illinois 12. Matt Painter - Purdue

Boy, Cincy, you're not asking for much, are you <LOL>!

BlueDevil,   You're right, The Ville was overall #1 last year.  My error on that detail.  However, the point still stands that last year's team underacheived as a #1 seed, B1G Champion, and with 2 of the first 4 players taken in the NBA draft.

KingPG21: Thanks for the response.  Point taken on the 2011-12 team.  However, my personal take on that team is that the media simply underestimated the talent on that team mostly because of Oladipo's uber improvement from the previous season.  It had nothing to do with Crean's coaching, program leadership, or game management. And yes, that team beat several ranked teams at home - most notably UK, OSU and Michigan State, but they also choked up against Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa.  And that's another trait of Crean's teams -- they can't seem to sustain or build on their successes.

The consensus of opinion here seems to be that Crean is at best a mediocre coach.  I think that is pretty much on the mark.   All six of his teams have generally underachieved.  The best example was last year when as the overall #1 seed they couldn't get past the Sweet Sixteen -- despite having 2 of the top four NBA draft choices.  Think what Bo Ryan would have done with that talent.   Crean's teams never seem to improve much over the course of the season.  For example, how is the current team any better after 24 games than they were at the beginning of the season?  You can make a better argument for them being worse based on this PSU game.   His teams seem bewildered by common basketball tactics such as facing a zone defense, breaking a full-court press, feeding the post, running the break or finishing at the rim.  And it's not just this year's team, it's been true of all his teams.  For example, last year's team had several long-range shooters that should have been able to shred any zone.  Any decent coach could design an offense to beat a zone with players like Hulls and Watford on the perimeter, Oladipo slashing the lane, and Zeller banging in the middle.  Think what Brad Stevens would have done if he'd been blessed with that kind of talent.   Crean has attracted a few decent players, but consider the home grown talent that he's failed to recruit - for example Gary Harris, Mitch McGary, Glen Robinson III, Zak Irvin, Deshaun Thomas, Trey Lyles, Trevon Bluiett. Jaquan Lyles.  Players like these opt for the programs at Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, Kentucky, Louisville, etc. for many different reasons, but the opportunity to play for a great coach is a big factor.  Clearly, IU lacks that quality.   So Crean has had six years to rebuild IU into the type of program befitting its tradition and history.  At this point in his tenure a "rebuilding year" at IU should mean at least 20 wins, a top 4 finish in the B1G, and an NCAA invite (on par with programs like Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, Carolina, Syracuse, UConn).   Last year's team is likely the best season IU will see with Crean as coach.  There isn't enough talent on its way to Bloomington over the next few years to offset Crean's mediocre coaching.  And since Crean hasn't shown a lot of ability to develop players (Oladipo was the exception that proves the rule) you can rule out competing for B1G championships, let alone hanging another NCAA banner during his tenure.  I think it's highly likely he wont finish out his current contract at IU and could be gone in as few as three years.