OKHOOSIER

I was stationed there for several years, but no, Indiana/Michigan primarily. We traveled all over the state since there is nothing to do, at least you were in the eastern part lol, western OK is a different world. People really do not understand how isolated it is. That base was 70 minutes from a Target hahaha. I like OKC and Tulsa, southeast part of the state is beautiful too. To your other point, 100%. I would absolutely love to see UNC, Kansas, Duke or Kentucky to wander the wilderness like we have and see what those fanbases look like. IU is different, whether anyone nationally wants to believe it or not, and I will die on that hill.

I'm a simple man, I see office GIFs, I like.

Unfortunately I don't think this ever goes away. Big reason? The national media that loves to make fun of us, call us insane for thinking IU should be elite, and generally runs the fanbase down for living in the past-- also loves putting IU basketball on national TV, loves positing stories about us, and knows we drive content. No matter how good we are. I have lived all over the place since I left Bloomington for the last time. One thing I never had to worry about? Seeing my alma mater play basketball. I have paid for numerous extra subscriptions/cable packages over the last 20 years to watch our terrible football team. It is no coincidence IU always ends up on a B1G+ game early season. Because our fanbase will pay for it to watch. IU basketball will always be a fishbowl. The media love to hate us.

I haven't bought into many of the program arguments (like Cronin couldn't do better here because he's already been at UCLA), but I definitely think there could be one made here. ISU is infinitely harder to win and recruit than even this version of UCLA, and the Big12 has been much better than the Pac-12 for a while, IMO. Cronin could maintain or get better at IU, I do not think he could do what Otz is doing at ISU, thats the difference to me.

I posted some of them, but my point was no one was arguing Cronin as popular choice, at least I didn't see that. I definitely wasn't, just that he was a decent option if we get that far down ballot and arguments against him were either personality based or that he had made too many tournaments without enough final fours which are both absurd given the state of our program (but as I said, i get the personality thing). I do understand why someone would want a McCollum type over him (I certainly could be talked into it), but I do not think Dolson takes a risk like that. Cronin simply isn't risky if we cannot get someone at the top of the list. He's a safe and milquetoast option to get us back relevant. Anywho, heres hoping he is never actually considered and we do not get to that pool of candidates. Cheers.

Cronin is not the popular choice of a lot of people. I haven't seen anyone actively campaigning to hire Cronin, nobody wants Cronin (I certainly don't), but if we get to the Brownell's or McCollum's just to find someone willing to say yes to our job, we could do worse than a guy who makes the tournament every year and wins 68% of his games. The fact is, people simply do not like Cronin's personality (which 100% totally get after the last 8 years), and it has nothing to do with his coaching record. If he was likable, he would probably be considered a really nice option and not like 6-10 on the list.

I think this is probably the best and only argument that matters re: Cronin/Otz, and sums up how I feel. He seems like he is peaking but has maxed out his potential at ISU. He might win a title there on an amazing run a la Drew at Baylor, but in this era I really do not think ISU is a place you can be FF caliber year in and year out. Drew certainly hasn't been. Coaching matters, but eventually in the tournament, all the coaches are good and the jimmies and joes matter. If he wants to have the money and recruiting he needs to be at that level year over year, seems like we are a pretty rosy landing spot. That said, I think his chances of coming here are less than 5%

If Brad Stevens is our head coach next season, the ad blocker dies, and the kids get new bikes. On my honor. If it’s Cronin the ad blocker stays, and Hovsanta is laid off.

I’m with you here, while I’m not sure I’d be happy if I was Miami, this makes a lot more sense than someone just scratching the surface of D1, let alone a high major monstrosity like Indiana.

I’m just waiting for the shadow ban when you and Stu find out about my ad blocker. Pure betrayal on my part.

You’re either going to be the goat, or you’re going to be a goat. Either way, I appreciate commitment to a good bit, especially with one that drives up ad revenue for the mods.

So do I, but we have to consistently make the thing to have a shot at winning it, Cronin checks that box. McCollum doesn’t.. yet. That’s all I was saying.

His literal only tourney miss in 15 years? Covid they would have gone, and unless they lose out, they’re in this year.

On the high end I agree with you, but Cronins floor is miles above TC. I think the main thing pro-Cronin is simply getting us back to being a consistent tournament team. We have to crawl before we can walk. I’d say that’s all but guaranteed with him. McCollum remains an unknown on that front no matter how well he’s done at a lower level. But I think he probably is the real deal, this hire is just too critical and people have Archie phobia of the flavor of the month so to speak— and he had some better wins.

Yea the whole way that was handled from the announcement to the reports Woody wanted a fifth year (delusional much) screams there wasn’t much in place beyond not letting each home get worse. If Woody really went into it thinking he could announce and get a fifth year it speaks to total disfunction behind the scenes. My guess is once 1 & 2 were crossed off the list, the real search began in earnest. Wouldn’t be surprised at more agent nonsense leaking now that Dusty is off the table. JMO

Or trying to get his boy a raise and Fing with the IU fanbase lol, but I hope you are right.

I looked after watching that couldn't find anything to support that claim by Goodman. Just the increases in salary and a direct quote from ISU "And all other contract language remains the same" or something to that effect. Not saying Goodman is wrong, but I couldn't find the buyout numbers anywhere. Restructured in December.

Buzz Williams has moved up my list and appears to be a vest guy. +1

And finally prove the bullet curved.

First, second, and third base chatter.

Can confirm lol.

No McCasland? Id put him between Buzz and McDermott i think.

Not sure, haven't looked in a while, it was like ten years ago I would lurk it. I know the rivals free one is pretty active still.

Brownell's agent is trying to get him paid and/or raise his profile following the elite eight appearance. Zero shot he is under any serious consideration right now. He certainly could be if literally no one wants the job, but as of now, I don't think so. I imagine we will see several other names pop up the longer this goes that make zero sense. It happens every coaching search.

If he values his job as much as he loves IU I gotta think he has multiple feelers out and has for over a year. I also tend to believe Woody would be vindictive behind the scenes and negative recruit the job and Dolson. I cannot imagine a world where they are on speaking terms. So I think that speaks to a very tight lipped search. I do wonder if the "search firm" is for no other reason than vetting Beard. Not sure how much "vetting" you need for a Stevens, May, Drew, Otz type of hire (I know they do more than that, im just saying). Dolson has to have known Dusty was a no long before the news of an extension dropped, so it really makes me curious where he has been in contact since Dusty off the board seriously ratchets up the pressure on him IMO. Assuming Stevens was always a no, our search started on guy number 3? The whole thing is strange to me so far honestly.