HoosierfaninGatorland

IMHO Noah is gone...he already has an NBA body and depending on who else comes out, he could be as high as a 5-10 guy but more realistically, a 10-15 guy.  As has already been pointed out, the biggest risk to his returning next year is injury.  I have already resigned myself to the fact that he is gone and Hanner being the guy in the middle.  Thanks for the memories Noah and best of luck in the NBA.

It was a nice win and good to see Sheehey put the team on his back.  I have been very critical of his play this year but there was very little to be critical about last night.  Will this team be able to build off this win and finish strong or will they resort to their customary practice this year of being wildly consistent.  I thought that the Wisky win a few weeks ago was going to be the catalyst for a turn around but they followed it up by losing to Northwestern.  Playing Ohio St. is going to be completely different than playing Iowa.  This game will be played in the 50s and 60s and is going to be a grind.  Let's see if they can put together another good effort and put another "W" on the board....

I have seen all I need to see of Crean.  Like I have said on numerous occasions, he did what he was originally hired to do and that was to resurrect a proud program from the ashes.  He did that but now the challenge is to get this program back to where it can compete for Championships on an annual basis, not once every 2 or 3 years.  The weaknesses with this team are many (too many to fit in to one post) and they are glaring and they are all fixable with right person at the helm.  The offense is just putrid...very seldom are there more than 2 or three passes made before someone heaves up a rock.  I can remember the last time I saw them execute a back door and evidently setting screens is against Crean's religion.  The "this is a young team" excuse doesn't pass the muster when you are 26 games in to the season.  This team has more physical talent than 50% of the teams in the Top 25.  CTC was carried last year by an ultra talented team (that should've won IU's 6th NC) but this year, during a rebuilding year the shoe was on the other foot and unfortunately he is not capable enough to deliver.  It's so disheartening to watch this talent go to waste and then listen to him always lay the blame at the feet of the players.  Just once I'd love to hear him take some of the blame but that still wouldn't be enough to satisfy me. 

  I totally disagree with you.  This year's team is plenty talented...not many teams in the country have a post presence like Noah to go along with a PG the caliber of Yogi Ferrell.  They lack discipline and focus and that comes from the coaching staff.  You asked earlier how do you teach kids not to turn it over...that is all part of staying focused and keeping your head in the game.  I don't know what specific "drills" you use to drive that home to kids but the fact remains, some teams are just better at it than others.  Perfect case in point would be last year's Illinois game at Champaign where we allowed a completely uncontested layup off an in bounds play with just seconds to go...  I don't think Crean is garbage but like I stated before, I think he is well below average when it comes to in-game strategy and teaching Xs and Os.

I have been an IU fan for over 45 yrs. and I have never seen an IU team that is so fundamentally flawed.  Even the Davis coached teams could execute basic in bounds plays.   IMO Coach Crean has done what he was brought here to do and that was to revive a proud program that was in ruins.  I give him a lot of credit because he brought exactly what was needed at that time...lots of energy, enthusiasm, a sincere appreciation of the tradition of IU bball and the ability to connect to and recruit Hoosier bred talent.   We finally made it back and now the challenges and expectations are different.  IU fans expect to see a talented team that is fundamentally sound and can legitimately challenge for Championships on an annual basis.  I believe that in order to meet those challenges and expectations a new coach is needed.  Coach Crean is a great recruiter and motivator but he is less than average when it comes to coaching the Xs and Os and making strategic decisions during the game.  Will Sheehey should be sitting so far down the bench that the only minutes he plays are in garbage time, but we all know that isn't going to happen.  This team is very young and that excuse could have been used the first 10 games of the season but that dog won't hunt now.  The mistakes ie; TOs and lack of execution is on the coaches...the buck stops there.  I don't know whether he will get fired after this year, probably not, but the hand writing is plain to see.  A change is needed in Bloomington if there are going to be any more NC banners hung from Assembly Hall.