jonz44

WTH is he thinking?

I'm seriously wondering that myself! What I'm reading in the last few days about SMU does not sound good for them but it does sound familiar with Larry Brown programs. The man can coach like hell but seems to play a little fast and easy with the rules.

I understand Crean only has so much control once they get to IU. you're right in that he cannot turn them into gym rats. My concern is his judgement concerning them before they get to IU. I kinda feel that he fell in love with what everyone else was saying and felt the need to conform to popular opinion rather than trusting his personal judgement.

To some degree I feel them not working hard is Creans fault. Judging who does and does not have a good work ethic is his job. A miss every now and then on that matter is ok but he gets paid rather well to make those decisions.

Really agree! That class set us back and just killed our recruiting momentum! Crean is really struggling to recover and as of now he still hasn't recovered!

Somewhat agree but his decision making seems to be improving.

I think he should get this year and barring an implosion (either on, or especially off court) he should get next year. I feel the rest of the season is gonna be really interesting as a fan and crucial to Crean as a coach.

You are right. He should be expected to succeed no matter what the salary. I would say that at lower levels you tend to have leniency for mistakes but when you take a high profile job with a high salary that leniency goes away. Crean is not at Marquette anymore an I think the expectations at Indiana are higher. In my opinion he needs to raise his game another notch. I know in some of my comments lately I've probably come across a little harshly about Crean but to be honest I don't want him gone. I like a lot of things he has done with/for the program and in all honesty I think with the right personnel his on court program might work well but...results are all that matters and I really don't feel like he's at the level he should be yet. Hope he progresses.

That...or we're expecting more out of a 3.5 million dollar coach.

While I agree they should get kudos for not playing kids who don't earn it in practice at some point in time I think you have to question someone's ability to judge character if they keep signing those type of players.

If it looks like a donkey, smells like a donkey, sounds like a donkey, acts like a donkey...hell, maybe Crean just doesn't know what a donkey is! Maybe he's been thinking he was pinning the tail on Secretariat? Lol

He looks like he would fit well in what CTC likes to do. He pretty easily overmatched anyone he matched up against in the vid but the quality of opposition didn't look to strong. I'd rather take a chance on a kid like this than a project out of high school. If you miss on a Juco you only have to live with your whiff for two years as compared to four. Don't know about everyone else but I keep seeing these draft prognostications and TW is moving up into the thirties. I'm not sure how high he would have to go before he left this year.

You almost get the feeling that Crean would like to have a team made up of wings and guards but he thinks he'd be ridiculed so he recruits a couple of token tall guys to satisfy critics. I personally have no objection to not playing/recruiting "centers" because as you say there are so few of them that are very skilled...and if they are skilled they are gone after one year and I don't blame them. I would like to see him recruit/play multiple guys who can play the four spot especially if one of them has the ability to step out and hit the three occasionally. I think a four guard approach may win you some games during the regular season but when it comes to going deep in the tournament on a regular basis I don't see it happening.

Or our "out in the third round with two lottery picks" banner. realistically, I thought we under achieved that year.

Uuuuhhhh...slip of the finger! Lol

Not to be argumentative but doesn't Crean at some point have to get the blame? He's in charge of this program. The success or failure of it is his to own. Other top notch programs/coaches encounter the same situations/problems as Indiana and Crean. An excuse can always be found if a person looks for one...at some point it all boils down to results. Wins and losses. Get it done or someone else is gonna take your lunch. I'm not writing this because I want Crean fired. I just want Indiana to win and do it the right way. It's Indiana...it's Indiana!

I sure as hell hope not! I'm not wishing to see Crean gone but it's just time to get it done! One way or another...

If the kid develops an outside shot and continues to improve his decision making...wow! He'll be pretty close to unstoppable! His D? Needs a little work but the potential is there.

Agree totally on all points especially the work ethic part. To me that's what sets the greatest players apart from the rest. Their work ethic and desire to be the best and dominate. Vic had it...Troy needs to have it and the sky's the limit!

Lol. I thought the same about Vic near the end of his sophomore year. I remember watching them in the tournament against UK and Kentucky just flat could not stop him in the pick and roll. That summer is when he developed his outside shot and just exploded his junior year. TW isn't a finished product by any means but his potential is enormous. TW has really made some strides...really hope he continues. He develops an outside shot and he's leaving.

I believe his height gives him the potential to be better than Vic. If he can improve his outside shooting and decision making like Vic did the sky is the limit! He reminds me a little of Pippen. He's not nearly on Pippens level yet but his athleticism and length are astounding. He's actually not a bad ball handler it's just that he hasn't quite learned how to stay out of certain situations! Not sure who the last player with his potential was at IU. I kinda hope he doesn't quite put it all together this year and comes back for his junior year. He could potentially be in player of the year discussions next year I believe...and I mean nationally.

Lol I agree. On the one foul where he barely bumped the guy I caught myself saying out loud, "don't let that ball get in the air!" At least get your money's worth and don't let them have a three point opportunity!

His athleticism is phenomenal! I actually think he is more athletic than Olidipo(sp?) Was.

He gets it! He gets that it's one game of 5-on-5 not 5 games of 1-on-1. He plays selflessly. Not necessarily the most talented kid but definitely team oriented.

Dammit Troy!I wish I could do that!