Aaron

I know for me the problem with Crean was not losing in the Sweet 16 given the unpredictable nature of the tourney. It was the un-readiness of getting blown out in them. Obviously Zeller's 1st team hit its ceiling and I think everyone agrees that was the one team Crean got every last bit out of and pushing Kentucky was all that could be reasonably expected. Now let's fast forward to 2012-2013 where we were unable to attack Syracuse's 2-3 zone and got blown out. Let's say instead of getting blown out by Cuse we attack the 2-3 zone well and in a back and forth game we lose a heartbreaker in the last minute. Everything else in the Tom Crean era is exactly the same except we give UNC a great game in Sweet 16 in a back and forth game lose in the last minute. Does this scenario change anything about how we feel about the Crean era? How about if everything is exactly the same except we squeak into tourney the 2 years we miss and lose in 1st round? What if the year we lost to Cuse instead we go on to a Final Four or win a National Championship but everything else plays out the same way? In my mind things would of been different with a combination of playing close games in the Sweet 16 and at least making the tourney every year OR if the 2013 team goes on to win a national title. I am curious what results would of changed people's mind about the Crean era being a success and what results would you still want him here as a head coach?

I have been as anti Alford as anybody but a lot of people seem to want him. Even media guys like Greg Raekstraw, Kent Sterling and Zach Osterman who know college basketball and IU like Alford as the hire (I know 2 of these 3 guys personally and really respect them). I also know people dislike Dakich but he definitely in my mind has IU's best interest at heart and he has championed Alford. All these twitter polls (unscientific) seem to have Alford constantly in the lead. I still don't want Alford but unlike some of you I am willing to give him a chance. The Pierre Pierce thing worries me and he needs to answer about that but if we can get by that he deserves a chance. Sometime I think these message boards do not represent the true feeling of the mood of IU fans (if you read them you think Alford is the Grinch but elsewhere he is well liked). As I have said the farther Alford goes in the tourney the better because either UCLA will fight hard to keep him if we wins a national championship or a lot of IU fans will feel better about the hire if we still get him (I know I will feel better about the hire if he's got a National Championship or Final Four on the resume).

What's a pane? Just kidding

I don't remember anyone besides the media anointing him the front runner and maybe anonymous sources. Same with Donovan. In reality no one has ANY idea who the frontrunner is.

Kent Sterling just mentioned on his radio show that their was a pimp on Sampson's team so clearly Dakich was not making this up and it does not surprise me one bit given the characters on that team.

We never talked to him? Who knows if IU and Billy Donovan and even had contact. Nothing but unsubstantiated rumors at this point.

I don't believe for a second we low balled Donovan. Either these "sources" have bad info so are using this to cover their tracks or they just made things up and Donovan was never interested and saying he was low balled is a convenient way to not have to admit to a lie. I have no idea if we are hot on Donovan or if he is interested but I don't believe anything I read about these "rumors" for a second in regards to the coaching search as I have said constantly.

True but still a funny joke either way and no more ridiculous than all these 'rumors'. Just trying to lighten up the mood a bit.

BREAKING NEWS: The real next coach of IU basketball will be this old guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Davis_(basketball,_born_1938 I have come to find out from a good source that Glass only hires people with the first name "Tom" (think Tom Allen and Tom Crean). Since this is the only Tom available that has coached college basketball that we didn't just fire we will be hiring this retired guy. LOL. Just kidding.

I'll bet every dollar I've got that this won't happen

2 things: 1. First of all this doom and gloom about Alford sounds a lot like the doom and gloom on this board when everyone thought we were keeping Crean the day before he was fired. 2. As I keep saying the longer Alford stays in the tourney the better. If he can put a Final Four Appearance (or even National Championship) on his resume either UCLA is going to fight hard to keep him and not let us have him or all our fans will feel better about hiring him with this years success on his resume (I know I will). Also if he's in the tourney for 2 more weeks maybe we start looking around at other names who are available and hire them first. No matter what the longer Alford goes its a win-win.

I just checked the athletic department directory and it contains one person named Kim. It is Kim Chavers and she is an assistant coach on the rowing team: http://iuhoosiers.com/staff.aspx?staff=564 Anyone think it's her? Probably not so the mystery deepens.

People who are basing "Janitors" identity as a woman based on calling them "Kim" do realize "Kim" is a gender neutral name (although more common for women) I assume? Anyone know a Kim close to the athletic department?

This is a "Mouth Of South" moment if true that "Janitor" is a woman. For those who don't know what I'm talking about their was a regular poster on a Colts board with that handle who everyone assumed was a man many years ago. After Hurricane Katrina this poster's house was washed away I believe and Jim Irsay paid for her to come to a game as a result of her struggles from the storm. Turns out "Mouth Of South" was a 70 year old lady when her identity was revealed through news stories from Irsay's gesture. Just goes to show you never assume the gender or anything else about a person's identity on a message board where people are anonymous.

Glad UCLA won! Now we can't interview Alford for at least a few days and hopefully can get someone different who is available over that time!

I don't know how people feel about Chronic but listening to his podcast he seems to not mind Alford so much but thinks Donovan is a real possibility.

Now him I'd take over Alford but still not ideal.

Dana Altman? I just know both of our last two hires have been completely out of left field from fairly successful coaches so this would fit.

Sill take Alford. Things might get to smelly with the diaper on them. Not sure anyone on our team is a parent or qualified to change a coaches diaper. LOL

Funny but I think I'd take Alford over a mascot. I'm afraid this guy might get eaten alive by some very hungry fan when they are angry at a coaching move he makes.

Got you. Still a little odd to me but at least I get it now.

Why? That doesn't match anything having to do with his name. I'm confused.

Who is MSB?

Maybe this is all an elaborate smoke screen from earlier in the day. IU didn't like the true word about Donovan getting out so they leaked to Huffington Post about Alford as a distraction while they quietly get the Donovan deal done. I don't know what to think anymore.

My thoughts exactly. I'm rooting for UCLA to win it all so either I feel better about hiring him or UCLA makes a huge play to keep him.