Hardwood83

Well- if "we" wait until July it will also save $3mil on Crean's buyout so it's actually a fiscally responsible move!

I agree about the timing. Even further, I can't imagine IU would even request/expect Billy to leave his team prior to the playoffs. Are the Thunder likely to advance? No, but leaving a team that still has a (slim) chance to win the NBA Finals isn't acceptable. If BD is willing to come to IU then a few weeks aren't gonna scotch the deal, IMO.

It is ALWAYS safe for that. Best case scenario (somewhat in realm of reality) CTC lines up another job over the next week or so, IU finishes strong and makes the NCAA's, wins a game or two. OG decides to come back and Billy D is announced the new coach after the Thunder flame out in playoffs. Mulitple Banners result. We all struggle to find things to gripe about.

This doesn't seem practical since Crean hasn't been officially let go and Billy D hasn't been signed. Not saying impossible, just seems very, very unlikely.

My condolences. I'm so sorry life has treated you so unfairly. Chin up it will get better.....mostly because it can't get any worse. Maybe you'll get a job transfer to Haiti or Yemen.

And no one vandalized it? Disappointing.

Not sure about all the WWII analogies but I agree with your point about the coaches. I am of the opinion IU should hire the absolute best coach that will take the job. Obviously, the next great coach is out there somewhere, laboring in relative obscurity. Let someone else find him. I want the proven winner.

I agree it would be refreshing to have more stability, consistency & fundamentals. However, I think that should be a given at IU. Time to reach for the brass ring now, not settle for a steady workman like guy that will be under pressure in a few years for topping out with 12-6 Conf Records and Sweet 16 appearances. Go all in for the Rock-star, imo.

Freaking pathetic. I completely agree that the head coach is ultimately responsible for everything, but hard not to say WTF to the players for this stat. 3 Junior guards?!? STOP throwing the ball to the other team, out of bounds and /or traveling! I know, I know they're told to play fast, blah, blah, blah. But these guys have played a lot of ball and know they are doing dumb stuff. Quit.It. Obviously it has been a systemic issue and Crean allows it. Doesn't give the players a pass for doing it. Maddening.

If Hoiberg were hired I'd sure give him a chance, but would not be excited. At all. I can imagine him having some success but really struggle to see him winning at a high level consistently. Certainly not a NC. If IU wants to return to elite/blueblood status then hire like it. Sorry, Fred Hoiberg ain't 'the one.'

Maybe, but as others have pointed out, contract needs to be extended or will crater recruiting completely. A contract extension, even a year, after this season would cause an uproar. I can't imagine a change not being made. The question is, will it be the right change?

Seriously?! Pitinio is a slimy, d-bag that makes Sampson look like a boy scout. I'm glad there is no chance of this actually happening since I couldn't stomach it.

Agree completely. Sleeping giant. As someone said 20 pages ago- turnkey operation. Call now for this amazing opporunity, operators are standing by!

I agree, he'll continue to get paid to coach basketball and will have some success. Crean is not a complete idiot. It's easy to pile on and high-light the mistakes but IU has beaten some very good teams over the last 6 years and that isn't an accident. So if CTC gets blame for the losses (which is fair) then he should get credit too. IMO the issue is the consistency- or lack of it. It's not even a roller coaster, more like a teeter-totter. From one extreme to the other with no in between. After all, it's Indiana- and that can't happen at Indiana.

A couple weeks ago I thought Crean would get another year- I have changed my mind. He's lost a large section of the fan-base and now, it appears, his team. Unlike many of you, I like Crean. I don't care if he drinks Diet Coke and tugs on his pants. He can clap until he bleeds as long as IU plays consistent, high-level basketball. That hasn't happened and no indication that it will at this point. It's going to be a full-blown firestorm if Glass doesn't make the move and soon. I don't think Stevens or Donovan are realistic. Marshall doesn't interest me. Bennett, I could see happening and being very successful in the B1G & NCAA's.

He left his alma mater to take that NBA job too. He was beloved there- where he's known as "The Mayor" of Ames, IA. Btw, I've been to Ames, that isn't much of a compliment. Anyway, will he always be looking for the next thing, or did he get the NBA out of his system?

Hey, I never claimed I had the answer, I just want to point out everyone else's flaws.

You make a decent case for him being a moderate upgrade. In my opinion IU should only make the move for a "can't miss", home-run type hire. Of course I would like someone that addresses the short-comings of CTC's teams, but unless the new guy is THE ONE to hang a banner, not worth it. Maybe unrealistic, but that is my opinion. Otherwise we'll just be on a treadmill of constantly seeking marginal improvement. I don't see Marshal or especially Hoiberg as that guy.

That is an absolute best case and would be great. I love the idea of waiting until you have your guy before making a move. IMO, the goal isn't to replace CTC, it's to hire someone clearly better.

Disagree: one year from B1G championship, injuries and $4mil buyout will get him another season, IMO. That is what I think will happen, not what I think should.

I agree it's time for a change since CTC's teams are inconsistent, lack fundamentals and make poor decisions too often. Still, how many of you truly believe he gets fired after this season? Unless something dramatic happens, I say it less than a 5% chance. I do think it's unfair to say that the "injury excuse" has no merit. IU is down 2, maybe 3, starters from the preseason and appears Morgan and Davis are less than 100%. Not even the '96 Bulls are gonna just shake off losses like that.

Come on- how often do coaches resign out of contrition for a sub-par job? Hint: super duper rare. There is a difference between thinking it's time to for him to move on and ripping every aspect of his personality.

I agree this is likely what will happen.

Don't worry he'll quickly learn how to increase them once he enrolls :)

I think you are pretty spot on. I like Crean and don't want him fired. From what I've seen he's a hard-working, genuine guy that gives all he's got to his kids and the program and has accomplished some impressive things. That matters. But ultimately results are what define you as a coach and his teams are inconsistent and seem to have a ceiling. At some point I believe he'll get the right mix of talent and make a deep run a la Marquette, but that will be the exception. It sucks.