LamarCheeks

It's gonna be Dane Fife. Sure, it's a risky move, but look at it this way ... He committed the absolute dumbest foul in IU basketball history and yet -- it turned out OK in the end. (Before anybody wants to tell me Dane isn't the guy, I'm just joking. Sorta. He's not my first choice. Or my second. Or my third. Or my fourth. But I'd take him over a lot of the other folks who've been mentioned).

Kind of a nice, little farewell from Al ...

I read one article -- I've perused so many by now, I can't remember where it came from -- that said Archie met with administration earlier this month and was under the impression he had another year. That seems a little implausible to me. As the calendar turned, we were already in a downward spiral -- from which it seemed there was no recovery. I have a hard time believing Archie was blindsided by yesterday's chat with Dolson.

Like others here, I wish CAM well. I like him and when he was hired, I thought we had our coach for the next 15 years. But it just wasn't the right fit. He had great success at Dayton, which is in what's probably the best mid-major conference, so I don't think hiring him was a mistake. When you succeed in the A-10, your next stop is most likely running a P5 program. I could see him taking a year off, recharging then going to a place like Pittsburgh -- where Jeff Capel hasn't knocked anyone's socks off. Pitt fans like their hoops, but they're not as fanatical as we are. Plus, that's right in Archie's backyard.

I read that article -- meh. I think the author is just trying to come up with an outside-the-box candidate to get hits. Love Keith Smart, but he has never recruited -- and kids he'd be targeting have no idea who he is. And he's never had much success as an NBA head coach. Also, the author said his requirements were that the new coach have RMK's blessing and former IU players' blessing. All respect to RMK and the former players, but I don't care if the new coach gets their blessing or not. If a new coach wins, that'll answer every question. And while I don't think Brad Stevens will come, Brew said even he wouldn't check his last two boxes -- which are the aforementioned approval of RMK and former IU players. I would think Knight -- as well as the former players -- would totally back a Stevens hire.

Whoo, get over your bizarre obsession with Pitino -- he's dirty as they day is long. And TBH, I don't give a sh-t about what Tarkanian said.

And have it all wiped off books two years later.

I'm sure the players would love the strippers and the hookers, but we'd be on probation within five years.

Not sure Seth Greenberg always knows what he's talking about, but he said that if you have several one-and-dones, you're fine. But if you have one, it's gonna cause problems. I think there might be some credence to that.

I still maintain there was some sort of disconnect between the players and Archie. I just got the impression they didn't like him -- or didn't like playing for him. While I imagine they are probably a little shaken that their coach is gone, I can't imagine any of them shedding any tears over his departure. Don't have any idea what his relationship was like with his players at Dayton, but at IU, it almost just seemed nonexistent.

He will be asked about it. And he will most likely deny any interest. Or he will say he's fully committed to the Celtics. And this will be how people react ... And while I think the chances of him leaving Boston for IU are extremely remote, whatever he says won't necessarily mean anything because ... What is he supposed to say?

Nice try ...

When I hear Scott Dolson talk, I feel as if I'm just listening to a regular dude. When I heard Fred talk, I felt as if I was listening to a politician.

Dolson's mike is working about as well during this presser as the Assembly Hall clock worked this season.

If people are expecting a new coach to be named at the presser, I'm guessing you'll be disappointed. I just think Dolson will discuss his decision and answer questions. I cannot imagine he will have any announcement on who will be patrolling the sidelines at SSAH next season.

Saw on here and on social media about the 4 p.m. presser, so I tuned in to the B1G Network. They're showing a retrospective of Illinois' 2005 run to the NCAA title game. I think it's some sorta weird karma. Our next coach will be ... Bruce Weber. Dolson can't resist the FIST!

Don't know if anybody posted about this, but I guess Devonte had a snarky tweet about the decision -- that he later deleted. Said. "Oh, how the tables have turned." Hmmm ...

Guess Al wants to play a fifth year -- but not in B-town ...

A presser today might not have anything to do with the new coach. It could just be to discuss the move and answer questions. Fred had a presser after he fired Crean -- and it wasn't until a week or later that we hired Archie.

She is a big IU fan ...

This is so bizarre. Four years ago on a March morning, I took my dog for our daily walk. She's very demanding, so she insists we go about the same time every day and doesn't want me messing on the cellie or what not -- so I leave all that stuff behind. It's just she and I and nature. An hour or so later, we get home and I have a flood of texts about the firing of CTC. A few days later, same thing -- me, the hound and nature. I get home to a flood of texts about the hiring of CAM. And today, wouldn't you know it -- same damn thing. I even waited a little longer than usual -- just to see if any news broke on this front -- and: nothing. Then the pooch and I leave and -- the hammer falls. And I come home to a flood of texts, etc.

As usual this time of day, I put aside anything that would connect my with the outside world for a couple hours and took my hound dog to the park for our walk. No cellie, no radio, no tablet, no internet. Did I miss anything?

Seems like he's got some coaching chops, but I'd guess there are at least a couple more steps he needs to climb before he's put in charge of a P5 program.

Has nothing to do with Archie or IU hoops, but I won't be the first -- or last -- person to get off topic ... I saw Tom & The Heartbreakers at Wrigley Field nearly four years ago in what turned out to be their final tour. One helluva show! Just a few months later, he was gone. Still bums me out.

He looks a lot like Melissa McCarthy!!!