LamarCheeks

I keep seeing stories about what Crean has done during his year away from coaching and how much improved he is as a coach -- and a man. He spent time at the Patriots training camp, where he saw how Bill Belichick commanded the attention of his players. He worked a Kansas game and was impressed with the way Bill Self ran his morning walk-through. He spent time with the Chargers before the draft, and learned how prepared they were and how in-dept they analyzed each prospect. He learned great lessons on time management, and what makes leaders great etc., etc., etc., ... That's all fine and good, but those don't necessarily help combat his weakness -- coaching in a game. Those don't help you figure out how counter a 2-3 zone when it takes you out of your offense. Those don't help you figure how to alter your defense when a big man is killing you inside. Those don't help you alter your attack when your guards aren't hitting shots. ... I actually hope he does well at his next landing spot, but I think it will be more of the same -- uneven, inconsistent performances.

This Atlanta columnist says between Crean and Matta for the Georgia job, he'd take ... Matta. Geez, tough call on that one. However, I was puzzled a little by these comments: "It took Crean forever to get the Hoosiers hurryin’ again ... " "My worry with Crean: If you can’t win enough to suit Indiana, one of the few places where basketball is a bigger deal than football, what assurance is there that he’d win enough at a place that reached its one and only Final Four at the expense of Michael Jordan?" As to the first comment. I actually thought for all Crean's faults, he did a pretty remarkable job in getting the program up and running again, considering what he had to work with. The problem was after that -- he couldn't sustain the little success he did have, recruit in-state and coach in big games. As for the second comment -- I would think that would be the whole point. At Indiana, the expectations are very high -- as they should be. We want to go to the NCAAs every year and compete for national titles. If Crean were to go to Georgia and have the kind of record he did at Indiana, I would think they'd be pretty pleased. ... Heck, they fired Mark Richt because he didn't win enough to suit the football fan base. If Richt wanted to coach football at IU, I certainly wouldn't say no. https://www.myajc.com/blog/mark-bradley/georgia-post-fox-choices-thad-matta-tom-crean/q5VipzTSUtKgHQZHss4rDJ/

Did anybody see this NYT piece on Madison? I know it has nothing to do with Romeo, but it is about an hour or so north of New Albany. A very interesting -- and kinda sad -- read: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/08/sports/opioids-suicide.html

We didn't end up with a single win over an NCAA team. ... I guess the closest would've been Notre Dame, which was in the first four out.

They're announcing the at-large bids alphabetically. They went from H (Houston) right to K (Kansas State), skipping the I's and J's. I take it that means we aren't invited!

Houston and Cincy are tied with 25 seconds left. Houston has the ball. The point guard dribbles 20 seconds off the clock, then launches a 3 from about 22 feet and misses. With a tie score, why on earth settle for a 3! Especially when only one guy touches the ball the entire possession. Go to the bucket! Chances are you're gonna get fouled. Or at least pass the ball once. ... I would assume teams practice situations like this, but it sure doesn't show in the games. BTW, my heart is not breaking that Cincy won that game.

I heard from a bunch of sugar-covered marshmallow bunnies whose friend had been bought by the Langfords for Easter that Romeo was having a phone conversation with Bryce Drew. Romeo said, "I really like your school, but I'm not sure ..." Unfortunately, before the bunny heard the end of the conversation, Romeo's sister bit off its head. I know someone said no more Peegs rumors, but this is a Peeps rumor, so I'm guessing it's OK.

Davis leading Texas Southern to the NCAAs doesn't bother me as much as them having an abysmal record (14-19 entering the SWAC final) and getting in. ... I actually like Davis. He genuinely seems like a good, decent man. He was just in over his head at IU and finally realized it. ... Sampson is a different story -- he's a sleazeball who obliterated our program by cheating and lying about cheating. He had been busted for cheating at Oklahoma and was warned not to do it anymore. And, of course, as soon as he got to B-town, he started cheating again.

Archie: "Rob, we feel very fortunate to get you since you're from Lafayette and Purdue is right in your backyard." Rob: "Purwho?"

It really bothers me that Kelvin Sampson will be going to the NCAAs while we're practically begging for an NIT bid.

A few years back, there were rumors that Crean was headed to Alabama (before the Avery Johnson hire, I think). Can you imagine him trying to get snippy with Saban!

Hampton loses in MEAC final, and since the Pirates are leaving in a very contentious exit, league officials must be turning cartwheels. Anyway, that sends them to the NIT.

I saw the same thing about Hurley. And that Pitt might be interested, too. But he apparently turned them down before the Stallings hire ... I actually think UGa might not be a bad fit for Crean. Down there, it seems basketball is just something to pass the time between football and spring football. If he went to the NCAAs 50 percent of the time, I'm guessing they'd be somewhat pleased. The question: Can he do that? Basketball obviously is not top dog (pardon the pun) there, which might suit him better than at IU, where hoops is king.

Hmmm ... Could a certain bespectacled, overly-tan, gum-chomping, sideline-pacing, pants-pulling-uping (?) coach we're all familiar with be headed to the SEC and Athens, Ga.? https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/georgia-fires-mark-fox-after-nine-seasons-tom-crean-a-possible-replacement/

Not sure why they can't shoot from the center of the gym, rather than the corner.

Link to Riley vs. Lake Central game. Quality isn't great, but better than nothing. I've never seen Damezi play and wanted to check it out for a few minutes. http://www.broadcastsport.net/ZipPages/ZIPCode-BasketballRegionalMichiganCity.aspx

http://www.broadcastsport.net/ZipPages/ZIPCode-BasketballRegionalMichiganCity.aspx The quality isn't great, though.

OK, I have officially become a dork. I've got Bloomington South vs. New Albany (Romeo) on one tab and on another, I've got Lake Central vs. South Bend Riley (Damezi) -- and I haven't lived in Indiana in 25-plus years. But back in the day, I went to many Michigan City Regionals. I recognized that gym right away -- used to be Michigan City Rogers.

Damn. I wanted to watch some of the NA-BS game. The IHSAA's link says the game starts at 12:30, so I click at 12:30 and they're already midway through the second quarter.

He honks me off because years ago, when he was at Iowa, he ratted out Illinois and got them in trouble. Not that I have a problem with Illinois getting in trouble -- because they cheated and deserved it -- but if you're gonna do something that, you'd better damn well be squeaky clean yourself. And clearly, he wasn't/isn't.

In that first game, I've got the Rams.

Middle Tennessee's in a bit of trouble in the C-USA -- if anybody's still charting such things. That's been a one-bid league recently and most likely will be again. There's plenty of time left, but if they lose, they would take another NIT slot away.

Plenty of people commented that the photo was in the mirror, and I didn't have any response. But someone, by commenting on my post, was telling me the photo was reversed. I was simply saying that yes, I realized that. And I'm very proud of you that if you feel compelled to comment, you comment. Good for you.

Virginia destroys Stripper U. ... Guy 4 for 6 from distance, finishes with 19 points. ... After the game, Tim Brando from ACC Nework: "That's a kid from Indiana -- Lawrence Central -- he's a kid who really understands the game." ... Man, that was a huge miss for us. Still puzzles me how after getting guys like Hulls, Zeller, Yogi, Hollowell, etc., Crean got so disconnected from the state.

Tom Crean to Pitt? ... Let me start by saying I have no sources and know nothing and I haven't read anything about this. This is based on absolutely nothing other than me just guessing. But he was an assistant there for a season and let's face it, as far as Power 5 schools go, this might be the best he can do (even though it's a pretty bottom of the barrel job). It's not like a Louisville or a Mississippi is gonna hire him. ... Pitt should've never joined the ACC. I think Dixon realized that and got out of dodge.