TOM CREAN FIRED

[WayneFleekHoosier]

@NBCSports: How bad is Indiana's defense? It could get Tom Crean fired, writes @RobDauster. https://t.co/JtkTuhstY2 https://t.co/XjVTn9JqZA

[WayneFleekHoosier]

From the article.

Once we get past the analytical breakdowns, once we get over the discussion of whether or not Indiana should be a man-to-man team or strictly play zone or continue to throw junk defense after junk defense out there, hoping the powerhouses in the Big Ten aren’t as adept at figuring them out as Duke was on Wednesday, what you come down to is that quote from Krzyzewski.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Here is coaching, also from article.

Here’s the kicker: Duke really didn’t do anything complicated offensively. This wasn’t some magisterial coaching performance by the man with more wins than any one else in the sport, the discovery of a fatal flaw in Indiana’s defensive schemes. Duke’s game-plan was as simple as simple gets. They wanted to isolate Bryant in ball-screen actions against man-to-man because Bryant cannot guard ball-screen actions against man-to-man. They wanted to attack Indiana’s defenders off the dribble because Indiana’s perimeter players can’t stop dribble penetration. They wanted to get Jefferson the ball in the high-post against IU’s zone because Jefferson could distribute from that spot on the floor. And they wanted to attack the offensive glass because Indiana’s front line has no idea the kind of physicality that it takes to rebound the ball at this level.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Coach vs player here:

I spent my Wednesday night sitting court side, trying to track what the Hoosiers were doing defensively. I counted at least five different defenses that they played: man, a 2-3 zone, a 1-1-3 zone, a 1-2-2 press and a defense where they switched between man and zone in the middle of the possession.

“They were going man and then turning their man to a zone,” Jefferson said. “It was really weird. You don’t see that a lot. It was kind of different.”

The problem was that it was difficult to identify what, exactly, they were running because, at times, I’m not convinced the players actually knew themselves. It was unnecessarily complicated, and when you’re a team that’s struggling to find their way on the defensive end of the floor, the answer isn’t to start trying a myriad of junk defenses.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Best article I've read so far!!! Excellent breakdown.

[biteoftheapple]

I have lost confidence in team and more specifically coach. I will continue to watch games on TV, but, I did sell my Classic tickets today. Until this coach announces he is leaving, I will not attend.

[MartintheMopMan]

Best article I've read so far!!! Excellent breakdown.

You're right. That is a good article. Sheds light on startling statistics too I hadn't looked at yet.

 

Duke had 1.52 ppp. That's outrageous. We had 1.19 which is just shy of Georgetown on a neutral court who lost by 2 points.

 

1.52 ppp is just... stunning. It's almost what we had against Alcorn State. We were the Alcorn State to Duke.

 

Coach K summed it all up. “For a period of time there, we just kind of scored.”

[coonhounds]

We have a trail of cupcakes heading to conference play except notre dame. I hope crean don't go preaching how improved we are without us being tested. He was happy after st jhons when we were not good and sounded like he thought we improved vs Alcorn st when it was obvious we didn't. We will learn nothing till big ten. I am not ruling out losing two games yet either

[Baltimore Hoosier]

I posted on the game thread yesterday about how excited I was to watch this game with my best friend, a huge Duke fan. My keys to winning this game were rebounding and limiting second chance points, and perimeter defense.... I guess I should have knocked on wood. This was one of the most embarrassing losses I can remember. I've always felt somewhat loyal to Crean because he brought IU back from some really dark times and has been a very good recruiter. But Jesus Christ, I don't think I've ever seen a team just roll over and die like the Hoosiers did last night. 

 

Crean keeps talking about the defense improving and moving on to the next game, and the fact that he believes this team will get better, etc.. But I just don't see it. I would say he must be auditioning for an NBA job with the complete lack of defense, but all reports indicate that defense is the main emphasis at practice. So where is the disconnect?

 

Everything points to one solution.. Gotta fire Crean. I would hate to lose any of the players that are loyal to him either on the roster now or guys who have signed LOI's, but I think it's time for IU to cut their losses and move on. 

[HoosierTrav]

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2015/12/03/breaking-down-indianas-historically-bad-defense-and-why-their-seasons-at-a-crossroads/


This guy basically agrees that it's mostly confusion and chaos causing our defense to be as bad as it is. When I watch, I don't see lack of effort. I see young men having no idea what they are doing. Sad.

[HoosierTrav]

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2015/12/03/breaking-down-indianas-historically-bad-defense-and-why-their-seasons-at-a-crossroads/


This guy basically agrees that it's mostly confusion and chaos causing our defense to be as bad as it is. When I watch, I don't see lack of effort. I see young men having no idea what they are doing. Sad.

Go ahead and disregard this. I didn't see it posted above

[HoosierTrav]

Best article I've read so far!!! Excellent breakdown.

Love Dauster. Always insightful. Really understands how to break it down for the people who aren't necessarily able to readily identify what's happening on the court. At first glance, you think effort, but this is far more than effort. It's bad scheme that is sucking the hope out of players, causing them to throw in the towel.

[HoosierReb01]

It wouldn't be needed.  The buyout was stupid, but not as stupid as it seems on the surface.  It's not paid out in a lump sum, over 5 (?) years actually, and what he makes at his next job if it's in coaching (or broadcasting I believe) is deducted from what's owed.  Theoretically Indiana could get away with not paying much of it.

And CTC does not strike me as the type who's going to set back and just collect the check. He may not be much of a coach, but I believe he absolutely loves doing it. He'd have another coaching job pretty quick.

[HoosierReb01]

@bkravitz: It's like I've always said: IU is a football school.

lol, I made that comment on here a year ago. 'bout got my ass ran off the board.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

And CTC does not strike me as the type who's going to set back and just collect the check. He may not be much of a coach, but I believe he absolutely loves doing it. He'd have another coaching job pretty quick.

Absolutely agree.  There would be any number of schools who would happily hire him based on name recognition alone.  I mean, there are schools who actually hire known NCAA violators; some with multiple NCAA infractions.

[HoosierTrav]

First I do not think Crean goes midseason. But, if he would, I have no desire for any other coach on staff take over. If they were worthy, the team would have a better defensive showing than presently.

Some claiming to be close to the program have said before that he is insufferably controlling. If that's the case, it's completely feasible to get different schemes from the assistants.

[johnsoniu]

And CTC does not strike me as the type who's going to set back and just collect the check. He may not be much of a coach, but I believe he absolutely loves doing it. He'd have another coaching job pretty quick.

I agree with this. But his tenacity is what has become the problem. I'm absolutely convinced he believes his magically-morphing man to man/2-3 zone/trap/ crap there's another layup defense will actually work if they just ran it properly.

 

He's trying to write a masters thesis on thermodynamic entropy without passing Physics 101 first.

[HoosierAloha]

Coach vs player here:

I spent my Wednesday night sitting court side, trying to track what the Hoosiers were doing defensively. I counted at least five different defenses that they played: man, a 2-3 zone, a 1-1-3 zone, a 1-2-2 press and a defense where they switched between man and zone in the middle of the possession.

“They were going man and then turning their man to a zone,” Jefferson said. “It was really weird. You don’t see that a lot. It was kind of different.”

The problem was that it was difficult to identify what, exactly, they were running because, at times, I’m not convinced the players actually knew themselves. It was unnecessarily complicated, and when you’re a team that’s struggling to find their way on the defensive end of the floor, the answer isn’t to start trying a myriad of junk defenses.

Crean trying to outsmart everyone in the room again...

[Trish]

Just a question and not my pick but what about a guy like Elston leading them the rest of the season? I know he is brand brand new but I am not sold on any of he other assistants either. I think Elston is a guy that gets it.

Saw him at the Bars the other week.


Nah.

[Jeff_Boy_Ardee]

I have been strong on the idea of keeping Crean, and suffering through seasons, until we get exactly who we want. I am now 100% sure I have been wrong.

I do not believe we make the Mike Davis mistake again. I think the best option now is to part ways with Crean as soon as possible and let an interim take over.

This lets coaches know we have an opening and are looking and now puts the pressure on the potential candidates. I think the coaching family is still a family and to some it may look shady if we go asking them to coach is while we are publicly supporting Crean, as if we are going behind his back.

Make the opening available, let the idea start to fester in potential candidates mind for the remainder of the season so come offseason they already know it's open. It's time we take control and finally get this position available and begin hardcore researching and sending out feelers.