TOM CREAN FIRED

[Brass Cannon 24,222]

Couple things about a few posts....

I was under the impression Newkirk came here to play PG. is that not true? Saw X mention we don't have a true PG. Will he be Yogi? No, but if he can lead the team then he will be a quality PG.

Oladipo was expected to go from anyone who was paying attention to him during his sophomore season. He kept getting better and better. After the UK loss in the NCAAs, I was saying he would be a first rounder if he kept improving. Others said the same thing. Crean didn't need to replace Vic though for that team to be good. He needed to replace the 3 point shooting from Hulls and Watford. He didn't do that and the team struggled.

If Crean win the Big Ten this season he will be back no matter what. Before the season started I thought this would be a two year process for Crean. I felt this team was the most talented on the conference and the only reason we were seeing a top 10 ranking preseason was coaching. Then in the second season we would see if Crean has finally gotten some consistancy. We lose Yogi and probably Troy, can Crean have the team stay in the top 5 in conference? If so, carry on with him.

I really thought after Maui that we would see the swoon in Feb/March. So far we are still in first place but with 3 huge tests remaining. We need to win 2/3 of those and one must be Iowa, unless the Hawkeyes falter.

 

Newkirk is a great plan B but he would have to make a massive leap forward after a significant injury to get the job done here. 

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

I wouldn't mind seeing Davis start alongside Bryant (hopefully still here) and have also been calling for bigger lineups, but if that is the case then we need another backup big.

With that said, how fun would it be to see a big/long lineup featuring A front court of Bryant, Davis and OG? I would love that.

Juwan M.

[BGleas 7,880]

I love Morgan, but he's undersized. That's fine against the cupcakes of if he's playing the 4, but he can't be the backup 5 against really good teams that have length/ size inside. Against teams like Maryland, Purdue, MSU, etc.

Juwan M.

[mdn82 25,510]

I love Morgan, but he's undersized. That's fine against the cupcakes of if he's playing the 4, but he can't be the backup 5 against really good teams that have length/ size inside. Against teams like Maryland, Purdue, MSU, etc.

He needs to add a lot of muscle this offseason. I agree with you.

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

We do not know yet what gold may be available going the grad transfers. Hopefully, someone out there that can add valuable minutes.

[Hoosiers219 178]

I wouldn't mind seeing Davis start alongside Bryant (hopefully still here) and have also been calling for bigger lineups, but if that is the case then we need another backup big.

With that said, how fun would it be to see a big/long lineup featuring A front court of Bryant, Davis and OG? I would love that.

Agreed. I think OG can play 4, but with a bit of polish could put in significant minutes at the 3. Love to see DD and Bryant together. Would be great if we could get a big via grad transfer to beef up front court.

If Newkirk isn't our starting PG, why is he using a scholly this year? No one seems excited about this guy. What is the book on this guy? If not a starter, why not just offer a player in 2015. Would give us more depth this year and allow him to bulk up and develop to produce in 2016-2017.

[mamasa 15,137]

True. Which begs the question why did we lose Abell.

I don't know why he left. But he would have helped. That team was beyond misused. Was an absolute joke. And the year I was done with Crean.

More than one occasion he has found passed out on a fraternity lawn in the morning. Crean gave him the option to transfer or get kicked off the team. There were some other alcohol issues but being found on the lawn were the majors. One of the times the police took him straight to Crean's house.

[Bowhunter 2,693]

RJ/ Newkirk-(if healthy)
JBJ
Hartman
OG/Morgan
DAVIS

If Bryant stays:

RJ/NEWKIRK
JBJ
Hartman
OG/Morgan
Bryant /Davis

[AKHoosier 6,739]

Agreed. I think OG can play 4, but with a bit of polish could put in significant minutes at the 3. Love to see DD and Bryant together. Would be great if we could get a big via grad transfer to beef up front court.

If Newkirk isn't our starting PG, why is he using a scholly this year? No one seems excited about this guy. What is the book on this guy? If not a starter, why not just offer a player in 2015. Would give us more depth this year and allow him to bulk up and develop to produce in 2016-2017.

 

I can't speak for everyone, but I am excited for Newkirk next year.  If he can come back from his injury, Crean should be able to get the most out of him.

 

Say what you want about Crean, but he's been very good lately about getting the most out of his transfers.  Nick Zeisloft and Max B. weren't highly thought of and didn't put up big numbers at their previous schools, but I can't imagine our team without either of them now.

 

No reason to think Newkirk won't be a similar case.  I think he was a good player in the wrong system at Pitt, and he became frustrated with it and left.  I was excited about him when we picked him up, and I still am.

[Alford Bailey 12,350]

Well, if we win the B1G this year I guess we can go ahead and put this thread in the closet for a couple years.

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

Well, if we win the B1G this year I guess we can go ahead and put this thread in the closet for a couple years.

This is very true. But, I, for one, am unwilling to give another extension.

[mdn82 25,510]

Well, if we win the B1G this year I guess we can go ahead and put this thread in the closet for a couple years.

I doubt he would be fired next year unless arrests or complete tanking, but I would hope even with a top finish we start aiming for consistent top 5 finishes. Like 5 being a down year with top 3 most of the time. I do like we are finally at a point where it seems going forward we will have a balance of skill in every class. That will help. But we should be past the point where we either share or win then fall to bottom half for two years IMO.

[BGleas 7,880]

Agree, but it's more than just weight. Morgan is 6'7" and I think maybe even closer to 6'6". He cant defend guys like Haas, Hammons, Stone, Happ, etc., they're just too big. I love Morgan and think he's a really good defender and is going to be a really good player. But he's more in the role of defending guys that are your 3/4 tweeners.

He needs to add a lot of muscle this offseason. I agree with you.

[Stuhoo 79,639]

Why wouldn't we start Davis? That'd make zero sense. We as fans have been wanting size. We might finally have it.. then want to start 6-6(on his tip toes) Hartman at the 4? I don't think Hartman is the person to care if he is starting or coming off the bench.

 

Because "we as fans want ..." is a very common, and absolutely irrelevant, reason for an in-game/who starts coaching decision. 

 

Hartman WILL start, and most any coach seems to see that.

[Alford Bailey 12,350]

Because "we as fans want ..." is a very common, and absolutely irrelevant, reason for an in-game/who starts coaching decision. 

 

Hartman WILL start, and most any coach seems to see that.

Irrelevant? That hurts man.

[Alford Bailey 12,350]

This is very true. But, I, for one, am unwilling to give another extension.

Wouldn't surprise if Glass does it again on the heels of a B1G title.

[seanmm1971 1,437]

Wouldn't surprise if Glass does it again on the heels of a B1G title.

Beat Purdue today, win or share the conference, win 2 in the NCAA's,and it's a done deal. IMHO

[X-Hoosier 529]

Because "we as fans want ..." is a very common, and absolutely irrelevant, reason for an in-game/who starts coaching decision.

Hartman WILL start, and most any coach seems to see that.

There really is no reason for Hartman to start. Not from a strategy or talent look at it.

[seanmm1971 1,437]

There really is no reason for Hartman to start. Not from a strategy or talent look at it.

Experience and leadership.

[X-Hoosier 529]

Experience and leadership.

That can be brought off the bench. We don't have to start him just because he's a senior.