Interesting comments

[IU Bud 445]

I was expecting a 20+ win season this year. We had Yogi, better outside shooting, and Troy had started playing better/smarter at the end of last year. My expectations were confirmed after seeing Troy handle the ball much better in Canada and the fresman shoot the ball well.

 

I was expecting a little more out of HMP, but was surprised early by Hartman.  Down the stretch, Hanner will be the player that will be the most productive in the post with Hartman moving back to the wing.

 

Crean has done what I expected any coach would have done with this team. I would have eaten the last two scholarships and gave them to our two walk-on players for one year. Hopefully the last two scholarships were given out with the understanding that they could be only guaranteed for one season.

 

CTC is doing about what I expect. He isn't an elite coach and will be around at least to the end of next year and likely to the 2017 season barring a collapse next year. There are better coaches, but they would have to be available and willing to come to IU. I would be happy with CTC if he can land a big man and somehow find a place on the roster without losing a core player in the process.

[FortWayneHoosier 6,691]

I was expecting a 20+ win season this year. We had Yogi, better outside shooting, and Troy had started playing better/smarter at the end of last year. My expectations were confirmed after seeing Troy handle the ball much better in Canada and the fresman shoot the ball well.

 

I was expecting a little more out of HMP, but was surprised early by Hartman.  Down the stretch, Hanner will be the player that will be the most productive in the post with Hartman moving back to the wing.

 

Crean has done what I expected any coach would have done with this team. I would have eaten the last two scholarships and gave them to our two walk-on players for one year. Hopefully the last two scholarships were given out with the understanding that they could be only guaranteed for one season.

 

CTC is doing about what I expect. He isn't an elite coach and will be around at least to the end of next year and likely to the 2017 season barring a collapse next year. There are better coaches, but they would have to be available and willing to come to IU. I would be happy with CTC if he can land a big man and somehow find a place on the roster without losing a core player in the process.

you took the words out of my mouth about every subject and person you mentioned. Id like to also add on what you said about CTC and say that we had a lot of off court issues, and coach seemed to get through that storm just fine. I also totally agree with you about replacing him; I think he will be here through the 2017 season, and firing him now would be a mistake because there does have to be someone available and willing to come, and i just dont see very many options to replace him at this time. Lets face it Stevens isnt leaving the NBA, to coach Indiana sorry it aint happening people, the stars would have to align.

[moyemayhem 1,711]

I think Dakich is the most spot on with his analysis.  Crean is a good coach, I have no doubt about that.  The problem is that many fans (including myself), do not think he's good enough to meet the standards at Indiana.  If there are 350 D1 college coaches, we don't just want a top 100 or top 50 coach.  We want a top 10 coach.  That's how we compensate our current coach, we have a history of expecting that kind of performance from our coaches, and I see no reason to drop those standards now.  Crean is a good guy, he's improved the image of our program, and he's had some moderate success.  There would be no reason for any analyst to bash him, but just because you are a nice guy, it doesn't mean you should enjoy job security while putting up average results at a blue blood program. 

[IU Bud 445]

you took the words out of my mouth about every subject and person you mentioned. Id like to also add on what you said about CTC and say that we had a lot of off court issues, and coach seemed to get through that storm just fine. I also totally agree with you about replacing him; I think he will be here through the 2017 season, and firing him now would be a mistake because there does have to be someone available and willing to come, and i just dont see very many options to replace him at this time. Lets face it Stevens isnt leaving the NBA, to coach Indiana sorry it aint happening people, the stars would have to align.

There is debate on if/when Stevens would be available or want to coach at IU. The odds are good if he had been fired from Boston at the same time we were looking for a coach that he would take a hard look at IU. Those wanting to make a coaching change so Stevens could come here would never accept an alternative and end up disappointed.  Like you said, the timing would have to be right and he would have to want to leave the NBA. I would say there is less than a 25% chance that BS would be our next coach.

[8bucks 7,485]

As stated earlier,if you think DD wouldn't call him out because of some PC or fear of repercussions, pass me whatever your smokin.

I listen to DD a lot and have not heard him talk bad about any current coach. I have heard very few analysts ever directly criticize a coaches ability and many gush about the brilliance of coaches that most feel are average at best.

That being said, I think Crean is a good coach. He has had some success against top 25 teams and has beaten all the top coaches in the BT. I am not yet convinced he can build a consistent winner at IU.

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

I listen to DD a lot and have not heard him talk bad about any current coach. I have heard very few analysts ever directly criticize a coaches ability and many gush about the brilliance of coaches that most feel are average at best.

That being said, I think Crean is a good coach. He has had some success against top 25 teams and has beaten all the top coaches in the BT. I am not yet convinced he can build a consistent winner at IU.

I'd kind of forgotten how much of a sycophant Greenberg is. Dakich... I don't know. He's pretty critical of coaches if you ask me.

Regarding that last statement, I don't understand how that's relevant. Not putting anyone down who thinks that; but there's no way of proving that other than to do it, so why hang it over every statement about the coach? Again, I get it. I just think too often he's a victim of his own success. And I'd say we have been winning consistently the past 4 years... Others may not. But we've sure won a lot of games, won a title in a gauntlet year. Second best two year stretch in school history behind the greatest team ever. Crean's sure done nothing at IU...

Not trying to be antagonistic. I'm just amazed so many want to throw his time here in the trash. As if he hasn't displayed proven ability to do it all at IU.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I'd kind of forgotten how much of a sycophant Greenberg is. Dakich... I don't know. He's pretty critical of coaches if you ask me.

Regarding that last statement, I don't understand how that's relevant. Not putting anyone down who thinks that; but there's no way of proving that other than to do it, so why hang it over every statement about the coach? Again, I get it. I just think too often he's a victim of his own success. And I'd say we have been winning consistently the past 4 years... Others may not. But we've sure won a lot of games, won a title in a gauntlet year. Second best two year stretch in school history behind the greatest team ever. Crean's sure done nothing at IU...

Not trying to be antagonistic. I'm just amazed so many want to throw his time here in the trash. As if he hasn't displayed proven ability to do it all at IU.

Not sure how you are measuring this? You mention the greatest team ever, I assume you are talking about the 74-75 & 75-76 team that only lost 1 game in two years. How about the 79-80 & 80-81 teams that went to the Sweet 16 then Won a NC while winning B1G both years? Also what about the 82-83, 83-84 team that went to Sweet 16 and Elite 8 also winning B1G title. How about the 85-86, 86-87 team that won a NC a B1G title and was 2nd in B1G other year. How about the 90-91, 91-92, 92-93, 93-94 team that only went to Sweet 16, FF, Elite 8 & Sweet 16, While winning B1G title twice and never finishing worse than 3rd.

 

I don't want to take anything away from Crean and the 11-12, 12-13 teams, they were very good and produced some good results, but saying they had the 2nd best stretch in school history? That is kind of crazy IMO.

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

Not sure how you are measuring this? You mention the greatest team ever, I assume you are talking about the 74-75 & 75-76 team that only lost 1 game in two years. How about the 79-80 & 80-81 teams that went to the Sweet 16 then Won a NC while winning B1G both years? Also what about the 82-83, 83-84 team that went to Sweet 16 and Elite 8 also winning B1G title. How about the 85-86, 86-87 team that won a NC a B1G title and was 2nd in B1G other year. How about the 90-91, 91-92, 92-93, 93-94 team that only went to Sweet 16, FF, Elite 8 & Sweet 16, While winning B1G title twice and never finishing worse than 3rd.

I don't want to take anything away from Crean and the 11-12, 12-13 teams, they were very good and produced some good results, but saying they had the 2nd best stretch in school history? That is kind of crazy IMO.

The topic of winning consistently is what was referenced; only one team won more games in a two year period and that was the 75-76 group. That's all I was referring to.

[Hoosiernsavga 92]

I was expecting a 20+ win season this year. We had Yogi, better outside shooting, and Troy had started playing better/smarter at the end of last year. My expectations were confirmed after seeing Troy handle the ball much better in Canada and the fresman shoot the ball well.

 

I was expecting a little more out of HMP, but was surprised early by Hartman.  Down the stretch, Hanner will be the player that will be the most productive in the post with Hartman moving back to the wing.

 

Crean has done what I expected any coach would have done with this team. I would have eaten the last two scholarships and gave them to our two walk-on players for one year. Hopefully the last two scholarships were given out with the understanding that they could be only guaranteed for one season.

 

CTC is doing about what I expect. He isn't an elite coach and will be around at least to the end of next year and likely to the 2017 season barring a collapse next year. There are better coaches, but they would have to be available and willing to come to IU. I would be happy with CTC if he can land a big man and somehow find a place on the roster without losing a core player in the process.

 

I agree with everything here besides Hanner. I think he is the most improved player this season even with the knee injury. Hartman has been a pleasant surprise also obviously coming back from injury. But HMP has impressed me this year especially being our only real big other than Holt. If this Hoosier team had a true 5 Hanner would be an absolute beast at the 4!

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

I truly don't understand how some cling to standards of decades past; it simply doesn't make any sense. It's a totally different climate, is it not?

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I truly don't understand how some cling to standards of decades past; it simply doesn't make any sense. It's a totally different climate, is it not?

Things have definitely changed. Since your post referenced IU's past performences then I compared the two as well. Lots of things have changed, but I don't feel our standards of winning consistently and performing well in the NCAA tournament should change.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I truly don't understand how some cling to standards of decades past; it simply doesn't make any sense. It's a totally different climate, is it not?

Also as far as change. You referenced wins in your previous post. Imagine if some of the teams in the 70's 80's and 90's had a conference tourney to add 2,3 or 4 more wins to their totals. Change work both ways. Change can help your arguement as well as hinder it.

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

Things have definitely changed. Since your post referenced IU's past performences then I compared the two as well. Lots of things have changed, but I don't feel our standards of winning consistently and performing well in the NCAA tournament should change.

Totally agree. Didn't mean any harm by that comment! Fascinates me. IU can be that powerhouse and giant. The need for instant gratification is the frustrating part. We all care so much and are immersed in it.

It isn't that Crean is designing an unstable program. We could have survived losing those guys to the NBA. It happens. But when it's coupled with losing the entire foundation for this regime (2009 class)... That was not a good recipe. But what should Crean have done to rectify that? In 2009 should he have had the foresight to redshirt Watford and Hulls? A lot went into the terrible season last year. It was a cluster you know what.

Indiana should absolutely expect to compete for the B1G and national title on a yearly basis. That's always going to be the standard. But that doesn't make it justified or right or fair. The bar should be set high. IU should aim high; but that doesn't mean you can't find success below that bar. Just my opinion.

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

Let me add: it's impossible to compare anything under Crean nor any of the prior 2 coaches to those 29 years.

[8bucks 7,485]

Let me add: it's impossible to compare anything under Crean nor any of the prior 2 coaches to those 29 years.

My consistent winning standard is based on being like OSU, MSU and Wisconsin over say a ten year period. I am neither convinced he can nor convinced he cannot but assuming last year was the one in 10 bad year then we need another 6-7 good years.

Good years again would be where we are in competition for BT championship. Even though his first run to the sweet sixteen we did not compete for the BT we had a good post season run for they team so I would count that.

Crean will eventually have to do more in the NCAA but if he builds teams that consistently fight for the BT crown like MSU OSU and Wisconsin have done for the last decade then postseason success should follow.