What are your expectations for the 2015-16 season?

[Brass Cannon 24,980]

I had heard he absolutely hates recruiting

[Flash3 77]

I don't think so, or maybe I hope not. I think the NBA wears coaches out, and I think Brad's a guy who likes to teach, mold, and strategize; and the NBA is such a players' league, I see him coming back to college at some point. I just hope Duke doesn't get him before we do, and I hope whoever the AD is when he's ready has the checkbook out immediately.

From how he's acted he seems to love the NBA. And he has a very young team to teach and mold as well. NBA will burn a coach out just as much as college really. It's just different responsibilities. I don't think he is coming back. He's at the Celtics. They seem to have somewhat of a direction. They made the playoffs last year. No way a coach steps down from the NBA without being fired or failing to win and resigning.

[Stuhoo 82,447]

I don't think so, or maybe I hope not.   I think the NBA wears coaches out, and I think Brad's a guy who likes to teach, mold, and strategize; and the NBA is such a players' league, I see him coming back to college at some point.   I just hope Duke doesn't get him before we do, and I hope whoever the AD is when he's ready has the checkbook out immediately.

 

 

Agreed.

 

Stevens has already been a tremendous success in Boston. I think if/when Stevens comes back to college, it will be a family, lifestyle, and teaching decision, not because there's no NBA head coaching job available for him. 

[BGleas 7,917]

To add to the Stevens conversation, Danny Ainge and Wyc Groubeck (owner) are very loyal when it comes to their coaches. They won't let a bad season or fan chatter cause them to overreact and change coaches. The fans wanted Doc Rivers gone for two seasons and Ainge and Wyc stuck with him because they believed in him, and then the rest was history after the Garnett/Allen trades.

Ainge loves Stevens, and I'm going to guess that Wyc does too, so I don't think he's getting fired anytime soon.

I'd love nothing more than for IU to hire Stevens tomorrow, but after this offseason I've kind of given up on believing that will happen anytime soon. I've always thought he was a college coach at heart, but am beginning to change that opinion. If he does come to IU I'll be ecstatic, but I'm not counting on it anymore.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720054/ainge-stevens-will-go-down-as-one-of-coaching-greats

[WilJos3390 284]

I don't want to be too disappointed. So I'll go 25 wins, Maui Champs, 3rd in Big Ten. Quarterfinals in Big Ten tourney, bounced in sweet 16

[Flash3 77]

I feel like I haven't actually said my expectations. But I think it depends what type if ball we're going to play. If we're playing Troy at the 4 and 3 guards then I say we win 22 games. If we play Troy at the 3 with Holt at the 4 then I say we win 25. I think playing Holt over RJ is 3 games better. Our offense will be there. No so much with the defense. I think with Troy at the 4 then we're destined to be Mizzou and get upset in the 1st round. With Holt at the 4 then I can see a Sweet 16. I think we finish Top 6 in the B1G either way. I can't say we're going to finish the season in the Top 25. This team could surprise or fall flat on their faces. It's a hard group to predict.

[Iufan2324 158]

Last year we needed defense and a post presence. Defense is yet to be seen but the post presence is there. Hanner and DD being gone could be a blessing in disguise. Holt and Hartman in my eyes are a better duo then those two. Last year we were a very young team which usually means they struggle communicating and make silly small mistakes that end up contributing to big outcomes. Now we are a seasoned team without losing anyone of significance. A great recruiting class with everyone improving. Now with that being said its now or never for crean. The expectations should be as high as ever. We can compete with any team out there so as a fan base we should expect a 25 win season. I think by the time the season is over we are a top 7 team. I like our group of guys to say the least.

[HoosierTrav 7,928]

Winning RIGHT is the most important thing... Very big difference.

My expectations are good, my aspirations are Great.

Expect 3rd in the B1G, Semi-finals BTT, Sweet 16 March (depending on the draw).

Aspirations are B1G Title, 1st ever BTT Title, BANNER!

. Agreed.

[Old Friend 8,389]

I had heard he absolutely hates recruiting

This is not accurate.

[Old Friend 8,389]

From how he's acted he seems to love the NBA. And he has a very young team to teach and mold as well. NBA will burn a coach out just as much as college really. It's just different responsibilities. I don't think he is coming back. He's at the Celtics. They seem to have somewhat of a direction. They made the playoffs last year. No way a coach steps down from the NBA without being fired or failing to win and resigning.

No offense, but this is not someone who's "like everyone else."  It is very true that he loves the stats and money ball side of the NBA, but if you don't think he'd step down from the NBA on his own terms if he wanted to go back to college, you're wrong.   I'm not saying he will or he won't.  I don't know that.  But this is a guy who can write his own ticket in the game of basketball right now, and if he wants to coach in college, he'd step down from the NBA in a New York heartbeat.    

 

I've talked with him, and I'm here to tell you he's not close to the mold of every coach or ANY coach you've got experience with.   The Celtics making the playoffs (more than half the teams do) or having some kind of direction right now means nothing to what might happen down the road.   There are very few NBA coaches who last a bunch of years with the same team.  Popovich is very rare.  Phil Jackson had long tenures with two teams, but also had the luxury of several hall of famers playing for him.   The NBA is a churn and burn business; and it will not allow coaches to teach and mold young players.  At least not for very long.   If any coach would step down on his own terms, this is the guy.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,228]

Elite 8 or nothing.  We'll have a strong enough season record to make the Big Dance regardless of how we do in Maui or the B1G conference or tournament and I think performance in the NCAA tournament is a bigger measuring stick.  And if we get to the Elite 8, based on past years, it will mean our on-court performance was getting better in February and March and not starting to fall off the table.

[FortWayneHoosier 6,301]

final four would be nice......bring home a big ten banner....beat duke 

[recker222000 1,010]

Sweet sixteen is not acceptable at this point nor is 22 or 23 wins.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[KingPG21 6,587]

This is not accurate.

There have been tons of rumors that he hates recruiting and the recruiting game. Little to none that say otherwise

[Old Friend 8,389]

There have been tons of rumors that he hates recruiting and the recruiting game. Little to none that say otherwise

Rumors, indeed.  They are not accurate, at least in the complete sense.  There are aspects of recruiting all coaches can't stand; but to paint with a broad brush is not accurate.  Can't say any more than that, but I am 100% confident in my response.  Plus, dealing with NBA players is far worse than college kids.

[Fulkme15 488]

My expectations for this season; see a team be in the running for a big ten championship from beginning to end. Would like to see them make some noise in the conference tournament, a top 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, at least make it to the final four and hopefully hang another banner.

[HoosierTrav 7,928]

Just gonna leave this here.... http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/8/6/9101793/adidas-nations-kobi-simmons-lonzo-ball-gary-trent-jr

[HoosierTrav 7,928]

Like for everyone who mentions Brad Stevens. If a thread is gonna get derailed, then by golly, derail in the name of B. Steve.

[Flash3 77]

Rumors, indeed. They are not accurate, at least in the complete sense. There are aspects of recruiting all coaches can't stand; but to paint with a broad brush is not accurate. Can't say any more than that, but I am 100% confident in my response. Plus, dealing with NBA players is far worse than college kids.

I wouldn't really say dealing with NBA players is worse. They are professionals. But they know what kind of league it is. It's a players league just like it should be. Stevens understands that. That's why he doesn't care to ask what his players think or take suggestions. He's not a stubborn man by any means. I absolutely see him sticking with the NBA for the long haul. If he came back to college then it'd be because he failed to win in Boston or he's Larry Browns age.

[Beowulf50 816]

It depends on how he coaches that team in the elite eight and what type of talent he has the following year.

During Creans tenure he's had two years where he had overwhelming talent that is or was capable of winning a national championship.

If all he's able to do is get owned tactically in the sweet sixteen and elite eight, why hold on to him if he isn't capable getting us over the hump?
I know most of u are content with that but look at our fan base . We're large enough to have multiple fan base sights compete for viewership. We buy tons merchandise and one of the best schools in attendance. We're not some no name school just happy to be in the field, we should demand better results.

No most of us are not content with sweet 16's or elite 8's. This is Indiana and it is time we get banners and I do mean championship banners. I see a lot of positive going on in the program so I really wish some of the die hard fans would not throw the negative gasoline on before the seasone begins.