Quality Young Coaches vs Tom Crean.

[Uspshoosier 51,084]

Bo Ryan actually sped it up a bit and went away from the swing offense. But he was able to do so because he had the talent to beat the other teams. Virginia may play "fast" at times but hardly. They're one of the slowest teams in country. This year they're averaging 71 points a game which is 207th in the nation. They're also averaging 62.9 possessions a game. That is dead last in the NCAA.

you might be right but man I could get used to being 24th in turnover percentage per pocessions and 2nd in defensive points per game It will be interesting to see if his style changes now that he is successful and will be bringing in higher level talent. I think I could live with 71 points per game if we only gave up 59

[Uspshoosier 51,084]

@jonrithstein
Virginia basketball. A thing of beauty.

@jeffgoodman
What Tony Bennett has done in the ACC the last 3 years is remarkable. 42-8 record. In a league with K, Roy, Pitino, Boeheim.

[X-Hoosier 529]

you might be right but man I could get used to being 24th in turnover percentage per pocessions and 2nd in defensive points per game It will be interesting to see if his style changes now that he is successful and will be bringing in higher level talent. I think I could live with 71 points per game if we only gave up 59

40 years ago that's win your a Nat'l title maybe.

[Sota Hoosier 450]

If we offered $4-5M/year with IU tradition and resources, how does someone pass that opportunity up that is already in the college ranks? I know that is simplifying things but seems it would be hard to say no.

Stevens is still going to be very difficult. No college program is like the Boston Celtics. Not saying he'll never leave but things are headed jn the right direction there. Would just seem odd to leave unless his family is pushing it and he misses the Midwest.

[Uspshoosier 51,084]

40 years ago that's win your a Nat'l title maybe.

maybe

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

you are in luck Valpo vs Oakland this Friday on espnu

Oakland has one of the best PGs in the country as well, so should be a solid test

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I could care less about possessions per game. The last 3 years Tony Bennett has the #9, #1 & #5 Defensive teams in the country. On top of that he has the #12, #24 & #21 Offensively efficient teams in the country.

 

He may have fewer possessions but they are more productive than the majority of the country.

 

IU has had those type of rankings twice since 2002. (2002, 2013)

 

So I would take Tony Bennett over our current situation in a heartbeat.

[X-Hoosier 529]

I could care less about possessions per game. The last 3 years Tony Bennett has the #9, #1 & #5 Defensive teams in the country. On top of that he has the #12, #24 & #21 Offensively efficient teams in the country.

He may have fewer possessions but they are more productive than the majority of the country.

IU has had those type of rankings twice since 2002. (2002, 2013)

So I would take Tony Bennett over our current situation in a heartbeat.

Sure it might look better. But you're going to get as close to a Nat'l Title under Bennett as you will with Crean.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

Sure it might look better. But you're going to get as close to a Nat'l Title under Bennett as you will with Crean.

Who is your pick then? From the sounds of your criticisms you will only accept someone that has already won a NC.

[X-Hoosier 529]

Who is your pick then? From the sounds of your criticisms you will only accept someone that has already won a NC.

Already won one? No. One that understands you can't play just one style? Yes. There are a few out there. It is something that only great coaches can do.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

Already won one? No. One that understands you can't play just one style? Yes. There are a few out there. It is something that only great coaches can do.

Only style I care about is winning. Bennett has won two straight conference titles and 30 win seasons on his way to possibly his 3rd straight, against the likes of Coach K, Pitino, Roy Williams & Jim Boeheim Any of those coaches great coaches?

[X-Hoosier 529]

Only style I care about is winning. Bennett has won two straight conference titles and 30 win seasons on his way to possibly his 3rd straight, against the likes of Coach K, Pitino, Roy Williams & Jim Boeheim Any of those coaches great coaches?

Coach K has multiple titles and can run a team how he feels. Pitino has 2 titles and plays off defensive pressure. His games are fast or slow. Williams has 2 titles and wins off pace and rebounding. They can run toy out of the gym in a heartbeat but they play it smart(unlike what we have now where it is just running with a blindfold on). Boeheim has 1 title. Built off the zone. And by a team ran by Carmelo Anthony. That Cuse team beat Roy Williams last Kansas team actually. The zone slows down the game on one end. And Boeheim plays very strictly to one way. But he's just a great coach and more of an exception. Coaches like Bo and Bennett play a style of "competing" and not a style of "winning." You won't see an exclusively slow it down and keep games under 65 possessions win a Nat'l title. You can pretty much mark Virginia down to the Sweet 16 on your brackets every year and it won't hurt you much. Is that what you want? Is the Sweet 16 a goal now? I'm sure a banner would be hung up if we made it this year.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

Coach K has multiple titles and can run a team how he feels. Pitino has 2 titles and plays off defensive pressure. His games are fast or slow. Williams has 2 titles and wins off pace and rebounding. They can run toy out of the gym in a heartbeat but they play it smart(unlike what we have now where it is just running with a blindfold on). Boeheim has 1 title. Built off the zone. And by a team ran by Carmelo Anthony. That Cuse team beat Roy Williams last Kansas team actually. The zone slows down the game on one end. And Boeheim plays very strictly to one way. But he's just a great coach and more of an exception. Coaches like Bo and Bennett play a style of "competing" and not a style of "winning." You won't see an exclusively slow it down and keep games under 65 possessions win a Nat'l title. You can pretty much mark Virginia down to the Sweet 16 on your brackets every year and it won't hurt you much. Is that what you want? Is the Sweet 16 a goal now? I'm sure a banner would be hung up if we made it this year.

Most definitely want to compete in NCAA's but also would love to win 3 straight conference titles. That is exactly what Bennett and his system has done against the great coaches that we mentioned.

[kbhoosiers 163]

I actually enjoy reading this debate. For once it's 2 guys with strong opinions one way or another with valid points on each side instead of just cheap shotting each other. I feel like this is the true reason for this board. Keep up the good work.

[Brass Cannon 25,176]

Whats really sad is that in the topic I think over 10 names have been mentioned and the worst thing people have said is that it would be a lateral move.

 

I think its also important to look at these guys who are building solid teams but struggling in the tourney in the proper context.  Are they struggling in the tournament because they are running into teams that are also well coached but just have more talent?  Because thats not a problem they should face here. 

 

Bennett, lost to MSU last 2 years.  Losing to Izzo in the postseason thats not deal breaker at all to me.

Drew also ran into the buzzsaw that is MSU and also a very talented Maryland team last year.

Chris Macks are a little less defensible, loss to Arizona and NC State

 

So alot of these candidates will give us what we want, more consistency in the regular season(Something Crean has never done) and hopefully with the higher talent level they can draw to bloomington that will lead to more tourney success. 

 

What I would look for in a guy is consistency in the regular season and neutral court record.  Somebody who is good with the X's and O's but could use some help drawing in some elite recruits.  These are things that Davis and Crean lacked.  Sampson had them, he just didn't have ethics. 

 

Honestly, it looks to me like Mack, Drew and Bennett would be fine candidates.  And given the right circumstances I could see all of them being successful here.  Stevens is plan A B and C.  But those aren't bad options either. 

 

I haven't watched Enfield lately but I refuse to be impressed by beating Alford.  But thats not to say he couldn't be successful here, I just don't have an opinion. 

 

I personally would call Stevens and Donovan first, Stevens because of his hometown connection and Donovan just because if that Thunder team falls apart he might be looking for an out who knows really.  We would have to try.  Then try the good candidates still among the college ranks. 

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I am not saying that Bennett is the right choice. I would obviously prefer to have Brad Stevens, but if that is not possible then we have to open our search.

 

Just imagine if Wisconsin snubs Gard and signs Bennett. Even though X-Hoosiers main criticism is he will never win the NCAA tourney. I do not want that guy in my conference coaching against IU. As I stated earlier. He has 2 conference titles in a row over great coaches like Coach K, Pitino, Roy Williams and Jim Boeheim. I could only imagine what he would do in the B1G where all he had to worry about was Izzo.

[Feathery 4,005]

They have been a 13 and 14 seed. Eliminated in round 2 both years. What about that proves he is a winner?

You expect a 13 and 14 seed to advance in the NCAAs? The NCAA tournament is a crap shoot and I don't feel is a good tool to use in selecting a coach is good or not. We got stuck with Crean bc he made a final four and that was a requirement for the AD. Never mind the fact that he hasn't had consistant conference success. Like I've said before I think winning championships and consistant conference success is the best borameter for future coaching success. Actually winning conference championships and conference tournament championships vs like talent shows quality coaching. Put a coach like that in a high major program with better players and the March runs will come. The key is to have consistant conference performances. Think Bo Ryan.

To expect someone who never wins his conference but makes a couple March runs to be a successful coach at a high major program is faulty logic. Look at the flameouts year after year of the "hot named" coaches who did well in March but haven't shown yearly success in their conferences. Think John Groce and Andy Enfeld as the classic examples in recent years. Both did nothing in their conferences but got hot in March. Now both are hot garbage and will be fired writhin the next couple years.

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Pretty certain that for reasons stated before in this thread Bennett is not a realistic option at Indiana.

[Alford Bailey 12,826]

@jonrithstein
Virginia basketball. A thing of beauty.

@jeffgoodman
What Tony Bennett has done in the ACC the last 3 years is remarkable. 42-8 record. In a league with K, Roy, Pitino, Boeheim.

Yea, but its boring. They play defense and stuff. :yes:

[Alford Bailey 12,826]

I am not saying that Bennett is the right choice. I would obviously prefer to have Brad Stevens, but if that is not possible then we have to open our search.

 

Just imagine if Wisconsin snubs Gard and signs Bennett. Even though X-Hoosiers main criticism is he will never win the NCAA tourney. I do not want that guy in my conference coaching against IU. As I stated earlier. He has 2 conference titles in a row over great coaches like Coach K, Pitino, Roy Williams and Jim Boeheim. I could only imagine what he would do in the B1G where all he had to worry about was Izzo.

Wisky will be good regardless if it Bennett, Gard, ect. They will make the investment. Bennett is a scary thought, though.