College Basketball 2009-10

[fiver]

Probably has something to do with these guys

 

That didn't help. How the hell is Crean not able to sell playing time to a couple more top 50 players?

 

Only one remaining 4 or 5 star recruit is considering IU, and that is Josh Selby. I don't believe they are favored to land him. IU needs impact post players and depth at guard. They have no post play presently. zero. Watford should be playing 3 not 4.

 

I've heard a lot of people say Watford should be playing the 3 this week. I don't understand that. This isn't the NBA. There are plenty of really good teams that have similar players starting at the 4 in college basketball. Tyler Smith is a 4 at 6'7" for Tenn. Roe for MSU is of similar size at the 4. This is typical of college basketball to have 6'9" players with shooting ability and ball skills playing a big position.

 

...because Watford would be much more effective posting up another team's 3 versus trying to post up their 4? If he were a strong 4 who could also shoot, then that would be great. Admittedly, I've only watched him play one game, so my opinion isn't set in stone. However, I think he may be more likely to create a mismatch playing the 3.

Edited November 20, 2009 by fiver

[fiver]

How many years are we giving Crean to build the team?

 

As much time as he needs. He has recruited well enough already that I really don't find myself feeling too doubtful of his ability to get IU back on track. It will happen. But I don't know that we will get back to the NCAA tournament until his 4th season as coach. By then the current freshman class will be juniors and Verdell & Pritchard will be seniors. I mean you have to keep in mind we started from ground zero last season.

 

One nice recruiting class doesn't cement his success, and he certainly doesn't get as much time as he needs. If he had recruited one or two legitimate post players, then i think IU could have had a shot at the NCAAs as soon as 2010/2011. As it stands, 2011/2012 is probably the earliest.

 

edit - it doesn't look like IU is favored to land any of top 20 PF or C in the 2011 recruiting class either, although a nice SG and SF have already committed for that class. If IU is still seriously overmatched in the post for the 2011-2012 season, then Crean won't have fulfilled his obligation to the university, imo. I guess we are hoping Bawa Muniru develops.

[Sosa21MVP]

How many years are we giving Crean to build the team?

 

As much time as he needs. He has recruited well enough already that I really don't find myself feeling too doubtful of his ability to get IU back on track. It will happen. But I don't know that we will get back to the NCAA tournament until his 4th season as coach. By then the current freshman class will be juniors and Verdell & Pritchard will be seniors. I mean you have to keep in mind we started from ground zero last season.

 

I don't know that it will take 2 years. Guys like Jones and Rivers made major strides during the year last year (Jones in games, Rivers in practice). Get a couple more players to improve their games (Elston, Creek) and add muscle (Watford, Hulls), and with the players going to be leaving the conference this year (lot of great players coming in too), I think they can be a tourney team next year albeit a very borderline bubble team.

 

Well I did not say it would be impossible to get on the bubble next season. I'm just not going to expect it. I am trying to keep a patient mindset in place.

 

Shoot, on some of the IU message boards people were picking THIS team to win 18-20 games THIS season.....lol. I know the fan base is anxious to see us get back into being a legit Big Ten contender and NCAA tourney team but man, some of them are already ranting and raving about our play. It just isn't a quick fix. We did improve our talent level by a lot, it is just going to take giving these kids time to develop and grow.

[Sosa21MVP]

How many years are we giving Crean to build the team?

 

As much time as he needs. He has recruited well enough already that I really don't find myself feeling too doubtful of his ability to get IU back on track. It will happen. But I don't know that we will get back to the NCAA tournament until his 4th season as coach. By then the current freshman class will be juniors and Verdell & Pritchard will be seniors. I mean you have to keep in mind we started from ground zero last season.

 

One nice recruiting class doesn't cement his success, and he certainly doesn't get as much time as he needs. If he had recruited one or two legitimate post players, then i think IU could have had a shot at the NCAAs as soon as 2010/2011. As it stands, 2011/2012 is probably the earliest.

 

edit - it doesn't look like IU is favored to land any of top 20 PF or C in the 2011 recruiting class either, although a nice SG and SF have already committed for that class. If IU is still seriously overmatched in the post for the 2011-2012 season, then Crean won't have fulfilled his obligation to the university, imo. I guess we are hoping Bawa Muniru develops.

 

Why shouldn't he get as much time as he needs? So if he gets us back in the NCAA tournament in 2011-12 then are you saying that is too long? His first season he had to start out way behind on that recruiting class and was lucky to even field a full squad of warm bodies. This season's incoming class is his first official class as far as I'm concerned and given the quality, why wouldn't you expect him to continue to recruiting well?

 

Do we need more quality big men? Yes. Has Crean been ignoring this? No, not in my opinion. He has been recruiting some future big men, you can't say he has not......Cody Zeller being one of the bigger names I've heard. Also I think he was trying to recruit one of the Plumlee brothers. So the effort is being made IMO. It isn't like he can just click this fingers and magically get a top 20 center and PF right now.

 

For now we need Bawa to develop. Which is why I was confused that he did not play last night. Not sure what the story is there.

 

Bottom line, I guess I'm just amused by any IU fans starting to freak out right now. I just don't know what else to say, it IS going to take some time.

[soapy]

fiver, i'm not sure what you expect at this point. the program is/was a disaster in every way imaginable (current talent, recruiting restrictions (in terms of NCAA restrictions and lack of face time with "local" talent), facilities, etc). this is going to take several years to turn around, if it's even possible.

 

is today's game really not televised at all?

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

[Andy]

If you watched the game Andy, how did Long Beach look? They've got a very young team (only one junior or senior makes a significant contribution for them) and they're looking like the team to beat in the Big West this year.

 

On related note, are you going to the UCD-Ball State game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving? If you do, you'll get to see former Notre Dame recruit Joe Harden.

I didn't see the game, but the ND hoops blogger I read said that Notre Dame fell into what LBSU wanted them to do (running to avoid their pressure D, etc.) and only Hansbrough seemed unfazed by it, slowing the team down numerous times. They played well in the first half before Harangody started pounding them inside and the Irish pulled away.

 

I'm already home for Thanksgiving break and won't be back til a week from Sunday, so I will miss the Davis game. I'd forgotten about Joe Harden - I'm just hoping BSU can reel off some wins against their relatively weak segment of the schedule before getting into the Purdue/Dayton portion of the schedule.

[soapy]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

Exactly how I see it. Honestly, I have no expectation of IU ever getting back to the level routinely being a national championship contender, and I certainly don't expect Tom Crean to accomplish such a feat in a handful of years.

[Exile on Waveland]

Probably has something to do with these guys

 

That didn't help. How the hell is Crean not able to sell playing time to a couple more top 50 players?

 

Only one remaining 4 or 5 star recruit is considering IU, and that is Josh Selby. I don't believe they are favored to land him. IU needs impact post players and depth at guard. They have no post play presently. zero. Watford should be playing 3 not 4.

 

I've heard a lot of people say Watford should be playing the 3 this week. I don't understand that. This isn't the NBA. There are plenty of really good teams that have similar players starting at the 4 in college basketball. Tyler Smith is a 4 at 6'7" for Tenn. Roe for MSU is of similar size at the 4. This is typical of college basketball to have 6'9" players with shooting ability and ball skills playing a big position.

 

...because Watford would be much more effective posting up another team's 3 versus trying to post up their 4? If he were a strong 4 who could also shoot, then that would be great. Admittedly, I've only watched him play one game, so my opinion isn't set in stone. However, I think he may be more likely to create a mismatch playing the 3.

 

Watford, at this point, cannot play the 3 in college. He's not terribly quick, nor has he displayed many (exterior) floor skills. Most collegiate teams play three guards currently, and Watford would have no chance at guarding them. What position you can defend is of greater import. I initially called him a 3.5 and that may eventually be true, but he's a college 4 at this point -- especially in Crean's system.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

I think the great majority of IU fans have given Crean an extremely long leash. Some are definitely irrational and predicting like 20 wins this season, but that is the great minority from my experience. I think most expect the first tournament appearance to come in 2011-12, with next year as an outside possibility (not sure I ascribe to that, we'll see how the freshman progress). I think those are rather rational expectations.

 

I think the practice facility is supposed to be completed early next year. The construction has definitely advanced over the past few months. IU's facilities were really lacking and substandard, but with the North endzone enclosure and the new practice facility, they have greatly improved. I'm unsure if these things necessarily win recruiting battles, but I think the opposite can lose them. That shouldn't happen anymore, at least.

[Exile on Waveland]

Penn State is a 2 TD favorite over UNC-Wilmington

 

Oops

 

Yeah, this team is effed

 

Still a ways to go, and Penn State has a very good coach. I just remain of the belief that Penn State isn't to the point it can lose what it lost, and that this year is going to be a struggle.

[Derwood]

true, a lot of new faces. Hopefully they improve through the OOC and can get some quality wins in conference. It can't be just Battle plus scrubs

[fiver]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

Edited November 20, 2009 by fiver

[fiver]

 

Watford, at this point, cannot play the 3 in college. He's not terribly quick, nor has he displayed many (exterior) floor skills. Most collegiate teams play three guards currently, and Watford would have no chance at guarding them. What position you can defend is of greater import. I initially called him a 3.5 and that may eventually be true, but he's a college 4 at this point -- especially in Crean's system.

 

He didn't look particulary impressive playing the 4 against Ole Miss yesterday, but I agree that his ball handling skills probably won't cut it at 3 presently either. If Watford is going to be the 4, then he will likely be able to mature into the role in a couple of years. He will need more help than he's getting from the 5...and I'm not sure if or when that help in the post will be coming to IU...play from the 4 and 5 is what concerns me the most right now and looking forward to the next few years.

[fiver]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

Exactly how I see it. Honestly, I have no expectation of IU ever getting back to the level routinely being a national championship contender, and I certainly don't expect Tom Crean to accomplish such a feat in a handful of years.

 

Let's not kid ourselves, IU hasn't routinely competed for the national championship in a long time, although they did unexpectedly get the opportunity in 2002. My expectation is for them to make the NCAAs 80% of the time and again become a top 15-20 program. Crean hasn't done a bad job so far...i'm questioning his 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes, neither of which possess even a half way talented post player, an area where they will likely continue to get dominated.

[Exile on Waveland]

 

Watford, at this point, cannot play the 3 in college. He's not terribly quick, nor has he displayed many (exterior) floor skills. Most collegiate teams play three guards currently, and Watford would have no chance at guarding them. What position you can defend is of greater import. I initially called him a 3.5 and that may eventually be true, but he's a college 4 at this point -- especially in Crean's system.

 

He didn't look particulary impressive playing the 4 against Ole Miss yesterday, but I agree that his ball handling skills probably won't cut it at 3 presently either. If Watford is going to be the 4, then he will likely be able to mature into the role in a couple of years. He will need more help than he's getting from the 5...and I'm not sure if or when that help in the post will be coming to IU...play from the 4 and 5 is what concerns me the most right now and looking forward to the next few years.

 

Ole Miss was his first game in college against a real (read: BCS conference) opponent. He also has next to no help down low. I'm not sure a fair judgment can really be made from this one isolated game.

 

I don't think you're going to get any argument that Crean needs to upgrade the talent and athleticism of the inside players. It's disconcerting to me that this hasn't been addressed, to this point, in either the Class of 2010 or 2011. Adding one or two interior players -- even top-50/100/150 guys who can play -- would immediately increase the ceiling for the next two years. Otherwise, IU's lone hope is for a raw African player to develop at the 5. Not a position I'm terribly comfortable in.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

Neither situation is exactly analogous. When Calipari took the job, Kentucky returned a five-star and a four-star power forward, a four-star point guard, a four-star small forward, and a few three-star guys, plus already had at least a four-star shooting guard and a five-star center lined up (I'm a little fuzzy if any other recruits were holdovers from Gillispie). Indiana returned a walk-on and had a three-star shooting guard and power forward lined up.

[fiver]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

Neither situation is exactly analogous. When Calipari took the job, Kentucky returned a five-star and a four-star power forward, a four-star point guard, a four-star small forward, and a few three-star guys, plus already had at least a four-star shooting guard and a five-star center lined up (I'm a little fuzzy if any other recruits were holdovers from Gillispie). Indiana returned a walk-on and had a three-star shooting guard and power forward lined up.

 

IU obviously has a far steeper mountain to climb than UK.

 

I think we both agree that Crean has done well so far. I think we both also agree the progress is going to plateau before they get out of the cellar of the Big Ten.....until they get more talent in the post.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

No my point is that IU fans should not think they are entitled to success just because it is IU. IU has been largely irrelevant as a national or Big Ten power since Knight left. Comparing Tom Crean to John Calipari (a known cheater, that's how bad Kentucky wants to get back on top, much like IU with Sampson) and Saban (a national title winning coach) is a joke. Crean went to one Final Four on Dwayne Wade's back, he is not a top ten coach in the game like Calipari and Saban are.

 

Plus my comparison of Bama was centered around the fact that they went through coaches every couple years or so (Price, Franchione, Shula, etc). Same with ND (Davey, Willingham, Weiss). Look at UK, they ran a guy out of town who was one of the most successful coaches in the game.

 

Crean needs time to build the program. Rome was not built in a day and neither will the IU program. Even with the good 2009 class, none of the players are spectacular surefire NBA lottery talent, and there is little upperclassmen leadership to help bring them along. You simply cannot go from dressing a manager to being on top of the Big Ten in less than five years, with the level of coaching and recruiting that is currently going on in the league.

[rawaction]

IU basketball hasn't been a powerhouse program since the early-to-mid 90s. Pretty much since the Alan Henderson, Brian Evans, Calbert Cheaney days. Well before Knight left.

 

As an IU fan, I expect a long streak of tourney appearances. A Sweet 16 every 3-4 years, and a legit shot to win it all once every 7-8 years. I would like a powerhouse team, but IU hasn't been on the same court as Duke, Kansas, UNC, UCLA, and even Michigan St. for the last 15 years.

[Exile on Waveland]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

No my point is that IU fans should not think they are entitled to success just because it is IU. IU has been largely irrelevant as a national or Big Ten power since Knight left. Comparing Tom Crean to John Calipari (a known cheater, that's how bad Kentucky wants to get back on top, much like IU with Sampson) and Saban (a national title winning coach) is a joke. Crean went to one Final Four on Dwayne Wade's back, he is not a top ten coach in the game like Calipari and Saban are.

 

He needs time to build the program. Rome was not built in a day and neither will the IU program. Even with the good 2009 class, none of the players are spectacular surefire NBA lottery talent, and there is little upperclassmen leadership to help bring them along. You simply cannot go from dressing a manager to being on top of the Big Ten in less than five years, with the level of coaching and recruiting that is currently going on in the league.

 

While I agree with the rest of your post, I don't think the bolded is correct. At all. This isn't football; it's basketball. One outstanding class could make any team in the league a contender in two-three years. Purdue went 3-13 in conference in consecutive years (7-21 and 9-19 overall) and two years later went 15-3 mainly on the back of freshman. Ohio State went 14-16 and three years later played on the last Monday night of the season with a 35-4 (15-1 conference) record. Sure, the overall talent in the Big Ten currently is superior to those years, but the point remains. In fact, even from the absolute devastated nadir of IU's program, if the Class of 2010 was similar in quality -- and addressed needs -- to the Class of 2009, IU would have a contending team within the conference in two years, three at the most. And that's just with two classes.

 

Don't misconstrue this post (I'm sure many will want to). I don't expect this will happen at IU, nor will I be screaming for Crean's head if it doesn't. It's just not entirely accurate to state that a five-year rebuilding process is necessary.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Exile on Waveland

[Exile on Waveland]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

Neither situation is exactly analogous. When Calipari took the job, Kentucky returned a five-star and a four-star power forward, a four-star point guard, a four-star small forward, and a few three-star guys, plus already had at least a four-star shooting guard and a five-star center lined up (I'm a little fuzzy if any other recruits were holdovers from Gillispie). Indiana returned a walk-on and had a three-star shooting guard and power forward lined up.

 

IU obviously has a far steeper mountain to climb than UK.

 

I think we both agree that Crean has done well so far. I think we both also agree the progress is going to plateau before they get out of the cellar of the Big Ten.....until they get more talent in the post.

 

Well, I don't think "cellar" is quite accurate. I suspect they'll be out of the cellar this year. I think it's more likely you meant "bottom-third." Semantics aside, I agree. POST. POST. POST. It has to improve.

[fiver]

IU's fan base needs to avoid the ND football, Kentucky basketball, Bama football line of thinking. Yes, IU is a historical program, and yes they were elite at one point, but the fact is that the program was in shambles and cannot be put back together quickly. Keep the sense of entitlement away, because the more pressure you put on Crean to get you back quickly, the quicker he will be gone. Give him time and you will be fine.

 

What is the status of the new practice facility? I know that Sampson was complaining about the lack of one while he was at IU.

 

guys, this isn't a 3 million brick house we're putting together one brick at a time. It's not like you have to build a minor leauge system to build the program. You need 9 or so good players to compete. Two good recruiting classes gets you back into the mix of things, and Crean has already acquired one good class. Why doesn't he have interest from a talented post player all the way through the 2011 class? I wasn't expecting the man to have IU back in the top 25 this year or next year......but I do expect them to be close by the 2011-2012 season.

 

You use Kentucky and Bama as examples. Are you trying to tell me that Calipari won't have UK back into the top 10 by 2010-2011 if it doesn't happen this year? Are you trying to tell me that Coach friggin Nick Saban didn't bring Alabama back to where they were accustomed in 2 years?

 

No my point is that IU fans should not think they are entitled to success just because it is IU. IU has been largely irrelevant as a national or Big Ten power since Knight left. Comparing Tom Crean to John Calipari (a known cheater, that's how bad Kentucky wants to get back on top, much like IU with Sampson) and Saban (a national title winning coach) is a joke. Crean went to one Final Four on Dwayne Wade's back, he is not a top ten coach in the game like Calipari and Saban are.

 

He needs time to build the program. Rome was not built in a day and neither will the IU program. Even with the good 2009 class, none of the players are spectacular surefire NBA lottery talent, and there is little upperclassmen leadership to help bring them along. You simply cannot go from dressing a manager to being on top of the Big Ten in less than five years, with the level of coaching and recruiting that is currently going on in the league.

 

I'm repeating myself a lot, but my gripe (and you won't convince me it's not a legitimate one) is that Crean doesn't have any talented post players on his radar. Read my posts. My expectations aren't wild. I'm not heralding Crean as a top ten coach. Conversely, I'm questioning whether he is the man for the job. I understand that he is somewhat handcuffed recruiting wise because of Sampson's actions. However, you have to be able to get one somewhat remotely talented big man in the 2010 or 2011 recruiting class just so your team can begin to not get embarrassed by every BCS conference school.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

I'm not sure Crean ever had a great big man at Marquette. But I could be wrong.

[Exile on Waveland]

I'm not sure Crean ever had a great big man at Marquette. But I could be wrong.

 

He didn't. The closest he had was Robert Jackson, a transfer from Mississippi State. (Unless you count Steve Novak as a "big man.") This is disconcerting and it must change. I'm concerned it won't really.