Indiana fired Crean
- Thread starter FloridAlum
- Start date
Perhaps they heard that Groce is available. Sooner or later Illinois will find out that Crean is available.
In the end, it was Crean's unbearable personality and mannerisms that was his undoing...far more than his actual coaching output. He was embarrassing to have as a coach...
Wow... wonder if that puts either Clifton Moore or Justin Smith back in play for NU. Would be incredible to close out 2017 recruiting with either of those guys plus Mark Smith.
Nine years is too long at a school like that without a Final Four. I heard Calipari say recently that each year at Kentucky was like dog years given the expectations and constant pressure. IU fans are only slightly less deranged.
I can just tell you that if you read the Indiana message boards it seems like all their fans hate him and wanted him fired.
I have no idea, but Alford already has 6 commits at UCLA (including one from Indianapolis) and I'm sure he could get at least a couple of those guys to follow him.
Justin Smith ... Very unlikely.
Clifton Moore ... Maybe
Mark Smith ... Probably not. New Illini coach and November signees (stay or be released) will have a lot to say about where he ends up.
Moore and/or M. Smith would indeed be awesome.
GOUNUII
That was the "I have no idea" part. I literally have no idea. Don't follow college basketball closely enough to have a clue.
The second part was intended as "if they do, and Alford goes to Indiana, I don't think it's a cinch he keeps the current commits as he has a lot of high-profile guys he could try to bring with him to Bloomington."
I don't see Alford to IU as a realistic option on either side. IU fans aren't overly enamored with Alford as a coach and Alford has a lot invested in UCLA with the Ball family. His narrative as a coach was saved by Lonzo Ball and there are two more Ball brothers coming to UCLA that he needs to take care of. Alford has a pretty up and down record as a head coach and, while the prodigal son returning home storyline is nice, I think Indiana sees better futures for the program with someone like Marshall or Miller or Mack (once they get it out of their head that Brad Stevens isn't coming!)
Seems like we have a pretty good shot at Mark Smith if you ask me -- he recently singled out NU, Kansas State, Indiana, and Ohio State as showing the most interest of late. Add in the coaching turnover at both Illinois and Indiana, hopefully we have a shot to play the "closer to home" card at the very least.
(Edited to clarify that I'm talking about Mark Smith.)
He seems to be easy to dislike, but let's not kid ourselves. The main reason he's getting fired is the won-loss record. This is the same fan base that idolized the volcanic Bobby Knight for years because he put wins on the board.
What insight do you have on Mark Smith that you have him going to Illini? Has he himself given any indication of his intent? I haven't read anything. Yes, he attended a UoI game with JT. Yes, JT wants him to go there. JT can't get into NU. Smith can.
Make the right choice, Mark! Become legend with NU.
Because he puts wins on the board and because of THE WAY he put wins on the board.
I agree that Crean would still be head coach at IU if he stacked up wins more consistently (and had the team this season playing like it was when it beat Kansas and UNC.)
I don't follow CBB like CFB either really, but the IU job opening up is really bad news for Illinois I'd guess, right?
So what you're saying is, he fits right in around the Harbaugh Thanksgiving dinner table???
No doubt! Enduring Crean as the coach of your team is a real chore unless you're dominating on the court.
His reaction when he received his termination papers:
Fitting that Shon Morris delivered the news. NU making the NCAAT and IU missing probably sealed his fate.
Alford would be a terrible choice for IU.
Another guy with questionable ethics. Already had a run in the B10 with questionable results. He's certainly not the anti-Crean and may be more of the same.
His success this year is largely because of Lonzo Ball, and he's got 2 more coming in. Hard to believe he's going to leave before all 3 matriculate through the system. No way overbearing papa Ball is going to send his kids to Podunk Indiana when he's already seeking a 1 billion dollar deal and loves the glamour/glitz of Los Angeles, which is a likely landing spot for Lonzo Ball in the Pros (Lakers).
As much as UIUC needs a home run hire, IU needs it even more and I believe has the pockets and the cache to do it.
Yes, but in the Trib today he said that he wanted to get to know the new coach (or something to that effect). He probably doesn't need to get to know the new coach if he doesn't have a fairly strong interest, so I was disappointed to read that.
Seems like he has a very close relationship with an assistant, who may or may not be kept on by the new coach.
Ugh.
Now we'll all have to listen to Willy for the next 10 years who can't sleep because he wants Tom Crean to hold a press conference to thank everyone who undermined, and fired him.
Boooooo........ in advance.
On the greatest day in Northwestern basketball history you post this. And only this.
Here is the deal. Crean wasn't a good in game coach. He couldn't recruit Indy area because he pissed off the high school coaches. Had a lot of turnover on the roster. Glass said he will talk to all former Hoosiers that coach. That is a long list. Also said money is object in getting who they want. He also stated several coaches have called and expressed interest already. And your coach is on the short list.. He has done a great job..
Still waiting for that thank you from a guy who made millions at NU for 13 mediocre seasons. Wonder if he's contacted this years squad, especially the two guys he recruited and sent along his congratulations. Now go and root for good old Hoy Cross in "The Tournament". Oh wait...GO CATS!
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