.."we left a potential final 4 team at Marquette"....

[ChicosBailBonds]

Let's ask Mike Davis. So, serious question Chicos: Are the IU faithful happier with the Big Ten title after a 20 wait but an early exit after a preseason #1 ranking...or the 2002 Championship game appearance under Davis?  And btw, it was NOT Indiana's first B1G title in 20 years...they also won it in 2002.

This is many here's problem with the guy.  He takes MU to the Final 4, but keeps the GAS banner up hanging next to it and the National Championship banner. He likes to revise history, but has no sense of it due to his insecurities.  Just like in this case...he mentions the players/recruits that left Marquette right after him, but leaves off the Amigos+Lazar, his two recruits who stayed with Buzz, and Nick Williams who followed CTC to IU and then got House Creaned.

Just odd. Like his victory celebration that fell flat and his ridiculous hand shake behavior.  The guy needs a shrink, IMO. Maybe this need for self-validation comes from not having a dad growing up, but being a Harbaugh ain't helping him as he is looking bad trying to hang his hat on every little thing or successful personality that comes along.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Big_Ten_Conference_men's_basketball_regular_season_champions

Sorry, first outright Big Ten title in 20 years.   

Does he need a shrink, probably.  Just like probably 15 to 20 people on this board that have jilted coach lover syndrome.  Shrinks could make a ton of mula on this board alone.

[real chili 83]

3....2,,,,,1,,,,,

[ChicosBailBonds]

You simply love to point out as "fact" things that are light years from reality.

In your world Buzz Williams left a potential Final Four team at New Orleans to become an assistant. "Technically" true, totally foolish in the real world we live in.

What's the point?

I think I made it pretty clear with the follow up.  That would be a team with future NBA players Mbakwe (likely), Taylor, Matthews, McNeal, Hayward along with all Big East, Big 12 player Christopherson, James, etc.   Is it absurd to say a potential Final Four team with that talent.  I don't think so, but you are free to opine as you wish.

I will say that he has actually coached a Final Four team directly, and been on two others as an assistant, so I think he would be a pretty good judge of character of what a potential Final Four team might look like.  Whether they get there or not, it's a crapshoot, but from a talent perspective I would think he has more knowledge of that then everyone on this board combined, sans you and Wadesworld....and Dr. Blackheart, of course.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

Tyshawn Taylor was never coming to MU.  LOI or not.  Crean's firing was an easy way out for Bob Sr. but he would have gotten his way either way.

That was pretty funny....Crean's firing and Taylor not coming in the same paragraph.  Tip of the hat....and the funnier thing is that a few people actually believe both things.   

[Dr. Blackheart]

Sorry, first outright Big Ten title in 20 years.   

Does he need a shrink, probably.  Just like probably 15 to 20 people on this board that have jilted coach lover syndrome.  Shrinks could make a ton of mula on this board alone.

So you didn't answer my question since F4 is your standard for a coach: Are IU fans more satisfied with the 2002 Mike Davis run, with a Big 10 Title and a Championship game appearance than a 2013 Big 10 title and a S16 finish, as Crean seems to imply in his glossed over comments?  Maybe they are considering the history, but I wouldn't as a fan. That was a great run in a volatile time, with not a lot of usual Knight talent.

Also, any shrink recommendations from you based on your own personal experience would be appreciated.

[Golden Avalanche]

What Trevor says refutes what I posted.
Fine. I was incorrect.

But on a waste of a season for Trevor, Crean should have used better judgment and said, "Guess what, big guy, you were just cleared medically AND I think you're only at 75% fitness. We'll need you full bore next year."

He let a player call it. He shouldn't have especially if he was "looking out for the player's career" and recommended surgery.

Did you feel the same way when Buzz let Junior Cadougan decide a similar issue?

Short of the Final Four team, that 08-09 team was the best we've had at Marquette in twenty years. Crean isn't talking nonsense when he talks about their potential.

[Lennys Tap]

Did you feel the same way when Buzz let Junior Cadougan decide a similar issue?

Short of the Final Four team, that 08-09 team was the best we've had at Marquette in twenty years. Crean isn't talking nonsense when he talks about their potential.

I'll take last year's Big East champs/Elite 8 team over that one. Probably the Big East runner-up, Sweet 16 team from the year before too.

[TinyTimsLittleBrother]

I'll take last year's Big East champs/Elite 8 team over that one. Probably the Big East runner-up, Sweet 16 team from the year before too.

The 08-09 team was too flawed defensively.  Gave up way too many points and way too many rebounds.  Maybe Mbakwe helps with that, but I don't think so.

[Golden Avalanche]

I'll take last year's Big East champs/Elite 8 team over that one. Probably the Big East runner-up, Sweet 16 team from the year before too.

The 2011-2012 squad would round out my top three because Crowder and DJO was a powerful combo. Crean's team from '02-'03 on top since there were no weaknesses. Buzz' team from '08-'09 next because it was the best starting five I've been a part of.

I should note that I think it's possible the '13-'14 version takes over top spot in my feeble mind in eight months time.

[jmayer1]

Did you feel the same way when Buzz let Junior Cadougan decide a similar issue?

Short of the Final Four team, that 08-09 team was the best we've had at Marquette in twenty years. Crean isn't talking nonsense when he talks about their potential.

The question wasn't directed at me, but I do think the situations for Junior and Mbakwe are very similar. If possible, would have been a better idea to hold those guys out the whole year once they missed so much time. However, it should ultimately be the kid's decision (but made with a LOT of advice from the coach). I'm sure those guys were chomping at the bit to play and maybe didn't want to stay in school 5 years, or were too short-sighted to look 4 years down the road.

Very easy to criticize in hindsight down the road, especially by fans, but I don't see an issue with either of those situations.

[BM1090]

I hate to defend Crean, but....

People here think (and I tend to agree) that Marquette is a top 3 seed and a legitimate final four contender had Dominic James stayed healthy. Hell, even without James we were one good break away from taking down a Missouri team who rolled Memphis in the Sweet 16. Add Mbakwe and Taylor in addition to a healthy DJ and the final four is definitely realisitc.

[tower912]

If you add Mbakwe and Taylor, you must subtract JFB and Buzz. 

[Jay Bee]

Reading way too much into it.  Key is "potential Final 4 team".  This is why Wadesworld is wrong...every team is a potential final four team.  That's simply a true statement.  Would they have made it...only 4 teams do, chances are they wouldn't.  Did he claim they would be a Final 4 team...nope.

Potential Final 4 team....every team that makes the NCAA tournament is, in fact every team before their last game of their conference tournament is as well...as long as you have a breath and can earn an autobid, or whatever, you are technically a potential final four team. 

Crean: I could potentially grow wings and fly on my own!
Reasonable person: Quack.
Chicos: He's not a quack! This is true. Potentially this could happen. Anything is possible!