Link dump here: http://eye-on-college-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/26283066/31815930 (http://eye-on-college-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/26283066/31815930)
Nice story, but gee whiz you wonder how Dave Kaplan heard about it. I have a pretty good idea. Crean is a jackass in every sense of the term and using a down on his luck kid for PR is par for the course.
I think someone from inside definitely relayed this story. If Buzz talked to me and asked me how I was doing freshman year, and gave me advice I wouldn't go tell the national media...It was a very nice gesture by Crean, but come on now...no reason for this to be in the national media.
The "Crean Machine" at work, generating press on his behalf.
Here we go again... more anti-Crean hate mongers. Who gives a sh*t anymore! There are individuals at each institution that relay feel good PR stories for their school's benefit. I think it's very doubtful that Crean would take any time relaying this story to the press. We have had many feel good PR stories come out about our players and coaches too!
I'm not exactly a big Crean supporter, but in this case I don't see how he did anything wrong or even ill-conceived. I find it really hard to believe anyone would see a person struggling and think, hey if I help this kid out I can plant a feel good story about this and pretend like I never planned anything by refusing to comment on the story.
To me it looks like Crean did what anyone should when they work in education. If someone looks like they are struggling stop them for 5 minutes of your day and lend them an ear.
Kudos to Crean for doing so.
Quote from: forgetful on September 08, 2011, 04:34:05 PM
I'm not exactly a big Crean supporter, but in this case I don't see how he did anything wrong or even ill-conceived. I find it really hard to believe anyone would see a person struggling and think, hey if I help this kid out I can plant a feel good story about this and pretend like I never planned anything by refusing to comment on the story.
To me it looks like Crean did what anyone should when they work in education. If someone looks like they are struggling stop them for 5 minutes of your day and lend them an ear.
Kudos to Crean for doing so.
My thoughts exactly.
Thanks for chiming in, Joanie.
Quote from: BrewCity on September 08, 2011, 04:45:40 PM
My thoughts exactly.
Thanks for chiming in, Joanie.
I by no means like Crean, but if the same story leaked about Buzz, this place would collectively jizz its pants.
Quote from: forgetful on September 08, 2011, 04:34:05 PM
I find it really hard to believe anyone would see a person struggling and think, hey if I help this kid out I can plant a feel good story about this and pretend like I never planned anything by refusing to comment on the story.
I don't find it hard to believe because that's exactly what happened. Did anybody ask this kid if he wanted his issues aired in the media? Of course not
Quote from: forgetful on September 08, 2011, 04:34:05 PM
I'm not exactly a big Crean supporter, but in this case I don't see how he did anything wrong or even ill-conceived. I find it really hard to believe anyone would see a person struggling and think, hey if I help this kid out I can plant a feel good story about this and pretend like I never planned anything by refusing to comment on the story.
To me it looks like Crean did what anyone should when they work in education. If someone looks like they are struggling stop them for 5 minutes of your day and lend them an ear.
Kudos to Crean for doing so.
And those who posted the first four comments in this thread
can believe that Crean would do such a thing. That's what all the Crean debates come down to: the way someone views Crean's character. Either you see him as an arrogant opportunist capable of doing almost anything to further his ambitions, an attitude brought on by his perceived arrogance his last few years at MU coupled with how he left and his absolute glee at getting the Indiana job, or you don't. What he actually does doesn't really matter, its the prism through which he is viewed that can find a base motive for anything that he does.
Incidentally, my leanings are with those who question his motives.
Actually, while we're talking about motives... I find it kind of interesting that someone "upset" with having a hard time adjusting to college would just happen to spend his upset time sitting in the lobby of the Indiana practice facility.
Quote from: LittleMurs on September 08, 2011, 05:37:30 PM
Actually, while we're talking about motives... I find it kind of interesting that someone "upset" with having a hard time adjusting to college would just happen to spend his upset time sitting in the lobby of the Indiana practice facility.
Because that place is used to seeing people endure hard times?
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on September 08, 2011, 05:43:44 PM
Because that place is used to seeing people endure hard times?
I think that you're thinking of Assembly Hall.
It's been 3 years. I4 has stunk so bad that I have outgrown my schadenfreude. We just beat the guy for Burton. At this point, the poor guy needs all of the good press he can get. And, BTW, a couple of years ago, didn't Buzz give out his phone number to parents at freshman orientation and offer to help if their kids needed it? Let It Go.
That's why he went to IU. More national media attention for random stuff. The important thing is that a kid was helped.
Wow, the smell of Spurned Lover Cologne is thick in here.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on September 08, 2011, 04:54:06 PM
I by no means like Crean, but if the same story leaked about Buzz, this place would collectively jizz its pants.
+1000
TC could save a baby from a burning building and people would rip him for it.
Buzz could lend somebody a pencil and some MU fans would write 10 paragraphs about how down to earth he is.
Get some perspective, gents. Good God.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on September 08, 2011, 04:54:06 PM
I by no means like Crean, but if the same story leaked about Buzz, this place would collectively jizz its pants.
Agreed, but I think the reason why there is criticism is due to the "how did the story get out" question. Rightly or wrongly, Crean can be the speculative source due to how he operates. Further, the agenda of the original poster comes into play ... thus, the derision.
It would have been nice if Crean kept his word to his MU basketball managers by writing them letters of recommendation. He left town and never returned calls from them for recs even though they worked their tails off for him.
Quote from: marqfan22 on September 08, 2011, 09:11:29 PM
It would have been nice if Crean kept his word to his MU basketball managers by writing them letters of recommendation. He left town and never returned calls from them for recs even though they worked their tails off for him.
By them, you mean you? #spurned
Crean = Ass is an insult to asses everywhere.
Quote from: 2002MUalum on September 08, 2011, 08:21:02 PM+1000
TC could save a baby from a burning building and people would rip him for it.
Buzz could lend somebody a pencil and some MU fans would write 10 paragraphs about how down to earth he is.
Get some perspective, gents. Good God.
Hell yeah we'd rip him...you go into the building both to save the baby
and to put the fire out. This ain't baseball, batting .500 isn't success. I'd also expect him to stick around for overhaul.
I think this is a double-edged sword. It doesn't seem that different from the JFB story. Sure, totally different circumstances, but a private matter regarding the player/student's situation, taken under the wing of a coach, things seem to look up. The only significant difference I see is that JFB's story came out when he was ready for it to come out, the Indiana kid's story came out after it'd been quiet for a bit around their basketball program. I'm not saying it was TC, but my guess is someone at I4 did deliberately leak this for positive press. And I also commend the person for the positive PR move...Marquette could use a few more of those.
But at the same time, I just hope that the kid is able to remain anonymous if he wants to and that he doesn't become a focal point. College sounds like it's hard enough for this kid without being discussed by Indiana's head coach and members of the media. It's a good story for TC, and honestly I just don't care enough to really bear him any ill will anymore.[/ramble]
Wish the kid the best. That's all that's really important here.
At the end if the day...it was a nice gesture by TC. Yet to the recent poster who seems to have been a former MU manager under TC...not getting a letter of recommendation after many hours of service...unfortunate, but perhapsTC has at least turned over a new leaf.
Probably a planted story by Crean.
Show me a homeless guy having a beer at a bball game, then maybe I'll be impressed.
Quote from: Jay Bee on September 08, 2011, 09:58:15 PM
Probably a planted story by Crean.
Show me a homeless guy having a beer at a bball game, then maybe I'll be impressed.
Right?
We didn't find out about him until when? Mid way through the BE?
Then there's this story, how long has IU been in session? A week? Didn't take long.
Also, who gets homesick and then hangs out at the basketball facility?
Quote from: marqptm on September 08, 2011, 10:09:33 PM
Right?
We didn't find out about him until when? Mid way through the BE?
Then there's this story, how long has IU been in session? A week? Didn't take long.
Also, who gets homesick and then hangs out at the basketball facility?
jersey chaser.
I am not Crean supporter by any means. However, about 8 years ago when I was a senior in HS, he came to our high school to do some recruiting. I was one of about three people who recognized the guy. When I approached him, he was nice as could be. TC and myself talked basketball for about 5 minutes at halftime. That was one of the reasons I chose to attend MU. He seemed like a very nice and personable guy... Until he rode in on an ATV doing karate ;D
Nice story, but now the kid's been outed. That can't be good for him. Let's hope he comes through unscathed.
Quote from: KC2016 on September 09, 2011, 07:57:40 AM
Nice story, but now the kid's been outed. That can't be good for him. Let's hope he comes through unscathed.
I don't see a name in the article
Look if the kid had gone to the press singing Crean's praises and saying how he had really helped him during a hard time in his life - GREAT. But the story leaked and it doesn't even seem the kid is quoted, or that he was even interviewed for the story.
Buzz did give out his phone number to the incoming freshman class, but we didn't hear about it from ESPN or the MSJ - it was in the web video that was on-line. Buzz "appears" or "seems" to make heartfelt gestures, moreso then Crean.
Look, Buzz could have ridden JFB's story for the last 3 years - but he didn't. JFB was the one that spilled the beans, not Buzz, during the NBA interview process. Buzz let JFB's story be about JFB. I have no doubt in my mind that if Crean were in Buzz's shoes the story would have been about Crean as much as JFB.
Edit: Brewwcity77 beat me to it
Anyone that would defend Tom Crean in a circumstance like this continues to have the wool pulled over their eyes.
It is fine to appreciate the man for his tenure and accomplishments. It is fine to be upset with the man for his lack of class and boorish behavior while he was here. It is understandable to dislike him for the way he left.
But it is simply naive and one must be in complete denial to not understand how he operates. Tom Crean's mind revolves around creating positive press for himself and building his image. Those of you that say " Well he couldnt possibly simply do all those things to build his image" say that becuase you operate with a completely different mindset a humanity that he does not possess.
When thinking of Tom Crean you must put yourself in the mindset of an ego-maniacal, almost characterless robot with absolute tunnel vision that is 100% purely focused on building his own image.
Far different than Al McGuire he does not see the journey he simply sees the goal and the goal is to be some revered person, a legend. Therefore, yes he would help a could a kid, not to help a kid, but becuase he is already 5 steps ahead of others thinking about how this press might help further build his brand. When you have won 8 games in three years your own PR legend building mind is in full gear. He would not help a kid to help a kid, I have seen it far too often.
The guy has always reminded me of the Matt Dillon character in a "Kiss before Dying".
Quote from: marqptm on September 08, 2011, 10:09:33 PM
Right?
We didn't find out about him until when? Mid way through the BE?
Then there's this story, how long has IU been in session? A week? Didn't take long.
Also, who gets homesick and then hangs out at the basketball facility?
Plus, I think the only reason the story of the homeless man came out is because everyone wondered who the guy was that ran down to hug Buzz after the Louisville blowout.
Jilted Lover Syndrome... Hilltopper is right.
You guys are pathetic. He's gone, get over it. Yeah, he's really an "ass" for investing time in someone that he has no obligation to help out. It's pretty outlandish to assume that Crean did this so he could then go and leak it out to national media outlets. It's fairly reasonable to think that someone in the athletic department observed this sequence of events and, being genuinely touched by it, related it on. Talk about viewing the world through your own special lenses.
I wasn't a big Crean fan even when he was here, but honestly, people who waste their time criticizing the dude need to get a life.
Yup, the TC haters here are beyond bizarre.
Quote from: Nukem2 on September 09, 2011, 02:15:53 PM
Yup, the TC haters here are beyond bizarre.
I'm just glad there is somebody in Bloomington, Indiana who can read minds. After all, if Tom Crean hadn't seen a dude sitting around looking all doe eyed the kid might have jumped out of his dorm room.
Alert the media!
Quote from: TallTitan34 on September 09, 2011, 10:05:03 AM
Plus, I think the only reason the story of the homeless man came out is because everyone wondered who the guy was that ran down to hug Buzz after the Louisville blowout.
What is this story. I haven't heard it before. Anyone have a link they could share?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on September 09, 2011, 10:05:03 AM
Plus, I think the only reason the story of the homeless man came out is because everyone wondered who the guy was that ran down to hug Buzz after the Louisville blowout.
From what I remember, the story really started to gather steam because there was speculation that it was the father of one of the players, so someone needed to set the record straight.
Edit: Found two threads on it:
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=19352.0
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=18795.0
This thread should have ended after one reply that said this: "To-om Cre-ean, clap clap, clap clap clap"
It is interesting to compare the reaction that Wardle got on this board yesterday ("shows once again that he is a great guy" and "very nice story" and "real cool story") with the reaction TC got.
Why were there cameras on hand when Wardle told the kid he was getting a scholarship? Who released the video?
I know, I know...TC has shown time and again...blah, blah, blah.