The Tanned One is in Trouble

[dgies9156]

Saw this on ESPN today. Looks like the Tanned One is in trouble. Anytime a university athletic director expresses full confidence in his coach, the coach is a step from being out the door

Tom Crean's job at Indiana is not in jeopardy, and athletic director Fred Glass told ESPN on Thursday that he fully supports the Hoosiers' coach.
 
Glass said he had to respond after a 77-63 home loss to Iowa on Tuesday dropped the Hoosiers to 9-8 in the Big Ten, 19-11 overall heading into Saturday's regular-season finale against Michigan State at Assembly Hall.

[CAGASS24]

Typically that's the case when the support statements are terse and vague.  however in this case the AD goes on and on and on about why he wants crean there.  He's safe for another season

[Herman Cain]

They will make the tourney and his job will be secure for another year. I think it helps Marquette when our former coaches and players do well.

[Earl Tatum]

I put this thought on the wrong blog. COMMENTS on Jim Boehim and Syracuse getting the book thrown at them by the NCAA.

[brewcity77]

Someone elsewhere brought up the idea of Crean taking over at DePaul. That could be a disaster for us. Would give Crean a huge market and fertile recruiting ground, he already has a ton of Midwestern connections, and with DePaul dropping 9/10 (and potentially 11/12 by next week) it would be easy to justify firing Purnell. Crean is exactly what they need down there, a good recruiter, great motivator, and probably one of the best showmen to build a program in the country. In addition, he would have the glitz of the big city and Big East without the pressure of "It's Indiana, It's Indiana". Really hope that doesn't come to pass.

[Dawson Rental]

He'll be there a long, long time. Chicos will have them banned from cable if Crean is fired.

[Dawson Rental]

Someone elsewhere brought up the idea of Crean taking over at DePaul. That could be a disaster for us. Would give Crean a huge market and fertile recruiting ground, he already has a ton of Midwestern connections, and with DePaul dropping 9/10 (and potentially 11/12 by next week) it would be easy to justify firing Purnell. Crean is exactly what they need down there, a good recruiter, great motivator, and probably one of the best showmen to build a program in the country. In addition, he would have the glitz of the big city and Big East without the pressure of "It's Indiana, It's Indiana". Really hope that doesn't come to pass.

Fear Crean as a recruiter?  At DePaul?  Shirley, you jest.

[brewcity77]

Fear Crean as a recruiter?  At DePaul?  Shirley, you jest.

Crean is a great marketer. If anyone could sell DePaul on actually investing in their program, it's him. And players commit to coaches, not schools. That's why Marquette got Ellenson, why LSU is landing a top-tier 2015 class, and why Kentucky is #1 year in and year out (they weren't pre-Cal). If they gave him resources (and it's DPU, so who knows?) he would be able to kill it there.

Of course, the problem is that Jean Lenti-Ponsetto is pretty much a part of that institution, and as long as she's there I don't expect them to put forth a real investment in men's basketball. But if he did go there, yeah, I do think we'd have some cause for concern.

[Dawson Rental]

Crean is a great marketer. If anyone could sell DePaul on actually investing in their program, it's him. And players commit to coaches, not schools. That's why Marquette got Ellenson, why LSU is landing a top-tier 2015 class, and why Kentucky is #1 year in and year out (they weren't pre-Cal). If they gave him resources (and it's DPU, so who knows?) he would be able to kill it there.

Of course, the problem is that Jean Lenti-Ponsetto is pretty much a part of that institution, and as long as she's there I don't expect them to put forth a real investment in men's basketball. But if he did go there, yeah, I do think we'd have some cause for concern.

You hit a very important nail on the head with Jean Lenti-Ponsetto.  DePaul doesn't invest much in men's basketball beyond the head coaching salary which they keep competitive.  That limits recruiting resources.  When Crean moved to Indiana it was rightly seen as a step up while a move from Indiana to DePaul would rightly be seen as a step down.  Recruits are hip to that.  In nine years here, Crean never got a quality big after bagging Merritt his first time out.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Crean is a great marketer.

Crean has done a great job marketing Indiana.

He'd be a terrible hire for DePaul, another in a growing list of retreads. I never understood why they don't do what Marquette has done and hire assistants or head coaches from lower tier schools.

[Dawson Rental]

Crean has done a great job marketing Indiana, to future coaching hires.

He'd be a terrible hire for DePaul, another in a growing list of retreads. I never understood why they don't do what Marquette has done and hire assistants or head coaches from lower tier schools.

FIFY

[Nukem2]

Crean has done a great job marketing Indiana.

He'd be a terrible hire for DePaul, another in a growing list of retreads. I never understood why they don't do what Marquette has done and hire assistants or head coaches from lower tier schools.

Actually, DePaul did that in 2002 with the Dave Leitao hiring.  He was actually good for DePaul for several seasons before bailing out to take the Virginia HC job in 2005.  Leitao served 2 stints under Calhoun at UConn wrapped around a HC stint at his alma mater, Northeastern.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Who cares?

[MattyWarrior]

Bazz can coach at Its Indiana!

[brewcity77]

Who cares?

When you're 11-18 and staring at a long off-season, anything to distract from that record (like our ex-coach possibly going to one of our rivals) is worth discussing to pass the time.

[MU82]

Typically that's the case when the support statements are terse and vague.  however in this case the AD goes on and on and on about why he wants crean there.  He's safe for another season

I was extremely impressed by the openness and breadth of the Indiana AD. I would posit that Crean is safe for at least another season.

[MU1980]

They will make the tourney and his job will be secure for another year. I think it helps Marquette when our former coaches and players do well.

I never understand why people think our former coaches doing well at another school helps us.  We do not want Marquette to be a stepping stone job as both O'Neil and Crean viewed it, and their relative lack of success helps us in a big way.  I like to see the former coaches have less success at their new school than they did at Marquette as it validates that the coaching job at Marquette is indeed set up for a coach to be very successful and running off to a place like Indiana is not always the best move.  When Wojo has tremendous success at Marquette over the next few years, I want him to remember how the coaches that left here did not have more success and in the case of O'Neil, had a string of failures that had him longing for his Marquette days.  

[Dawson Rental]

I never understand why people think our former coaches doing well at another school helps us.  We do not want Marquette to be a stepping stone job as both O'Neil and Crean viewed it, and their relative lack of success helps us in a big way.  I like to see the former coaches have less success at their new school than they did at Marquette as it validates that the coaching job at Marquette is indeed set up for a coach to be very successful and running off to a place like Indiana is not always the best move.  When Wojo has tremendous success at Marquette over the next few years, I want him to remember how the coaches that left here did not have more success and in the case of O'Neil, had a string of failures that had him longing for his Marquette days.  

Alright, alright, alright.

[77ncaachamps]

He'll last one more season.

It's the buyout that's drops off after next season.

http://www.tomcreanbuyout.com/

[Dawson Rental]

He'll last one more season.

It's the buyout that's drops off after next season.

http://www.tomcreanbuyout.com/

And some ninnys say that Indiana fan interest is falling off.

[Golden Avalanche]

Sneak in as last team and win two games. People won't remember this non-story conversation.

[We R Final Four]

I never understand why people think our former coaches doing well at another school helps us.  We do not want Marquette to be a stepping stone job as both O'Neil and Crean viewed it, and their relative lack of success helps us in a big way.  I like to see the former coaches have less success at their new school than they did at Marquette as it validates that the coaching job at Marquette is indeed set up for a coach to be very successful and running off to a place like Indiana is not always the best move.  When Wojo has tremendous success at Marquette over the next few years, I want him to remember how the coaches that left here did not have more success and in the case of O'Neil, had a string of failures that had him longing for his Marquette days.  

Winner winner, chicken dinner! Very well said.
We want MU to be a destination, not a stepping stone. If coaches leave for greener pastures only to find out those pastures weren't so green after all......MU looks much better.
I wish NO success to Crean and Brent, so the world sees their selfish moves as detriments to their coaching  careers.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I never understand why people think our former coaches doing well at another school helps us.  We do not want Marquette to be a stepping stone job as both O'Neil and Crean viewed it, and their relative lack of success helps us in a big way.  I like to see the former coaches have less success at their new school than they did at Marquette as it validates that the coaching job at Marquette is indeed set up for a coach to be very successful and running off to a place like Indiana is not always the best move.  When Wojo has tremendous success at Marquette over the next few years, I want him to remember how the coaches that left here did not have more success and in the case of O'Neil, had a string of failures that had him longing for his Marquette days.  

Well said (from another 1980 grad).

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

FIFY

I was kidding about him marketing Indiana. They can't draw flies because their fan base can't stand him. He's tarnished their brand, not enhanced it

I do acknowledge he did a good job marketing marquette, but he's still a gigantic turd.

[brewcity77]

Crean hasn't tarnished their brand. They were in NCAA hell when he arrived. He built excitement, brought in top notch recruits, and made Indiana a proud program again. The problem he has is he succeeded too much too soon. Zellar & Oladipo built expectations up, but Crean hasn't continued to deliver.

The same thing happened at Marquette. Great team with Wade, big fall off. The difference is we were willing to be patient through the NIT years, IU fans are not. Crean will never be everything for every program, and I don't think he's a good fit at IU. However he's a great fit somewhere like Marquette or DePaul to build fan interest, draw recruits, and have moderate success.

He's not a blue blood coach. That's pretty clear. But somewhere like DePaul is ideal for him. Low expectations, fertile recruiting base, and if he has enough ups (like he did both here and at Indiana) they will let him get away with the downs (unlike IU and maybe now us).

[tower912]

15 years.   One trip past the sweet 16.   Seven year rebuild at I4.   Glass has to support him because he can't afford to fire him.   But he is not the long term answer at I4 anymore. 

[Dawson Rental]

I was kidding about him marketing Indiana. They can't draw flies because their fan base can't stand him. He's tarnished their brand, not enhanced it

I do acknowledge he did a good job marketing marquette, but he's still a gigantic turd.

I caught that and was just trying to leverage off it. 

[MU82]

15 years.   One trip past the sweet 16.   Seven year rebuild at I4.   Glass has to support him because he can't afford to fire him.   But he is not the long term answer at I4 anymore. 

Either Indiana is no longer a good job or Crean isn't a good coach. Those really are the only choices.

[77ncaachamps]

Crean to Lamar.

[keefe]

Crean to Lamar.

Rent a Coach. Marquette basically paid for Lamar's coach. As soon as the subsidy ended they dumped Dino for Tubbs.

[tompopsicle]

...Crean never got a quality big after bagging Merritt his first time out.

Technically, he got Robert Jackson, didn't he? While not a traditional 4 year recruit, he still recruited him to MU.

[Dawson Rental]

Technically, he got Robert Jackson, didn't he? While not a traditional 4 year recruit, he still recruited him to MU.

Can anyone confirm whether this was really a Crean recruitment, and not just Jackson wanting to come back to Milwaukee (after needing to move somewhere for his last year  when Miss State gave him the boot)?  The latter is how I remember it.

[VegasWarrior77]

Not Tom Crean ‏@CreanyTom  57m57 minutes ago
I don't always get out coached, but when I do it's usually in the game of basketball.

[GGGG]

[jutaw22mu]

I was driving around New Haven and this establishment reminded me of the Tanned One...

[GoldenWarrior11]

Tom Crean has about a 1% chance of ever becoming the head coach at DePaul.  Jean Lenti-Ponsetto's attention is more focused on other athletic teams, namely the women's basketball team.  In several DePaul games I've attended this year at Allstate Arena, she was nowhere to be found at the games.  Oliver Purnell will be head coach until his contract ends, which is another 3 seasons.  

Crean won't be fired after this season.  Next year (possibly) could be a different story.  He would be in high demand due to his PR abilities and resume.  Unlike a guy like Ben Howland, he didn't have an SI story shred his leadership qualities (yet anyways).  

[Dr. Blackheart]

Not scheduling this game may have cost Crean a bid...

[4everwarriors]

Pretty sure he just crapped his trousers, ai na?

[HutchwasClutch]

Indiana fans have a way over-inflated opinion of their program present day.  This is not the 70's and 80's under Bobby Knight anymore, they just are no longer among the elites in college basketball, and haven't been for a long time now.  Crean has brought them a Big Ten regular season title and two Sweet 16's when that program was in shambles when he took over.   

I don't know who their fan base envisions bringing to Bloomington so far superior to Crean.  I really don't think there's anyone.

[keefe]

I was driving around New Haven and this establishment reminded me of the Tanned One...

I love the "No Commitments" tag line. That works with Tanned Tommy in many ways...

[HutchwasClutch]

If you didn't see it yet, one of Crean's guys may had the highlight of the year today.   Where he started his jump, how high the ball was when he got his hand on it, and then to control the ball from that height and throw it down with authority - I saw it live and was just jaw dropping 

http://www.gamedaypost.com/2015/03/07/indianas-hanner-mosquera-perea-throws-down-putback-dunk/

[MU82]

Indiana fans have a way over-inflated opinion of their program present day.  This is not the 70's and 80's under Bobby Knight anymore, they just are no longer among the elites in college basketball, and haven't been for a long time now.  Crean has brought them a Big Ten regular season title and two Sweet 16's when that program was in shambles when he took over.   

I don't know who their fan base envisions bringing to Bloomington so far superior to Crean.  I really don't think there's anyone.

This is quite possibly true. Indiana has been to one Final Four in the last 23 years -- and one could argue that even that one, under Mike Davis in 2002, was kind of a fluke.

In the last two decades, the Hoosiers have made it to the second weekend only three times.

This steady decline began under Bobby Knight, who stopped attracting top recruits when they realized there were many excellent coaches who wouldn't physically and mentally abuse them. It continued under Davis. It continued under Sampson. It has continued under Crean.

That's 4 coaches, including a Hall of Famer, who weren't able to win big consistently at Indiana over a 20-year span.

At some point, when the success stops, a blue blood simply no longer is a blue blood. We Warriors know that better than most.

[tower912]

Dakich was criticizing everything IU did.   Bad defense, bad offense, bad rebounding, and then saying that those who want to get rid of Crean are crazy.   

[goinUptown]

This is quite possibly true. Indiana has been to one Final Four in the last 23 years -- and one could argue that even that one, under Mike Davis in 2002, was kind of a fluke.

In the last two decades, the Hoosiers have made it to the second weekend only three times.

This steady decline began under Bobby Knight, who stopped attracting top recruits when they realized there were many excellent coaches who wouldn't physically and mentally abuse them. It continued under Davis. It continued under Sampson. It has continued under Crean.

That's 4 coaches, including a Hall of Famer, who weren't able to win big consistently at Indiana over a 20-year span.

At some point, when the success stops, a blue blood simply no longer is a blue blood. We Warriors know that better than most.

You guys are both spot on.  I live in Indianapolis so am subject to their delusional images of where they think they belong in the pecking order that is college hoops; most of them still categorize their program with Duke,  UNC,  Kentucky,  the true blue blood crowd.  Also,  as within any hierarchy,  they really love to point out how a program such as Marquette's is so inferior. Of course,  over the last twenty years MU's program has performed better,  and our history during the seventies is comparable (not as impressive I know but certainly worth mentioning especially considering RMK did many times)   to theirs during the seventies and eighties,  but why bring up those facts when it doesn't fit their narrative?

They appear to want to beat up the one they perceive as just beneath them to feel their (supposed)  superiority.

AlsDisciple (aka/goinUptown)

[real chili 83]

Grew up in SB.

IU hardcore fans are almost as bad as ND fans.

[4everwarriors]

If you didn't see it yet, one of Crean's guys may had the highlight of the year today.   Where he started his jump, how high the ball was when he got his hand on it, and then to control the ball from that height and throw it down with authority - I saw it live and was just jaw dropping 

http://www.gamedaypost.com/2015/03/07/indianas-hanner-mosquera-perea-throws-down-putback-dunk/

Presty sure Too Tan Tommy taught him that move, or at least will take credit for it, ai na?

[77ncaachamps]

[WarriorHal]

Indiana and Marquette are both once great programs that are now good. They really are pretty much equal in national standing. Indiana was great because of Knight; MU was great because of Al. Neither has gotten back to elite status. Crean made at best a lateral move and did so in a less than OK manner. Hence the lingering resentment, even though most MU fans are very glad he's gone.

[keefe]

Not scheduling this game may have cost Crean a bid...

This is f ucking great!

[keefe]

Indiana and Marquette are both once great programs that are now good. They really are pretty much equal in national standing. Indiana was great because of Knight; MU was great because of Al. Neither has gotten back to elite status. Crean made at best a lateral move and did so in a less than OK  gutless, cowardly, chicken sh1t manner. Hence the lingering resentment, even though most MU fans are very glad he's gone.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

He's gone after the season. 

[TallTitan34]

I'm sure Crean will find another quality head coaching gig should Indiana let him go.

[4everwarriors]

Drivin' the team van at Gannon College.

[Dawson Rental]

Indiana and Marquette are both once great programs that are now good. They really are pretty much equal in national standing. Indiana was great because of Knight; MU was great because of Al. Neither has gotten back to elite status. Crean made at best a lateral move and did so in a less than OK manner. Hence the lingering resentment, even though most MU fans are very glad he's gone.

I've got to disagree somewhat.  Crean went to Indiana because he knew it would be easier to recruit top talent there, and it is.  The high school basketball there has been top notch forever, Indiana produces more than its share of top players, and there's a lot of loyalty to IU as the state school.  Indiana is a better program because of those advantages.  There really isn't the same kind of established recruiting base for MU, nor does MU have the same depth of fan support.  The only thing that keeps MU in the conversation is the awesome level of support from the administration which truly gets how much value a top basketball program delivers to the school.

As we shall hopefully see soon, none of the above means that MU can't rise above IU on the occasions when MU has someone special in the HC position.

[VegasWarrior77]

http://www.thescore.com/ncaab/news/717247

Indiana fans chant 'Tom Crean sucks' at son's basketball game

Hoosiers fans are not hiding their dissatisfaction with Tom Crean.

When Crean's son, Riley, entered his high-school basketball game, Indiana fans chanted "Tom Crean sucks" loudly, according to an email sent to CrimsonQuarry.com. 

Indiana currently sits on the bubble ahead of Selection Sunday after finishing the season with a 74-72 loss to Michigan State at home. If the Hoosiers miss the 2015 NCAA tournament, it will be the second consecutive year.     

That's just cruel.

[Norm]

That's pathetic by the IU fans. Don't take it out on coaches kids.

If Yogi Farrell makes the 2nd free throw and IU wins in OT then they are already in the dance.

[JTBMU7]

holy smokes, riley is in high school? i remember seeing him running around the sidelines back when i was in school. makes me feel old...

[GoldenWarrior11]

I try and not generalize an entire fan base by the actions of a few, but that is really despicable behavior by those select IU "fans".  It's one thing to be disappointed by the results of your favorite basketball team, it's completely another to take it out on the coach's kid.  Classless.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Okay, wow. How many fans, and on which team? Are you telling me this isn't predictable coming from the fans on an opposing team? And how do they know they were "Indiana fans"? Because it sells the story better? Please.

[VegasWarrior77]

Seth Davis ‏@SethDavisHoops  23m23 minutes ago
The people who did an ugly chant at Tom Crean during his son's game represent the lowest form of humanity. May karma get them all.

[tower912]

Classless is classless.   This is classless.

[LCDutchman]

Be careful what you wish for and Tommy wished for Indiana.  They hate Tommy now(until he wins).  And they don't care what Seth Davis thinks. 

[willie warrior]

Be careful what you wish for and Tommy wished for Indiana.  They hate Tommy now(until he wins).  And they don't care what Seth Davis thinks. 

With his contract, they can hate the tanned one all they want--because when he leaves, it will be with a big bag of zoidies!

[77ncaachamps]

Seth Davis ‏@SethDavisHoops  23m23 minutes ago
The people who did an ugly chant at Tom Crean during his son's game represent the lowest form of humanity. May karma get them all.

But, Seth...


IT'S INDIANA,

IT'S INDIANA!


Where Basketball is god and they know a false prophet (or at least a failing shepherd) when they see one!

[wadesworld]

This is f ucking great!

+1.  one of the best things I've ever seen on Scoop.

[Jay Bee]

Okay, wow. How many fans, and on which team? Are you telling me this isn't predictable coming from the fans on an opposing team? And how do they know they were "Indiana fans"? Because it sells the story better? Please.

Exactly. Non-story and not rare. Opposing teams get on the other players all the time and it's often mean and... unsportsmanlike.

At my alma mater where they were very good a few years ago and had a couple of stars from well off families, opposing crowds would chant crap like, "daddy's money... daddy's money..." while they were on the line. Very personal and out of line. But not rare. Non story.

(hope someone kissed the kid and made it all better, I'm really a badger fanl?)

[MU Buff]

Exactly. Non-story and not rare. Opposing teams get on the other players all the time and it's often mean and... unsportsmanlike.

At my alma mater where they were very good a few years ago and had a couple of stars from well off families, opposing crowds would chant crap like, "daddy's money... daddy's money..." while they were on the line. Very personal and out of line. But not rare. Non story.

(hope someone kissed the kid and made it all better, I'm really a badger fanl?)

Right on the money. It was probably just the opposing student section, which isn't abnormal behavior at all. In fact, I think we've all heard much, much worse. Echoing Jay Bee, that doesn't make it right, but it isn't a story.

[keefe]

Classless is classless.   This is classless.

I don't condone that behavior in any way but Crean tempted karma in bestowing every possible award on his own son at a basketball camp. Riley Crean's biggest issue is not with a handful of clueless, anonymous spectators but, rather, with his jackass of a father. If Riley Crean has any dignity he should still feel ashamed that his father did that to him. 

[MU82]

Exactly. Non-story and not rare. Opposing teams get on the other players all the time and it's often mean and... unsportsmanlike.

At my alma mater where they were very good a few years ago and had a couple of stars from well off families, opposing crowds would chant crap like, "daddy's money... daddy's money..." while they were on the line. Very personal and out of line. But not rare. Non story.

(hope someone kissed the kid and made it all better, I'm really a badger fanl?)

I agree with all of the facts in this comment. But I disagree with your opinion that this is a non-story.

Tom Crean is a public figure. Hell, as Indiana basketball coach, he arguably is the most public figure in the state. If he picks his nose, it is a story. So certainly if fans yell "Tom Crean sucks" at his son's basketball game, it is news and the media should report it.

You might not have sympathy for Crean or his kid, which is your prerogative. You might not like the way the story was reported. And again, you are correct that it is hardly an isolated incident. But IMHO, it is a story.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I don't think this is a big deal at all. I do think Crean will use this as an opportunity to leave Indiana ahead of the posse, a la Buzz Williams.

Speaking of Crean, did anybody see this press conference? I thought it was Crean at his most gruesome. Wheeling this gentleman in front of the media under the guise of a good deed is just despicable in my mind. Wouldn't a trip into the locker room been more what this fan had in mind? Or courtside seats with no further comment? A personalized jersey? No, no, no. The media needs to see him in front of their bright lights...see how Coach Crean actually interacts with him like an actual human being.

This is the kind of transparent, offensive garbage he pulled all the time at Marquette, although this is the single most egregious example of it. He is a despicable human being...the worst of the worst. Calling him a phony is an insult to phonies around the globe.

Laughably, he gets media people, like this NBC sports website believing it's because he's such a caring individual. The reality is it's a dog and pony show that this douche bag hopes will curry favor with the torch-bearing townsfolk gathering at the gates of Assembly Hall.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/16/tom-crean-holds-indiana-press-conference-with-fan-battling-als-video/

[Anti-Dentite]

That video is so incredibly creepy even for the tanned one. At the end he tells the press that he hopes the guy continues to get better....WTF! He's got ALS!

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

I agree with all of the facts in this comment. But I disagree with your opinion that this is a non-story.

Tom Crean is a public figure. Hell, as Indiana basketball coach, he arguably is the most public figure in the state. If he picks his nose, it is a story. So certainly if fans yell "Tom Crean sucks" at his son's basketball game, it is news and the media should report it.

You might not have sympathy for Crean or his kid, which is your prerogative. You might not like the way the story was reported. And again, you are correct that it is hardly an isolated incident. But IMHO, it is a story.

I'm don't think we can even say whether it's a story or not. I went through the threads... it sounds like it started from one guy on one Indiana blog. Then the story got repeated over and over by others in sports media.

I'm not familiar with "the score" and don't know if it's supposed to be serious journalism, but there is zero reporting in that story beyond posting verbatim from another site. I still want to know how many people were doing this, how long it went on, etc.

I can't even see a problem with this if it's the entire opposing student section. My god, people are weak these days. Even 10-15 years ago the stuff we said at sporting events makes this look soft. I'm sure Riley is scarred for life.

And the way this was reported as "Indiana fans" without any verification is just pathetic. None of these people actually know that and it's perfectly narrative serving.

[NavinRJohnson]

It is certainly looking as though his time may be coming to an end, though not this year. They aren't exactly looking stacked for next season, though with the problems at Syracuse, it looks like he will have 6-10 Thomas Bryant fall in his lap.

Bottom line, he has failed to even come close to the standard of consistently contending for final fours and national championships that he himself embraced when he took the job.

Then again, things can turn around quickly. If they do squeeze in this year and win a game or two, it obviously buys some good favor. He could wallow in mediocrity there for several years, but has to make the tournament year after year. If they don't get in this year however, the drum beat will get very loud, and he will have exactly 12 months to change his fate, which will require Ws and improved recruiting/promising outlook as well.

[77ncaachamps]

It's too bad Brian couldn't say, "Fire Crean."

[MUsoxfan]

Peegs has been most entertaining these past couple weeks

[keefe]

I don't think this is a big deal at all. I do think Crean will use this as an opportunity to leave Indiana ahead of the posse, a la Buzz Williams.

Speaking of Crean, did anybody see this press conference? I thought it was Crean at his most gruesome. Wheeling this gentleman in front of the media under the guise of a good deed is just despicable in my mind. Wouldn't a trip into the locker room been more what this fan had in mind? Or courtside seats with no further comment? A personalized jersey? No, no, no. The media needs to see him in front of their bright lights...see how Coach Crean actually interacts with him like an actual human being.

This is the kind of transparent, offensive garbage he pulled all the time at Marquette, although this is the single most egregious example of it. He is a despicable human being...the worst of the worst. Calling him a phony is an insult to phonies around the globe.

Laughably, he gets media people, like this NBC sports website believing it's because he's such a caring individual. The reality is it's a dog and pony show that this douche bag hopes will curry favor with the torch-bearing townsfolk gathering at the gates of Assembly Hall.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/16/tom-crean-holds-indiana-press-conference-with-fan-battling-als-video/

I couldn't watch all of that presser but Crean is utterly shameless in exploiting that guy. His smug, patronizing manner is beyond disturbing. The real problem, though, is that the Bronzed Beast is oblivious to how reprehensible it is to use this guy as a stage prop. Crean is the most soul-less man in Indiana.

[Tums Festival]

I don't think this is a big deal at all. I do think Crean will use this as an opportunity to leave Indiana ahead of the posse, a la Buzz Williams.

Speaking of Crean, did anybody see this press conference? I thought it was Crean at his most gruesome. Wheeling this gentleman in front of the media under the guise of a good deed is just despicable in my mind. Wouldn't a trip into the locker room been more what this fan had in mind? Or courtside seats with no further comment? A personalized jersey? No, no, no. The media needs to see him in front of their bright lights...see how Coach Crean actually interacts with him like an actual human being.

This is the kind of transparent, offensive garbage he pulled all the time at Marquette, although this is the single most egregious example of it. He is a despicable human being...the worst of the worst. Calling him a phony is an insult to phonies around the globe.

Laughably, he gets media people, like this NBC sports website believing it's because he's such a caring individual. The reality is it's a dog and pony show that this douche bag hopes will curry favor with the torch-bearing townsfolk gathering at the gates of Assembly Hall.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/16/tom-crean-holds-indiana-press-conference-with-fan-battling-als-video/

I couldn't even watch the whole thing. Nothing like using a terminally ill person to raise your own stock. Crean takes douchebaggery to a new low.