Another great Hoosier Basketball story..

Just came across this on Peegs.com. I can't vouch for the validity, but if it's true, it is an awesome story about what makes a Hoosier fan and the extreme 'coolness' of Tom Crean. Courtesy of hoosier4life, posted at peegs.com:

Was in town for the holidays, and went to the college mall to start our day. While there my 4yo son and I had the pleasure to run into Tom Pritchard & Kory Barnett what 2 great kds they are. They came over and shook my sons hand and mine and were very nice about turning around and letting us interrupt their day.

So here is the best part of the day, around 3pm my son and I went over to see if we could get into Assembly Hall and just look around and take some pictures. As we walk in we see Coach Crean sitting at the scores table doing some paperwork. I shouted down and said hi to him and stated we just wanted to look around, so he tells me to bring my son down to the floor and let him look around. As we enter the floor Coach gets up and greets us, at which time my son instantly asks if there are any basketballs to play with. Coach says sure help yourself and feel free to shoot around as long as you like we don't have practice to 4. So as we shoot around on the court Coach brings over a brand new hat and program and signs them to my son with the words always work hard Tom Crean(How Awesome). I then have my son stand at center court for a picture, and Coach sees this and asks if we want him in the picture with us, which of course we say yes to. We stayed about 20-25 mins, and as we leave he says you sure you don't wanna stay and continue shooting hoops? What great Man we have as a coach and our players are just as exceptional.

Picture from anythinghoosier.blogspot.com

As the world turns...the soap opera of Indiana Basketball

In a recent article by L. Jon Wertheim, entitled Tom Crean's Big Red Challenge, we learn about the soap opera history of Indiana Basketball in the last decade. He really brings to light the mistakes made by Indiana University and the challenges ahead of the program. Most of all, Tom Crean, Indiana's new head coach, has begun to re-structure the program. As it states in the article, "While it might be in slightly used condition, the soul of Indiana basketball is not for sale."

Here's a quick piece from the story:

When Illinois coach Bruce Weber, perhaps still smarting from Sampson's ethically questionable recruitment of Eric Gordon, predicted in June that "Indiana will suck" this season, surely he could have chosen more delicate words. But few would disagree with the sentiment. As Crean warned his players, "The perception: You're probably going to be picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten. The reality: [At least] you're going to make it big on television."

Crean balances Midwest pragmatism with heaps of optimism. Here's a man who doesn't see the glass as half full. He sees it as overflowing. With Dom Pérignon. From 1975. The challenges, he says, have only hardened his resolve "to see this through." He is "pumped up" by the reception he's received from fans. The hard times that await? "I didn't take this job for the immediate--and I've had to remind myself of that at least eight dozen times--for where it's at now. I took this for where it's been and where it can possibly go."

Tom Crean's Big Red Challenge by L. Jon Wertheim - Full Article -

2008 IU Men's Roster

Support IU Basketball - Tom Crean Public Address

Coach Crean is giving his first public address to the IU student body and Bloomington community. He will be discussing the upcoming season and his future plans for the basketball program. There will also be an extensive Q&A session to follow. Below is more information:

Coach Crean Lecture
Monday, 10/6
7:00pm
IU Auditorium
FREE to all - no tickets required


Come and support our new coach!!