Indiana's Class of 2012

[IAJay]

4* Hollowell committed to Indiana today making Indiana's class one of the tops in the nation for 2012. Mix those guys in with Zeller and it would be tough for Crean to screw that situation up.

I love Fran as much as the next guy, but he needs to get a big fish to bite here to keep up with the Big Ten. He is a great coach, but it is hard to win when your team is out manned every game.

 

[brett108]

Indiana has been bad lately but is one of the top 5 programs from a historic standpoint. This class will help move them back in that direction. Iowa doesn't have the history that Indiana does. The recruiting is also more fertile in that area, so these are things that will have to be overcome if the Hawks hope to rise above the Hoosiers.

 

[JugadorHawk]

It's all about building relationships, especially at a place like Iowa (difficult to recruit in all sports). Fran has only been here a year and we already know he can bring in that diamond in the rough kid with Mel and Bryce. We just have to be patient and rely on our on court progress because Crean already has recruiting advantages that Fran can't compete with at this point.

 

[ICAlumni]

Crean has been there 3 years already... shouldn't he already be making some waves instead of sucking?

 

[olivecourt]

Crean has been there 3 years already... shouldn't he already be making some waves instead of sucking?

Ditto. Indiana might be the fourth-best team in their own state right now, and that's being pretty charitable. I'm not going to worry about a guy who won't even be on campus for another 18 months until I see IU do something on the court.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

Crean has been there 3 years already... shouldn't he already be making some waves instead of sucking?

He took over a program that was basically wiped out by Sampson. He was having open tryouts just to fill the roster his first season there. He's lost his best player to season ending injuries two years in a row. With Zeller coming in next year, and the return of Creek, they should be middle of the pack next season and very good in 2012.

 

[uofihawkInation]

He had a pretty good class a couple years ago as well. I think if they stay healthy and he can coach, this will be a much better team soon.

 

[sportstalent]

We cannot compare Fran and Iowa to other programs that are historic and have won multiple championships until Iowa wins one, the history gives IU an advantage.
That said, Fran/Iowa have to develop players first and foremost, then some top 20 players will come, look for 2013 for this to happen. Yes Iowa needs some talent, but who were the last four year players? Brunner and Horner? Under the same coach?
The way people talk about Zeller, he better be able to walk on water or the 2012 class for Indiana will not matter for Crean. The IU situation was worse than Iowa's, but with their history they can absorb years like the last couple and rebuild quicker.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

We cannot compare Fran and Iowa to other programs that are historic and have won multiple championships until Iowa wins one, the history gives IU an advantage.
That said, Fran/Iowa have to develop players first and foremost, then some top 20 players will come, look for 2013 for this to happen. Yes Iowa needs some talent, but who were the last four year players? Brunner and Horner? Under the same coach?
The way people talk about Zeller, he better be able to walk on water or the 2012 class for Indiana will not matter for Crean. The IU situation was worse than Iowa's, but with their history they can absorb years like the last couple and rebuild quicker.

Why? They aren't going to fire Crean after this year even if they struggle again.

 

[Cyclones17]

Ditto. Indiana might be the fourth-best team in their own state right now, and that's being pretty charitable. I'm not going to worry about a guy who won't even be on campus for another 18 months until I see IU do something on the court.

You should be worried. He has what is the top class in 2012 coming in. Indiana isn't going to fire him. He took over a HORRIBLE situation and the athletic department knows it. His last two years his best player has went down with season ending injury. In 2 years Indiana basketball will be back

 

[olivecourt]

You should be worried. He has what is the top class in 2012 coming in. Indiana isn't going to fire him. He took over a HORRIBLE situation and the athletic department knows it. His last two years his best player has went down with season ending injury. In 2 years Indiana basketball will be back

I'll keep track of what I should be worried about, thanks. The possibility that Indiana might be back to respectability in two years doesn't really concern me at the moment. Reminds me of how Rich Rodriguez inherited a bare cupboard but was this close to returning to dominance... and then got pounded by the big boys, over and over and over again.

 

[sportstalent]

Why? They aren't going to fire Crean after this year even if they struggle again.

Indiana is a proud program, they learned that they waited too long to chase Davis off and there has already been some whispers around about how much longer are they really going to give him.
Throw out his first year, I get that, but his first full class has not been as good as advertised. Watford is their best player and they have some other decent players (Jones and Hulls), but Pritchard, Elston, Copobiancco (sp?) are just not very good. The Creek injury has had some impact, but one player should not determine your fate. Their freshman showed flashes, but must really improve for them to go anywhere. Zeller is probably going to be a good player, but he will still be a freshman big man and I don't see him in Sullinger's class, so how much of an impact will he have? It is good to talk about the 2012 class, but that is still a full season away and a lot can happen between now and then. If Indiana finishes in the bottom two or three, I have a hard time believing he will be back.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

Indiana is a proud program, they learned that they waited too long to chase Davis off and there has already been some whispers around about how much longer are they really going to give him.
Throw out his first year, I get that, but his first full class has not been as good as advertised. Watford is their best player and they have some other decent players (Jones and Hulls), but Pritchard, Elston, Copobiancco (sp?) are just not very good. The Creek injury has had some impact, but one player should not determine your fate. Their freshman showed flashes, but must really improve for them to go anywhere. Zeller is probably going to be a good player, but he will still be a freshman big man and I don't see him in Sullinger's class, so how much of an impact will he have? It is good to talk about the 2012 class, but that is still a full season away and a lot can happen between now and then. If Indiana finishes in the bottom two or three, I have a hard time believing he will be back.

Davis was an unproven coach. Crean is not. Firing a coach who is bringing in a top five class will not get you back any faster. Zeller is not in Sullinger's class but he will make Indiana better. There's is no way he's let go before that 2012 class gets on campus.

 

[RADMAN]

Davis was an unproven coach. Crean is not. Firing a coach who is bringing in a top five class will not get you back any faster. Zeller is not in Sullinger's class but he will make Indiana better. There's is no way he's let go before that 2012 class gets on campus.

If Crean isn't in the middle of the pack next year I will guarantee you he will be gone. He is a great recruiter and a so-so head coach. I for one wanted him at Iowa back 4 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I am not dissing Crean but if he can't make progress with the recruits he has brought in the last 3 years and if they struggle to get out of the bottom, he is gone. He has two outstanding recruiting classes and they are not on the radar. Indiana will move on.

 

[BigD]

Radman and Sportstalent +1. Lived in Indiana and know how proud the Indiana people are about their basketball program. If they finish in last place in the conference next season the only fast pacing Crean will be doing is between his house and the U-haul.

 

[IAJay]

Radman and Sportstalent +1. Lived in Indiana and know how proud the Indiana people are about their basketball program. If they finish in last place in the conference next season the only fast pacing Crean will be doing is between his house and the U-haul.

Well they won't be close to last place next year so he isn't going anywhere. You don't fire a coach bringing in the top class in the nation unless you want to kill any progress the program is making. Hawkeyemike is spot on with everything he has said so far.

Hollowell's biggest reason for going to Indiana, "I feel like we are building something huge here." Good players want to play with other good players, and that is why I think it is so vital for Fran to strike it with top 50 kid early. You get that first one, and it is a heck of a lot easier to get the ball rolling.

 

[RADMAN]

Radman and Sportstalent +1. Lived in Indiana and know how proud the Indiana people are about their basketball program. If they finish in last place in the conference next season the only fast pacing Crean will be doing is between his house and the U-haul.

I think the guy is quality. I hope for the best for him. Its just a cut throat business. I could see them challenging next year and I could see them struggling. Unfortunately, the coach will get the axe. This guy is one of my top 20 coaches in America. Just saying, you don't have much time to ring the bell.

 

[hawkIhoops]

I think the guy is quality. I hope for the best for him. Its just a cut throat business. I could see them challenging next year and I could see them struggling. Unfortunately, the coach will get the axe. This guy is one of my top 20 coaches in America. Just saying, you don't have much time to ring the bell.

After the Sampson debacle, I don't think IU fans want to roll the dice on another head coach unless Crean totally tanks next year. It just goes to show that it takes time to build the relationships required to recruit student-athletes.

Let's be honest, if IU or Iowa were Iowa State or TN, they could post a help wanted ad and go trolling for transfers and washouts from other programs. Neither program or coach wants to go that route, so it isn't an easy fix. I look forward to seeing IU and Iowa battling for something other than last place.

 

[Cyclones17]

I'll keep track of what I should be worried about, thanks. The possibility that Indiana might be back to respectability in two years doesn't really concern me at the moment. Reminds me of how Rich Rodriguez inherited a bare cupboard but was this close to returning to dominance... and then got pounded by the big boys, over and over and over again.

Why doesn't it concern you? Iowa and Indiana are in the same place right now. Bottom of the conference trying to get back to the top. Indiana has some great talent coming in that will vault them back to the top of the conference. It is important to Iowa basketball. To think otherwise is foolish.

Chances of Crean being fired next year? 5%. He has the best class in the country coming in 2012. They ain't firing him and having those kids leave. That just puts them behind again

 

[TritonHawkeye]

A 4th bad year in a row will most certainly spell the end of Crean. He has brought in already what was to be very good classes so I don't think the prospect of another will be his saving grace.