The Tom's are very good friends and had a pact to never schedule a game against each other. Last year was the first year they met, which was in the first round of the tourney. Now they will meet, almost a guaranteed twice a year.
I'm really excited for the Big Ten with this move. It'll bring in another solid coach, see Tubby last year. I always thought that Crean would take over for Izzo when he left but I guess another Big Ten school will have to do. Crean will "Rock" IU and there wasn't a poor decision about it.
Izzo is a class act. I have to imagine that he realizes just how big an opportunity this is for Crean. I can't see Izzo holding it against Crean.
Why wouldn't he want one of his former assistants and a well-liked colleague get a big-name job like this one? They may not particularly want to coach against each other, but I think that agreeing not to schedule Marquette v MSU games is different than Crean getting an opportunity at a major coaching job.
I guarantee they talked about this. I can only imagine that Izzo is elated to have Crean in the Big Ten. This is going to make for some fabulous basketball. If only we could get rid of Billy Packer and the Big Ten refs.
Agreed. You can only run and hide from certain scenarios, such as coaching against each other in games... for so long. I personally look forward to the upcoming years seeing Izzo take on Crean, Tubby, Matta... and oh yea, Bo. The Big Ten is upgrading their coaches for sure in recent years, here's hoping that the talanted players continue to follow. One of these years, we'll win the ACC/Big Ten Challenge!?!
Congrats to Tom Crean... good move, although I feel bad for Marquette. They have a nice program going there.
While they might have had an agreement with one another, I'm sure Izzo is looking forward to some great coaching battles. You've also got to take into account the ego stroke this does for Izzo. Indiana, one of the more historic programs in the Big 10 has just hired one of his star pupils. As if he didn't need any more evidence to see that he is an amazing coach, he just got it. I believe this is a great hire. Coach Crean has had some success in the past recruiting players from Indiana (Dominic James is from Richmond) and I'm sure that played a part in his hire. I was hoping that Crean would be hired in stead of Sampson but at least it finally happened.
This is a great hire for IU. What a mess though. Bassett and Ellis kicked off and Crawford and Thomas probably gone soon too. Oh yeah. . . no DJ or Gordon either. Sounds like trouble.
As a Spartan, I'm happy for Crean. I just hope he doesn't make the Hoosier too good. I definitely look forward to years of Izzo and Crean squaring off. It should be intense.
lol...posted this earlier before I saw the Izzo thread.
Initially, this story seemed like bad news for MSU, but now I'm thinking it's actually a good thing.
So Crean gets hired at Indiana. Does this mean he is NOT the heir to Tom Izzo's throne?
Izzo has talked repeatedly about leaving sooner rather than later. I don't see Crean coaching less than 7 years and IU then leaving to take the MSU job (seems a bit unprofessional, IMO). I also don't see Crean NOT talking this over quite extensively with his mentor, Izzo. This leads me to conclude that Izzo will be at MSU for quite a while, like at least 2015. This may seem like the obvious answer to most people, but I truly thought Izzo was almost ready to hang it up.
Bassett and Ellis may not be gone for good. We'll just have to wait and see. As for Fat DeAndre, I don't see him going anywhere too soon. No idea as to what Crawford will do.
Crean did the right thing, who would not of done that in his shoes. Indiana is going to be down for a couple years because of violations but once they are a contender this could become the biggest rivalry in the big ten.
Crean did a super job at Marquette, but I sure hopes he remembers the talent that the state of Indiana provides. If there was any knock on the coaches after Bob K. it was the lack of recruiting high school talent from Indiana. You can recruit a team from Indianapolis alone!!! Every final 16 team seemed to have someone from Indianapolis!!! How do you let Odom and friend leave the state? How does Gordon even think of going anywhere but IU? What about this 7' kid going to Ohio State next year!! The pact with Izzo is the only thing that scares me!!!!!
The pact for all men is to improve your position in life and make the most of your life. Case in point Tom Crean. He will be good for the university and like wise for him. I see them becoming a leader in the Big 10 for the coming.
He will be a leader in the college field for years to come. I don't see him as a dreamer reaching for the NBA. He will be great for college basketball.
OK. Nice move IU. Crean is a perfect fit for a team with IU's proud tradition. He definitely spoke with Izzo ahead of time and I am sure Izzo is proud of him and wishes him nothing but the best. Now coach is in place but the team still seems fractured. Personality problems that Crean is going to have to eliminate in order to get IU back to where they traditionally have been. He is just the latest addition to the best coached conference in America. Kudos IU.
On Izzo. I DON'T EVER WANT HIM TO LEAVE MSU. NOT EVER (you can't tell, but I am stomping around like a three year old being dragged to time out). Can't he be like Wooden, Smith, Myer, Carnecchia and coach into his 70s or 80s? The legendary Jim Phelan coached Mount St Mary's for 49 years and amassed 830 wins. He retired at 82. I know that Izzo will leave someday but he has to get at least 500 wins and a couple more championships. So we have to hang on to him for a little while longer.
