Ok, lets just get one thing clarified right now. I don't like IU. As a Purdue alum it's just something that is engrained into your psyche, but more than that I haven't liked IU ever. Even when growing up in Minnesota I still hated IU. But, when one of your rivals hires a new coach it is news worthy.
There will be a lot said by IU faithful about Tom Creen and how he is going to turn the program around, but all of this has been said before. I'm not here to bash the IU program (that's just too easy right now), but needless to say this is going to be quite a challenge for Coach Creen. IU's program is, putting it lightly, in a tough spot right now. After the mess left by Kelvin Sampson this team basically quit the last month of the season. D.J. White is gone, Eric Gordon is likely leaving for the NBA and Jamarcus Ellis and Armon Bassett were just dismissed from the team for disiplinary reasons. On top of the possiblity of losing their entire starting lineup from last season the Hoosiers are potentially facing additional penalties from the NCAA this summer after the final decision on the Kelvin Sampson investigation. Now, even with my disdain for all things cream and crimson I still find myself hoping that IU is able to turn this around. The situation that IU is in doesn't help the image of the Big Ten and a powerful national program in the conference only boosts the rest of the teams as well.
IU needs to get this situation under control. Ever since Bobby Knight left IU the basketball program has been sliding down hill. Yes I know that Mike Davis took them to the championship game, but other than that IU has been making sportscenter more for negative press that positive.
Coach Creen will have a lot on his plate right from the get go. Assuming Gordon leaves IU is now without 81% of their scoring and 69% of their rebounding from last season. They are also in serious jepordy of losing their recruits for next year.
My best wishes go out to Coach Creen. I just hope they continue to finish behind Purdue every year.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment