Mutka: Ripening Hoosiers closing in

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Tom Crean

Updated: December 1, 2011 8:48AM

CHICAGO — Eight-and-46. That’s Indiana’s Big Ten basketball legacy during Tom Crean’s three years in Bloomington.

This is what he walked away from Marquette for? Triple Ouch!

First the good news: Crean welcomed back 13 lettermen at Midnight Madness. The only significant departures are guard Jeremiah Rivers and Bobby Capobianco, who transferred to Valparaiso. Now the bad news: they were 12-20 last year.

Tired of losing? You betcha.

“Oh, yeah,” said Verdell Jones, one of four returning starters.

Six of those defeats were by six points or less. Two losses to Iowa, which finished 4-14 in the Big Ten, forced the Hoosiers into the cellar.

Injuries, one-dimensional players, lack of physicality:  all have prevented the team from rising from the ashes of  the Kelvin Sampson era.

“The biggest thing is finishing close games,” said Jones, who believes that inability cost them 10 victories. “Our season could have been a lot different.”

“You can spend a lot of time wondering why,” is Crean’s take about the numerous physical setbacks which have plagued the Hoosiers.  Rather than spinning his wheels mentally, he just moves on.  “The uncontrollable things can drive you nuts. You adjust.”

Things like another season-ending injury to highly regarded Maurice Creek, who should co-author a book entitled “Monopolizing Bad Luck” with Purdue’s Rob Hummel and Notre Dame’s Scott Martin, who all will push “30-something” if they stick around much longer.

Right now the Hoosiers should benefit from a sudden surge of maturity. They’ve morphed from one senior to a roster stocked with nine upperclassmen, including Tom Pritchard. The most intriguing question is how Cody Zeller’s presence will impact the 6-9 senior.  The celebrated freshman from Washington provides a sorely missed post presence.  Pritchard’s teammates can’t wait. 

“It’s going to be huge,” said Jones, who averaged 12.5 points last season despite nagging injuries. “Tom’s not a center. He’s always been a power forward. Moving back to his natural position will take a huge weight off his shoulders.”

Sounding like a starving man salivating over a turkey drumstick, Crean talked about “feeding the post” during the annual Big Ten media event. That includes dining for the 6-11 Zeller, who has bulked up considerably since arriving on campus.

“He really makes the game easier for everybody else,” said Crean, who believes the Hoosiers will now be much tougher to defend. “We’ve continually played the last couple of years where the (opposing) defense really could cheat off one or two people at almost any given time. You have to have players that everybody must guard.”

Being on the floor with the attention Zeller demands should open holes  for marksmen such as Christian Watford, Jordan Hulls and Matt Roth, IU’s primary 3-point marksmen, and make it easier for Will Sheehey to polish the glass.

Last year Pritchard’s defensive prowess kept him on the court, but foul problems forced him off. He started 22 games, but averaged only 18 minutes.

“He needs to be on the floor more,” Crean admits.  “Not commit those silly (reach-in) fouls that are a dead give-away.  He’s got to foul tough, not soft.”

Roth was also limited, but for a different reason. Defensive shortcomings reduced his opportunities to shell opponents.

“Matt’s a tremendous shooter, who can make a shot from 25 feet and more, but he’s got to be a defender,” Crean said. “He’s got to keep the dribbler in front of him for one or two steps or he’s not going to get on the court.”

It’s a cruel, but clear message to Roth, one of nine upperclassmen competing for court time in preseason skirmishing. Sheehey, one of IU’s representatives on media day, likes IU’s togetherness in spite of combative practices. The 6-6 sophomore believes adversity has strengthened the Hoosiers.

“I’ve heard about other teams having cliques,” he said, “but I like our team’s personality.  We have a weird, quirky bond. We like each other.”

Personalities abound, none more colorful than Victor Oladipo, an explosive and vocal player.

“He loves to sing,” said Sheehey, smiling. “All the time. Rhythm and blues. He sang at Midnight Madness — Usher stuff.”

Are the Hoosiers prepared to make a breakthrough?  

“Maybe we’re this year’s Michigan,” Jones said.

It’s not because of a lack of effort, Hulls said. “The energy comes from us. Coach doesn’t have to bring it out.”

Not that Crean will stop trying. It’s ingrained, but he’s not taking credit, just enjoying the atmosphere.

“They’re doing it, not me,” he protested. “That’s when you know you’re getting there.”