Media Day: Crean 1 on 1
After eight hours of driving and many more hours editing, I found time to get to computer and add more information from the Big Ten Media Day in Chicago.
After a long list of coaches took the podium for press conference questions, IU coach Tom Crean and Verdell Jones were available for one-on-one interviews. Jeremiah Rivers, who was also supposed to make the trip, stayed back in Bloomington because an injury sustained in practice.
Here’s some info from Crean’s talk with the media:
Q. For a team on the upswing, how difficult is it to move up in this league, given the state of it right now?
COACH CREAN: Well, I think upswing in relevance to us is that we feel like every part of it is better. But that really may not be relevant to where the rest of the league is. When you look this morning there’s five teams in the U.S.A. Today top 25 that are in the top 20, and then we look at the teams we’re playing in the non conference, there’s no question it’s going to be a challenge to move forward.
Everybody is well coached. Everybody has players back or teams back that are incredibly balanced or have that style power.
So there’s no question that it’s going to be hard to move up. But that’s not our focus right now. The focus is how much better we can
improve and let’s see where that takes us.
Q. Kind of following up on that, you were in the Big East for a while. Does it feel somewhat similar to that in the ability to move
up and kind of the struggle there?
COACH CREAN: They’re two different leagues, and really I haven’t been in this league long enough to compare the two. So it wouldn’t be relevant from where I sit. But the Big East was outstanding, is outstanding, with a lot of excellent basketball
teams and certainly the big ten.
This year especially on paper as we go into the season looks to be as good as any league with what you look at in the form of coaches, returners, pass successes, things of that nature.
Q. How bad is Jeremiah’s injury? And is this another one you can blame on Tijan or –
COACH CREAN: No, this just happened in practice. Actually it’s the other part, Bawa Muniru got hit himself, so he’s learning from Tijan.
They’re buddies, but, no, it was — he was on his own team. He was setting a pick and roll in the corner and it just was a very tightly contested play and it was just an accident.
But Tijan’s made enormous strides. He really has. He’s challenging for a spot in the rotation and that will surprise those of you that saw us play last year. But once you see him play some more this year, it may not surprise you as well.
And Bawa continues to learn a great deal. And, again, it’s all part of the competition of the team.
And it’s part of that tough play in practice. But this was totally an accident.
DeAntae Prince is a senior majoring in journalism. He is a sports editor and IU men's basketball beat reporter.
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All comments (4)
Posted by tberry at 2:31 pm on October 30, 2009
“But Tijan’s made enormous strides. He really has. He’s challenging for a spot in the rotation and that will surprise those of you that saw us play last year. But once you see him play some more this year, it may not surprise you as well.”
Coach Crean is setting up some expectations. Hope he has a solid reason!!!
Posted by march madness at 2:42 pm on October 30, 2009
^ yeah. if not, tberry and i will be sure to hold him accountable.
Posted by who stole the basketblog? at 7:46 pm on November 2, 2009
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Bring back the Basketblog!
Do it now!
Posted by who stole the basketblog? at 7:49 pm on November 2, 2009
Bring back the Basketblog!