IU coach Tom Crean and a few select players will meet with the media this afternoon in Assembly Hall.
The presser is more of an update than anything. The Hoosiers have another week of practice under their belt and the team is getting ready for the Haunted Hall of Hoops Friday night. I'm sure Crean will address the hiring of Fred Glass and also touch on new walk-on Evan White. Outside of that, any questions you'd like to hear Crean and the team answer?
Update: Shh, I'm in class right now. Here are some highlights from Crean's presser:
* Crean admitted he's getting a little anxious for the NCAA to make a ruling. He said the pending sanctions are still having an impact on his recruiting. He remains hopeful, if not confident, that there won't be additional punishments.
* The Hoosier Tip-Off Dinner was a success. Crean said "give or take around 40" former IU players were in attendance. Ted Kitchel, Steve Green and Bob Hammel delivered speeches along with current players Jeremiah Rivers, Devan Dumes and Daniel Moore.
* The point guard battle is heating up. Crean said that Rivers is a world-class defensive player when it comes to collegiate basketball, which is benefiting Verdell Jones in practice. Crean said his point guard's must be able to handle defensive pressure and run the offense. Most important, Crean said he is depending on his point guards to make sure the team is taking good shots. Crean has harped on shot selection for weeks. One thing Jones must do, according to Crean, is become more vocal.
* With the Haunted Hall of Hoops tomorrow night, Crean is considered a costume. At first, he ruled it out, but he's leaning towards dressingn up now. A red plaid jacket was discussed.
* Crean said he hasn't had the opportunity to get to know IU's new athletics director, Fred Glass, very well. The two met in August at Colts training camp and Crean said he's gotten to know Glass a little bit through the search process. Other than that, the two have only spoken a few times but plan to having a meeting soon. Glass mentioned yesterday he has some familiarity with Crean -- Glass's son goes to Marquette and Glass said he's seen Crean coach a couple of times.
* Evan White is officially on the team, as we noted yesterday. White has classes during IU's regularly scheduled practices, so Crean said he is looking forward to next semester when they can schedule White's classes around the team schedule.
* The Hoosiers still need to get better at moving the ball. Crean said his team cannot afford to be a dribbling team. He hopes his team learns to drive-and-kick the ball out, spacing the post better and leaving open shots for the team's perimeter players.
