The press conference is over now. We'll have stories in tomorrow's paper and maybe another update tonight. Read below for the live blog of today's press conference.
Balancing classes and basketball Pritchard: "It's been pretty tough to balance class and basketball, but I don't really think class has an affect on basketball. You have class, then you play basketball, then study hall, the homework afterwards. You just have to focus on schoolwork when schoolwork needs to be done and you focus on basketball in practice."
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Pritchard on staying out of foul trouble
"That's going to be one of the toughest things this year, staying out of foul trouble. Coach tells us a lot of things to do, keeping our wrists tight and staying in front of our man. I want to be aggressive, play tough defense and staying out of foul trouble."
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Intensity of practice Williams said practices are extremely fast and the coaches are "on you all the time."
"Everything we do is under a magnifying glass," he said.
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Nick Williams and Tom Pritchard are in the house..
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Isiah Thomas stopped by last week Zeke stopped by Bloomington last week as a guest lecturer in Jayd Grossman's basketball class. Thomas' son is in the class, and Zeke set-up the visit without even being prompted or asked. Crean said that it was a special visit and he loves seeing former players come back on campus.
"That's special stuff. That just doesn't happen everyone."
----- Putting in plays Yesterday, Crean said the team hasn't put in as many plays yet as he would if he were at Marquette. Crean said last Monday was the first Monday in years that he hadn't put a new play in at practice.
"I went home and didn't feel right. The next day, I put in about four."
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How Crean felt to be selected to the committee "I appreciate the fact that I was given the respect, in the position your in, in Indiana, to come and work for someone who you think is going to be your boss, then all of a sudden he's not. Them knowing that this is very important to us moving forward. Rick Greenspan is a part of me coming here, just as President McRobbie was. The tradition was too, but you want to feel good about your bosses. This to me, I was honored to be a part of it."
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Devan Dumes Crean said his expectations for Dumes are different, since he's played Division I before, but not completely. He said that IU its a whole different level of intensity, and Dumes still needs to adjust.
Crean said the biggest focus with the Indianapolis native is his ball handling. Crean tells him on a regular basis that he has no idea how good of an athlete he can be. Coach described him as a "good player who can get a lot better."
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Film Crean has watched some film from last year's team, but doesn't plan on focusing too much on it this season. He said he'll watch tape of a lot of teams when preparing for opponents.
"The only value of watching last year's team is to hear how loud that crowd is," Crean said.
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The new 3-point line Crean said the team has been using it a lot for spacing. He said that some of his players haven't even noticed the change.
"Matt Roth has never looked at that line the way he shoots the ball," he said.
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Tom Pritchard Crean said Pritchard has surprised him in practice. He said the work Jeff Watkinson has done with help has helped him a lot. He also notes that Jeremiah Rivers' athleticism stands out in practice.
Nick Williams is one of the hardest workers on the team, and Crean said the freshman has a lot of energy.
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The Haunted Hall of Hoops Crean has done this in the past at Marquette and says its very family-oriented. They'll have costume contests and are trying to time it a little later so kids can come after trick-or-treating. In addition, they'll have a costume parade (Crean will lead), players will pass out autographs, candy and an assortment of other things.
More importantly, Crean says the night is an opportunity for the Hoosiers to scrimmage in front of a crowd with real officiating.
"Any time we can get our players in front of fans and under the lights, I think it's a good thing."
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The media is gathered inside the Assembly Hall press room for Tom Crean's press conference today. I'll try and bring you guys as many updates as my aging PowerBook will allow.
