"Passion for the past ... excitement for the future" is the motto on this year's team posters and in the intro video at Assembly Hall played before each home game. So if you are struggling with the present, here is another glimpse of the future, an article in today's IDS on Jordan Hulls.
Hulls and the No. 5 ranked Bloomington South Panthers welcome No. 4 Detroit Country Day and a slew of DI talent to town on Saturday. The game is set for around 4:30 p.m., following a 3:00 tip between their JV squads. Tickets sold out Wednesday, so it should be a full house of 3,000 or so on Saturday.
Below the jump are some quotes that didn't make it into the Hulls story:
On Crean recruiting "winners" and how Hulls' past successes may help him at IU:
"That's just the type of team Coach Crean likes to recruit and have play for him. I would like to think that I'm up there. I hate to lose, I've been on some very successful teams and had great coaches. I think that will play a huge role for me next year at IU. That's just how Coach Crean is. He likes guys who will work hard and who know how to win because that's what he wants to do. I think he'll get IU back to where it needs to be in a winning standpoint. For me, winning is just everything really. Losing is just no fun."
On this year's IU squad:
It's frustrating because I want them to win so badly, but I'm happy because I know they're working really hard, doing what Coach Crean wants them to do, and they're making strides step-by-step, and they're getting better every day in practice ... I've gone to like every home game. They seem to get better every time I go and watch them play. That's pretty exciting. It makes me have something to look forward to next year, just looking at how much better you get within in a season.
On competing against Rivers, Jones (and Moore) for a starting role as a freshman:
It's not intimidating at all. It's just a challenge. I enjoy challenges, I've been challenged by whole life. There's no guaranteed spots next year, there's no free passes, so you're going to have to work your butt off... It does get me more motivated... I'm looking forward to the challenge; it will be exciting.
On fitting into Crean's system:
Crean really loves to run the floor and I've been doing that with my AAU team and we're starting to do it with my high school team as well. Being under control, obviously not just helter-skelter, but getting under control and getting good shots, and just going off pick and rolls. He's a really guard-oriented coach and loves the pick and roll. I think that will fit my game best, and he's going to prepare me for that.
On the toughest players he has gone up against in AAU play:
I would have to say the hardest player I've played against would be Dexter Strickland, who's going to North Carolina, and John Wall (undecided). They're the two best players I've ever played against from a guard stand point. Just being able to guard them and see what that's like, to play at the next level... It's a whole other level and it's ridiculous if you really stop and think about it, but I think I'm ready for that level.
