I enjoyed last year for about half of the year, when we had a couple short runs with nice wins. Especially over Purdue. But the end of the season sure was deflating. Coach maybe didn't get much help, but he should have been more ready to hit the ground running with staff and then roster. So while I believe he can coach, can he do the other things?
All I really care about is making noise in the post season, would like us to contend and win the B1G, but I think winning the season title is much harder than making post season runs. Let's win the Big Ten tournament once before they end it due to the NCAA tourney expansion! (I am assuming.)
imagine if Cig had that mentality
I don't think you can compare the head coach's mentality with a random fan's, especially fans who've lived through 30 years of mediocrity.
I don't think that Bo Ryan had a loser's mentality? Nor does Painter. Bo Ryan got very close towards the end with a couple final fours and a title game appearance. Painter was just in the FF and has had teams in that stratosphere recently.
I don't think we can under-estimate the impact that being a competitive team(we're talking top 15ish) year in and year out would likely have on the program's trajectory, recruiting, donor support. We have strong support now after being trash for decades. If any coach could get that level of consistency then I'd be shocked if they didn't take a big leap just off of added support/resources gained from that consistency.
I can and I did. Thank you very much. If you choose not to .. so be it.
Why would I? It makes little sense comparing Cig to fans on a message board. Compare him to Bo Ryan or Painter as thats the actual examples being thrown out as unacceptable.
Is your stance that Bo Ryan was a loser and was ok with losing?
Hoosiers94 is big on saying random fans like myself 'accepting mediocrity' is what sunk the program. And keeps it down! Might be his most consistent rant.
Not saying it doesn't have small amount of validity. But saying I'll be pleased if the program shows signs of life isn't that. I want to enjoy my sports viewing is all it is.
I could drive down and picket. Or join letter writing campaigns. Or withdraw my small donations. But I think I'll just watch and enjoy seeing the Hoosiers play basketball. I found a lot to like last year, as disappointing as it was that us random fans didn't build a Big Ten roster or coaching staff.
My years of 'not accepting crap' - if message board posts bitching that there is zero reason we couldn't be good, somehow do that - didn't do shit for the football program for a few decades.
So I don't think I can do much for basketball.
Two things I agree with, one, with '94 that we are not 'back' until we have high levels of success. Big Ten titles, final fours or more. I don't know if we will get there or not.
The other though, is the idea that some success - maybe moderate at first, but increasing success - will create that snowball rolling downhill effect and get the buzz going, bring in money for NIL, attracting the best players who see a great environment and excitement. I think that is true, so I am willing to ride it out if we can get that snowball rolling.
I can and I did. Thank you very much. If you choose not to .. so be it.
Why would I? It makes little sense comparing Cig to fans on a message board. Compare him to Bo Ryan or Painter as thats the actual examples being thrown out as unacceptable.
Is your stance that Bo Ryan was a loser and was ok with losing?
no .. perhaps the AD or the University was only willing to do X to get success. Perhaps it then rubbed off on Ryan and time elapsed and he became a lesser version ... complacency is a disease... a highly infectious disease.
Hoosiers94 is big on saying random fans like myself 'accepting mediocrity' is what sunk the program. And keeps it down! Might be his most consistent rant.
Not saying it doesn't have small amount of validity. But saying I'll be pleased if the program shows signs of life isn't that. I want to enjoy my sports viewing is all it is.
I could drive down and picket. Or join letter writing campaigns. Or withdraw my small donations. But I think I'll just watch and enjoy seeing the Hoosiers play basketball. I found a lot to like last year, as disappointing as it was that us random fans didn't build a Big Ten roster or coaching staff.
I certainly don't blame you as an individual or anyone for the mediocrity... but it is contagious. I think the University has been complacent for decades as it relates to the entire athletic department.., which then allowed them to achieve only what they were allowed to achieve. Their mission or goals weren't to have banners hung ,, in any sport .. this bleeds into the fanbase .., it took longer to bleed into the basketball fanatics but it's here. So the idea of being happy because we made it to the tourney or won 1 game in the tourney as a success to me is maddening. Now if the university's and AD's goals are congruent in the pursuit of banners and doing what it takes to hang them, and this is but a stepping stone on the ladder to success, then yes .. I would agree with your assessment... but to trust them at this point with what they've said and done for the last 30 years is a bit of a leap for me , until I see results. Have they done so in football.. in ways yes. Are we at the same level of engagement and commitment as ND or Alabama etc in football.., not yet ... getting there .., we caught lightning in a bottle with Cig ... the only one that thought we would win a football title when we hired Cig... was Cig .. no Dolson didn't either ... no way. So let's take this and run with it. Let's use it to resurrect out basketball program while still keeping the football program a top dog. That takes more investment and money etc. Hiring the GM was one example of making more commitment... keep that stuff up and maybe we will once again be a powerhouse in basketball.
in short... I won't personally endorse the mediocre results. Never .... hope we figure it out. I don't see DD doing it but we will see
Build it and they will come... commitment in the athletic department and the results or spoils of winning are none more evident than at Alabama. Alabama's enrollment the year before Saban arrived was 23,878. The Fall of 2024 .. right after he retired was 40,846. Now you say argue it's for a myriad of reasons... and some of those could have attributed it the increase but I'm betting the football success helped that a ton !! So if IU wants these results or wants academic recognition etc it starts with athletics mainly Football. But basketball is 2nd and it all adds to the pot of gold.