Win something. Anything. 

For national media? A couple sweet 16s in a short span. Just one final four along with a couple tournament appearances. 

Won't take a ton, because media will love to play the story up of Indiana 'is back'. Gets eyeballs. 

For me it'll be a big ten title. That's what I want most. Not far behind a final four, or almost equal, but clearly behind a national title.

I'd really like us to win a game in the B!g Ten tournament. Or, someday in the next decade, actually win it. But that may be a pipe dream.

@openwheel I agree with you. The media - like with Texas football - would likely be jumping at the chance to declare us 'back.' It'd be good for clicks and get a lot of attention. 

Realistically, however, I like what you said. A Big Ten Title really would cement us right back where we belong

Posted by: @evanalvarez8

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@openwheel I agree with you. The media - like with Texas football - would likely be jumping at the chance to declare us 'back.' It'd be good for clicks and get a lot of attention. 

Realistically, however, I like what you said. A Big Ten Title really would cement us right back where we belong

Unless you're Tom Crean. 

First of all, I disagree that IU isn't considered a blue blood. I'm sure a quick google search will confirm that.  

Short of hanging another banner this year, which we all know isn't happening, it'll take at least 2 consecutive years of playing into the 2nd weekend of the NCAA tourney.  If not that, 3 or 4  consecutive years in the NCAA tourney.  Even then, if you have 4 years in a row of one and out, the rumblings may start.  Either way, the goal next year should be NCAA tournament and deeper runs after that.  

Consecutive runs into E8 or FF.  And then not fall off a cliff like Crean did.  Have to make tourney pretty much every year.  A Banner sure would clinch it and really drive it home.  And honestly, for me that may be what it takes.  

@auburnhoosier I agree IU is a blue blood- 100%. But in the current media cycle, they don’t agree anymore. We’ve fallen and I’ve seen teams like UConn or Villanova a few years ago “take our spot” per se. I hate it of course, but I’m just saying what I’ve seen out there

Posted by: @unclemark

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Posted by: @evanalvarez8

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@openwheel I agree with you. The media - like with Texas football - would likely be jumping at the chance to declare us 'back.' It'd be good for clicks and get a lot of attention. 

Realistically, however, I like what you said. A Big Ten Title really would cement us right back where we belong

Unless you're Tom Crean. 

 

Unfortunately this is very true. Man that was a weird time. We had some amazing years

@evanalvarez8 

I hate it too but it's true as much as any of us wish it weren't. 

Posted by: @hoosiers94

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Consecutive runs into E8 of FF.  And then not fall off a cliff like Crean did.  Have to make tourney pretty much every year.  A Banner sure would clinch it and really drive it home.  And honestly, for me that may be what it takes.  

I agree. For CDD to have a job here long term, he's eventually going to need to hang a banner. That's simply what it will take for Indiana to be "back."

I don't expect that this year of course, but I didn't expect what Cignetti did last year either. Exceeding expectations would be a good way to start.

@auburnhoosier  I hate to say it, but we’re not a blueblood anymore.  We haven’t won much in 30 years, especially compared to other bluebloods, and there isn’t any way to paper over that.  Even worse, we’ve flat out stunk for the last decade.  When people list the bluebloods, we’re usually left off the list nowadays.  UConn took our spot.

Now, we still have all the characteristics of a blueblood minus the winning — huge fanbase, traveling support, big resources, history/culture, facilities, etc.  I won’t give up the idea that IU is a wonderful basketball platform with a very high ceiling.  The right coach can do very well here.

To be a blueblood again we need to win a title or have a run of several F4s.  To be “back” I generally agree with the idea we need to be make multiple deep tourney runs and consistently seriously compete for the conference.  Basically, we need to be a significant part of the national CBB conversation again over the course of several years.

@tammany agree, but all of the above begins with recruiting, even in this NIL/Portal era, and CDD is doing everything right in this department.  Will it pan out, who knows?  But, at least he’s put IU in the position to succeed.  This has been missing for a decade, at the least. Add to it, DeVries seems to be a coach kids want to play for which should be a huge benefit for retention.  If NIL can help keep pace with the $$, the possibility may still be there to build a veteran roster.

@mohoosier Yep.  Those were just my random opinions on abstract concepts like being a blue blood or being "back."  CDD is a separate topic imo.

And as for CDD, honestly I don't know, it's so early.  I like him and what he's doing.  I don't see any red flags that suggest he can't succeed.  I suppose it's as simple as we'll see if he can get a lot from this roster (turn this "bubble team" talent into a comfortable tourney bid) and land top HS and portal recruits.  I think the ride will be bumpy at times, which is normal and understandable, but those are the basic end goals.  Hopefully he can do it.

I should have used “and” instead of “but”.  It’s just where my head went with what you presented for Indiana to reach blue-blood status again, which again, I fully agree with.

Crean resurrected IU to blue-blood status with recruiting, this will be the same for CDD, who seems to be on the right path.