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Archive for March, 2008

Report: Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis dismissed

by in Media | March 31st, 2008

bassett236.JPGUpdate: J.D. Campbell confirms Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis have been dismissed from the team.

According to a report by Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star, interim head coach Dan Dakich has dismissed Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis from the team. Here is the rationale, according to Hutch:

Both players missed two prearranged meetings last week. They were told if they missed the second meeting, they would be kicked off the team.

There has to be more to this story than missing a meeting. Both players were suspended at one point this past season for undisclosed reasons. As a fan, I must say I’m not real comfortable with an interim head coach kicking players off the team. At the same time, the players do need to listen to Dakich as long as he is in charge. The soap opera that is Indiana basketball seems to be getting worse as the days go by. Someone, please stop the bleeding.

Update: A report tonight by the Hoosier Scoop says both players hope to return to the program when a new coach is named.

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ITH Super Happy Fun Time Coaching Search: Anthony Grant

by in Coaching search | March 31st, 2008

agrant.jpgKelvin is out the door and Dan is not our man, so that can only mean one thing: It’s coaching search time! Here’s a look at the candidates that could land in Bloomington. We’ll give you the pros, the cons and the bottom line. This afternoon: Virginia Commonwealth’s Anthony Grant.

Pros: The 40-year old Grant spent 10 years with Billy Donovan as an assistant before accepting the head coaching gig at VCU in April of 2006. At Florida, he was Donovan’s right hand man and was the lead recruiter for many of the players who led the Gators to back-to-back titles. In two seasons at VCU, Grant is 52-14 and in 2007, his Rams reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a win over Duke. Grant would be a long-term solution and his prowess in the recruiting world could help return top talent to Bloomington. In his time at Florida, he helped bring nine McDonald’s All-Americans and four first round NBA draft picks into the program.

Cons: Like some of the other candidates we’ve profiled, Grant’s lack of head coaching experience above the mid major level might be frowned upon by the “blue ribbon” committee. On the surface, he doesn’t seem to have any ties to the state of Indiana or to the Big Ten having played at Dayton and having coached his entire career in Florida and on the east coast. When LSU got rid of John Brady in February, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Grant would land in Baton Rouge, but LSU may be heading in a different direction with its search opening up the possibility for IU interest.

Bottom line: If IU decides to go with an up and coming coach, they’d be hard pressed to find a better resume than Grant’s. He was an instrumental part of Florida’s back-to-back national championship and helped Donovan build the program from relative obscurity. Most speculation has him ending up in the SEC, but with South Carolina moving towards Darrin Horn and LSU interest possibly waning, Grant could get a look and some consideration from the decision makers in Bloomington.

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ITH Super Happy Fun Time Coaching Search: Mike Montgomery

by in Coaching search | March 31st, 2008

montgomery.jpgKelvin is out the door and Dan is not our man, so that can only mean one thing: It’s coaching search time! Here’s a look at the candidates that could land in Bloomington. We’ll give you the pros, the cons and the bottom line. This morning: Mike Montgomery.

Pros: Montgomery spent 26 years as a head coach in college before leaving Stanford in 2004 for the Golden State Warriors. He lasted two seasons before being fired in August of 2006. Montgomery’s career record in the college ranks is 547-244 and in 1998, he led the Cardinal to their first Final Four in 56 years. He is one of just six coaches to receive the John Wooden “Legends of Coaching” Lifetime Achievement Award joining Denny Crum, Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Dean Smith and Lute Olsen. While in Golden State, he had former IU standout Keith Smart on his staff and it would be interesting to see if he’d bring Smart along if he lands in Bloomington.

Cons: At 61, there are serious concerns about how long of a tenure Montgomery would be able to have at IU. His age could pose a problem in recruiting as competing schools could use it against him to cast doubt on how much longer he’ll be around. He’s also a west coast guy as he’s spent his entire head coaching career in Montana and California.

Bottom line: Montgomery would have been a good hire about 10 years ago and could be a steal for a lower tier program looking to drum up some interest. His age will clearly work against him and rightfully so: IU needs a coach to build the program and sustain it. Hiring a 61-year old would be a short term fix to a situation that clearly requires a long term solution. Steer clear of Monty.

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ITH Super Happy Fun Time Coaching Search: Brad Brownell

by in Coaching search | March 31st, 2008

brownell.jpgKelvin is out the door and Dan is not our man, so that can only mean one thing: It’s coaching search time! Here’s a look at the candidates that could land in Bloomington. We’ll give you the pros, the cons and the bottom line. This morning: Wright State’s Brad Brownell.

Pros: At first glance, Brownell might not look like much of a candidate to be the next Indiana coach. He’s never won a game in the NCAA Tournament (he’s 0-3) and his head coaching gigs to date are at UNC-Wilmington and Wright State. However, he’s won 20+ games in two consecutive seasons as the lead man in Dayton including taking the Raiders to their first NCAA bid since 1993 a season ago. The 39-year old Brownell was born in Evansville and graduated from Harrison high school where he was a teammate of Calbert Cheaney. His career record sits at 127-60.

Cons: Based on name value, Brownell probably won’t excite many IU fans and his hiring could get a head scratching reaction from the national media. His record is more than adequate, but will it translate from the mid-major level to the Big Ten? I’m not sure a NCAA Tournament win is a prerequisite to land the job, but Brownell won’t get any points from the committee in that department.

Bottom line: While he’s probably a sleeper to land in Bloomington, there’s no doubt Brownell would be interested in the opportunity and his record indicates he could succeed. The quick turnaround he’s orchestrated at Wright State is impressive and at 39, he’s young enough to build the program for the long haul. At the minimum, if the committee decides to interview multiple candidates, Brownell deserves a shot to say his piece.

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Bennett: “I am not going to pursue the Indiana job”

by in Coaching search | March 30th, 2008

bennett.jpgAccording to a report by Vince Grippi of the Spokesman Review, Washington State head coach had preliminary talks with Indiana and has decided not to take it any further. In other words, he’s not coming to IU.

Indiana University called. Tony Bennett answered. He listened. Then he decided to stay put.

“I had an exploratory conversation with Indiana,” said Bennett Sunday afternoon, “and I am not going to pursue the Indiana job.”

Bennett said Indiana called Saturday evening to gauge his interest. He didn’t say whom he talked with, but added “they made contact last night and they went through the proper procedures by contacting (WSU athletic director) Jim Sterk and, like I said, I had an exploratory conversation with them.”

So it’s on to the next option for Indiana and it’s not clear at this time just who that might be. Two of everybody’s early favorites, Bennett and Sean Miller of Xavier, are likely out of the picture. We’ll continue to keep you posted as news is reported or if we hear anything of interest.

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Rick Greenspan, you’re on the clock

by in Commentary | March 30th, 2008

rgreen.jpgAs the “blue ribbon” search committee moves to get a coach in place before Saturday’s Final Four in San Antonio, IU fans are gathered at this very blog, other blogs, message boards and water coolers at work commenting about the direction of the program.

There are contrasting opinions on who the choice should be, but there is one consensus: Athletic Director Rick Greenspan better get this right. Nevermind the “search committee.” If this search ends in a decision unfavorable to the Hoosier faithful (see the latest rumors of Lon Kruger and Mike Montgomery), Greenspan, not the committee, will be shouldering the blame. And rightfully so.

Many fans are annoyed and some are downright furious that Greenspan is still employed after the Kelvin Sampson debacle, but he was likely given a pass because of the influence former IU President Adam Herbert had on that decision. There will be no bailing out Greenspan this time around. Not even a 10-person committee will be able to save him. This time, it’s on him to get it right. As it should be.

The fact that IU can’t rely on Greenspan to hire a coach by himself should speak volumes about the confidence those in high places have in him as a decision maker. His approval rating can’t be much higher than George W. Bush. This is the last chance for Greenspan to rectify the void in the leadership role IU basketball has been lacking for quite some time. If he knocks it out of the park, he’ll likely be spared. If not, well, you know where that path will take him.

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