I think there is a better than average chance Crean can convince McGee and Holman to stick around. They are garuanteed lots of playing time. Plus, there are still some decent uncommitted recruits he may be able to bring in.
Here's what he said about JUCO players, per the Indy Star.
Quote:
|
***** TO JUCO OR NOT TO JUCO, THAT'S THE QUESTION: An hour or so after the press conference had officially ended, I was part of a small group of IU beat writers who had an interview session with Crean. I asked him if the current roster situation might make him take a look at the junior college route, something that others such as Kelvin Sampson, were always quick to explore. I was a little surprised by Crean's answer. But I should say I was pleasantly surprised. Here's what he said: "The one thing you can't do is go for a quick fix. That's the one thing that whoever is working with me is that we're going to have to take some cleansing breaths every day. I learned that in Lamaze class when we had our first baby. We're going to take our time and make sure we don't rush into anything. With that being said, you have to look at the academic background of whoever it is. I'm big on that attendance part. You don't get that as much with the junior college piece but you get the grades. I've got to learn what the admissions standards are here. I felt like at Marquette it was going to take two years to understand the landscape academically there. It probably took me two and a half. But we ended up graduating all 23 players who used their eligibility, and in May they'll go 26 of 26. And in December it will be 27 of 27. God willing One last player who would get through that last semester. But I think everyone here will get a feel for what I feel about what academics means. Now what that means as far as a two-year player or a four-year player or a transfer from another Division I school I don't know yet. I really don't. But I'm never opposed to recruiting the right young man. And I think when you mention junior colleges it has got to be as much program based as it is player based. What kind of discipline are they coming with? What kind of values are they coming with? How have they done academically? What is the character? We did a little bit at Marquette. I don't think you ever really shut the door on anything.'' Now that's something interesting stuff.
|