The Twitter universe was abuzz on Monday morning when Jon Rothstein, a national college basketball analyst for CBS who is as well known for his food escapades as his hoops insight, dropped this gem on his crowded timeline.
Tom Crean told @CBSSports Thomas Bryant’s vertical jump has went up 9 inches over the Summer. Freshman PF/C is key piece for Hoosiers. #iubb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 14, 2015
Before we get into how important it is for Tom Crean and his Indiana Hoosiers to, you know, actually live up to their potential, and how Thomas Bryant being in shape would certainly help that, there’s something else we have to discuss.
The idea that someone’s vertical jump could increase nine inches in the span of only a few months is, at best, dubious. Coach Crean isn’t known as the most level-headed individual, so the possibility of him embellishing Bryant’s fitness strides to distract people from the fact that he can’t keep his players out of handcuffs is a legitimate one. Also, why not pick a more realistic number? I mean, I’d certainly believe it if he told Rothstein that Bryant set a new personal record for a one-mile run, or even increased his vertical jump by four inches. But nine? Come on, Crean.
Nonetheless, getting Bryant in shape is critical for these Hoosiers. He’s a traditional, grind-it-out big man that will have an instant impact as a shot-blocking presence and a guy who can score on the block, taking the pressure off of IU’s perimeter to create forced chances.
