Indiana walked into Maui as one of the tournament favorites, as someone who looked ready to challenge the likes of Kansas and Vanderbilt for the title.
When they left the islands, they had two losses in tow and mounting questions about whether or not Tom Crean’s most offensively lethal squad can guard, like, anybody. Opponents shot nearly 50-percent from the field against the Hoosiers, and made IU’s impressive athletes look often lost, often late, and absolutely inadequate.
Prized freshman Thomas Bryant has been solid on the offensive end, but he’s not rebounding at nearly a high enough rate for a big man and his perimeter defense is a major liability due to his lack of foot speed. Yogi Ferrell simply hasn’t progressed as a lockdown defender and Troy Williams simply doesn’t seem to put the same amount of effort into the defensive end as is needed.
The reality is, this is exactly the kind of start that Crean couldn’t afford. There are enough questions about his job security without his team looking completely lost against solid, but not spectacular, competition. Both Wake Forest and UNLV were short handed in their wins over IU–adding insult to prospective injury.
If Crean is going to survive to coach another season in Bloomington, he’s going to have to turn this ship around as soon as possible. And it better be quick, as they’ve got Duke next week on the schedule.
