Season Marks Beginning Of Tom Crean Era In Indiana

Talk is cheap, so they say.  That is one cliche the 2008-2009 Indiana basketball team is going to have to live by after a tumultuous offseason. 

However, saying this to the Hoosiers would be essentially preaching to the choir. 

The campaign designed at moving on from the violations and aftermath stemming back to former head coach Kelvin Sampson got underway Saturday night for Indiana.  The outcome came in the Hoosiers' favor, defeating Division III opponent, Anderson 103-71 at Assembly Hall.   

Indiana came out with hot-hands early, jumping out to a 21-2 lead, a lead that never held question for the Hoosiers. 

Don't even say it: "It's a Division III team.  What does it matter?" 

I know. 

However, this first of two exhibition games served as a way to get the Tom Crean era underway, and finally put some closure to the Sampson mess. 

While it was evident to probably everyone inside Assembly Hall that this team doesn't have the size, talent, and experience to compete in the Big Ten right now, the Hoosiers cherished the opportunity to start building the rebuilding foundation aimed at bringing the Glory back of Old IU. 

Even though their play would at times be characterized by missing high percentage shots or mental defensive lapses, Indiana played with the heart and desire that Crean has been known to instill in his players. 

The student section, what looks to be a less-populous Indiana student section, began to chant "Tom Crean," with about three minutes remaining.  Welcome to Indiana, coach. 

Crean proceeded over to the student section after the horn sounded, and it was as if Indiana just advanced to the Final Four.  Crean's whole "It's Indiana" concept was alive and well during the game, too. 

A few weeks ago, Crean spoke of the famous timeout occurring with under eight minutes to go in the game, where pep band plays "1812 Overture," and goes into the school song. 

"I don't know how I'll react when I hear it for the first time.  I hope I can concentrate on what we're doing in the timeout, but I might get lost in the moment." 

And that he did, but in a way that was both respectable, and honorable.  Just before the band began to play "For the Glory of Old IU," Crean dismissed his five players onto the court, and then sat the rest of the team down and stood at the end of the bench, staring at the flags being marched around the court in the midst of the song. 

Indiana undoubtedly had the game in the box, so why not reward the players for going through what they have this summer and welcoming them to what could be the most storied college basketball program in the country? 

While the road will get much tougher for the Hoosiers, the weak non-conference schedule is perfect to get the Hoosiers past the Sampson controversies and prepare them for the Big Ten season that lies ahead. 

Indiana takes on Bemijdi State tommorrow night at 7:00 p.m at Assembly Hall, which will conclude the Hoosiers' preseason.   

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?