Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Sun, Oct 12 2008

Columns | Letters |

Published: April 05, 2008 05:06 pm

Home-grown hoops

At his introduction as the new Indiana University men’s basketball coach, Tom Crean said all the right things.

Asked why he left Marquette after nine years, he said, “It’s Indiana.” He even divulged how the Hoosiers’ undefeated 1976 team affected him as a kid in Michigan.

“I’ll never forget the 1976 championship game,” he said. “I was 10 years of age ... Those were defining moments in a little boy’s life. I loved watching Indiana. I loved that.”

So did we.

What convinced us IU had tapped the right guy for the job was his promise to focus on recruiting Indiana high school players. Hoosiers have a passion for this game. We learn it at a young age, and we like to watch Indiana’s best play in or for Indiana.

It’s not a coincidence that many on that ’76 team were Hoosiers: Kent Benson (New Castle), Wayne Radford (Indianapolis Arlington), Rich Valavicius (Hammond), Bobby Wilkerson (Madison Heights).

Crean told The Indianapolis Star last week: “We’re going to attack the state of Indiana with a vengeance. Quickly. Unfortunately, I can’t go see them right now. [Thank you, again, Kelvin Sampson] ... But I’m going to look for creative ways to see coaches and make sure I’m conversing and as we go through it, the players in this state know what Indiana basketball is all about.

“We’re going to recruit this state incredibly hard ... I know right now, I’m going to learn that Indiana is our front yard, back yard, side yard, you name it.”

That’s what we want to hear. Mike Davis virtually ignored backyard talent after Bob Knight’s dismissal in 2000. Sampson recruited Indiana kids. He landed North Central’s Eric Gordon, and even got Tipton’s Derek Elston to commit to play for the Hoosiers after just his sophomore season of high school.

Crean promises more home-grown recruits. We look forward to watching more Ted Kitchels, Randy Whitmans and Steve Alfords excel wearing the cream and crimson.