Crean talks offense in address to students Tuesday

The two presidential candidates weren’t the only ones doing a bit of politicking Tuesday night.

IU coach Tom Crean shook hands, signed autographs and took pictures with students Tuesday night, all after sending a message similar to one laid out the night before when he spoke at the IU Auditorium.

Crean pleaded with IU students at the Hoosier Den in Foster Quad to purchase season basketball tickets.

“Get your things in order, you don’t want to miss this,” Crean told those in attendance. “I don’t know where it’s going, but you don’t want to miss this.”

On Monday, Crean spoke in a more formal setting. In a more laid-back scene Tuesday, a projector screen replaced the red curtain of the auditorium stage, and a montage replaced Crean’s lecture.

The montage showed highlights and images of former Hoosier greats, ranging from the 1976 championship team all the way to the 2002 Final Four squad. Intertwined in the highlights of Hoosier basketball were images of enthusiastic IU fans from last year, prompting Crean to say those are the fans needed back this season.

“That’s real,” Crean said about the montage. “That is Indiana right there.”

Crean’s appearance was a part of Chalk Talk, a segment where IU coaches come to the Hoosier Den and talk with the student body.

Crean took the phrase “chalk talk” to heart.

Before the montage, Crean took time to break down film, showing highlights of his Marquette squad from a year ago, hoping to give fans a glimpse of what IU will look like this season. Feverishly showing various highlights of different plays and offensive set ups, Crean talked about what made his offense successful.

Unselfishness, ball movement and changing the tempo were all values Crean stressed when talking about his offense. Crean said while at Marquette his teams could run over 200 plays, but due to the rare inexperience of IU this season he will not subject the team to that many plays.

“We’re going to have to find a lot of different ways to win,” Crean said. “This is not going to be a conventional team.”

The montage also showed highlights of last season when ESPN’s College GameDay came to Bloomington. Crean said ESPN is coming back to IU for Hoosier Hysteria, indicating experts are still taking notice of the Hoosiers.

“They’re paying attention to Indiana. That’s why all of you have got to be so into it and so jacked up,” Crean said. “Because it’s just going to be a matter of time.”

After the film session and montage, Crean once again answered questions from the crowd. The idea of bringing students closer to the court resurfaced, but like Monday night, Crean said he hasn’t had a chance to be educated on the issue, and again took the opportunity to urge fans to purchase tickets.

“The greatest focus for us,” Crean said, “is we’ve got to get every student possible in that building.”