sircaffey

Coach Crean not done with his 2008 class just yet. He just bagged Verdell Jones, PG from Champaign, one of the top unsigned 2008 prospects. Jones ranked #127 in the 2008 class by Rivals. That makes 5 commits in the short time Crean has been at IU to go along with Roth, Pritchard, and Elston. Well done Tom.

Things begin to turn around for the Hoosiers. Maurice Creek, the #63 ranked prospect by Rivals, verbals. Along with Elston, I like where the Crean Era is going. http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=...9&comview=1

Nick Williams follows Crean to Indiana. Thank god.

I'll add double chains to the one I've got couped up in my basement.

Crean definitely scored big time in this situation. This is a classic buy low situation. Within a few seasons, IU will be back up to a level where it probably could get a higher level coach than Crean. I can certainly understand Miller and Bennett being hesitant, but as they say, "this too shall pass." If they were hesitant because of the current situation and not other reasons, I think they will end up regretting their short-sightedness. Crean might be the biggest winner of this whole situation. He's got a 2-3 year get out of jail free card. He has one of the nation's richest states in terms of basketball talent to recruit from. And he's "rescuing" one of college basketball's storied programs. Oh and he'll come out $18+ mil richer. Go big Tom.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 1, 2008 -> 11:55 PM) s***.Hitting.TheFan. They're spots open at IU for them!

Solid hire. He's exactly the type of coach that IU needs. He'll clean it up fast. It'll be interesting to see how the recruiting goes, and if there are any transfers into IU.

We brought in Royce Clayton for that same reason in 2001, and it blew up in our face. If you can't hit, you shouldn't be on the field to start the game.

Javy, Crede, yes...

DET: 95 wins CLE: 90 wins CHA: 83 wins

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 25, 2008 -> 02:18 PM) As long as Ozzie's our manager, Owens will have a spot. So true...KW will be fed up much sooner, but Oz will coax him into keeping him.

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Mar 25, 2008 -> 02:15 PM) Over-under on the amount of games needed for KW to swallow his pride and jettison Crede and benchOwens in favor of Fields and Quentin? 50? 40 for Crede, 30 for Owens Good thing we'll be going through our toughest month with a rusty Crede and worthless Owens.

Over/Under on Crede's April: .220/.300/.375 I'm going under in each category.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Mar 25, 2008 -> 02:03 PM) because we should judge all players on how they play in spring training. (and i agree that fields shouldn't be sent down, but that reasoning sucks) Ordinarily no, but you have to take spring into consideration when evaluating Joe when's he's coming off major surgery.

Per Rotoworld: A source told ESPN Deportes that the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera have agreed to an eight-year, $153.3 million contract extension through 2016. It's possible, but it'd also hardly be the first time ESPN Deportes botched a reported contract. If this is true, Cabrera sold himself way too cheaply. To give up his last year of arbitration and seven years of free agency for just $19 million per year would be a terrible move on his part, or at least the MLBPA would have to feel that way. I love that last part there. Humorous stuff...

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 21, 2008 -> 10:59 PM) I'm still glad IU crashed and burned like this, karma is a b**** and they deserve it. But I still feel bad for a freshman who was great and a top 5 pick lock, and then played all these games with a broken wrist and made himself look bad in what I assume was him trying to help his team out (no other reason he'd play). I'm not sure who thought IU had final four talent either. Even when Gordon was healthy, they are probably the 2nd most talented Big 10 team in Indiana, for starters. Gordon's injury was certainly a hinderance. However, his basketball IQ didn't change. He was entirely too reckless before the injury and after. You'd think he'd change his play even a little bit if he couldn't dribble well with his left hand. He's just not that smart of a player. With that said, I am not singling him out. Everyone shares the blame but DJ. I'm very proud DJ White wore an Indiana University uniform. He represents exactly what college basketball is (or should be) all about. #1 priority: get a coach. #2 priority: retain the current players. #3 priority: get Ebanks to re-commit. I'm glad this season is over. I've got a lot of excitement for this offseason. Perhaps it's more anxiety, but I'm looking forward to the next couple months to get this train back on track.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 15, 2008 -> 09:21 AM) If living in your delusional world gaining your happiness from IU's problems go right ahead. Once again, you amaze me because you sometimes say smart things and other times are just plain idiotic. Actually thinking IU should have self-imposed a post-season ban this year ranks right up with the all-time stupid things you've posted. But hey. if finding misery in others makes you happy since your own team can't provide it, I say go right ahead. Just leave the UI fans alone. Whatever they need to do to make it through the season is fine with me. I don't need to voice my pleasure in their current situation.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 14, 2008 -> 09:47 PM) Well, if there ever was such a thing as a team in disarray, it's IU. Or the Bulls, take your pick. They really need to right that ship and rebuild from the ground up next year. This is just embarrassing. Anyone want to argue anymore that the coaching change for IU has had no effect? It's been punch-in-the-face obvious.

That game really happen? That last 10 seconds was so ridiculously crazy.

Just got it, sorry for the delay.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 06:05 PM) I'm certainly not judging that on what he does in ST. 22AB's is a terrible sample size to use. I'm basing it, on how much time he has missed, and how long it will probably take him for him to find a comfort zone at the plate, when he can get everything back together. He hasn't faced MLB pitching in almost a year before ST. Unless you're Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds etc., that is going to take some time for you to get used to again. I see Crede starting slowly, and then getting into a rhythm around July / August at the plate. As do I. Crede's bat will cost the Sox opportunities early in the season no doubt. If his defense also needs time to get back to where it was (not saying this is a good indication but he's been aweful in the field thusfar in ST), then Crede is an utterly useless player for the beginning of the season and we're better served with Pablo at 3B let alone Fields.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 11:39 AM) Exactly. When Crede was 24 he hit 12 homers in 200 AB and hit over .280. Fields hit with about the same power, but less average and a little less with the glove and a lot less contact. If you think Crede sucks and Fields being 24 is a lock to improve, you aren't being consistent. Crede is gone next year probably no matter what. What should be considered right now is who gives the White Sox the best chance to win in 2008. Initially, if Crede is healthy, he should be the choice. If he faulters, or the Sox fall out of contention then you can give him away and let Fields take over. Ron Kittle hit 35 homers as a rookie. He never hit 35 in a season again. Not exactly. I'd say what should be considered is whether the supposed "decrease" from Crede to Fields this year is worth hindering Fields' development. In all reality, how much is Crede's performance over Fields going to increase our chances this season? Not very much if you ask me. It's not worth hindering our future over. No matter what some people may think, another year in AAA will hinder Fields' development, no question about it. Given the current state of the Sox, it's more valuable to the organization to continue Fields' development. 3B is not a critical point in the Sox success this upcoming season. Joe Crede won't win us the division.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 10, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) You should take a look at Crede's first taste in the majors with regards to fielding. You would of run him out of town with pitchforks. More errors in less games, yikes. Thank god we let him get better. Crede was born with a gold glove on his hand. Duh.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 10, 2008 -> 02:15 PM) Ventura's best year with Sox: 34 HR 105 RBI .368 OBP .520 SLG .287 AVG Crede's best year with Sox : 30 HR 94 RBI .323 OBP .506 SLG .283 AVG Sure Ventura was awesome and everybody's favorite but not exactly Ventura>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Crede Different era.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 10, 2008 -> 02:01 PM) And they let Ventura go for the same reasons everyone wants Crede gone, health concerns and possible declining ability. Ventura had some great years after he left the Sox and Crede still has some ahead of him. Just don't want to see them do it again. I don't want Joe gone because of those reasons. I want Joe gone because we have a more talented cheaper option ready to step in. Whatever cash we give to Joe can't be given to something we actually need. It's smart business.