Indiana A National Title Contender? Not So Fast

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I came across an article, telling me that the Indiana Hoosiers were a national title contender in the upcoming 2012-13 NCAA basketball season. Not so fast, I say.

Tom Crean has done a magnificent job since coming on as head coach after leaving Marquette. He didn't have Dwayne Wade or Steve Novak on Indiana, and Indiana was trying to rebuild their program after the Kelvin Sampson drama. Since becoming head coach, Crean built on a horrible first season (6-25) to an impressive last season (27-9). In the five years he's coached the Hoosiers, they have won more games each season since he began, and made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament last season (their first tournament appearance since 2007-08).

Now that introductions are done, the question remains: are they a national title contender? The coaches poll have given Indiana the #1 spot for the pre-season poll, this means very little. Cody Zeller can be as good, if not better than his brother Tyler, and if he stays the full four years (unlikely), he will be an amazing forward/center by then. At the moment, this sophomore has a lot of potential, and is quite good already. The top four scorers for Indiana are back, and they bring in four new players, all freshmen, including Yogi Ferrell (#24 prospect of 2012-13). Crean can motivate, and has been doing that for five years. They have returned several starters from last years roster, and are gathering new talent. So far, yes, they are a contender for the title.

Now comes the tricky part: Conference play. Indiana has few quality out of conference games: Butler and Georgia being the only ones, and both have to go to Assembly Hall. The Big Ten conference schedule will be the make or break for Indiana. Wisconsin has been good for years (Bo Ryan knows how to motivate like Crean, if not better), Michigan has two great players in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke, and will be a threat. Ohio State still has Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas, and never count out Michigan State, no matter how their team looks, Tom Izzo equals success. Indiana, from February 2-10 play three games: vs Michigan, @ Illinois, @ Ohio State: make or break right there! A month later, another three-game stretch from hell: vs Iowa, vs Ohio State, @ Michigan to finish the year. Playing Michigan State and Wisconsin once this year, and at home each time, is a big advantage.

Is Indiana a national title contender? I don't think so, but many do. They have a talented team and a great coach. They have great fans, a tough place to play for visiting teams, and a player that is going to be in the NBA within the next year at the earliest. If they dominate the Big Ten, I will for sure change my opinion. Indiana's priorities should be first the Big Ten regular-season title. After that, the Big-Ten Conference Tournament. When they receive their seed for the NCAA Tournament (and they will), then the goal becomes the national title.

picture from http://artofthepalehose.mlblogs.com/2010/02/05/sox-wise-and-otherwise-5/