Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: A Change in Mentality is Fueling the Future of this Program

By Edward Koton

Mar 6, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forwards Troy Williams (5) with Indiana University president Michael McRobbie as he holds the Big Ten championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeats Maryland 80-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forwards Troy Williams (5) with Indiana University president Michael McRobbie as he holds the Big Ten championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeats Maryland 80-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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In this day and age of obnoxious social media recruitment, every college basketball program needs an image.  Indiana basketball could potentially be on the precipice of success thanks to the one successfully crafted by Tom Crean.

“Do you play AT Indiana, or FOR Indiana?”

It’s a question that loomed large for this Indiana basketball team when Tom Crean presented it after a remarkably poor performance at Maui this past season, but now its sentiment appears to loom even larger.

With a simple question, Tom Crean has established a mentality change at his program that will breed future success. It’s a mentality of pride and confidence.  A mentality based around “Buying-in.”  A mentality that has slowly but surely been at the forefront of everything this program achieved this season.

When Tom Crean took the job here at Indiana, a lot of his work began by simply focusing the morale of the program.

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After the dark ages of the Kelvin Sampson era, this once rabid college basketball fan base needed something to give them hope again.  That was Tom Crean’s biggest task as the head of this program, and slowly but surely he has built that.

Tom Crean has evidently built a program FOR Indiana.

Tom Crean has established something that not only the fans of the program can be proud of, but so can the players within it.

My basis for this sentiment looks directly at the attitudes and actions of those that put on that Indiana jersey every single game of the year. When OG Anunoby and Thomas Bryant chose to return to school for their sophomore seasons, they made a statement about their commitment to this program, and that’s a statement that many other schools don’t normally see.

OG and Bryant could have easily entered the draft, or at least tested the waters of the draft combine, but they remained dedicated to the player development here at Indiana.  They remained dedicated to building something, and belief and pride are what will separate this basketball program from many others across the country moving forward.

Jan 10, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) and head coach Tom Crean low five each other after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 85-60. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) and head coach Tom Crean low five each other after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 85-60. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

When James Blackmon Jr. went down earlier on in the season, many were left to question where this team would go from there. Not many individuals suspected the mental fortitude that this team would evidently uphold after that injury, as game after game we saw new players step up in Blackmon’s absence.

It’s that togetherness, that pride, and even that confidence which fuels the belief that this program is finally “For Indiana.”

Just look at the attitudes of the players through social media. A lot of the time it’s hard to put your faith in social media statements, but at the moment these statements only further one’s belief that players truly “bought-in” this year and will continue to do so in the future.

“Special group of guys. We’ll be back…”-Robert Johnson, Twitter, 3/26/16

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be Hoosier.”-Max Bielfeldt, Twitter, 3/26/16

“Always will be #ForIndiana.”-Nick Ziesloft, Twitter, 3/26/16

“I love my guys and I love this program”-Thomas Bryant, Instagram, 3/26/16

“I love my teammates and coaches and look forward to getting better everyday with their help.”-OG Anunoby, Press Release, 4/22/16

These are just a few examples, as if you look further this pride for the program can be found everywhere.

When athletes choose to commit to a school, there is a remarkable amount depth to that decision. Most importantly, the athlete must have trust in the coach of their program moving forward. A trust that enables their coach to be the best person to look out for that athlete’s future.

Tom Crean has his players trust in more ways than one, and it’s that trust which inspired a Big Ten Championship.

Don’t be surprised when that trust inspires a few more in the upcoming years.

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