Staying True To The vision

We all want results. Results in the win column. As fans, sometimes that want blurs the lines of reality and causes enthusiasm and expectations to reach unobtainable levels. Questions about whether or not a coach is on the proverbial “hot seat” start creeping into the morning coffee shop discussions, as well as on the message boards, and on Twitter. Most by the die-hard fan that believe that they know the best cure for a university that has 5 National Championships, but hasn’t been to the Final Four in seventeen years, and hung it’s last banner in 1987.

There are no quick fixes when it comes to building a winner. Well, not legal quick fixes. Building a winner takes a vision. It takes a group of coaches and players all believing and focusing on the ultimate goal. Recruiting with the purpose of building a roster of young men who fit the type of player it takes to keep moving towards seeing that vision come to fruition. You HAVE to stay true to the path you set out on when you took the helm. Much to the dismay of anxious fans, missing on players in recruiting happens. Not becoming anxious yourself, not questioning that vision, and not taking a player to just fill a spot because you missed on the guy you really wanted, are what will build a winner. A sustained winner.

I’m firmly in Archie Miller’s corner. I believe with everything in me that Indiana University has a coach that has a vision, believes in that vision, and is determined to see that vision through. He had to battle injuries to multiple players last year. Injuries that never allowed the Hoosiers to run the squad that was part of his vision last summer prior to the season. Some people say that is just an excuse, but facts are facts. Were there shortcomings in the roster makeup? Absolutely. Were all of those Coach Miller’s fault? Absolutely not.

Winning has to start coming on a more frequent basis, that I agree with. But when I look at the progress the players, both as a team, and as individuals have made, I see results. And when I look at players like, Trey Galloway, who just recently committed to play for the Hoosiers, I see the type of player that I grew up watching. I’m not sure some people have any idea how good this young man is. He can fill up a stat sheet without dominating the ball, or the game. He can change the game defensively. He will fight you like you’ve never been fought, just to win.

We, including me, all have an opinion of what we (IU) needs to win. Both sooner and more frequently. Due to the types of kids that Coach Miller is going after on the recruiting trail, and landing, I personally am not going to question him, or his vision. Hopefully Trey Galloway’s AAU teammate and good friend, Anthony Leal, will join him in Bloomington. Because he is yet another example of the type of kid that the Indiana Hoosiers of my youth were built on. Coach Miller and Indiana University are not a fit for every player, and every player is not a fit for either of them. But players like Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal are perfect fits for the Hoosiers and Coach Miller. Why? Because they fit his vision, and maybe more importantly, they are as tough as he is.

I personally can’t wait for the season and to continue seeing the progress of this team. A new season, and new players, bring hope. They bring excitement. They bring expectations. They breathe new life into 365 day a year fans such as myself. After a long offseason, all of these things are just what the doctored ordered for someone that is needing some Indiana Hoosiers basketball in his life. So many questions await to be answered……ahhhhhhhh, the joys of fandom!