I agree with you. I don’t even really hate Indiana. My age group has never seen Indiana be anything close to relevant our entire lives, so I wouldn’t mind them being good for awhile. They’re far from a rival to me. It’s actually kind of sad to see one of the sports bluebloods (my opinion and I’m allowed to have it) have such an extended stay at less than mediocrity. I understand older fans hating them but anyone under 40 has nothing to hate.
Lesson to be learned there in terms of how enough bad coaching hires consecutively can ruin a storied program in stick it in the abyss.
Its interesting to look back on as Knight wasn't exactly killing it on his departure, having not gotten out of the first or second round of the NCAA tournament in his last 6 seasons. He simply didn't evolve with the changing player profile or athlete, the whole tyrannic form of coaching fell out of style in the 90's to some degree when long shorts and the Fab 5 starting becoming cool.
Knight's last mark was a S16 in 94, then Mike Davis got them to a Final in 2002, amongst 6 generally non-momentous seasons. Then to Sampson, who likely would have been a good hire if he hadn't been caught cheating - didn't last a year.
Then the brought Crean in from Marquette, and he got to 3 S16's in 8 years, but it wasn't enough for Indiana. Archie Miller and Mike Woodson were complete busts and now they're with Devries.
We are talking a program that since their 87 NC, has not gotten past a Sweet 16 (4 total) more than once in 32 years. Since then, Oregon has 7, instate Butler has 5. They're third in their own state in Sweet 16's.
What a journey. I'm not sure if they ever become relevant again, as the Devries hire has felt a little flat and now they're all gaga over football.
Whatever happens, next coaching hire has to be right.