ATLANTA — Tom Crean won the Big Ten. He’d coached at Indiana and Marquette, programs of national profile. He’d coached big-time players. His Florida neighbor — name of Dick Vitale — insisted Crean really wanted the Georgia job. His opening statement at his introductory press briefing ran 27 minutes. He was rested and ready. It seemed a fine hire.
Four years later, we ask: What’s the high point of Crean’s four seasons in Athens? Two wins over Georgia Tech, which itself wasn’t very good? Beating Memphis twice? Probably it was beating No. 13 Auburn in February 2020, though upsetting Alabama this February seems more shocking with every day.
The Bama game stands as the Bulldogs’ only victory since Christmas. They went 1-17 in league play. They entered Wednesday’s SEC tournament game against Vanderbilt at 6-25. Ken Pomeroy’s ratings have them 210th among 358 Division I teams. Only one Power 5 or Big East team is lower – Oregon State, which is 3-27.
