As the college basketball season approaches its final stretch, the NCAA tournament bracket reveal is just a month away. Currently, Auburn stands as the best team in the nation, Louisville is the most improved, and Duke’s Cooper Flagg alongside Auburn’s Johni Broome are highlighted as the top players. Yet, many questions also linger.
To gain further insights, we recently spoke with Tom Crean, a former coach for Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia, who is now an ESPN analyst. Crean led Marquette to the 2003 Final Four and propelled Indiana to a No. 1 seed in the 2013 tournament. He shared his perspectives on the college basketball landscape and recounted his viral moment with John Fanta.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Why is the SEC so dominant this season?
“Retention would be the biggest reason to me, and they have certainly the (NIL) money. It’s a destination league for kids from anywhere in the country, knowing they’re facing the best. They can attract top talent from the portal and continually recruit McDonald’s All-Americans. Look at Florida; they’ve shown retention and depth by bringing in players like Alijah Martin, Rueben Chinyelu, and Sam Alexis. Their development of players such as Micah Handlogten, Denzel Aberdeen, Thomas Haugh, and Alex Condon has been impressive, and their coaching staff is exceptional.”
What’s wrong with Kansas, the preseason No.1?
“Their ball screen defense has not improved significantly over the last two years, except when Flory Bidunga plays. KJ Adams must cover a lot of ground defensively. Hunter Dickinson has not been consistent in his defensive presence, which is essential for a strong ball screen game.”
How shocked are you by Louisville under first-year coach Pat Kelsey?
“If you analyze their game against Tennessee’s second half, they played winning basketball after struggling early on against Kentucky. They’re making strides and have players capable of creating tough matchup situations, particularly with an exceptional point guard. Chucky Hepburn deserves more recognition for his contributions.”
How has Dusty May succeeded in his first year at Michigan?
“Michigan has been impressive. While Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan were tough matchups last year, Danny Wolf has emerged as a strong player, proving difficult to defend. He’s a good passer, capable shooter, and displays solid athleticism, which has helped improve Vladislav Goldin’s game.”
Has Cooper Flagg improved during the season?
“Defensively, Cooper is now more aware and engages actively off the ball. He’s improved his shot and his straight-line driving, maintaining focus throughout possessions. The ability to switch defensively among all positions is a strength of his and the team.”
How concerned should Rick Pitino be about St. John’s poor 3-point shooting?
“I would be quite concerned. In the long run, they need to be able to make threes. Should they lose a game, the narrative will likely focus on their free-throw and three-point shooting. However, their strong defensive coverage and scoring off turnovers can significantly impact their performance.”
Indiana is looking for a new coach. What type of person would thrive there?
“They need someone deeply committed to the grassroots of the state, who understands the program’s foundation, reminiscent of the Everett Dean, Branch McCracken, and Bobby Knight eras. It’s vital to have a proven, flexible system, emphasizing strong defense and rebounding alongside effective guard play. Additionally, candidates must possess resilience for handling tough stretches as they inevitably arise.”
Could you tell us more about the Diet Coke spill with John Fanta last week?
“That was John’s Diet Coke, and that loose ball got every bit of that Diet Coke. Fortunately, I had paper towels handy because I was battling a cold. We managed to clean it up quickly without losing our rhythm during the broadcast, thanks to John’s professionalism.”
Great working with @John_Fanta tonight. For the record, it was John’s @DietCoke that spilled on him. I just put myself in charge of the cleanup. John never broke stride. Incredible Pro. pic.twitter.com/oF6aFv5K7x
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) February 12, 2025
Are you more cautious about where you place drinks during broadcasts now?
“Absolutely. I’ve always kept my drink on the floor next to my bag or a wastebasket. I suspect John will move his drink off the table after that experience.”
