FORT WAYNE – Tom Crean’s close friend Tom Izzo is contemplating leaving his post as Michigan State’s basketball coach to take charge of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

Crean, meanwhile, is focused on taking the next steps in Indiana’s reclamation project.

“My friendship with Tom is separate from Indiana, Michigan State or basketball. He’s the best friend that I have, so I want what’s best for him. At the same time, I don’t even remotely think about not being at Indiana for any situation,” Crean said after being awarded a Red Coat during Sunday’s Mad Anthonys ceremonies.

Crean served as an assistant under Izzo for four years at Michigan State.

“I want to be at Indiana. That’s why we chose to come here,” Crean said. “We gave up a phenomenal job with a team that would have had Final Four qualities in it (at Marquette). We’re excited about it.

“You don’t come to Indiana to leave Indiana. You come to Indiana to build it and build on and into the great tradition that is there.”

The Hoosiers went 10-21 in Crean’s second season, an improvement of four victories. Crean said IU is having a good offseason.

“What we’re really looking forward to is that we’ll be a little bit more matured, we’ll be a little bit stronger. The bottom line is it’s going to be very, very competitive if we can stay injury-free, as much as possible,” Crean said. “That’s something we have to have. We can’t put people on the floor that aren’t playing at a high level defensively. We can’t put people on the floor that don’t make the defense honor them with their ability to make plays. We can’t put people on the floor that aren’t rebounding with an energy and enthusiasm level that isn’t really high.

“They have to make it a competitive summer; we have to make it a competitive fall. And then we have to get into the season and see where it takes us.”

Crean said Maurice Creek is showing progress as he recovers from knee surgery. The freshman led the Hoosiers in scoring, averaging 16.4 points per game. But he only played 12 games. His season ended Dec. 28 when he fractured his left knee against Bryant.

“He’s getting healthier. He’s not back on the court yet,” Crean said. “You want to hear about him playing and feeling good about what he’s doing. I’m not sure that’s going to happen until August. He’s not in a position yet to play, but he does work. He’s rehabbing really well and I think he’s healing very well.”

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