Illini hoops assistant Camryn Crocker: "I looked at it as a fun challenge"
CHAMPAIGN – The variables are there for a sturdy defense this winter with Illini basketball.
The Ivisic twin towers offer plenty of rim protection, and guard Kylan Boswell is a do-it-all defender who can guard multiple positions. But coach Brad Underwood wanted to think outside of his tight circle in attempting to boost a defense that slipped last winter.
Carmyn Crocker, an Ivy Leaguer who worked that last three seasons at Colgate, brought another set of eyes and perhaps a new way of looking at things. In a world where a defensive coordinator is sometimes all about toughness, he’s talking about synergy, feel and togetherness while also speaking to the core elements of defense such as effort, energy, and discipline.
He filled the void left by the sudden departure of assistant Tim Anderson last fall, shortly before the season began. When Crocker and Underwood first started speaking about the opening, the two coaches had no previous relationship.
Crocker, the new kid on the block, is easing into the position without shaking things up on a staff filled with continuity.
“I looked at it as a fun challenge,’’ Crocker said. “There’s a lot of continuity as far as the staff and team, too. I didn’t help recruit any of these players. I’m coming in with a fresh slate. I’m not shaking anything up. I’m trying to learn and observe while trying to make an impact. Trying to find that balance and blend is something we’re focused on.’’
Like Underwood and his staff, Crocker’s priorities are the basic things: effort, discipline and being together.
“Behavior and habits are really more important than anything,’’ he said.
While still finding that voice and fitting into a veteran coaching staff without any prior relationships at Illinois, Crocker is eager to make a difference while not trying to step on any toes. Eventually, his voice will grow as his time with Underwood also grows. That’s when Crocker’s influence is expected to expand as Illinois reworks a defense that crumbled a year ago.
After a decent start to the season, the Illini finished 40th nationally in defensively efficiency, according to Kenpom. The Illini allowed 74.8 points per game, the fourth most in the Big Ten.
The low point came in blowout losses late in the regular season to Wisconsin and Duke. While it didn’t necessarily affect the outcome for the rest of the season, those losses exposed weaknesses in the Illini and perhaps lowered postseason expectations, if for no other reason than seeding.
“Camryn Crocker is a dynamic coach who will fit perfectly into the Illinois family,’’ Underwood said in a prepared statement when Crocker was hired in May. “He has experience from coast to coast, with an outstanding defensive mind, elite teaching skills and a talent for building strong relationships. His understanding of the modern game will be fresh and innovative ideas to our program.’’
Crocker, who played at Penn and worked at Stanford as direct of player development before his time at Colgate, already has been tending to relationships with experienced leaders such as Kylan Boswell, Tomislav Ivisic and Ben Humrichous, likely also knowing the rest of the squad falls in line behind returning starters.
“It’s about building relationships so there’s a trust there and having an understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish,’’ Crocker said. “Kylan, Tommy and Ben, they bought in early in what I’m trying to help them with. It’s been unique in that sense. Just trying to build relationships and trust is the start. They allow me to coach them hard, so when I get on them, they can respond to that in a good way. They know it comes from a good place.’’
The principles are already here, he said.
“The team is disciplined, smart and connected,’’ Crocker said. “When you’re playing a possession, there’s going to be problems to solve and recognition of patterns and sequences. For us, it’s having that understanding and playing with a lot of continuity and energy. We want to have a good grasp on that.’’
This is a big step up for Crocker. In jumping to a Power 4 conference job at a school with a tradition for success, he’s making the biggest move thus far in his career, but he’s not been overzealous in his first months on campus. With Orlando Antigua and Geoff Alexander as long-time assistants, there’s no need to reinvent the Illini program. Things just need a tweak and perhaps a different set of eyes.
“My impression is that it’s a place that really cares about basketball,’’ Crocker said. “For me, it’s about trying to help out. The staff has done a great job. I’m just trying to help any way I can.
“It’s always good to bounce different ideas off each other. That’s what coach is open to. That comes in all shapes and forms. Open dialogue and conversations, I really enjoy being a part of that.’’
That Illinois logo on his shirt will also open doors in recruiting, even this era of transactional recruiting. NIL and the transfer portal do much of the work, but the assistants are still charged with investigating a player’s history while vetting prospects.
The Illini’s recent success already kicks open doors that Crocker likely found locked as a Colgate assistant.
“I keep using the word momentum,’’ Crocker said. “Ther’s an incredible amount. You’ve seen what the program has been able to do. You’ve got a staff going to the draft, going to the Green Room. First-round draft picks. People feel that and understand that. The Illinois brand is recognized and respected. Players want to play in a place like this with the facilities we have. It all goes hand in hand.’’
As he stacks days, weeks and months, Crocker will likely have his hands on the defense more and more.
