Roeder, thanks. Hard to disagree with any of that. Memories fade over time, but I don't necessarily remember people being super hyped up on Davis the coach as much as Davis the recruiter (re: the recruits you mentioned), but I realize that's splitting hairs a little. As for Sampson, if he had a soul at the time and could have lead by example and instilled the values in the players he recruited, I do believe he could have had some success at IU (as he was in the midst of before the scandal brought the season crashing down). He didn't and the rest is history, but that guy can coach hoops.
As for Crean, I actually think he was the worst coach of the 3, strictly basketball wise. I will admit that when Crean was hired, he said and did all the right things. I drank the kool-aid. He had an infectious positive attitude and I supported him strongly during the down years as I thought he was building something. That was reinforced when he got Zeller, had a 20-win turnaround the following season, nabbed Yogi, etc.
Point being, I think there was reason for varying levels of optimism with all those coaches, although they all ultimately failed at IU for different reasons. I know IU fans get mocked for high expectations, but I'd rather have expectations that go unmet than to never dream big at all. All that said, I think Archie is a better coach than any of them, and I'm drinking a higher octane version of the kool-aid I was drinking with Crean. Maybe I'm wrong, who knows. But I'm an unapologetic believer in Archie and I think he's got the potential to be great. Looking forward to our new era.