Stanford Robinson to transfer after two years at IU

Spring Creaning has begun down in Bloomington.

Indiana sophomore guard Stanford Robinson will transfer after two seasons playing for coach Tom Crean, the school announced Wednesday.

Stanford Robinson had some highlights at IU, but saw his playing time drop during is sophomore season. Now, he will transfer.

This comes as no surprise to anyone that has followed the team. I felt that it was a likely outcome all the way back in the fall, even before his sophomore year. There’s guys you can tell who aren’t comfortable in a particular situation and Robinson was a great example.

This case, though, is not about a player being forced out, rather realizing too late that it wasn’t a good fit.

In the release, Robinson cited a desire for more playing time (of course!) and to be at a school closer to home. The 6-foot-4 guard from Landover, Maryland was on the court an average of 11.4 minutes per game during the 2014-15 season after playing 16.9 minutes per game his first year in Bloomington.

“I respect Stan’s desire to contribute more on the court and understand that the opportunity to play closer to your family is something he would like to have happen,” coach Crean said in a statement. “I think he has grown a great deal and matured in the two years he has been a part of the program and I hope he takes his experiences at Indiana University to remind him of what he can accomplish not only as a basketball player, but as a human being.”

Last offseason, Robinson, a left-hander, worked to shoot with his right hand. Months into the season, he eventually went back to his natural shooting hand. He shot 45 percent from the field this past season, and averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

“I am grateful to Coach Crean, the assistant coaches and staff and my teammates for helping me become a better man,” said Robinson. “I hope to find something that is closer to family and where I can have more of an impact on the court. I’ve loved everything about being at IU and am thankful for the support of Hoosier Nation.”

Thank you for all the Love and Support Indiana has been nothing but great to me! #HoosierNation

— StanRoss! (@ShowMeLoveStan) March 25, 2015

Creaning, if you don’t know by now, is the process for Tom Crean-led teams to make a scholarship available. The strategy rubs many, especially fans, wrong but it is his style.

Heading into the offseason, IU had two fewer scholarships available than they had player commitments. They have two Missouri recruits signed for 2015, O.G. Anunoby and Juwan Morgan. And, they are trying hard to land a big man, either Thon Maker or Thomas Bryant, who were both on campus earlier this month.

With Robinson’s departure, Crean and his staff still need at least one more scholarship for 2015-16.