So I assume you've seen this since you posted that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GStmH0Xlcs
Crean is smart to take advantage of a cockamamy rule by the NCAA. The overreaction to contact above the head in basketball, even if it is accidental, potentially results in a flagrant 1 (two shots and the ball). The rule is -
Flagrant 1 or Flagrant 2 Fouls for Elbow Contact
Officials are reminded that there can be incidental contact with the elbow above or below the shoulders; swinging of the elbow is required for the foul to be classified as a flagrant 1 or 2 foul. Some incidental contact is being penalized improperly.
Elbow contact is then defined in Section 36, Articles 6 and 7 as such:
Art. 6. It shall be illegal to extend one's elbow(s) and make contact when one's:
a. Hands are on one's hips;
b. Hands are held near one's chest; or
c. Arms are held approximately horizontal to the playing court when not holding the ball. 
Note: These illegal positions are most commonly used when rebounding, screening or in the various aspects of post play.
Art. 7. The following shall be considered excessive swinging:
a. When arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung about while using the shoulders as pivots, and the speed of the extended arm(s) and elbow(s) exceeds that of the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot; or
b. When the speed and vigor with which the arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung is such that injury could result if another player were contacted.
I've seen far too many games where a flagrant 1 was called on a player for contact above the head via elbow that I thought was incidental. Last year, in the tournament against VCU, Sheehey got called for a flagrant 1 for what was an incidental elbow to the VCU player's face, it was a small amount of contact. The real crime was that the VCU player was completely in Sheehey's airspace, totally invaded it, Sheehey had a right to that space, and yet they called the flagrant 1. Even though the VCU player essentially was responsible for getting hit. VCU got two shots and the ball, and it could have cost IU the game (thankfully VCU's last second 3 rimmed out).
It's a bad rule, or it's at least being enforced inconsistently.
So if anything, Crean coaching IU to draw an elbow was smart. He's taking advantage of how inconsistently the rule has been enforced since its inception. Perhaps making a mockery of the rule will result in the powers that be realizing that the rule needs to be reexamined. Never mind the sometimes excessive delays by going to the monitor.
Tom Izzo had some pointed things to say about the rule back in the beginning of the season -
"I think what's mystifying about it is, the way it was explained to me, there's a flagrant 1 and a flagrant 2," Izzo said. "A flagrant 2 is if you lead with your elbow. A flagrant 1 is if it's an accidental elbow."
"So, again, I think it's a ridiculous rule. I mean, the flagrant 2, if you lead with your elbow and it's intentional, I got no problem with it. But if we're looking at accidental things now, Nix had the ball above his head (in the game against Boise State), what is he supposed to do?"
More here at the link -
http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2012/11/michigan_states_tom_izzo_says_5.html
