DISQUS

I look for another struggle tonight. We're footslow and have no defensive stopper. They'll use the same gameplan Mich. St. did in that they will try to beat us up and down the floor, go directly at DJ if we play man to man, lock down Bassett, and keep Gordon in the 17-22 pt. range. Offensively, we play 3 on 5 and it has become clear how teams want to play us. Dakich can't teach size or speed and we lack both. We are now beginning to see just how good of a job KS was doing. He wasn't working with as much as we thought and they're going into season's end weaker rather than stronger. Unfortunately, he lacked other things necessary to be a great coach. Hopefully, we'll get a fresh start with a new coach and the NCAA will not deal us an unreasonable penalty. I fear this season will not end well.

I like his charisma, humor, and attitude as well, and I hope there's a place for DD at IU. It's just not the head coaching position. If we're truly a top-tier program, we should not be taking anymore chances after all that has happened. This next hire needs to be right on unless we want to change the goal of winning (it all!) with integrity.

As much as I liked Coach Knight, he has not handled the situation very well. His type of personality always likes to get in the last word on diagreement with anyone. Thus, the courtcase was his last chance to get in a last word and it failed. He's still surly about it. Of course, I didn't think the administration handled his dismissal very well either.

OSU doesn't have a go to guy, we do and their names are DJ and EJ. That's why we're where we are.

Would you agree Bob Knight going from Army to IU was one of those large steps you write about. Bennett served as an assistant for several years under his father at Wisconsin, then Washington State. He was Coach of the Year last year, in his 2nd year as a head coach. He was directly responsible for recruiting some of Wisconsin's best players, does Brian Butch come to mind? It's been said he is a lock for the Wisconsin job when Ryan retires. The quality of overall coaching is only getting better in the big-10, if we don't make a good move on our next selection, we'll find ourselves going backward faster than anyone wants to measure. Bennett coaches great defense and that's where all good basketball foundations begin.

The people who would pick on Eric Gordon for his flawed game last night have to be from the "the glass is half empty" crowd. Talk about the kids who had a good game. Hell, we won. Why is it when we win there always has be a "but we didn't do this/that or something." Let the coaches take care of that. We should continure to count our blessings this 18 year old kid changed his mind on schools. He gives us a consistant go-to guy when things are tight, goes to the basket without fear, and doesn't get some of calls he should. Yep, he turns it over and it's something that will improve as some of us forget he's a freshman. Check his stats, in the tight games, he usually does better in the second half versus the first., the sign of a go-to guy. In addition, he plays most or all of the 40 minutes of a game and has to be fatigued on some of those turnovers. Cutting down on turnovers can be coached, EJ has a lot of things going for him that can't be.

I agree Gordon needs a pull-up game, however the reason he shoots a lot of free-throws is that he goes to the basket more than anyone on the team. With his NBA type body, I also think the refs overlook a lot of hits he takes. He doesn't just go down when first hit like a lot of kids would, he trys to finish. Thus, if there is no call, you have a turnover. It's apparent he needs to be more selective at times, but remember he's playing as many minutes as anyone and is probably gassed when making some of the bad decisions. If you've played the game, you understand.

With the increase of quality coaches in the Big-10, I think all teams are going to be special rivalries, particularly when you have to play them on their floor. I see Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, and yes, even Ilinois having comebacks that will make for conference parity to an even larger extent than exists now. Plus, IU will always be a target!

Has anyone noticed that a Detroit sportswriter is already calling for the hiring of Sampson at the University of Detroit Mercy? You talk about a group of sick puppies, sportswriters that is.

I wasn't talking about about Loco Wogo's article, my two-cents worth was about the lead article above written by Postman E.

A good article and I hope the statement in your last paragraph will be accurate.Somehow, I doubt it. The media people will continue to feast on this until the carcass no longer exists. And, why, just why can't our former players stay away from position statements to the media. All they really do is give the situation added life, thus getting back to just watching basketball will be accompanied with the dirty laundry. Why can't they be just part of the loyal fan base and support the team, regardless. What do they mean when they won't attend a game because of something besides the team? I wouldn't look at their attendance as a positive or negative towards the coach or administration. A basketball game shouldn't be a political event. If they would refrain from position statements, how does one know where they stand and why is their opinion more important than any other? Why can't they just remain "anonymous" much like the recent donor? They need to show a willingness to yield the spotlight, theirs' is 30 years old. We will continue to honor their names and that should be enough. The media will continue to rip us, they don't need help from any of our former players.

Sounds like the guy who wanted to win the battle only to lose the war.

Those missing practice are probably gone next year anyway. The JC guys will drop down a division and play right away, the others will graduate and/or transfer and sit a year. KS may step in and convince them otherwise, however with McCullum missing practice, there appears to be more going on than we know. It might be a replay of if you're a Knight guy-go away and now, if you're a Sampson guy-you can also go away. The players involved may decide they're Sampson guys.

Where did you read or see a quote that our players were going to tank it. Tanking it to me means we'll play but only to lose whereas threatning to walk means we're not going to play period.

There is no program without players. Their careers will be just fine if they're good enough. Understand Pierre Pierce is currently working with the development league and, if good enough, you'll see him in the NBA some day. With all the problems Pacer players have had, one would think they hurt they're careers, however the money tree just keeps growing. If character was a prerequisite rather than characters, there would be no NBA the fans would want to see.

I know everyone would like to see this thing be past history, however the university people have had a chance to fix this thing going back through Coach Knight's firing, Mike Davis' leaving and now this. One would think the experience (costing the school millions), past and present would kick in at some point. Even the inept should learn after a while. The NCAA and IU historically have said this is about the "student/athletes." If true, why do they become involved only after decisions have been made. Without them the money tree begins to rot. Do you think the Big-Ten network is interested in an intramural team showing up representing IU. They have a contract you know.

How many on this site work under a contract. They're written to go both ways. That's why you have lawyers and reprsentatives involved on both sides. Sampson is not doing anything on his own at this point without coaching from his legal team. That's why you hire them, for advice when the crap hits the fan. Do you know of any coach who works without a contract? Guess who draws those things up? It's not the school AD or the coach. Both sides are now working their side of the contract as their legal people sit and advise.

Lou Watson was also an Indiana legend in high school and college at IU. Became the coach at IU, failed miserably, and was given the heave-ho. Unless you're saying the current administration has no gonads, I don't see it as a problem. Our next coach has to be sqeaky clean first and successful second. Our problem as IU fans is we put success first for too many years when it became apparent we didn't have to worry about clean.

I haven't used the word, "Diatribe" in a long time however, this certainly fits the bill. I'm not here to root for Steve or defend his coaching record. But, my god, give the guy a break. I lived beside Steve's girlfriend(now his wife) for several years and got to know Steve and his family pretty well. I would agree Steve has some traits that some would look down on. He's cocky, maybe even conceited, but not to the degree we put up with for years at IU. I think once you get near anyone who is or has been very good at something one may find them a little self-centered, conceited or whatever anone wants to call it. Steve has done many good things in his young life, probably more than most. He's been called on to help IU work out problems with alumni that Steve knew well and did so without fanfare. Did he deserve at least a phone call from the current administration when Sampson was hired, you bet. They called him at other needed times. Do you think for one moment our interim coach won't be hired permanently if they do well with someone elses team the remainder of the year. We do it all of the time at IU and, although I have nothing personal to add about any of our current assistant coaches, none have had the coaching success Alford has. So I will leave it this way. I'm not campaigning for Steve as it would do little good anyway. I don't think you should campaign against him either. I fear we're headed for something less palatable if the administration goes their normal route.

I'm retired and worked in an industry that was considered a federal contractor by law. Without going into detail, let me say from experience these quasi-public bureacracies love to play "gotcha." I feel as though the NCAA lies to congress everytime they go to the hill to beg extensions to their tax-free status. For some reason or other, lying on capital hill is no big deal, the politicians do it all the time.(That's another story for another time.) My gut feeling is Sampson is gone. However, one needs to realize the NCAA letter is written in allegation form. They state nothing as fact. They're leaving that up to IU and thankfully, Kent and Ted are not making that decision for the university. As taxpayers, students, potential students, etc., we should be thankful the university is going slow. Ohio State let the shadow of the NCAA stampede them into a hurried and unwise decision on a basketball coach that came back to bite them in the pocketbook. For those of you wanting a quick fix to this, please send your money donations to IU for that quick and unwise move. They will need it. The lawyers love this stuff. It lines their pockets at our expense. Why do you think it takes everyone envolved so long so say something. The clock is running and the bill just keeps rising. We lose a big law suit and you'll want someone else's head. Be patient and don't let the media or the websites incite you into foolishness. Understand the legal industry will work this for what it's worth and they don't need any further help from us.

Is there a particular reason one of the referees need stand by Izzo all night allowing him to have his ear as if he owned it? Izzo starts his jargon with them before the first junpball and never lets up, regardless as to whether his team is up 20 or down 20. I like down 20 the best. It just seems the ref could move 10-15 feet and not make it look like a party.

I'm thankful that people like Kravitz are not making the decisions concerning the business-side of this mess. The Star wrote an editorial agreeing with why it's being handled the way it is. Kravitz should check with the editorial people at his own paper before sounding off.
To the NCAA, I would ask them as well as the IU administration, why would you come up with any penalty that hurts the innocent players if you are truly concerned about the STUDENT/ATHLETES you always refer to in these ordeals? I guess it's easier to harm the players at no cost rather than taking other avenues at some cost. $$$$$$

For the sake of changing the subject, I have to smile when the NCAA uses the term student/athlete as if they really cared. If they really cared about kids sucessfully going to college, they would revisit the freshman eligibility rule. I like the idea of making the kids go to school for a year before declaring for the NBA, however it would make it a lot more interesting if colleges couldn't play them during that one year period. The schools would then have to weigh recruiting kids who might never wear that school's uniform. And, colleges would not become simply a parking space for one year. It's something the NBA certainly doesn't want as getting the colleges to look after these kids at no cost to the NBA is a sweet deal. Anyone notice the NBA didn't argue very loud when they started making the kids go to school for a year. This would change the recruiting landscape and return college basketball to what it should be, a true student/athlete experience. Let the one and dones play in the development league at the NBA's expense or go to junior college if they wish to forgo the 4-yr. college experience. Shame on the colleges and the NCAA taking advantage of the one and dones and the dollars they help bring in to both during their one-year "LEASE." Not all kids get an opportunity to experience the college life. It shouldn't be any different for basketball players, especially ones who have no interest in the student side of things. Recruiting would be a different kind of difficult, however the need to cheat in keeping fans and alumni happy would diminish.
None of this will ever happen as long as dollars are more important than the "student/athlete" which is forever in the eyes of you know who.

I agree with your issues on Sampson's coaching. Our defense is not good, zone or no zone. We don't/can't sustain an in-your-face defensive attitude. We have no one who can simply shut down the other team's main men and allowing a player averaging less than 7 pt. a game to go for more than 30 is just crazy. As much as I dislike Purdue, I believe it would benefit our players to watch tape of them playing defense in any of their recent games. They're now rotating 9-10 players and they all play tough-nosed, in your face defense. One thing that holds back our offensive strengths is the lack of defensive pressure on the ball which in turn does not allow for a lot of easy points. Our points are coming too hard with the upgrade in the talent were facing now that the pre-Big-10 season is over. A big problem with all of this is can we play in your face defense without relying on DJ to pick up our man going around us all of the time. Our overall team speed is SLOW!

Coach Knight was probably as good as any when it came to X's and O's and how to play the game properly. I always felt the advent of the shot clock and the 3-pt. line neutered some of his ability to really coach as it did with other fine coaches although he was successful in both eras. Recruiting has become the byline of today's game and as a great high school coach once said, "Give me the best talent and I'll show you one of the best coaches."
Coach Knight did/could not recruit well in his later years as a coach and he experienced a level of mediocrity he was not accustomed to that probably turned him off as much as anything. Mediocrity was something he had a terrible time dealing with, be it players, referees, administrators, or just people in general. His son said it best in that he was tired and it was time. But OOOOOOOHHHHHHH what a time he gave us as fans. Most of it was great, some not so great. If you were to talk about the man in positives and negatives, only the foolish would spend more time on the negatives.
Thanks for the memories, Coach.