O.k. Let's me start by saying that as an Indiana University student, I was very happy with our win yesterday over Michigan State. We blew them out basically in a game that two out of the three analysts from College Gameday (Hubert Davis and Jay Bilas) predicted would go the other way with a Spartan victory Here's what they're saying in East Lansing. But even without D.J. White, who went out with 4:55 to go in the first half, my Hoosiers found a way to win. It was the play of our star Eric Gordon, who finished with 28 and broke Mike Woodson's scoring record, along with forcing 19 turnovers that essentially doomed the Spartans in. Not to mention the great play of the supporting cast who stepped up when they needed to. DeAndre Thomas, who finally looks to be back in Sampson's good graces, had 10 points of 5-9 shooting playing 16 big minutes when we needed him. JaMarcus Ellis, who at one point I criticized more than anyone on the team, had a great night shooting the ball hitting back-to-back 3's at one point finishing the night with 12 points. And let's not forget Jordan Crawford too added 12 big points. This is the type of game that makes me as a Indiana fan, believe that this could be a sweet 16 team and ever go further, because of the way this team played tonight. Even when you take away one of our best players, we still find a way to win. And if we can continue to get this type of production from our supporting cast outside of Gordon and DJ when he comes back, I think we'll make a pretty good run.
Now onto the coaching situation. When this story first broke late Tuesday night, I was shocked. My initial reaction was, "I can't believe something like this is happening again." For those of you who don't remember, "The NCAA launched its investigation after Indiana announced in October that Sampson had made 100 impermissible phone calls while he was on probation for illicit calls made while he was the coach at Oklahoma from 2000-06. During that time, he made 577 impermissible calls" (ESPN.com). So this is nothing new to Kelvin. The point is he KNOWINGLY went out of the way to break the rules by continuing to phone recruits and their families and then lied about it to the NCAA and Indiana University itself. On Friday, new IU President Michael McRobbie announced that the school would conduct their own investigation into the NCAA accusations and report back to McRobbie by the following Friday, essentially giving them 7 days. Among those heading the investigation include athletic director Rick Greenspan, university council Dorothy Frapwell and faculty representative Bruce Jaffee. Jay Bilas, analyst from College Gameday, brought up a really good point on Saturday when he said in his opinion, IU had already made up its mind, and the only reason for the 7 day inquiry, was to make sure it couldn't be sued just like what happened with former Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien. In a process that should take place over a few months, Indiana has instead turned it into 7 days. And I couldn't agree more. Now what do I think will happen? I think Sampson coaches Tuesday night against Purdue and on Friday, the committee recommends that Kelvin be terminated.
As much as you want to believe him (meaning Kelvin), the NCAA just doesn't throw out wild, crazy accusations without some kind of proof. You know they have something, you just don't know how specific it is at this point. Michael Vick thought he could beat the U.S. Government in court saying he was innocent of the dogfighting charges, look where he is now. If Indiana doesn't recommend that Sampson be fired then its a discredit to the athletic department and the entire university. Indiana basketball is up there with Kentucky, Duke and other elite institutions when it comes to historic programs. To keep Sampson around means that you're condoning what he did. Which is wrong because it says its o.k. to take shortcuts and cheat the system, as long as your team keeps winning. Since 1960, Indiana has had 0 violations in basketball up until this point. This is a black-eye to the university and one of those things where depending on the outcome and recommendations of the committee, could divide fans. And you know what the funny thing about this to me is, if Indiana was having an average to below average season, Sampson would be gone in a heartbeat. But because we're in the top 15 in the country, its o.k. to some people. By the end of the game last night, students were chanting "Kelvin Sampson" in support of our coach. Just another reason I really dislike some sports fans because they continue to flip flop depending on how the team performs. And that my friends, is not a true fan.
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