Exile on Waveland

I think it's buzz-cut time for Dan. Has been for awhile. What a shiny dome that is.

Honestly, who didn't see this coming?

gordon is becoming a turnover machine. it's frustrating. DJ still played hard, but i agree there were some defensive lapses. also, DeAndre Thomas is a train-wreck sometimes (often lately). they have absolutely nobody worthy of playing the four. I'm curious to see how Bassett plays the rest of the year if Dakich is really encouraging him to be more aggressive. I definitely agree that should be his mentality. He hasn't been as aggressive as he was last year. Gordon is simply not a good ball-handler. Hence, he should never attempt to split the double team. At this point, he is incapable of this and it leads to most of his turnovers. Also, driving recklessly towards the basket isn't good offense. Thomas is pretty much always a train-wreck. IU is going to be miserable inside next year. Still love Bassett though. He's tough as nails and is a big shot maker.

It's been said many time, many ways, but JR Smith is NOT a John Paxson player. He didn't even want JR Smith in the Chandler deal, but had to take him due to contracts having to match. All things being equal, Smith would still be in New Orleans (or possibly waived by now). With that said, Shannon Brown is every bit as talented as JR Smith, all Shannon is needing is the opportunity. Shannon Brown isn't every bit as talented as JR Smith. He may have a better head on his shoulders, but he doesn't have equal talent.

I think Texas has to win out all the way to the finals of the Big 12 tourney to lock a #1 seed. While that is very possible I think it is more likely they will finish with a #2 seed. Plus I don't want to play UCLA again ;-). I agree. Really, the KSU game and the conf tourney semis are the only possible tripping points, though. UT's resume is pretty good. UT's resume is very good. They have wins over Tennessee, UCLA and Kansas. Off the top of my head, no one can match that. The computers like them, as they should, and they're leading the Big 12. I do, however, think that Texas is a better team on paper than on the court.

They're in CUSA with Memphis. So, no, they're an at-large. Not seeing that at all. I might be really biased here though.

I can pretty much guarantee every player is thinking that. A lot were probably promised all kinds of things during recruitment, so phone calls don't register. I didn't want Sampson hired because of those phone calls, and I wanted him dismissed because of the same. But, again, it was phone calls. Not paying players, not academic fraud, not point shaving. Phone calls. Sampson deserved his fate, but the players have every right to be frustrated by the situation. It wasn't "just phone calls" though. Sampson was already sanctioned for the same offense once, and if he would have come clean it probably wouldn't have been so bad. It is the Lying to the NCAA and Indiana that has gotten him in the most trouble. On that, I pretty much guarantee the players, en masse, believe Sampson. He says he didn't lie to the NCAA. I don't believe it, you don't believe it. I'm certain his players do, however.

Well that shows that good teams and good coaching will beat out better talent at times. Wisconsin does recruit high calibur players. They don't get 5 star recruits like Gordon, but they consistently plug in 4 star and 3 star recruits. Plus, the whole "star" thing is not an exact science. Guys like Devin Harris and Alando Tucker were not highly sought after. Wisconsin has two five-star players, three four-star players and two three-star players in their rotation. There are a couple players listed on rivals that I've never heard of and also might be on the roster. Wisconsin may not have anyone like Eric Gordon or DJ White, but they have talent. You take that talent and the best coach in the league and you'll win a lot of games. I hope IU can get a coach that will run the program like Bo Ryan, and supplement it with the better talent IU allows.

Ohio State takes truly awful shots; just as they did last year. Even after two timeouts, all they can muster is a desperation 3. Wisconsin wins, putting them in the driver's seat for the Big Ten.

I think Ohio State is going to get a big win soon and end up in the tournament. They won't be a good seed, but IU, UW, MSU and PU all figure to be.

The fun just doesn't stop eh? :? Old news. They just figured that out?

I don't have a problem saying Go Buckeyes! I hate them a lot less than I do Wisconsin. Huh? You hate Wisconsin more than Ohio State? Why on earth? Wisconsin is inherently likable; they have the best coach in the league, and play smart, fundamental basketball. They're a joy to watch. On the other hand, Ohio State is, well, Ohio State. They're easily the least likable team in the Big Ten across the sports. But, of course, Go Buckeyes in this game.

I can pretty much guarantee every player is thinking that. A lot were probably promised all kinds of things during recruitment, so phone calls don't register. I didn't want Sampson hired because of those phone calls, and I wanted him dismissed because of the same. But, again, it was phone calls. Not paying players, not academic fraud, not point shaving. Phone calls. Sampson deserved his fate, but the players have every right to be frustrated by the situation. And in my opinion they should be frustrated at Sampson for not following rules, not the administration for punishing Sampson. I agree. It was Sampson that chose not to follow the rules. It's his fault. The administration may be a convenient scapegoat, but it's on the coach. I'm sure in time, the players will come to understand that (though some may never accept it; people don't always like to hear the truth). The players, however, are in the middle of the most successful season IU has had since 1993 and lost their coach over phone calls. It's not surprising that 18-22 year-olds acted rashly and emotionally. In the end, a few players missed one practice. They showed up to a walk-through mere hours later and played hard in a game the following day. It was a difficult situation that six players didn't handle well -- but did redeem themselves the same day.

I can pretty much guarantee every player is thinking that. A lot were probably promised all kinds of things during recruitment, so phone calls don't register. I didn't want Sampson hired because of those phone calls, and I wanted him dismissed because of the same. But, again, it was phone calls. Not paying players, not academic fraud, not point shaving. Phone calls. Sampson deserved his fate, but the players have every right to be frustrated by the situation.

Fraught with irony, this emoticon is.

Wow.

Kathi Bennett emphatically stated that leaving IU was her decision and was amicable. I believe her. However, I am less sure that Dick and Tony feel the same way (I've never talked to Tony before and never to Dick about this, though, so I'm guessing). I think Kathi was treated well here, and she was universally liked and respected. I do have a feeling his sister's history with IU could influence Tony's decision in one way or the other (if IU were to approach him). I'll be surprised if it ends up being Bennett. I also have some of the same concerns that CCP does. I won't repeat everything, but I echo his feelings. What Bennett has done at Wazzou is nothing short of remarkable; however, I still prefer Brownell and Miller. Bennett would by no means be a bad hire, he'd be a good one. I just don't think he's the best hire.

Ummm.. yeah. Nice conspiracy theory. But no, that's not the case. I've said it before, and it is still absolutely true: IU was protecting itself against a lawsuit from Sampson. They bought him out and there is a specific clause in the buy-out that prevents litigation. IU can't afford a lawsuit. Their finances are only now getting back in order after McNeeley. IU forced a coach out when they're ostensibly tied for the Big Ten lead and then hired an interim against the protests of the players because they care about winning uber alles? Not a chance.

Yeah, he definitely didn't rule out Indiana. Perhaps it's just a typical ploy for more money, but Pearl did just sign a new deal. Either way, he seemed to imply interest; odd for the day before No. 1 v. 2. Pearl did start his coaching career at D-II University of Southern Indiana, in Evansville. I seriously doubt Pearl to IU happens; I file that more under Pearl being Pearl.

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench. I don't see the players being left behind. They shouldn't have missed practice, but there's plenty of precedence for only benching a player for the first half for missing practice. These are extenuating circumstances, so certainly they wouldn't be punished MORE than many others who commit the same infraction. I'd argue precedent doesn't even matter. Decisions of other schools aren't binding on IU; hell, even former IU decisions aren't binding. Every situation is different. Coach Knight disciplined players differently for the same indiscretion, and it wasn't to play favorites. Skipping practice is unacceptable, so there must be punishment. If it's not starting and checking in at the first stoppage, or even if it's laps at practice that's fine. Let them play though. No need to ruin their season even further by ostensibly forfeiting a game at Northwestern.

I disagree completely. I think the university slapped the players in the face with the way they handled the situation the last 24 hours. It put the players into a horrible position with the way it was dragged out and the meeting last night (which was both unnecessary and put the players into further media bombardment). I think both sides should just say mistakes were made and move on with the full squad tomorrow night. At most, make them come off of the bench. I usually tend to be a hardass about these things, but I think these are extenuating circumstances. The players, especially DJ White, have been through more than most college athletes. I'd chalk this up to 18-22 year-olds acting like 18-22 year-olds. It was an emotional day for them, I'm sure. Second such day for White. Some will view this is soft, but every situation isn't the same.

No, sorry. All I have is what I've heard from coaches in the area. I know that holds very little water -- great, some random internet dude says he heard Drew was dirty. But high school coaches, en masse, think he's shady. I don't think that would bode well for in-state recruiting, much less IU's reputation post-Sampson. From what I've heard, I really, really don't want Drew. Oh, I believe you. I was able to point the person to the story about how Drew uses negative recruiting, which isn't technically illegal but drives other coaches crazy. I'll also be disappointed because I don't think he's clearly the best candidate at all. From what I've seen -- and it's not a whole lot -- I'd rank him behind Brownell, Miller and Bennett. I've heard nothing bad about those three. Well, honestly, I haven't heard much on Miller or anything on Bennett. Coaches seem to love Brownell. Not Tony, but Kathi Bennett was well respected around here. I'm a little unsure how she felt upon resigning and how that might affect IU's pursuit of Tony, if they decided to go that route. She assured everyone it was on her terms, but you never really know.

No, sorry. All I have is what I've heard from coaches in the area. I know that holds very little water -- great, some random internet dude says he heard Drew was dirty. But high school coaches, en masse, think he's shady. I don't think that would bode well for in-state recruiting, much less IU's reputation post-Sampson. From what I've heard, I really, really don't want Drew.

Knight is never coming anywhere close to Indiana. That sounds good nationally, but most people are in the area know it's not going to happen. He has had lawsuits against the university for years. The school can't even get over their hatred of him to honor him in any way, let alone hire him. Plus Bloomington would go into civil war if he was rehired. People would actually take up arms and take to the streets and fight it out (a bit of an exaggeration, but it's basically true). Skiles isn't a serious candidate either. He's a darkhorse, but no favorite. The rumored candidates continue to be Bennett, Miller, or Brownell. Anybody else has to be considered a darkhorse at this point, although Greenspan has always had a very close to the vest coaching search. I'm pretty sure Coach Knight hasn't even said the word "Indiana" since his dismissal. He refers to his previous coaching stops as "Army and the Midwest." He's not coming back. IU needs to move forwards anyway. I've heard those three candidates as well; Skiles is probably the top "darkhorse," whatever that's worth. I'd be very happy with any of those choices. Much, much happier than when Sampson was hired. Could be two Bennett siblings at IU, though my gut says Tony won't be coming. I agree there's nothing wrong with Dakich, it's a lack of familiarity. He's a better coach than McCallum, however. It's not close. I stand by my statement of him being the best coach on the staff, including Sampson.

Andy Katz is reporting a $750,000 settlement, Dakich as interim.