Inside the Hall - Latest Comments in Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

smokey in Florida — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:03:00 -0000

I agree wholeheartedly! Remember a few years ago how dirty Illinois played? I could not stand that team because of that. We had a man named Marco also that played dirty and I quit watching the games. There is no place for it at Indiana, get rid of him before the problem gets worse. You can't change who a person is by giving a suspension.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

JimmyChitwood — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:58:02 -0000

I agree with Taskmaster 75 that people are reacting too radically and emotionally to this situation. And that is the most valid point made by anyone so far. Calling for Dumes to be kicked off the team or suspended for 5 games is an emotional response to what was obviously poor judgment by Dumes.

And to call Dumes a “thug” is ignorant.

Yes Dumes let his actions and emotions slip out of control, but it was in the middle of a Big Ten game. And, absolutely none of the readers of this blog know what it is like to go through such a frustrating season like this year's team is. Remember, these are 18-22 year old men we are talking about. It is not like Dumes is skipping class to go smoke weed, or constantly disrespecting or completely ignoring the authority of the interim head coach a la last year.

Dumes, as with the rest of this year's squad, deserve nothing but our support and respect for caring enough about IU basketball to work their tails off day in and day out, only to see limited short-term results.

I am sick of sitting in the stands at Assembly Hall and listening to fans and students belittle OUR players.

I constantly hear our own fans make fun of Kyle Taber for his lack of speed and ability. Kyle Taber may not be the most athletic player. But he tries just as hard as (probably harder than) anyone else out there, and we would be even worse off without him because we are small as it is and Pritchard is often in foul trouble.

I also hear fans complain every time Pritchard makes a mistake, and often hear people refer to him as a "pussy." Tom Pritchard may make stupid fouls and fail to finish from time to time. But, he is a freshman who was forced to be our team's sole inside threat from the day he stepped on campus. Not to mention he has the burden of defending and competing on the boards against bigger, stronger, more experienced big men throughout the Big Ten.

It is time for our fans to stop spending their time criticizing our players and instead spend it supporting them and looking forward to turning the corner and building momentum for the future.

That said, a 1 or 2 game suspension is probably appropriate for Dumes.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

BFowler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:52:54 -0000

I commented back during the NW game that I thought he cheap-shotted Moore from NW. I commented his actions after he hit the big shot against Iowa were actions of a person who wanted/needed the spotlight and could not care less about the team.

I am from the same part of the world as Mr. Dumes and knew some of his high school coaches, and I heard the same thing from them that is manifest now, his attitude is the only thing keeping him back. I thought a couple of years away and the opportunity to play at IU would give him reason to change, but he keeps displaying the same playground-type behavior that is unacceptable on this stage and especially at this time.

I do not know what the acceptable punishment ought to be, but he needs to know he is wasting a good opportunity and good talent to act in such a way. I thought the rest of the team did not deserve their efforts to have it tainted by the actions of one player. I thought the first elbow was part of the game, but he was reacting to the way Walton was playing him instead of using his aggressiveness against him. The second was clearly intentional as he had room to run around but chose to engage. The third, was clearly out of frustration, but was completely unneccessary. I would be embarrassed if I were him....I only hope he can learn from it.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

silkyslim — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:33:45 -0000

Crean is on top of things. That bodes well for the long term.

Hoosier_Hound, I liked your comment to run him until he is too tired to swing his elbows.

The next question is it o.k. to elbow a Purdue player if it helps their IQ scores? ;o)

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Phillip — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:39:25 -0000

fyi.....suspended indefinitely

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Kelin Blab — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:22:22 -0000

People keep this in mind........"At least he ain't doing anything Michael Phelps/IU last season style"......

Now if he had elbowed a PU player....you would not have one negative thread on this post....which is clearly acceptable....

And I agree Milla....I also think the 'banner' infacuation compounded by the not so dominant season PU is having leads many to this blog...I love it....keep em comin'...don't be surprised your boilers find themselves in a close one with the baby hoosiers this year.........

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Taskmaster75 — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:33:26 -0000

Kicking him off the team is simply an emotional response. The kid still isn't used to Big Ten play and how physical it is. This is his first year in the Big Ten guys, a 1-2 game suspension is fine with me, just something that makes him thin twice.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Jay — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:55:48 -0000

1 game should be fine. My guess would be that Sutan (Spelling?) was not entirely innocent. It happens in football all the time. MSU plays hard, not dirty, sometimes people lose control, no excuse just a fact.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Hoosier_Hound — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:37:39 -0000

I would give him a two game suspension and have him run until he's too tired to swing his elbows. I think it should be more than one game for several reasons: he's an upperclassman who should know better, there were three elbows not just one, and this behavior has been building for him and it needs to get nipped. Crean needs to set a precedent here or other players are going to start acting out of frustration, too.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

silkyslim — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:54:58 -0000

How about a one game suspension and 1000 laps ala 'Coach Carter' movie.
Does that seem fair enough?

Maybe he can run the new stadium steps until the cows come home.
Just please have some kind of consequence to ensure the lesson is clearly learned.

I am disappointed by this poor choice/behavior for the first time this year which for me has been an interesting & exciting work in progress.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

MillaRed — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:15:21 -0000

Pull his scholarship? Kick him off the team? 5 game suspension? I'll remind you folks this kid chose Indiana over Ohio State this year. The fact he walked into this rats nest of a season defines a lot of character. This guy has the potential to be All-Big Ten next season.

Clearly he needs to chill out and we'll leave that to the coach. There is a certain 1-2 game suspension on the horizon and I would be shocked if we see anything close to this type of behavior in the future.

To those of you on this blog that follow Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois etc......I personally have never visited one blog following your teams, because frankly I could care less. The fact you are on an INDIANA blog only confirms your infatuation with the program and the 5 banners hanging in the stands. We're all really shocked you think Dumes should receive a harsh punishment.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Kelin Blab — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:43:12 -0000

Give Dumes a game suspension and a solid warning.. no need to go overboard here....

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

RIC — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:27:12 -0000

I see Dumas getting to know each and every step in Assembly Hall on a personal basis...I'm sure Coach Crean will deal with it internally, as it should be...Old School like Coach Knight!

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

MikeyD — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:26:51 -0000

too cool...yes i did. suspend dumas for 1 game. that should do the trick. bad judgment but 1 game should do.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Jim — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:07:37 -0000

I'm sorry, but when has there ever been a 5 game suspension for throwing elbows? This is just getting ridiculous. This doesn't "damage" IU's reputation. He played stupid yesterday, and got caught, but this is hardly the first time an IU player has done these things (once again, Dane Fife, etc). Stop overreacting.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

AZdon — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:45:03 -0000

Yeah, it;s been a tough year for the players... but you don't see Jones, Prichard, Taber or the others taking cheap bush-league shots at the other players... frustrated or not. Didn't we have enough of that crap last year with Sampson and the dope smoking, class skipping team?

I say punish him and include the message that this is his ONLY chance. One more time of anything questionable and he's gone. Indiana basketball is much better than that... and it's certainly bigger than any one player, regardless of whether or not he's a "solid contributor".

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

tberry — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:44:07 -0000

Obviously the elbows were intentional and that is not INDIANA.

There needs to be a one game suspension and then not start at least the next game. Coach Crean needs to nip this type of behavior immediately and let all the players know what IU Sportsmanship and decorum is!!!

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Phillip — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:22:51 -0000

Dumes should sit 5 games, apologize to MSU players, Coach Izzo and Hoosier fans. This behavior challenges everything Crean has put in place throughout the year both on and off the court and can NOT be tolerated and must be dealt with immediately.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

JerryCT — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:20:45 -0000

Agree. DO we need him to win ? Yes with about a 70% probability. On a scale of 1 to 10 winning is about a 2 in importance this year. Therefore he is worth about .7*2=1.4, . .............. or not that much.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

MikeinNC — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:29:46 -0000

He needs a couple game suspension to send a clear message...one of the key themes of this season is that we are bringing back true Indiana basketball and "playing the right way" even though we know the won/loss record is going to be very disappointing. Send the boy a clear message, I suspect that while he is out of the lineup we will be surprised with the way someone else steps up.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

April W — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:24:04 -0000

I should start out by saying I am an MSU fan, who is also a Tom Crean fan and as such, cheer for IU whenever they aren't playing MSU. I was disappointed in the actions of Dumes. I understand it's been a frustrating season for the players but Crean is such a class act that I think you've got to handle yourself better just out of respect for your coach. I too thought the first elbow was unintentional and probably had some flopping from msu's walton. but the cheap shot to the groin of Suton? NOT a natural running motion and the third elbow just completely uncalled for. I have no doubt that coach Crean will take strong action over this. He does not need this kind of behavior when he's trying so hard to rebuild a glorious program like Indiana. Also as an aside, I was really impressed with how Indiana hung in there with my spartans in the first half. I know the second half was more lopsided but I really think IU is going to be a strong program probably quicker than a lot of people expect. Coach Crean will do great things with this program. Hats off to you.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

JerryCT — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:20:48 -0000

We did not need this especially on national TV.

Dumes needs a teary eyed "Teddy Kennedy" Chappaquidick-like news conference and a public and private apology to MSU and to all of IU nation. Then a game suspension and no starting the rest of the year.

The damage this does to Crean's reputation and IU is not worth Devan Dumes......he needs to know and feel that right now.

As for the game, I feel I can see the weight room paying off in WIlliams, Roth, Jones and especially Taber and his newly acquired agility. They donot look like the same kids from early in the season

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

Duff — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:03:08 -0000

:Yesterday absolutely erases all the good things Dumes did against Iowa. He has to sit out a couple of games to make sure everyone understands this crap doesn't happen at Indiana. I was completely embarassed as I watched his idiotic play.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

HoosierSmitty — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:40:40 -0000

I'm not sure a one game suspension gets it done. Maybe a couple of games would suffice.

Unlike everyone else, I'm not even convinced the first elbow (3rd personal foul) was unintentional. There wasn't much contact, but it appeared as if Dumes might have given a little extra extension on the elbow when he started to feel the contact.

I've seen it several times this year from Dumes, and it's unacceptable. 3 times in one game is ridiculous.

Re: Hoosier loss overshadowed by Dumes’ shenanigans

silkyslim — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:58:55 -0000

I concur, 1 to 5 game suspension for the poor choice.

We are rebuilding our reputation as well as our team. We don't need that negative distraction or behavior on IU.

A clear message must be sent, & consequences to drive the message home.