I agree with you on Sampson. I was just saying to a friend how I think it is odd people praise Knight for being a disciplinarian, complain how Davis never took control, and they now accuse Sampson of having no control over the team. The fact is, Sampson is doing just was Knight did. He hasn't kicked anyone off the team yet, but there have been no repeat offenders. I've also heard Basset missed curfew as a possibility. Look: if Sampson had no control or was losing control, would he have suspended a key guard like Crawford vs the first true road game against a tough SIU team? And would he have benched the teams starting PG, when it was already down the starting SG, vs arch rival UK? I think not. But that's just my opinion.
MKH
· 2 years ago
I completely agree re: the suspension stuff, and on Jordan Crawford. Crawford could make us a dangerous team in years to come if he can find that balance between distributing the ball and creating his own shot; right now I think he does a little bit too much of the latter.
David
· 2 years ago
I too agree with the others above and you re: Sampson. It's one of those things where he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. It sort of reminds me of how some people aren't happy unless they have something to complain about. Oh well.
In addition to the above observations, it was nice to see big Dre out there making baskets, setting some huge screens (I especially liked the screen he set for Jordan where Crawford was able to split the Kentucky guys and head towards the basket) and just being active in general. Seeing Dre and Mike White out there with their enthusiasm and energy was pure excitement - now if only Dre could make a few more free throws.
ray
· 2 years ago
i agree with everything mentioned, including "a little bit too much of the latter".
as far as gordon's absence, i hope there isn't much more of it. but at the same time, i ridiculed iu fans yesterday who felt that there was absolutely no way they could win without him...that to me is absolutely ridiculous when you have guys like jamarcus ellis and dj white on your team.
iu fans are often referred to as "the iu faithful", and i sometimes question the faith that many of the fans have in this iu TEAM.
ray
· 2 years ago
DAVID...agreed. i think the most exciting thing about dre was that he managed to play a fair amount of minutes without picking up four or five fouls. that is the key to dre lifting this team off the bench. he's had spurts of greatness coupled with spurts of purely over physical, and needless fouls. in his defense though, a few of the fouls i've seen called on him were simply because he's so much bigger than his opposition...the majority though were a result of poor positioning and silly reaches and grabs.
Hoosier Hound
· 2 years ago
I can't believe I'm going to be critical after the Hoosiers destroyed Kentucky by 19. Damn I hate them. But I totally disagree with you about Crawford. Of the five guards on this team, only Ratliff would seem to be a worse point guard. I have numerous complaints about Crawford's play, but most of all he just doesn't see the floor and misses passing opportunities to open teammates. His whole focus when he has the ball is on the defender immediately in front of him. He had only two assists against UK after playing the point the entire game. Nevertheless, he is a freshman, he is a good outside shooter and has amazing ability to finish when he penetrates into the lane, but he is behind where Bassett was last year.
Overall the basketball played yesterday was pretty crappy, but IU still ended up with a 19 point win so that's good. But still too many turnovers, I hate turnovers. They really need to work on cutting down on turnovers before Big Ten play starts.
Big A
· 2 years ago
As far as my comments yesterday go, I'm going to stand behind them. First off, I think Coach Sampson is doing a great job and he should continue to be the coach at Indiana. He gets the most out of his players and the team plays hard for him.
I am a bit frustrated that it seems like it's been one thing after another so far this season. I agree that you cannot place all of the blame on Sampson for off the court problems that aren't related to academics.
He does, however, need to have some accountability for how the players act off the court. After all, he is the leader of the program. I commend him for suspending players if they break team rules, but I hope he is making it known to each of them that this behavior is not acceptable and the next infraction will be dealt with a lot differently. All of the IU players are representatives of the university and are privileged to have their education paid for at one of the greatest institutions anywhere.
Let's hope from this point on we can all concentrate on what happens on the court and not player suspensions and phone calls.
MKH
· 2 years ago
"I hope he is making it known to each of them that this behavior is not acceptable and the next infraction will be dealt with a lot differently."
Isn't that what a suspension does? You don't follow the rules - you don't play. I don't think you need to threaten any more than that to remind players what they're losing if they make poor decisions.
b-side
· 2 years ago
Hoosier Hound, I'm with you on the constructive criticism of Crawford's ability to play point guard.
On at least 2-3 occasions, I recall Jordan hitting a big 3. The ensuing offensive possession, he immediately wanted a heat-check shot where he made no effort to run the offense, kept his down and tried to take his man one-on-one. These are freshman mistakes and of course EJ is guilty of them as well. I appreciate Crawford's fearlessness, but a point guard has to be in control and not have the mindset that, "I'm gonna show the world what I can do" when making decisions.
Still very early in the season and if these are the only things to complain about (besides the undisclosed suspensions), then I'm content.
Sherron Wilkerson
· 2 years ago
I have been an IU fan for 30 years living in the basketball hell hole that is North Louisville (Jeffersonville,IN)and had to bear the brunt of all the redneck UK fans for what seems like centuries, most of which are from Indiana sadly enough. And I agree, that is the worst UK team I have seen since 89-90, the year after getting the basketball equivalent of the SMU death penalty (a great time to be an IU fan in the Ville). That team was bad, they lost by 60 to Kansas, but that team had an excuse. They were starting walk ons and other scrubs (some of which currently hold high positions in the Kentucky State government i.e. Richie Farmer) but this team I think confirms what many fans around here had been thinking for the last couple years, that Tubby was fed up with the redneck, intolerable UK fans and did his best to leave the cupboard as bare as he could before bolting to the great upper Gopher land. But since all we get around here are as far as what they call "news", the Couriers Rick Bozich and Pat Forde, they made it sound like UK would be a final four contender next year. Bottom line is that they are terrible. I mean Porter and the Coury look like players circa the 89-90 team. I mean how did these guys wind up at UK? The bottom line is Billy G still does not have a binding contract with UK so he might be getting pushed out this season, even though he fits right in in Lexy with the other drunk rednecks. Its a great day to be a IU fan in this area, if your not from here than you cannot fully understand the joy that comes from beating that team by 19. Now the UK fans will go back to talking about UK football, go FSU!!
West Coast Hoosier
· 2 years ago
I really don't understand the criticism on THIS issue of Coach Sampson.
I have no problem with criticizing him for the phone situation. He shouldn't have had the problem at Oklahoma. He CERTAINLY should have been more careful once he was at IU and on probation. I could go on in some detail about that, but I think it has all been said. It is very disappointing. But he is paying for that big time in dollars and cents and, perhaps most important, in damage to his reputation - and he deserves that. Hopefully, he has learned his lessons and it will never happen again. Ethics and morals ARE important and that is a lesson he needs to exemplify in order to teach it to the young men in his charge.
But kids screw up and, when they do, Coach Sampson obviously takes it seriously. And to that, I say, "Right on, Coach!" How can we criticize him for enforcing morals and ethics (unless you perhaps want to label him a hypocrite --- but that would suggest that he should allow them to violate morals and ethics since he does and I think that argument gets you absolutely nowhere.).
I also suspect that, in the long run, that kind of discipline is great for these kids. Remember, they're all highly recruited, highly touted. They read their names in the paper every day. They know that they are the focus of attention. Many of them will make good sums of money from their basketball talents and some of them stand to become very wealthy and have many of the best things that life has to offer because of their skill at throwing a round ball into a slightly larger elevated hoop.
Somebody has to say "no" to these kids if they screw up in one way or another.
And they need to learn humility, which can't be easy when everyone is telling you that you're the greatest.
The discipline will help them listen now and it will make them better players and, most important, better people. Being a good basketball player is great, but being a good person is critical - and, in the long run, probably makes them better basketball players too.
I have no problem with criticizing Coach Sampson for his mistakes, but if I do that, I certainly have to praise him for the good things he does - and hope that the balance tips further and further toward the good stuff. It's only fair.
West Coast Hoosier
kelin
· 2 years ago
If we are critical of guys being suspended then lets compliment him on keeping the other 12 or so guys off of suspension and doing the right things...DJ has never been suspended....
Nice gurantee Anthony SMith, I am sure the Pats enjoyed the motivation
spartan blogger
· 2 years ago
Nice to see the Big Ten's Crawford take it to the SEC's Crawford. (As an MSU fan, I'm still a bit resentful in the Detroit media who decried Neitzel's selection as Mr. Basketball over the elder Crawford and Malik Hairston.)
Linked to your recap and a few other around the Big Ten on my MSU blog.
A bit belated, but I totally agree with your assesment of Ellis. Final Four and championship teams all need those 'solid' guys like Ellis. He can do a little bit of everything for you. He isn't the star on the team but can play like it if need be. He knows his role and does it well for the Hoosiers.
As for Crawford, I think he played well under the circumstances. One of the huge stories was the brother vs. brother match, it was his first game in a while and on national t.v. He normally comes off the bench and yesterday played basically the entire game. Given all of that I'd say he played really well. I think he'll be a huge weapon as a spark off the bench when Bassett and Gordon are playing.
Steve O
· 2 years ago
Anyone hear anything about the possible NCAA sanctions that might be coming? Apparently NCAA officals met over the weekend, and the news supposedly isn't good... DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THESE RUMORS?????? I hope I am wrong!!!
nealE
· 2 years ago
relax. they started on catspause, UKs rivals site. does that tell you anything? additionally, the NCAA was apparently supposed to begin the investigation into this matter in december. they probably won't have a ruling for a while. thats just my guess though.
Calbert Cheaney
· 2 years ago
I heard a RUMOR. I repeat, RUMOR. That Sampson was supposed to be fired today and that IU would be banned from post season play this season. I heard from a friend, who heard from a friend, that supposedly heard from Pat Graham. I believe that it is BS. It is now 5:20 in Bloomington and nothing has been said.
I am still worried about what the NCAA will do when they complete their investigations. Hopefully, the self-imposed punishments will stand.
David
· 2 years ago
That's the second time I have heard that f'n rumor today. And the wording has been similar in both cases. Christ, kids.
Sherron Wilkerson
· 2 years ago
Cats paws is as full of s**t as any website. This is the same website that supposedly had a guy staked out in the Gainesville airport to keep an eye on Billy Donovan, this "detective" saw him get into a plane on a flight that eventually landed in Lexington where another sleuth followed him from there to a local relater and then saw him buying a farm in Lexington because he was already the coach of UK but it had not been released to the media. That is an honest to god true story. All the UK fans here that follow that site like it is the bible, I told you these people are IDIOTS down here.
Jack Schneider
· 2 years ago
Dribble, dribble, dribble and more dribble. Then dribble some more. Oh, yes, and take just about any shot available. Does anyone have a better description of the IU offense in recent games, particularly with the absense of Eric Gordon? The win over Kentucky was meaningless. A decent high school jayvee team might hold its own against this amazingly inept Big Blue team. Color me highly disappointed by the current state of the Hoosiers.
Maybe I'll Post Again, Maybe N
· 2 years ago
Stats are better descriptors than agenda driven complaints. So here are some quantitative descriptors of the IU offense:
-- 81 points per game scored (1st in B10) -- 49% overall shooting (1st in B10) -- 40% 3 point shooting (2nd in B10) -- 4 players averaging in double figures (another averaging more than 8) -- More free throws made than taken by opponents (1st in B10 in attempts, 2nd in % made) -- More assists than our opponents -- Fewer turnovers than our opponents
The reason I posted the B10 rankings is so I won't get any quality of competition BS. All the B10 teams are playing patsies, so its fair to compare results so far.
All Comments
In addition to the above observations, it was nice to see big Dre out there making baskets, setting some huge screens (I especially liked the screen he set for Jordan where Crawford was able to split the Kentucky guys and head towards the basket) and just being active in general. Seeing Dre and Mike White out there with their enthusiasm and energy was pure excitement - now if only Dre could make a few more free throws.
as far as gordon's absence, i hope there isn't much more of it. but at the same time, i ridiculed iu fans yesterday who felt that there was absolutely no way they could win without him...that to me is absolutely ridiculous when you have guys like jamarcus ellis and dj white on your team.
iu fans are often referred to as "the iu faithful", and i sometimes question the faith that many of the fans have in this iu TEAM.
Overall the basketball played yesterday was pretty crappy, but IU still ended up with a 19 point win so that's good. But still too many turnovers, I hate turnovers. They really need to work on cutting down on turnovers before Big Ten play starts.
I am a bit frustrated that it seems like it's been one thing after another so far this season. I agree that you cannot place all of the blame on Sampson for off the court problems that aren't related to academics.
He does, however, need to have some accountability for how the players act off the court. After all, he is the leader of the program. I commend him for suspending players if they break team rules, but I hope he is making it known to each of them that this behavior is not acceptable and the next infraction will be dealt with a lot differently. All of the IU players are representatives of the university and are privileged to have their education paid for at one of the greatest institutions anywhere.
Let's hope from this point on we can all concentrate on what happens on the court and not player suspensions and phone calls.
Isn't that what a suspension does? You don't follow the rules - you don't play. I don't think you need to threaten any more than that to remind players what they're losing if they make poor decisions.
On at least 2-3 occasions, I recall Jordan hitting a big 3. The ensuing offensive possession, he immediately wanted a heat-check shot where he made no effort to run the offense, kept his down and tried to take his man one-on-one. These are freshman mistakes and of course EJ is guilty of them as well. I appreciate Crawford's fearlessness, but a point guard has to be in control and not have the mindset that, "I'm gonna show the world what I can do" when making decisions.
Still very early in the season and if these are the only things to complain about (besides the undisclosed suspensions), then I'm content.
I have no problem with criticizing him for the phone situation. He shouldn't have had the problem at Oklahoma. He CERTAINLY should have been more careful once he was at IU and on probation. I could go on in some detail about that, but I think it has all been said. It is very disappointing. But he is paying for that big time in dollars and cents and, perhaps most important, in damage to his reputation - and he deserves that. Hopefully, he has learned his lessons and it will never happen again. Ethics and morals ARE important and that is a lesson he needs to exemplify in order to teach it to the young men in his charge.
But kids screw up and, when they do, Coach Sampson obviously takes it seriously. And to that, I say, "Right on, Coach!" How can we criticize him for enforcing morals and ethics (unless you perhaps want to label him a hypocrite --- but that would suggest that he should allow them to violate morals and ethics since he does and I think that argument gets you absolutely nowhere.).
I also suspect that, in the long run, that kind of discipline is great for these kids. Remember, they're all highly recruited, highly touted. They read their names in the paper every day. They know that they are the focus of attention. Many of them will make good sums of money from their basketball talents and some of them stand to become very wealthy and have many of the best things that life has to offer because of their skill at throwing a round ball into a slightly larger elevated hoop.
Somebody has to say "no" to these kids if they screw up in one way or another.
And they need to learn humility, which can't be easy when everyone is telling you that you're the greatest.
The discipline will help them listen now and it will make them better players and, most important, better people. Being a good basketball player is great, but being a good person is critical - and, in the long run, probably makes them better basketball players too.
I have no problem with criticizing Coach Sampson for his mistakes, but if I do that, I certainly have to praise him for the good things he does - and hope that the balance tips further and further toward the good stuff. It's only fair.
West Coast Hoosier
Nice gurantee Anthony SMith, I am sure the Pats enjoyed the motivation
Linked to your recap and a few other around the Big Ten on my MSU blog.
www.spartansweblog.com
Cheers.
As for Crawford, I think he played well under the circumstances. One of the huge stories was the brother vs. brother match, it was his first game in a while and on national t.v. He normally comes off the bench and yesterday played basically the entire game. Given all of that I'd say he played really well. I think he'll be a huge weapon as a spark off the bench when Bassett and Gordon are playing.
I am still worried about what the NCAA will do when they complete their investigations. Hopefully, the self-imposed punishments will stand.
-- 81 points per game scored (1st in B10)
-- 49% overall shooting (1st in B10)
-- 40% 3 point shooting (2nd in B10)
-- 4 players averaging in double figures
(another averaging more than 8)
-- More free throws made than taken by opponents
(1st in B10 in attempts, 2nd in % made)
-- More assists than our opponents
-- Fewer turnovers than our opponents
The reason I posted the B10 rankings is so I won't get any quality of competition BS. All the B10 teams are playing patsies, so its fair to compare results so far.