Eying IU

White, Hoosiers top Purdue

If this was Kelvin Sampson’s last stand, it was a heck of a way to go out.

A big victory against the rival Purdue.

The Hoosiers got 19 points and 15 rebounds from D.J. White to knock off No. 14 Purdue, 77-68. White was questionable, but showed no ill effects from a left knee injury.

Sampson, who is under investigation from the school for alleged NCAA violations, said he expects to be back in Assembly Hall for Tuesday’s game against Ohio State.

If he isn’t, he’ll leave after helping the Hoosiers get back-to-back victories against top-15 teams for the first time since 1992. With his job status uncertain, IU won two of the three games during a vital stretch against ranked Big Ten teams. The only loss, 68-66 against Wisconsin, came on a banked three-pointer by Brian Butch with 4.5 seconds to go.

The players continued to pledge their support for Sampson. Time will tell if Rick Greenspan listens.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

White helps Hoosiers to halftime lead

So much for D.J. White being iffy.

White battled for rebounds, fought off double teams and made several tough shots in the paint, helping the Hoosiers to a 32-29 halftime lead Tuesday against Purdue.

White was questionable for the game after suffering a left knee sprain in Saturday's 80-61 victory against Michigan State. Coach Kelvin Sampson said he was iffy for the Purdue game during the Big Ten teleconference Monday morning. That evening, Sampson disclosed White would play.

And play well he has. White leads the Hoosiers with 10 points. Eric Gordon has seven.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

Hoosiers win despite losing White

D.J. White went down. But Indiana didn’t go out.

The Hoosiers rallied after losing White to a knee injury and defeated Michigan State, 80-61 on Saturday.

Eric Gordon scored 28 points. But it was the additional performances by DeAndre Thomas (10 points) and Jordan Crawford (12 points, five rebounds and five assists) that led to the important conference victory.

“Losing D.J. when we did, you are just not quite sure how the team will react because he’s our captain and our leader. But I can’t tell you how proud I am of (Thomas),” coach Kelvin Sampson said. “He deserves a lot of credit for keeping his attitude at a high level and having confidence and believing in himself. When he got his opportunity, he was right there. Jordan just continues to get better. I think he has the chance to be an all-conference guard.”

White will have an MRI today.

The student section showed support for the embattled coach, chanting “Kelvin Sampson” in the closing minutes. During one timeout, Armon Bassett ran over and gave Sampson a hug.

A day that began with boos during College GameDay ended with cheers. What a difference a win makes.

“The fans, they really love IU basketball. I was happy for them chanting the names, showing they were into the game and helping us win the game," Crawford said. "I heard everything, but I had to get back to business and play defense.”

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

Timetable announced

One week.

That’s how long Rick Greenspan has to make a recommendation to president Michael McRobbie on what should happen to coach Kelvin Sampson.

Seven days.

Today’s phrase was “due process.” That’s what the university said this week-long investigation into the NCAA allegations is all about.

Next Friday, one day before IU travels to Northwestern and a big Chicago media market, Greenspan will make the recommendations.

Greenspan has received some heat from fans for hiring Sampson. He was praised Friday by McRobbie for his work in reporting the October findings to the NCAA. That says a lot about Greenspan's status.

In a week, we could find out more about Sampson's.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

Long, tough day for Sampson

What a long day Wednesday must have been for Kelvin Sampson.

It started with the possibility of five major violations for his basketball program.

It ended with a bank shot by Wisconsin’s Brian Butch with 4.5 seconds and a 68-66 loss to the Badgers.

Sampson didn’t answer any questions regarding the violations. He did read a statement, saying “I am aware that the NCAA has issued a notice of allegations. The allegations that I knowingly acted contrary to the sanctions imposed on me for violations that occurred while I was at Oklahoma are not true. I have never intentionally provided false or misleading information to the NCAA. I intend to work within the NCAA process on this matter and I look forward to my opportunity to do so. I do not anticipate having any further comment until after the process has been concluded.”

It’s a shame, but the rest of this season will deal more with issues away from the court. It hovered over what would turned out to be an entertaining, down-to-the-wire game. Instead of breaking down those final seconds, most will be discussing Sampson’s future with the program.

Two hours before tip, IU athletic director Rick Greenspan held a press conference.

“I expect him to coach for the foreseeable future,” IU athletics director Rick Greenspan said two hours before the game. “What that means to me is we have work to do and while we will be expedient, we’re also not going to rush to judgment.”

Welcome to the rest of the season.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

White leads Hoosiers past Buckeyes

There wasn’t much of a hangover after Illinois. Just another victory.

D.J. White posted his 15th double-double in 19 games, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds as Indiana defeated Ohio State 59-53 Sunday at Value City Arena.

“We’re fortunate to have a great senior like D.J. White. We’re lucky we have a kid like that. He’s why this team continues to progress,” IU coach Kelvin Sampson said.

The Hoosiers kept pace with Purdue near the top of the Big Ten, improving to 20-3 overall and 9-1 in conference games. IU is 5-1 in road Big Ten games.

Ohio State made a couple of runs late, but White was just too tough.

“Our team is following D.J. a lot. We’re getting tougher,” Sampson said. “We got almost every loose ball (Sunday).”

Eric Gordon added 15 points as the Hoosiers began their toughest stretch of the year on a good note. IU has home games against Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue in the next two weeks.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette     

IU leads Ohio State at half

Indiana mixed up its starting lineup, but familiar face D.J. White once again was the story. White had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, helping IU grab a 29-21 lead at Ohio State. Both Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis began the game on the bench. The Hoosiers went with Kyle Taber, Jordan Crawford and Lance Stemler along with White and Eric Gordon. The Hoosiers trailed 14-12 with 9:50 to go. IU outscored the Buckeyes 17-8 the rest of the way. White had 10 of the 17 points. - By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

Pregame against Ohio State

It’s 30 minutes before tip-off and fans are starting to fill in at Value City Arena. Ohio State has designated this game as a “white out” which seems to be one of the more popular trends in college basketball, so expect to see a lot of white.

As for the game, it will be interesting to see how IU plays in the first 10 minutes. Will they be flat after an exhausting, emotional double-overtime victory? Or will they use the energy from that victory to extend their winning streak to three? Ohio State hasn’t played since Tuesday so they’ve had ample time to prepare for the Hoosiers.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette

IU full of surprises

The first surprise came before tip-off, when Kyle Taber, a former walk-on, was introduced in Indiana’s starting lineup.

The surprises continued well past halftime, as Northwestern hung around. But the Hoosiers, who held a 40-37 halftime lead, had too much firepower and eventually pulled away with a 75-63 victory.

IU dominated on the glass, outrebounding Northwestern 39-17, to snap a two-game losing streak. D.J. White had 26 and 13 rebounds, his 14^th double-double in 17 games.

“I told him today ‘I don’t take this for granted,’” IU coach Kelvin Sampson said. “I’ve never had a kid that consistently rebounds at the level he rebounds at every game.”

Eric Gordon looked more comfortable with his left wrist wrapped, finishing with a game-high 29 points

Taber had four rebounds in 24 minutes. He found out he was going to get the start Saturday and was so excited had trouble sleeping.

IU did receive some bad news came when Jordan Crawford left the game early in the first half with an ankle injury. The freshman played two minutes before hobbling off the court. He did not return.

- By LaMond Pope of The Journal Gazette