As though IU hoops hadn't been battered enough, Eric Gordon decided it was the perfect time to tell the world about the rampant drug use on the team during its 2007-2008 season, which saw Coach Sanctions bounced and the program seriously damaged.
Gordon said Sampson "tried to stop it," but the coach "was just so focused on basketball and winning and everything."
Yes, indeed. Very focused, he was.
What's nice about this for the Indiana athletic department and their fans is that they have the forever built-in excuse for any and all things that went wrong last year -- it's all Kelvin Sampson's fault. It won't be long before the poor viewing angles at Ass Hall are being blamed on Kelvin Sampson's shortcomings as an engineer.
Still, this isn't something to take lightly. I realize all the players are gone from last year, but a culture is a culture and let's just hope for the well-being of the young guys playing ball there that Coach Crean is aware of all this and is taking steps to not allow it an inch back in the door.
I'm sure Terry Hutchens will have very measured, reasonable thoughts about all of this.
Eric Gordon continues making solid decisions in his life, announcing that he's hiring an agent (as though he didn't already do that, wink wink) and declaring for the NBA draft.
Sure, I know, he averaged 20 points a game this year. But he's 19 years old, he shot 43% from the floor in college (and 34% from three, which doesn't get easier in the NBA) and he's 6'4" according to media guides... which means, what? 6'2"?
But yeah, I guess he's polished and ready for the NBA. He has the experience of 33 whole college games and has an 0-2 record in the postseason. I'm not sure what else he has to learn, so he should definitely move on.
Look, I know it's good for Purdue for IU to continue to plummet (and they are plummeting, make no mistake, IU mouth-breathers), but a guy like Gordon thinking that he's this good is kind of silly. He might indeed go high in the draft, but this isn't a guy who's shown a great work ethic and he's done his share of pouting and acting like a baby. And maybe he should get a pass on that because he is only 19. But he let Kelvin Sampson swindle him into coming to IU (maybe with a duffel bag of cash, who knows?) and he clearly lets his overbearing father meddle in a lot of his decisions... [Ed Note: I stand corrected -- by all accounts, Eric Gordon actually was at that practice in question. I take it all back -- he's a great guy and a star in the making.]
So, hey, prospective NBA team: Make sure you don't fire your coach if Eric likes him. He might quit on your team the way the IU players quit on Dan Dakich.
Whatever, go get rich, Eric. You're a classy guy. You deserve it.
In a no-holds barred cage match, who would be the last man standing? I need to hear from you, the reader...because I have racked my brain and in one scenario, they're all knocked out simultaneous, in another, there is no winner and they battle for days before the Marines are called in to break it up and declare no winner.
Purdue's Baby Boilers faced a more-respectable opponent for the first time this season in the form of Horizon League school, Loyola of Chicago. Painter had the team ready as the Boilers won by more than 30...and the shooting woes that hampered them v. Lipscomb weren't evident. E'Twaun Moore started the game on the bench and responded well. He led Purdue with 18 points in a 7 of 9 shooting night. In doing so, I think he showed why he's so highly touted and might be a great one as his career at Purdue progresses. Martin continues to impress (scored 15) and JaJuan Johnson stayed solid as did Hummel; both scoring 10. Nemanja Calasan started his Boiler career by hitting his first shot, a three pointer...he finished with only 7 points.
Something to think about... If things were just a bit different, Purdue's starting lineup might look something like this: F Gordon Watt (Sr.) F Nate Minnoy (Jr.) F Scott Martin (Fr.) G E'Twaun Moore (Fr.) G Chris Kramer (So.) Watt and Minnoy's strength would be greatly appreciated, especially as the BT schedule rolled around. Instead, Purdue's lack of bulk will very soon hurt them...Possibly v. Clemson, next game. No matter, Painter's got them heading the right direction- I think it will take a season or two, but this team will be good in the near future.
Where's he now? Boiler Update I had it brought to my attention this week that ex-Purdue offensive coordinator has gone through a bit of a change since leaving West Lafayette. You can be the judge for yourself (please note, these photos have not been doctored...seriously):
Jim Chaney following his hiring by the St. Louis Rams in 2006
Jim Chaney prior to the 2007 season
Eric Jordan Update Kelvin Sampson's rock star freshman Eric Jordan led the Hoosiers by scoring 20 points and shot 33% in IU's loss versus Xavier Saturday night. IU was #8...they will not be anymore. This doesn't change the fact that IU is a good team and that Jordan is a great talent...but I enjoy seeing them lose.
College Football -Mizzou surprised few by beating Kansas...Much like Hawaii, Kansas had played an extremely weak schedule and their lack of play v. tough competition showed. This just in- Chase Daniel is a bad ass.
-Nebraska fired Coach Bill Callahan and stunned no one in doing so. Nebraska was coming off of a contest in which they scored 51 points...and lost by 14! I guess the Black Skirts aren't what they used to be. Callahan was 27-22...Frank Solich was 58-14 when he was fired.
-Notre Dame manhandled yet another extremely tough opponent. Despite the Manatee's decided schematic advantage, the real student athletes on the field had a chance to tie the game as the contest drew to a close. For those keeping score at home, the Irish are 2-0 in their last few games. Looks to me like the Irish will go bowling again this season.
Lee Corso may be onto something. He suggested that UND should anchor a new football conference that they would dominate...It would be comprised of academically-strong, private schools. Duke, Stanford, maybe Northwestern and others will be invited...Wake Forest, Boston College, you are not invited.
-Auburn Beat 'Bama and overpaid jackass, Nick Saban's team officially became bowl ineligible. But, more importantly, one of Auburn's own police force attacked Tiger DB, Jerraud Powers.
Our Boilers faced off against a guy named David Lipscomb on Tuesday night...and much like Gardner-Webb, David is a good basketball player. Granted, he hadn't won any games prior to last night (and still hasn't), but he held the lead for about 36 minutes of the contest. It could be the fact that he knew he'd be facing a young Boiler team that he could take advantage of or that GBI called this game a glorified scrimmage and he didn't like that. Regardless, it was a bit of a dogfight. One one hand, I'm awfully happy that Purdue could play a close game and pull off the win, on the other, I'm pretty disappointed that this was a close one. But I guess if you're going to be involved in close games, it's impressive, especially for a young team to shake off the bad stuff to get the "W". Purdue at one point late in the game was shooting a frigid 16% from three-point land. Special thanks to Big Ten Network for putting the game on the E-Interwebnet...It was great watching the game with audio and video not in sync as well as well as getting the opportunity to watch it on a 4-inch screen.
Here are my thoughts on the gentlemen on the court.
Martin and Hummel are both very good...they are great team players as they rebound, pass and play defense well. Moore looked good at times, but I think it's fair to say he's no Eric Gordon, at this point (by the way, that dude is ridiculously good...cheating rules!). Chris Kramer plays as if he's trying to end his life. While I really like guys who hustle, he seems to needlessly throw himself onto the court. In all seriousness, he's going to only have a two-three-year career if he keeps playing as he is. All that said, I think it's especially good for the Freshman to see that type of effort. Keaton Grant looked rusty for much of the game, but hit arguably the biggest shot of the contest in the form of a three pointer with not much time left. Johnson desperately needs to drink protein shakes and eat steak. Dude is just so slight that he can't hold his ground at this point. I am stoked to see Calasan playing in the next game.
Other Sports Notes -Nick Saban is hilarious and crazy. If you haven't had a chance to catch it, watch Sports Center and witness his Tuesday press conference tirade. I loved it. The media guy who asked the question had no clue what he was walking into.
-Suck it, Patriots. Tom Brady admitted on a radio show that the Pats goal each game is to blow out each of their opponents. I hope they get their wish in all of their remaining games. In fact, I hope they score 100-points a game and Brady gets every record he's seeking. Then, I hope they lose their first playoff game by one point.
-Isaiah Thomas is the greatest basketball mind since Latrell Spreewell. His mastery of the game and the psychology behind the game is evident when you watch the Knicks play the game. Even fans in MSG chant his name- fire ISAIAH! fire ISAIAH! I say, Knicks, give him as long as he needs! He'll turn that thing around!
-Eric Gordon is not as good as advertised, he's better. I know I wrote about this above, but he really seems to be very, very good. I think he's averaging over 30 points as he can shoot from anywhere and finishes strong as well. It's a shame the Big Ten stinks and only allows Purdue to play IU once...in Bloomington no less. Thanks Delaney, you are one smart dude.
As though IU hoops hadn't been battered enough, Eric Gordon decided it was the perfect time to tell the world about the rampant drug use on the team during its 2007-2008 season, which saw Coach Sanctions bounced and the program seriously damaged.
