The three quarters of a million dollars that now ex-coach Kelvin Sampson received as part of his settlement yesterday may have taken him away from his team, but it sure didn’t drive away the controversy that has plagued the Indiana Hoosiers for the last seven days. Coach Sampson, who was named head coach at Indiana University on March 29, 2006 and a man who played a key role in the controversial recruitment of star player Eric Gordon, reached an agreement on a $750 000 buyout on Friday, seven days after the NCAA reported the coach committed five “major” violations. Already criticized for his reported 550 illegal calls made to recruits while acting as head coach at Oklahoma, Sampson again came under recent scrutiny in October 2007 for making impermissible phone calls to recruits. After conducting a thorough internal investigation, IU announced that Kelvin Sampson’s coaching job would be turned over to Dan Dakich, who will receive his first opportunity to man the sidelines against Northwestern tonight!

The Wildcats might take this controversy as a positive though. Firstly, it temporarily shadows the woeful season they have had so far in conference play. Second, and more importantly, if the Wildcats are able to get off to a quick start, they might be able to pull off what would be considered one of the biggest upsets this year against a heavily distracted Indiana team. Last time these two teams met, the Hoosiers put together a 14-2 run in the second half to win the game by a count of 75-63. Northwestern comes off a heartbreaking 53-51 loss Tuesday night at Iowa. One of the lone bright spots for Northwestern was the play of Craig Moore who posted his first double-double of his career, scoring 15 points to go along with a career-high 11 rebounds. Indiana, who is ranked 14th, boast the top two scorers in the Big Ten conference in freshmen Eric Gordon (21.7) and senior D.J. White (17.1). Indiana, currently ranked 3rd in the conference, continues its quest for 1st place in the Big Ten, and NBN will be live-blogging the game beginning at 7:00 p.m., so check back for updates!

Pregame

The Indiana fans have arrived in droves to support their Hoosiers. The five players on Indiana who threatened to start a player’s boycott after hearing of Coach Sampson’s resignation are suited up and will play. The energy is electric in Welsh-Ryan Arena as the two teams take the floor to start the game. The question remains: Will the Hoosiers band together and pull out a victory, or will they crumble under the pressure and controversy that has surrounded them for the past week…

First Half

20:00 – Indiana gains first possession, but quickly turn the ball over to Northwestern. Northwestern misses its two first shots, but Indiana’s Armon Bassett hits a three pointer to put the Hoosiers on the board.

18:00 – Kevin Coble responds with a three of his own, but Senior D.J. White counters with a vicious dunk, almost taking the basket down in the process. Craig Moore continues his hot streak from the ‘Cats previous game by hitting a 3 from the left corner to put the Wildcats up 6-5, but Sophmore Armon Bassett hits another 3 on the other end to put his team back up 8-6.

16:00 – Sterling Williams takes it hard to the basket and Kevin Coble hits a 3 pointer put Northwestern up 12-8 as Indiana’s new Coach Dan Dakich signals for a timeout.

15:30 – During the timeout, the students from the Northwestern fan section pestered the Hoosier players with the chant “Where is Kelvin?” It sure is nice to see more than 20 people in the Wildcats fan section.

14:00 – Michael “Juice” Thompson lays the ball up for 2 to put his team up 6, but D.J. White continues his dominance in the post with a beautiful 10 foot fade away from the left block. Michael Thompson abuses Armon Bassett off the dribble again and gets to the basket for an easy two.

12:00 – Ivan Peljusic steals an Indiana pass and threads the needle with a pass down the court to Thompson for two more points. The Wildcats have a +3.8 turnover margin over the Hoosiers, so forcing the Hoosiers to cough the ball up will be crucial to the ‘Cats success.

10:00 – Armon Bassett, averaging 10.2 point per game, scores another two to decrease the deficit to 4. On the other end, Ivan Peljusik lays it up from within 5 feet and Northwestern regains its 6 point lead heading into the second timeout.

9:00 – Despite Indiana’s +14 rebounding advantage over the Hoosiers, Northwestern is doing a solid job cleaning the glass tonight, not allowing Indiana any second chance points. Jason Okrzesik comes off the bench and hits a big three to increase his team’s lead to 7, and follows it up with a beautiful back door pass Craig Moore who is fouled.

7:00 - The ‘Cats scouting report must have failed to mention Indiana’s Armin Bassett, as he has a game high 10 points and continues to keep the Hoosiers in the game. Kevin Coble hits a jumper from the top of the key to give the Wildcats as the ‘Cats head to the bench with their heads high and an 8 point lead.

5:00 – Ivan Peljusic misses an easy two, but makes up for his offensive blunder by forcing Indiana’s DeAndre Thomas into a turnover. Jeremy Nash comes off the bench and is greeted by the loud cheers from the fans. Northwestern, currently holding a 6 point lead, must focus on closing this half out well. They usually lose their games in the ends of first halves and the beginnings of second halves.

3:00 – Craig Moore hits a three pointer to puts the ‘Cats up 33-26. The Northwestern fans are really getting into the game and are especially excited by an Eric Gordon air ball. Eric Gordon is struggling from the field. His is 1-4 with only 4 points. He went 4-12 in Indiana’s last game against Purdue, but has 22 points as a result of going 13-15 from the line.

1:00 – Northwestern is having the most trouble with Indiana’s D.J. White, who converts a 3 point play to bring the deficit to just four. Indiana’s Jordan Crawford hits a 3 and just like that the ‘Cats lead is just one. Kevin Coble puts a stop to the Hoosier’s run with a jumper and makes good on two free throws from the charity stripe to put his ‘Cats back up 37-32. He has a game-high 14 points.

0:30 – Jordan Crawford cuts the ‘Cats lead to two with a three pointer just before the 1st half buzzer sounds. The Northwestern Wildcats head into the locker room with a 37-35 lead.

Second Half

20:00 – Ivan Peljusic scores a quick two to put the ‘Cats up six. Has 4 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds and is playing a great all-around game for Northwestern. Kevin Coble hits nothing but net on a 20 ft. jumper to put the Wildcats up 8. Coach Dakich has seen enough and calls a quick timeout.

18:00 – Indiana keeps giving Northwestern inside as Jordan Crawford drives it strong to the hoop for two. Ivan Peljusic throws one of those back door passes that the ‘Cats get so many of in their Princeton offense to Coble for a layup, but Indiana scoring on the following two possession and head into the second timeout of the half down only 2.

16:00 – Sterling Williams converts a 3 point play and Northwestern is back five. Eric Gordon emerges from his scoring drought with a 3, but Craig Moore silences the Indiana fans with a three of his own. The Northwestern fans erupt and Indiana calls a timeout down five. The intelligent students in the Northwestern fan section have come up with a new chant. With their cell phones raised high, they heckle the Hoosier players with the cheer “Sampson’s calling.” It seems wherever the Hoosiers go, they will be reminded of their former coach’s transgressions.

14:00 – Jordan Crawford drills another 3 cut the lead to give him 14 points and bring his team within 2. Uh-oh…it looks like the Wildcats are going to continue their trend of surrendering their leads in the second half. They just gave up 3 offensive rebounds to the Hoosiers and suddenly the game is tied at 52.

13:00 – Tensions are getting high. Jamarcus Ellis and Ivan Peljusic get into the a physical altercation and, to the delight of the Northwestern fans, a technical foul is called on Jamarcus Ellis. Craig Moore sinks two technical free throws and puts the cats up 54-52.

12:00 – Armon Bassett hits two from the charity stripe two even the game at 54. Bad news for the Wildcats as they are in the penalty with 12 minutes left. The refs are trying to control the intensity level of the game and are calling the game very closely. Kevin Coble adds to his scoring total with a 3 to put the ‘Cats up 57-56. But Indiana is making a concentrated effort to get to the line as Eric Gordon its two more free throws to put his team up 1.

10:30 – Northwestern seems to be losing control of the game. They have just committed two turnovers and, as a timeout is called, they run towards a livid coach Carmody down 3.

10:00 – Nikola Baran, who has seen limited action in this game, connects from long distance to even the game once again at 60. Jordan Crawford counters with a three on the ensuing possession. The Wildcats are showing a bit of resilience though, as Michael Thompson drives it hard to the hoop and is fouled. Unfortunately, he misses both free throws and Northwestern remains down 3.

9:00 – The fans are yelling for the refs to call the game “both ways,” and there might be some truth to their pleadings, as the Wildcats have picked up 13 team fouls in this second half to Indiana’s 6. Kevin Coble hits two free throws to bring the Wildcats to within 4.

8:00 – If Northwestern goes on to win this game (not likely), it will be in a large part to “Juice” Thompson, who has played extremely well in this second half. He has just connected on two free throws to bring the Wildcats to within 2.

7:30 – It seems as if the Hoosiers and Wildcats have switched roles for the night – the Hoosiers have just turned the ball over for the umpteenth time today and appear to be folding under the pressure nearing the final five minutes of the second half. They still lead 66-64.

7:00 – Eric Gordon has experienced a minor awakening in this second half. He hits two free throws and increases his point total to 14. His Hoosiers are up 68-64.

6:00 – Kevin Coble hits two free throws and the Wildcats are only down 2. Armon Bassett has been a thorn in the side of the Wildcat’s side as he connects from long distance once again, but the hero of the second half, Michael Thompson, cuts the Hoosier’s lead to 3 with a lay up. Kevin Coble hits yet another jumper and the ‘Cats pull to within 1 of the Hoosiers!

5:00 – Down 73-70, the ‘Cats enter the final five minutes with a chance to prove themselves and show their maturity by avoiding a meltdown. Kevin Coble hits a three and the game is tied! Kevin Coble has 30 points. His career high came in a game against Michigan State earlier this year in which he scored 34 points. This is his second 30 point game of the year. Impressive to say the least.

3:30 – In a close game such as this, the last 3 minutes can seem like an eternity. The Wildcat, although a young team, must play conservative basketball and control the pace of this game to come up with the ‘W’. Indiana hits two free throws, but Kevin Coble strikes again with a layup of his own.

2:30 – Break out the presses…Kevin Coble has got 35 points and Northwestern is up 1. On the other end, Nikola Baran takes a charge and we’re headed the other way!

1:30 – Eric Gordon hits two free throws and the Hoosiers are up 79-78. This is gonna be a photo finish! Kevin Coble almost completes a Jordan-esque reverse, but it denied by D.J. White.

1:00 – Armon Bassett drives to the basket, but is stripped of the ball by Craig Moore. Unfortunately, the ball goes out of bounds, and Indiana retains possession as they head timeout.

0:30 – Jeremy Nash steal the inbounds pass, but Craig Moore comes up short on a 3 attempt. Northwestern fouls immediately. Armon Bassett picks up points 23 and 24 from the line and the Hoosiers are up 81-78. Nikola Baran misses a 3, but Jason Okrzesik holds onto the rebound for a jump ball, and Northwestern retains possession.

0:20 – The Hoosiers wisely foul Kevin Coble before the Wildcats can inbound the ball. Coble sinks both free throws, and Northwestern follows suit by fouling Eric Gordon before Indiana can throw the ball in. Eric Gordon hits both free throws and Indiana is up 83-80. Coach Carmody signals for a timeout and heads to the drawing board to draw up a play that will hopefully prolong this game into overtime.

0:13 – Juice Thompson drives to the basket for two. Indiana quickly throws the ball in, but Eric Gordon travels as he tries to split two defenders. The ‘Cats are down 83-82 with 13.1 to go.

0:05 – Michael Thompson misses a contested lay up and the ‘Cats send D.J. White to the line for free throws. He hits both. Thompson dashes down the court, pump fakes the ball, and attempts a three as his defender flies past him. It falls short and the clock expires. Despite a valiant effort, the ‘Cats lose 85-82. What a game!

Perhaps it was the sold-out arena, maybe it was the stinging loss to Iowa earlier this week, or it could even have been their knowledge of Indiana’s frail emotional state prior to the game. Whatever it was, the Wildcats came out of the gates tonight with a certain passion and will to win that has not been there in previous games this year. Take a look at Kevin Coble’s 37 points on 12-16 shooting, or Michael Thompson’s 15 points and 4 assists and nearly flawless play in the second half, and it is evident that a different and more mature Wildcats team played on this floor tonight.

However, perhaps the bigger story in this game was the relentless play of the Hoosiers. There were many instances in the game where they could have easily let the game slip out of their hands and conceded defeat. And who would have blamed them? In the span of the last 24, the Indiana players had been on an emotional roller coaster with the resignation of their coach and all the controversy and inner-turmoil that they have experienced. But they showed strength and mental fortitude and hung on to win the game (even if it was only by a slim margin to the last place team in the Big Ten conference).

As D.J. White and newly-appointed Coach Dakich headed off the court after their post game interviews, they were greeted to loud applause from the Indiana faithful. So, to all the pundits and pessimists out there, and to answer the question I posed in the beginning of this blog, it appears that the Indiana Hoosiers will band together and finish out this season with the toughness and resolve they began the season with, only without Kelvin Sampson at the helm.