I'd like to go ahead and warn anyone reading this article ahead of time. I am a ardent supporter of the University of Illinois, but this article isn't just a, "I told you so" statement or more bashing of the Indiana program, but instead...well, I'll just let you decide.
If you were to ask a fan of the Illini about what events really get them upset in the history of their basketball program they will probably point to the Bruce Pearl incident or the Eric Gordon re-neg of his commitment. The Pearl incident still rekindles the Illini nations anger, but I like many am learning to let go, and acknowledge that Bruce Pearl is a good coach, and a good man, but I do feel that anyone who experienced that event and individuals such as Jimmy Collins, and Deon Thomas still can hold a grudge. Before I get off topic lets get back to the Eric Gordon saga, and how it has played out this year.
For anyone who isn't overly familiar with the issue, Eric Gordon, the superstar for the Indiana Hoosiers, and soon to be lottery pick, originally out of high school committed to the University of Illinois, but 12 months later de- committed and signed to attend and play for Kelvin Sampson leaving Bruce Weber and the Illini in disarray. Gordon started his college career in true star fashion, and the Hoosiers were progressing along with eyes firmly set on the Big Ten title and a deep run in the big dance. Conversely, Bruce Weber and the Illini were sinking without a true shooting guard, and struggling to find a identity and chemistry. Even in the court of public opinion the Illini shot themselves in the foot by the way the crowd acted when the Hoosiers and Gordon came knocking to Assembly Hall in Champaign. Ron Gunther described the fan behavior towards Sampson, Gordon, the Gordon Family, and the Hoosiers as, "disappointing and intolerable". Everything seemed to be on the up and up for the Hoosier program and the ascension back to the top was slowly underway, but Sampson's past came back to flip the world of the program upside down
On February 8, 2008, the NCAA informed Indiana and Kelvin Sampson that the head coach had committed five major rule violations. On February 22, 2008, after internally investigating the situation and setting Sampson's fate as "game to game" basis the Hoosier administration decided to part with Sampson. The decision was widely unpopular with the players including team captain, D.J. White. After the dust had settled the program had been put on the shoulders of assistant Dan Dakich, and from there the Hoosiers have not been able to find consistency notably seen by the early exit from the Big Ten Tournament, and low seeding in the big dance with an eight versus nine game with Arkansas, and with the number one overall seed North Carolina looming in round two.
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