Indiana Basketball: I Hope You Enjoyed Eric Gordon

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.

I personally will admit Eric Gordon is a phenomenal player, but as an Illini fan I found myself for the first time ever not cheering for a Big Ten team in non- conference play largely due to my disdain for Kelvin Sampson. When I think to myself I can't help, but drop any grudge with E.G. and I believe if Illini nation would take in my considerations perhaps they would drop the angst too. Gordon did everything that we as Illini fans and natives would have wanted Derrick Rose to do. The kid genuinely had interest in staying home, but knew he could not mesh with Mike Davis. Perhaps Bruce wouldn't have gone to the inadmissible lengths with Coach Calipari and Memphis like Sampson did in regards to Gordon, but as a fan I hoped Rose would have realized his love for his home state and would have stayed. Nonetheless, Gordon made his mistakes for committing early, and then staying committed for a great length of time. Without taking into consideration what Sampson might have done with Gordon's parents, I look to the youth of Gordon, and that he like all the collegiate basketball players would just like to play basketball without having to worry about off the court troubles.

The reason why I tittled this article, "I hope you enjoyed Eric Gordon" is basically to say, I hope you enjoyed Eric Gordon, and nothing else. Gordon is a rare athlete and a pleasure to watch, and even if his commitment might have been the warning sign of the ethical liability that was Kelvin Sampson, as an IU fan you have to be happy that the program was able to compete and now has been cleansed of the stigma from recruiting violations. The program is prestigious and committed, with an abundance of great coaches available who is to say they can't land someone better in character and coaching ability than Sampson. As for my beloved Illini nation, take solace in knowing that Bruce Weber is a great guy, and now is finding success in recruiting, i.e. Legion, Paul, Richardson, and etc. Weber has always been able to get the best out of his players and the future looks bright with the aforementioned recruits and rising star Demetri McCamey. The focus also seems to be going back to the three guard offense maybe reminding us of Dee, Deron, and Luther. We might not have march madness, but at least we can put our support behind Deron and the Jazz. 

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