Indiana Hoosiers Vs. Illinois: Tom Crean Finally Gets Signature Win For Hoosiers

Euphoria.

It was catharsis in a game that was so ugly it feels like the outcome was stolen. It's hard to describe the feeling. In a lot of ways it's easy to overreact to the result of this victory.

That being said, as a junior I would readily acknowledge that this is the biggest home victory for the Hoosiers since I've been here. The fact that Illinois was ranked pushes it to the next level.

Look, I'll be the first to admit that this has been IU's worst stretch of basketball in its history. This is a safe statement, sadly. It has been brutal watching the product on the floor for the majority of the Tom Crean era. 

The fact that Maurice Creek was injured recently and that Indiana played without Verdell Jones will be pointed to as a turning point if the Hoosiers can manage to stay afloat in the Big Ten.

Indiana still will not make the big dance in all probability. Unless this is the beginning of an incredible run, the best this win will be is a signature for Tom Crean as the man who is ready to step out of the shadow of Bob Knight.

But IU won with stifling defense, a staple of Knight's time and a fact that gives credibility to this victory despite the ugly statistics this game produced.

Illinois shot 15-of-59, or 31.3 percent from the floor, a stat that can be thrown in the face of Crean's squad as an indication that the victory was won with luck. Yet being at the game, there were more than a few factors that played into the hands of the Hoosiers.

The crowd was jacked every possession as the clock was winding down in the second half. The fact that the court was rushed will certainly be ridiculed—most, if not all, who did were those who attended IU in the hopes that their basketball team would be dominant.

The celebration that ensued as time expired felt earned, in all honesty.

After rooting for a team that seemed incapable at times of winning the big game, the prospect of beating a ranked opponent at home seemed unrealistic.

The victory really came down to the play of Jordan Hulls, who was able to hit four of five three-pointers to go with the game-icing free throws. If Hulls is able to get hot at the end, Indiana will be able to pull out a few more victories in the top-heavy Big Ten.

But having been in attendance, I can personally attest to the fact that the home crowd will continue to be rowdy, even in a game that involved little offense. Let's be honest: The final score was 52-49, but the victory feels that much sweeter because of the fact that IU's wins have been few and far between under Crean. 

But the win as a sign of life for the Hoosiers transcends anything. Realistically, the Hoosiers will need to win a few more of these games this season and make a stand in 2012 for Crean to remain as their leader.

Jeremiah Rivers stepped up in a huge way in the game, shutting down Demetri McCamey. McCamey has been a thorn in Indiana's side his entire career, and it felt good to finally get the best of one matchup against a premier player in the conference.

Jordan Hulls embraced his role as a point guard throughout much of the game. Even if he wasn't making anything happen, Hulls made sure that the Hoosiers held the ball before making a play. By milking much of the clock and slowing the game down, Indiana was able to catch breaks that have escaped them throughout the year, as well as in seasons past.

Christian Watford did not have his best game but put together a solid 16 points to go with five boards. IU was only outrebounded by six and came into the game ranked an absurd 239th in the nation. This was probably the most important line in a close win, despite the fact that IU lost in this category per usual.

Mike Tisdale seemed frustrated at times, going 2-of-10 from the floor and 1-of-3 from the line, as the crowd directed its disdain towards the forward who had torn them up in their most recent matchup.

The Hoosiers fed off the home crowd, and after the game Crean came through the hallways of historic Assembly Hall. Students crowded around him, many just wanting a high five, and he indulged with a smile on his face. The man who has began facing questions about the legitimacy of his reign knew without a doubt that this victory was crucial to restore faith in his program. 

It will be interesting to see where the Hoosiers go from here. The schedule doesn't get any easier; the Cream and Crimson play at Michigan State next, which is always a tough venue despite the Spartans' recent struggles.

This will be followed by a game at home against ranked Minnesota, which will now be faced as a challenge instead of a risk of further embarrassment to this once proud institution.

This team can now breathe a sigh of relief, at least for the moment, and acknowledge that there will be ups and downs for the remainder of the season. Yet they can take solace in the fact that they still call Assembly Hall home and that their fans are just waiting for something to celebrate.