Match 31st 2006
Kelvin Sampson: Welcome to Bloomington
Despite the standing
ovation he received at his press conference, to say Kelvin Sampson’s
introduction as Indiana’s new head coach
has been greeted less-than enthusiastically by Hoosier nation would be a bit
of an understatement. As Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz put it so
delicately in his column, “is this truly the best IU could do?”
This, mind you, is the same
Kelvin Sampson who was named the national coach of the year in 1995, who has
never had a losing conference record in the Big 12, has won three straight
Big 12 Tournaments (2001-2003), advanced to the NCAA Tournament 11 times –
including a trip to the Final Four in 2002 – has eight straight 20-win
seasons, and has the highest winning percentage in Oklahoma history.
Now there is cause for
concern among Hoosier faithful. Namely, the inexcusable graduation rates of
the Sampson era (bad even by the NCAA’s new math) and the ongoing NCAA
investigation into recruiting violations at Oklahoma involving improper
phone calls and contacts with recruits. According to ESPN.com, should the
NCAA determine that sanctions are warranted above and beyond Oklahoma’s
self-imposed penalties, Indiana would have to pay the price.
But the reaction has still
been puzzling, considering that just about any other program would be
thrilled to have someone with Sampson’s resume taking over as head coach.
The problem, it seems, revolves around the notion that IU still sits among
college basketball royalty – right next to Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina,
Duke and UCLA. Hoosier fans have made this point repeatedly, many by
expressing astonishment that Mark Few appears as though he turned down the
job to stay at – gasp – Gonzaga.
Indiana has tremendous
tradition, five championships, a legendary arena, Hall of Fame players and
coaches, and as rabid fans as you will find anywhere. They are also no
longer among college basketball’s elite. Yes, they’ve played in two Final
Fours and six Sweet Sixteens since their last NCAA championship in 1987.
But in that time they have also failed to advance past the second round 11
times. The Hoosiers are 8-9 in the Big Ten Tournament since its inception
in 1998 with no titles, and have not won the regular season title outright
since 1993. If Indiana was among college basketball’s elite, Sean May
probably wouldn’t have gone to Chapel Hill, and – as Kravitz pointed out –
the school wouldn’t need to hire a recruiter to find a coach.
The question is not whether
or not Indiana basketball is still synonymous with winning, but whether or
not they can get back to that level again. Hoosier fans are not known for
their patience, and Coach Sampson must accomplish no less than a return to
greatness – quickly – or feel the same heat from Indiana faithful that sent
Mike Davis packing.
However, this is a great
hire for Indiana. For a coach to amass so many wins with a program that has
to compete with Spring football, one can only wonder what he can do at a
school where basketball is indisputably king. Coach Sampson should soon
answer his doubters, and return Indiana Hoosier basketball where they truly
believe they rightfully belong.
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