The link between Chief and Rocky, and how it applies to IU basketball

In case you missed it, our beloved Hoosiers looked unstoppable last night in a humiliation of then #9 in the country (and apparently unreasonably over-rated) Michigan State. Hardly anyone gave us much of a chance, including myself, given the week that Kelvin Sampson (who will be referred to as 'Chief') has so generously given us, and the fact that we started the game down 15-4.


In response to such inspiring play, Chief became overwhelmed and joined with a couple players in an embrace that could only remind me of this.

In all seriousness, the entire scene at Assembly Hall seemed a bit surreal. After a week of accusations against a cheating program, and a 25 foot game winning bank shot from a Polar Bear, the mighty Hoosiers played like, and celebrated like, they were in the National Championship. Mrs. Chief was next to tears. The students were chanting Kelvin Sampson again (the probably didn't really think that through). Eric Gordon was back. Jordan Crawford showed signs of maturity, finally.


The next morning we wake up to realize that come Friday, the coach that brought hope back to IU basketball, brought us Eric Gordon, turned DJ White into the best power forward in the country (Tyler who?), will be either suspended or fired. Performances like last night make it really hard to continue to push to fire our Chief. Personally, I felt bad for the guy. But make no mistake he will, and needs to, be let go.


Regardless, at least for a little while, the focus was away from Chief and his phone bill and back to basketball. And now we look to Tuesday when the apparently mighty Boilermakers come to town. The team has confidence back. The fans have faith back. And assuming we'll have DJ White back, I don't see any way Purdue leaves hostile B Town with a win. Even if DJ can't go, we know we can play with the best in the Big Ten.