Illini missed chance to deliver real shot

That was a great game! I will never forget it! They had Gordon on the ropes, but he responded. Illinois had the game in the bag, but wilted down the stretch. They would have been better than Indiana is with Gordon. They fought with pride, but just couldn't overcome the hoosiers and Gordon who was effected earlier by boos and jeers. Illinois hammered him to the floor like they were supposed to, and let up at the end. Still a great game.

Great game last night, Illinois had their shot to win.

As for that Frazier KID, it was classless. It made Illinois look like a second rate program.

It was too bad they lost; they're just not as good a team. But it was still a good game and a hard-fought game. My question is for Mariotti (aren't they always?). He says the Illini showed no class in the way they behaved. How did he expect them to behave? He couldn't have expected them to act like it was just another game or else he wouldn't even have been there. I liked the atmosphere and I enjoyed the fans giving it to Gordon and the players making him earn everything. It reminded me of how basketball used to be (in a good way). Of course there were a few morons in the stands who allegedly threw beads at the Gordon family, but you can't say the Illini lacked class because of a few morons. Morons happen. Unfortunately, so does Mariotti.

Easy with the "Illini Nation" comments ....

havent you heard??

The game last night was one of the most exciting I've seen BECAUSE of the situation with Gordon, not in spite of it. Mariotti should stop his childish moralizing-does anyone believe that he has a single moral bone in his body? He's as souless as a bottle of ketchup.

And Gordon didn't simply "change his mind". He never opened his recruiting back up and continuously assured everyone that he was solid for the Illini, all the while sneaking around with Sampson, one of the sleaziest coaches around.

Illinois may not have beat Indiana last night but in the end the Hoosiers will get theirs. Their coach's escapades stand a good chance of eliciting further punishment this year by the NCAA which would be just what the school deserves for hiring him in the first place.

As an Indiana fan I can understand that Illinois fans were disappointed about the Gordon Situation. But, after last night it's clear Illinois fans still can't get over it, and it only makes it more clear that Illinois is no where near an Elite basketball program by any means. Do you think Florida, Duke, or UNC would have made as big a deal about what happened? Of course not, they would have moved forward and continued to be great. Illinois continues to fail at all levels this year. This loss shows the whole nation that Illinois isnt ready to move on, and is still a long way away from becoming an Elite basketball program, something coach Weber certainy can't deliver.

The actions of Frazier come directly from Weber. He took a team with Self's players and won. Now that he has to recruit on his own...he's being exposed...So all he can do is whine and cry about Eric Gordon to avoid taking the blame for his program. Kids change their minds all the time. Gordon should have let Illinois know sooner..but he didn't...He's a 17 year old kid. Move on and stop with the classless displays Illinois showed on Tuesday. Maybe the team took their clues from the Illini fans who showered the Gordon family with debris towards the end of the game. I'm embarrassed to be from Illiniois this morning...

I don't blame Frazier for doing that, he was standing up for his team and his school. It's the same as a pitcher throwing at a batter or a hard foul during play...it's absolutely part of the game. It's a statement. One that he didn't live up to and that made him look pretty pathetic, but I appreciated it and anyone who has played higher level than high school sports would too. This is why I can't read Marriotti much at all. The man has no idea about sports and yet is the first to think he does. BTW... does anyone know if Marriotti knows Mark Cuban?!?!??!?! I think he only mentions it every fifth line in a Cubs article but i am still unclear on the true story....

All in all I believe that Gordon came up on top, but his team did so more than him. In my opinion this game just proved he is not that ready for the NBA yet, and has some years of learning the game if he wasnts to be an all star and not just another player averaging 10 points a game, 1/2 of them on free throws. He's young so that's expected, but all this talk about him going to the Bigs and people thinking that's a good idea is also pretty worng in itself. He will be a better player if he has some leadership experience and some playoff rounds in him. He needs to learn how to control the game and not the other way around.

Maybe Marriotti can text Mark Cuban and see what his thoughts on the game were...cause that matters a ton and I would love to read that. It's important right??

A 30 foot bank shot, a ball accidentally kicked to the corner to a player who hits a three. Somehow good teams win games & bad teams lose them. Illinois is presently a bad team. One fan throws beads at Gordon Sr. not fans(plural) as Moronatti indicates. There is no excuse for that. Gordon had every right to change his mind & go to Indiana & I personally wish him the best. As for jeers, etc. they were to be expected. At least, they weren't vulgar as I've heard at some institutions games. As for Sampson he's under NCAA investigation for the second time in three years, enough said.

That was a great game..the correct team won..and the little guys got to blow their wad on ESPN

I'd be surprised if the Illini win another game all year

...wasn't Webber one of the finalists on project runway?...his voice sounds familiar..why anyone would want to play hoops for him, tho..

You'll always have Heffner...and that's pretty darn good

the game was there for the taken. McCamey had a hell of a game, Frazier was tough, and I thought Trent Mechant was suppose to be the illini's best perimeter shooter, the guy missed open shots and was hestitant to shoot after that. And why the hell did Coach Weber, draw up a play for Pruitt, the dude should be out of the game if he can't make a single free throw much a last tough the ball with the game on the line. McCamey or Brock should had been given the ball and created a play. Weber's team and lack of recruiting is really hurting. It hurts to watch. I mean hell i could probably make one of them free throws, and I've never played organized basketball my whole life. Hey at least the Zooker is recruiting well and winning games....X

Until the Illini get past having to settle for players like Shaun Pruitt and Chester Frazier, they will remain as they are. I'm still scratching my head why Weber and crew couldn't capitalize on their Final Four run.

Fazier is a bum he is what is wrong with Illini Basketball. I have been a Illini fan ror 37yrs and one thing we always had was a good point guard from Bruce Douglass to Stephen Bardo to Deron Williams. Collega games are won and lost at the PG position and Frazier is a 3rd stinger and should never start for a major University. I look around the country and see Collins (Kansas) Pargo (Gonzaga) Rose (Memphis) and those are just a few of the PG's we have missed out on.

Next year start McCarney along with Smith and Legion and do whatever it takes to keep Frazier off of the court

You better believe I will make a comment! I even mostly agree with Mariotti today, which is almost a first. I could hardly believe that game last night. The Illini players were taking cheap shots at Gordon the whole game, and though Weber certainly should be held partly responsible, as Mariotti says, so should the officials, who could have stopped the whole fiasco with a few technical fouls.On another note, the missed freethrows with the game on the line were pathetic. Indiana deserved to win simply on hitting freethrows if for no other reason. It was only justice that Gordon luckily hit that bank shot to tie the game. I think everyone would call that pure luck.As an avid Hoosier supporter, I'm delighted that they and Gordon came back from behind to win, but regret that such a great effort against a superior team was marred by the crowd's and a few players' poor sportsmanship.

Last night's loss to Indiana highlighted most of the woes which have beset Illinois' basketball program in the last three years.

Illinois' most glaring problem is their inability to make free throws down the stretch. They are last in the Big 10 in FT%. Debate rages among fans as to whether the blame belongs with individual players or the coaching staff.

Free throw shooting aside, this team lacks the confidence to hold a late game lead. They expect to lose the game in the closing minutes and there is no one who wants the ball late in the game. This is a problem that appeared last year (with Carter and McBride as seniors) and has become even more pronounced this year. Again, debate rages as to whether players or coaching staff are responsible.

Coach Weber has earned a reputation at Illinois as a very good game coach; his teams always show up with a game plan that works. This season has forced a re-evaluation of that. He appears to be a very good defensive game coach. In spite of their woeful record (2-9 conference, 10-14 overall) Illinois' defense keeps them in every game they play. Offensively, the team is inept. No one is blowing them out, they just can't score enough late points to win.

This is Weber's team now. All of the players on the team are his recruits, with the exception of fifth-year senior Brian Randle. Weber was given great credit for "coaching up" the Augustine/Brown/Head/Powell/Williams team to the NCAA championship game in 2005. It is hard to find similar evidence of his having "coached up" his own recruits. Last year's seniors Carter and McBride, this year's seniors Pruitt and Randle, next year's seniors Brock and Frazier; too what extent have these players developed their full potential under Weber's guidance? Once more, opinions differ as to where the responsibility lies.

All discussions of Illini basketball and coach Weber lead back to recruiting; specifically whether or not Bruce Weber can recruit. He has temporarily silenced the naysayers by lining up strong recruiting classes in 2009 and 2010. But those classes are a year-and-a half and two-and-a-half years away.

Much more telling will be next year's Illini team. Many people said that this year's team would be better than last year's simply because Carter and McBride were leaving. People are now saying the much the same thing about Pruitt and Randle. Be careful what you wish for, Illini fans...

The Illini played great. The fans were great. If Pruitt could do more than dunk the ball, they would have won. The Illini have now lost 2 games thanks to his inability to shoot free throws. Everyday he should not be allowed to leave practice until he makes 100 free throws. Free throws are NOT that hard and he needs to learn how to shoot them or the Illini will continue to lose thanks to him.

I understand that the illini are pissed about Gordon, but he is going to be just one or two year player and then gone to the NBA. It takes a team to win a NCAA title not just one guy.

JAY M IS THE WORST REPORTER IN THE BUSINESS. I WAS AT THE GAME LAST NIGHT AND DID NOT THINK HE TRIED TO HURT GORDAN WITH THE BUMP. GORDAN IS A PUSS WHEN THINGS GO BAD. HE CONSTANTLY TYRNS TO DADDY AND THE COAC FOR SAOMEONE TO TELL HIM HE IS GOD STILL. I WISH YOU WOULD GET RID JM. THEN MAYBE I MIGHT BUY YOUR PAPER AGAIN. WEBER IN NOTHING BUT PURE CLASS WHO IS UNDER A HELL OF A LOT OF PRESSURE. OH BY THE WAY JAY, THERE WAS A HELL OF A GAME LAST NIGHT THAT YOU MISSED. AL YOU WANT TO REPORT ABOUT IS TRASH. YOU ARE TRASH. OZZIE HAD IT RIGHT.

I guess the old saying "Good guys always finish last" is true. Bruce Webber is not a Div 1 coach and he cant recruit. This program is BAD and we have to get some one else in that position. This is a bad time for the ILLINI NATION.

As an alumna of UIUC, clearly last night was not a proud moment. Seems that the players, many fans, and even the coaches found the heckling to be some absurd fashion of good-natured ribbing.

Winning the game would have said volumes, rather than bullying.

This Illini team clearly is headed in the way of MADNESS, but certainly not to the dance of MARCH.

Jay,

Let me first start by saying I respect the hell out of you. You are the only sportswriter that I don't hit the mute button when I see on TV - get the joke there? Anyway, you couldn't be more wrong about last night's game in Champaign. While I'll admit the program needs to get past this, there was no way it wasn't going to affect this season and the Illini nation. Don't equate passion with being classless. Last night's game, and Chester's "greeting" were in no way classless. Apparently you haven't been to many college football/basketball games, and I'm not talking about games in Champaign. This is the environment that comes with heated rivalries. You mean to tell me J.J. Redick didn't come across this type of behavior in his days at Duke? While I'm not condoning some idiots who were taunting Gordon's family, 18-22 year olds who chant f*** you, Gordon can't be called classless. Verbally challenged yes, classless no. Now a 55 year old man who has a history of cheating and who will likely be out of a job in 8 months (along with his AD)- there's your classless story. And as far as Eric Gordon Sr. judging the Illini nation, consider the source. When the s*** hits the fan after this season down in Bloomington, I hope you'll write a scathing column denouncing their program, and their fans. After all, how could Bloomington's faithful condone cheering for a convicted cheater and a 18 year old boy-man who doesn't live up to his commitments? Classless I tell you, absolutely classless.

All Frazier did was let Gordon know what kind of night he should expect -- a rough one. OK, maybe he bumped a little too hard, but it wasn't as hard as what any Big 10 guard would get if he tried to drive the lane. And, it's not that people are upset just because Gordon changed his mind -- that's merely disappointing. What angers people is the way in which it happened: At the last minute and after Sampson tampered with the situation. Sampson is a dirty coach who's been in trouble with the NCAA before, and it doesn't look like he's changed his ways. Gordon was even quoted as saying Sampson promised him "complete freedom." I wonder what the entails exactly and whether that extends to off-the-court matters, too.

What do I think? I think Jay Mariotti never has one positive thing to say about anything Chicago / Illinois (unless a team wins the World Series or makes it to the Super Bowl, then of course he is right there on the bandwagon). It has gotten to the point where I see the titles of his articles and don't even bother to open them because I, along with I'm sure a ton of others, are just sick of his constant negativity, as if he knows everything about how to run a sports team and the actual guys at the helm are bums. Why do I have to write about this under a different columnist's article? Because, of course, Jay doesn't have a "Comment" section at the end of ANY of his articles. Pitiful!

I am embarrased to say I am from Illinois. I went to school in Philly and that is what happens there, not here! Shame on Weber. If he were 'oh-for' in the conference I would not fire him, but that incident with no discipline reeks of bad moral fiber on player and coach. Chanting by the fans is okay as long as no physical contact results. But the coach and player ought to go and go now. Perhaps to the playgrounds of Philly.

66 year senior living VA.Jack Hinds From Decatur Ill.

It's funny how Mariotti doesn't make a mention of Coach Kelvin Sampson's frolics in NCAA legality regarding his recruiting tactics. And it's funny how he doesn't make a mention of Indiana's Assembly Hall performing a similar welcome act for Sean May when he returned to the school he turned his back on. Being a student at the U of I, I agree some of those acts were un-called for, but Chester Frazier is known for not using his head, have you ever watched him play? He's the king of spaztastic, moronic moves, and that chest bump was one of them, which is why Weber didn't do anything, he knows that kid isn't the brightest decision maker. And I am ashamed of my fellow students throwing beads at the Gordons, that was inappropriate. Eric Gordon went to Indiana, it is over and done with, and in the end it is better for him and Illinois because why would anyone in their right mind want someone with ethics and morals like Kelvin Sampson to come to Champaign?

Hey Roman- Lets get something straight about the kid that just "changed his mind". You're right, changing your mind is not a big deal, but stringing Illinois along while you re-visit Indiana and allow them no flexibility in replacing your scholarship is more than that. He knew he was going to Indiana way before he actually de-committed crippling the Illini for the 2007-08 season.

Maaaan yall sound like some softies! Bobby Knight hit players harder than what Gordon got! They did right to play him physical. Some of the best college ball I've seen in a while. Little liar still won and yall are crying for him. Going to be in the NBA soon, he better get used to it!

mariotti is right: classless and second rate.

i am a diehard purdue fan who has lived through many great recruiting losses, only to have those kids show up playing for indiana or michigan. do they get razzed at mackey arena? of course. does it go as far as cheap shots, hassling a kid's family, and chanting insults? no way. illinois fans showed what they are made of and it's not good. legendary big 10 coaches like knight and keady ranted like idiots on the sidelines but they never allowed disrespect from the fans or players: webber's a big part of the problem.

Classless? Marriotti, grab a clue. Classless is Gordon reneging on a commitment at the last minute and leaving Illinois to miss out on players such as Purdue's E'Twaun Moore. Classless is Sampson continuing to recruit a kid who had made a commitment. Classless is hiring a friend of Gordon's father to be on your coaching staff to coax him.

What Frazier and the Illini fans gave him was justified and deserved. Does anyone believe he could pull that and not be harrassed mercilessly? Every university crowd would have done the exact same thing.

Classless? Marriotti, grab a clue. Classless is Gordon reneging on a commitment at the last minute and leaving Illinois to miss out on players such as Purdue's E'Twaun Moore. Classless is Sampson continuing to recruit a kid who had made a commitment. Classless is hiring a friend of Gordon's father to be on your coaching staff to coax him.

What Frazier and the Illini fans gave him was justified and deserved. Does anyone believe he could pull that and not be harrassed mercilessly? Every university crowd would have done the exact same thing.

To Michael Howard. Your analogy is so out of line. Doing what Frazier did is nothing like dusting off a guy at the plate. That happens during the game.Frazier took a cheap shot before he even got in the ring. Even fighters shake hands then come out punching.

I am an alum of the University of Illinois. Eric Gordon had every right to change his mind. Therefore, let us move on. Throwing objects at his family is a total lack of class and dangerous. It does not speak to all Illinois fans. Bottom line, Shaun Pruitt had two opportunities to win the game at the free throw line. As for Jay Mariotti, consider the source. Some people have short memories. Bruce Weber has done well for the future. Yes, I am disappointed in the recruiting during the Final Four year, but time will tell and Ron Gunther is also paying close attention.

This was the Illini's first opportunity to confront the kid on their home turf. I expect that most of the Illini students, players, and alumni got it out of their system and will move on. I know I will.

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This was on our freeboard, I don't know if people saw it but I thought people should read it... it was Hoosierdaddy1983

"Just got back from Champaign aka Hell on Earth. The Illini fans were by far the rudest, most arrogant, classless bunch of people I have ever come across. Keep in mind I have been to Kentucky games, Purdue games, Louisville games. I have also been to New England and New York for Colts games and I have never experienced the kind of hatred that I came across in Champaign.

I was with my two boys (both are under 10 yrs old). They were almost in tears at one point after a number of Illini fans called me and my family gay and fags. I cant even repeat the other stuff they said. Also the other family I went with was pelted with trash and beads and ice/food.

But the worst was what they did to my Jeep. My Jeep was keyed and egged and probably pissed on too. I shouldnt of probably left my IU bumper sticker on that was stupid of me. I was basically just asking for it. I guess I expected better out of people. Boy was I wrong. I filed a police report but little good that will do. The whole police department are probably all illwhineye fans too.

Also the Orange Krush is the biggest bunch of spoiled little arrogant $hits I have ever came across. If I wasnt with my two boys, there would of definitely been a fist fight.

All I know is I am NEVER going back there again."

I am embarrased. My son is an IU student who traveled to the game last night. He knew that I was rooting for Illinois, but after hearing the stuff the Illini fans were saying to him and his friends, I AM NOW AN INDIANA FAN. Shame on my home town Illinois!!!!!!

Boy it's is amazing the amount of losers and misinformed individuals that are out there. When Bill Self wins something let me know? Calvin Sampson is a cheater and will be proven a cheater again and take the program down with him. Funny how the person mentioning Duke, UNC, etc. didn't mention his own Indiana program in that sentence. Those elite schools, which there are about 5 out of over 300 don't have the recruiting issues that the next level of programs do. When you make a committment you tie up that scholarship for that university. When a player backs out at the last minute it is nearly impossible for a coach to replace that player with another of quality. These are common sense things. I am sure Gordon or any other player would not be happy if they committed to a school and the coach pulled their scholarship out from under them at the last minute to give it to another player. Do I expect an 18 year old to understand all of the ramifications of his committment? Not necessarily, but they have enough people advising them so the excuse is minimal at best. Eric Gordon Sr. and Sampson spearheaded all of this and Gordon Sr. should never open his mouth and complain on this subject. I don't agree with what a small number of people did last nite, but on the whole they got the treatment they deserved. Don't hold people to a higher standard than you set yourself Mr. Gordon and Mr. Sampson. Things have a funny way of evening themselves out in the long run. Don't you find it kind of funny that you cannot email Mariotti or Telander directly?

I'm confused on how Illini fans are backing their teams actions. One douche likened it to a high and tight fastball.....you're an idiot. A high and tight fastball usually follows someone showing up a pitcher after a home run, or one of your teammates being hit by a pitch. The big difference here is, Cheapshot Frazier did it when he was supposed to shake a hand, not while Gordon was driving the lane. Did anyone catch Jay Bilas saying that McCamey had a verbal committment to the Hoosiers and then switched to the Illini....you don't see Indiana crying about that. Weber isn't a D-1 headcoach....a D-1 assistant? Yes, just ask Gene Keady. It was apparent that Illinois thought the only way they could win that game was to out physical the Hoosiers, and I can't blame them. Lord knows they couldn't keep up with them just playing the game.

I am embarassed to be an alumni of Illinois today. What a classless display! The crowd was reprehensible over what? Gordon changed his mind. Not exactly the reason to have a riot-mob mentality. I am also very disappointed in the way Bruce Webber handled this incident. He could have urged the fans not to be as ugly as they were. Illini fans: The team is not good this year. Oh wah! Don't take it out on an 18 year old kid.

Well stated, Mr. Mariotti!

Bruce Weber is a piece of junk that has driven the Illinois program into the ground with a bunch of below average players and classless, undisciplined clowns. Why does Guenther stand behind Weber when Ron Turner followed the same path. One great year followed by a turn for the worse? At least Turner put a team with some class out there. I also like how the University spent money to buy www.firebruceweber.com. Wake up Guenther and make the alum of your school proud! Get rid of Bruce while you can and before Richmond and company do the same as Gordon.

I'm an Illini fan, and yesterday made me realize that we are not an elite program by any means. I for one can care less about Gordon, but if the coach and school can't shake it off, it shows that they are a second tier school for hoops. I have no problem with chants, but the bumping before the game even started, the throwing beads at the family, and Weber not shaking the player's hands, now that is classless. I for one am ashamed for being a graduate and fan of Illinois. I hope things change soon.

You embarrased yourselves, your University and the Big 10...
the whole world is shaking their heads ... except for the bastion of whiners ... Grow up

I am living in Kentucky, but I am from Illinois. I am disgusted with all the classless asses who dis the Illini and Bruce Weber over the scum Indiana duo of DC "Double Cross" Gordon and Scamson Sampson. To hell with that pair of jerks, they deserve each other. The Illini will be back with a vengence and Mariotti and all the loonie hoosier supporters will be crying when they get their lunches handed to them!

That was an awful game yesterday. Illini couldn't close the game out because the players on the court choked. We need to stop worrying about Gordon, who will probably head to the NBA soon anyway, and start recruiting players that can make free throws!!!

As an Indiana grad I have always looked forward to this great rivalry. Last nights game was a travesty. Sampson's recruiting violations show the state of big time college athletics. Indiana never had to cheat to compete in the Big 10 before, and they should not be doing it now. There are 5 National Championship Banners hanging in Assembly Hall to prove it. The NCAA should deal with these issues quickly and severely! However, Bruce Weber and the Illinois athletic department should also be reprimanded by the NCAA for allowing their team and supporters to present such a classless exibition as they did last night. FIRE BOTH COACHES! These two proud programs don't need either one of them.

Eric Gordon deserved to receive some backlash from renegging on Illinois. I could imagine Frazier's feeling of betrayal after he, coach Weber and staff, and the Illinois students were "played" when Eric expressed so much appreciation for being treated like a king during his campus visit while he was still in high school. I'm sure he all but assured everyone he would be joining them. I don't doubt the students of Illinois will ever forgive Eric.

I am a season ticket holder and was at the game and I was so proud of our crowd. It was a great game and a great atmosphere. The only problem I had with the orange crush was the use of the F bomb. Other than that nothing the illini nation did was out of line and Fraizer's chest bumb was harmless. Jay needs to get off his high horse and get a clue. I have been at games in bloomington Indiana wearing my orange proud and have been insulted by Indiana fans for it. Gordon got what he deserved go Illini

Damn good game, until the last few minutes!

1) 'KIDS' change their minds every year, in every sport, and sometimes at the very last minute. Where's the beef?

2) Didn't care too much for Frazier from the get go, and nothing's changed. That was just many of his terrible decisions since donning an Illini jersey.

3) Bruce Weber can sure pick character, huh.

4) This state is in one big time sports slump! Let's hope the spring of 2008 starts a reversal of fortune.

I'm just glad to see that Illinois is a sinking ship. Weber is the biggest crybaby in sports and the Whining Illini fanbase is among the most classless in the nation. Stick to picking fights at your own level - with Northwestern.

Through all the comments, only one person nailed the basis of what the drama is really about. Yes, hundreds of kids before Eric Gordon have switched commitments in various collegiate sports. But in my opinion Gordon gets too much of a free pass in the media and deserves all the heat he gets, and here's why: People who use the argument that Gordon "was just a 17 year old kid" and "didn't know what he was doing" are dumbasses plain and simple. When you're 17 years old you DO know what you're doing and know the consequences of your actions. I knew that when I was 17. And correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Gordon and his parents are on record saying that Gordon wanted to go to Indiana all along, that he just didn't want to play for Mike Davis. So why didn't he just wait it out til Indiana named it's new head coach? (especially when consensus for a while had been that Davis was on the hot seat at Indiana) I believe Kelvin Sampson when he states that he just reacted to the Gordons' reaching out to him. I do agree that people need to get over this and just move on as it's a dead issue. But stop feeling sorry for that chump Gordon.

Dear no-nothing Navarro, have you kept up with the recruiting info lately? The Illini are recruiting high quality, decent kids left and right. The 09 and 10 classes are among the best by anybody. Best you stick to the comics, you are laughable. The joke is definitely on you. The classless one is you and your stupidity!

Mariotti's an idiot. This wasn't simply an 18-year old who "changed his mind," it's a child who gave his word and backed out on it. What would be your reaction had Illinois promised him a scholarship, then yanked it so late that it left him with only minor colleges to choose from? And it's convenient that you don't mention anything about the ethics (or lack thereof) of a coach who continues to recruit a kid who's already "committed" to another university. Sure...Gordon might not be around for more than a year, but the damage he left behind by giving his word, then simply walking away, will last for years. Do you forget that Illinois stopped recruiting other point guards because "Gordon's committed to Illinois"? Do you forget that other point guards (like the one now at Purdue) decided to go elsewhere because "Gordon's committed to Illinois"? Gordon Senior should be ashamed of his child for not keeping his word.

The chest bump from Frazier? Maybe just a "welcome back to Illinois" for Gordon. Something to get his mind elsewhere, rather than on the game...and it worked. Chill out people...would've been much different if it were an intent to injure, but it wasn't.

And those of you who say you will never come to Illinois to another game, because of this? Good riddance. That just leaves more room for people we WANT here. Those of you who claim to be former "die-hard Illini fans"? Obviously...you're not, or you wouldn't be able to say "former." You won't be missed.

Maybe Weber's not the best coach in the world....but he's certainly the better coach of the two on the floor last night. And I'd much rather have an ethical coach than one who'd sell his own mother for a player. Indiana can HAVE Sampson....that is, until he gets disciplined by the NCAA for cheating...

All you people that are going back and forth are completely ridiculous!

There are 2 classless sides to this story:

1.) The ethics of Kelvin Sampson and Eric Gordon Sr. (not mentioned by Mariotti)

2.) The moronic behavior of a select group of Illini fans.

There is nothing wrong with a little shoving and tough play, what would Bobby Knight think of that? I would imagine he would be fine with that. And fans are entitled to boo and chant, but when the throwing of physical objects and profanity gets involved, that's another story. With that being said, yes those individuals are an embarassing to U of I. And don't try and tell me that if Eric Gordon committed to Duke and changed his mind that the Cameron Crazies would welcome him back to Duke with open arms. Demetri McCamey? Of course he backed out of Indiana after Gordon committed, they treated him like garbage, shoving his talents off to the side for a freakishly talented child that lets his Daddy talk for him. Good luck in the NBA Eric, if you couldn't handle the physicallity of thursday night, you might want to re-think your automatic top 5 pick.

But in the end here is the bottom line, Indiana and Illinois are great institutions beyond basketball and for everyone who is bashing Indiana because of Eric Gordon and for everyone who is bashing Illinois because of some over zealous fans, shut up and remind yourself the true purpose of both schools, to prepare our next generation to fix what Bush as destroyed. That should be enough to unite us all!

Jeff sez: "Sure...Gordon might not be around for more than a year, but the damage he left behind by giving his word, then simply walking away, will last for years."

This is my problem with college basketball, and the primary reason that, aside from the NCAA Final Four games, I rarely if ever watch it.

There can no longer be any great teams, and having a great recruiting class only means that in one or two more years the coach will have to start again from square one, due to the fact that most of his frosh / sopf players will have already bolted to the NBA.

Name me the last "great" team that we were able to watch and enjoy as they jelled and developed during a full four seasons?

Doesn't happen.

Marginally good players might stick around through their junior or senior years in the hopes of improving their chances of getting drafted, but the talented ones are gone after their sophomore years, and the really talented ones play a single season, and do so only because they have to.

When I watch a young college team with exceptionally talented first and second year players it's hard for me to become emotionally invested as a fan. The anticipation that comes with knowing they'll improve as juniors and seniors isn't there, because I know full well that THEY won't be there either.

College basketball, along with college football is a cash cow for the NCAA and it's schools. If they wish to keep milking it, they'd better start feeding the herd something more than hay. These players should be compensated for the millions and millions of dollars that they generate, just as their coaches are. Until this happens, NCAA sports will be nothing more than watered down versions of professional developmental leagues, albiet, with better cheerleaders.

The only problem with Railbird's comment (about Bilas) about McCamey backing out of an oral commitment to Indiana is that it isn't true. McCamey was recruited by Indiana but never commited to Indiana orally or otherwise. Gordon has every right to change his mind. Unfortunately he should have told Illinois he was reopening his recruitment rather than stringing them along. Personally, I think foul language at athletic events are taboo. But let's be honest, Indiana fans were unmerciful when Scott May & Luke Recker returned to play against them. Two or three wrongs don't make a right. I love sports but some visits to Wrigley, United Center, Champaign Thursday, etc, show that some people have a long way to go in terms of class.

One fan wasn't responsible for the black eye that has been dotted on ALL Illinois fans. The obscene chants and constant booing was part of the mob scene mentality displayed by the crowd. How happy the Gordon family must be with the way things turned out. They could have had their son playing for Bruce Weber. I am starting to think that he must be the long lost brother of a Bill Belichek. Both are horrible sports. His "hand shake" with the Sampson was bad enough, but to not shake hands with the Hoosier team..... inexcusable. Lou Henson had more class in the cling-ons on his butt than Weber has in his entire fiber. Lou HATED Bob Knight but put that to the side when congratulating the victor or accepting the same from the former coach at Indiana. If my child had verbally commited to Illinois at this point, I would encourage them to look elsewhere. Grow up Bruce. I bet you shook all hands on your way to the NCAA Championship game a few years ago. Good luck Illinois..... your really going to need it. Good luck Indiana and Eric Gordon in the NCAA Tourney. I'm sure you will continue to shake hands on your trip to stardom.

The invective thrown out by so many in their blogs, about Mariotti,Gordon,Sampson,and Indiana in general, only proves the "classless" tag Mariotti applied to the Illini team, coaches,and the worst-behaved fans and their supporters.Did anyone notice that the athletic director, Weber, and the coaching staff apologized for their behavior? Evidently they realized that they certainly were culpable for totally unacceptable language and actions.

Mr. Ken Carpenter, I guess you know by now the posters name is at the bottom, not the top. Anyway, Bruce Webers waiting to hear from you!

P.S. It's KNOW-nothing and I've been an Illini faithful for ages, thank you.

Chester Frazier gave a chest bump to the Purdue player prior to that game... it is likely he has done it other games also...So that makes Mariotti look like the fool he is for once again making something out of nothing.

Mariotti probably didn't even see the chest bump... anyone who saw it knows it was no big deal. Sampson and Gordon said so.

first off want to say keep your heads up illini nation we're going to be ok, just not this year. read earller in the comments about weber playing with second string players as starters which is dead on. the team lacks toughness and are not aggressive. brian randle for all the talent he has, lacks heart, he doesn't drive to the rim, he doesn't even seem to want the ball. the guards can't feed the post. trent meecham can't guard or dribble. what made illinois what we were was the inner city toughness that chicago has provided us for a long time until recently. from nick anderson to kiwan garris to dee brown, just tough kids. we missed out on guys like jeremy pargo(gonzaga) stephan hannah(missouri)jacob pullen (kanses state) fharrakhan(virginia). how do you let patrick beverly get out of illinois???? the paper work wasn't right, didn't know if he qualified? but the very next year he's starting for the razorbacks. same ol same this year and last, the big guy for farragut(dunnigan, oregon!) iman sumpert of oak park(georgia tech), how does the kid from homewood flossmoore get snagged by SIU!!!!! could go on and on but don't want to depress noone. weber's a good guy and all, and the motion offense is a beast with the right combination of guards i.e. head, williams and brown. we're stuck with soft downstaters who don't have the priviledge of improving there skills against city and near suburban kids. the illini made a mistake not hiring jimmy collins of u.i.c. we need tha innerciy connection. chicago is a breeding ground for basketball talent, we do not have to recruit out of state, and until we get that pipline up and running we're going to be stuck in basketball hell!!!!!!!!

Illini fans should all have to raise their hands and yell..."Yay Hoosiers!!!"...before every class starts....for at least a week..

and maybe some Bob Knight tattoos....If you hold 'em down...I'll ink 'em up

and make 'em sing..

Indiana, Our Indiana...Indiana.....

Hey people!

What would Coach Knight say about this?

If he was Gordon's coach and he was getting cheap shotted, I'm sure he would go and say, give it back harder! Which Gordon did in the form of knocking down a ridiculous bank three, but still, basketball gets physical and you have to deal. You can't go knit-picking at all the bumps and trips during the game. Gordon gave a few knocks that Jay and Reece pointed out that weren't called, so don't let the Illini fans make it seem that what was going on the floor was one sided.

Also, beyond all this back and forth stuff, did anyone notice that the actual game that was played was dubbed and instant classic by ESPN and re-played last night?? That was pretty cool.

Indiana fans have rather short memories...I remember when Sean May returned to Bloomington to play Indiana a couple of years ago. As I recall, the scene in Bloomington resembled the scene from Champaign. I mean please. Jay M - please move to another newspaper outside of Chicago. You write for the 2nd best paper in Chicago, it's kinda like playing for the Cubs instead of the White Sox.

Illinois is a classless basketball program. I am so glad that Gordon kept his cool and won out at the end. Frazier should be disciplined by Weber but that will not happen; again no class. The vulgarity towards Gordon crossed the line just as throwing things at his parents. Good guys come out ahead and Gordon did. Is it true that Illinois signed 4 football players who had verbal committments to other schools? I guess that is ok.

Jay Bilas, creates a public relations issue for the University of Illinois.

I agree the behavior of the fan did cross the line, once or twice.

But perhaps, Mr.. Bilas should read Daniel Borstin's "The Image."

Boorstin was the person who first alerted us to the concept of the
"pseudo-event."

The event which is created, in part, by the media. In other words, the media reflect reality, as well as create reality.

It was quite clear to anyone who attended the game last Thursday, that the presence of the ESPN cameras "in the face" of the fans, intensified fan reaction.

The best television is television which is emotional, dramatic, novel, immediate, and visual. If the fans are booing, ESPN has a better story. If the fans are dressed as cell phone, mocking Coach Sampson's NCAA violations, ESPN has a better story. If the fans are chanting "liar, liar," ESPN has a better story. It was clear, to anyone at the game, that ESPN sought to create a better story, by providing the Illinois fans.

It seems very hypocritical for ESPN to chastise Illinois fans, or any fans for that matter, when they help to create the behavior they chastise.

During the pre-game, the ESPN cameras and announcers got "right in the face" of the Illinois cheering section, just hoping and knowing they would provide this type of fan reaction, they later condemn.

Lets not forget Sean May and Luke Recker's treatment. Also the near riots in Bloomington when the General was terminated. The kid got bumped, beads were thrown..fans are merciless. Reme,ber all the ILL DUI chants last year...or the Dr. Frazier chants. With a little luck you wont have to worry about Sampson or Gordon next year.

B Web needs to go.

hey ken, before you go comparing football and basketball as far as the illini snagging other programs verbal committments, there are four or five players at every position in college football compared to maybe 2 in college basketball. two totally different scenerio's. but what i will say is the illini has more problems then missing out on eric gordan. he would have gotten us maybe to the ncaa's but we still would have be one and done.

First, I'm an Illini fan, have been for 40 years. Nothing that happened the other night made me feel worse about our school-there was a lot of pent-up emotion over the recruitment of Gordon and he really did hurt the program with his actions.

I agree with Ken above, This was a media event that was only encouraged by the coverage ESPN gave it. As far as the chest bump goes, it was one player intimidating another. It didn't hurt Gordon, it took him aback and got him off his game. He himself did not complain about Frazier's move in his post-game comments.

I will say that I would hope it's time to move on from this. We got our payback the other night with the intimidation and now it should be over. I had and still have a lot of respect for Coach Weber, but i do wish he would have taken the microphone and told the crowd not to use obscene language or throw things at the Indiana fans. They bleed their crimson and cream blood just like we bleed orange and blue. Sorry to the IU fans, but not to Kelvin and EJ. Look at it this way guys, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And you still got the win.

Finally, anyone who says that Duke University has any class at all is truly living on another planet. As mentioned above, they pick a player or coach on the opposing team and continuously harass them throughout the game-they've done this for a long time and everybody chalks it up to those "Cameron Crazies".

They've done a lot worse things than what happened at the Assembly Hall. Who knows, maybe it will be IU vs. UI in the Big 10 Championship game, which, I believe, is in Indianapolis. Hmmmm. Now that would be a good game.

Illinois IS a second rate program. They are nothing but a joke in the big 10. Face it, they have nothing but classless losers for players and if that wasn't bad enough,,,they can't even play basketball very well..hence the reason for their sh#tty record!! I laugh at Illinois fans!