What a difference a week makes! Last week the Hoosiers were upset in the wannabe Assembly Hall by a team with the ugliest uniforms in the Big Ten; otherwise known as Illinois. IU gave their worst effort of the season as they struggled to score 43 points. They lost to an inferior team 51-43, and they deserved that loss.Since that ugly outing the Hoosiers have played impressively in back-to-back home games. They convincingly beat the Michigan Wolverines 76-61, and last night they shocked the #2 Wisconsin Badgers 71-66. The Hoosiers have scored in the 70s in each of their last five games; except for the Illinois debacle. In fact, IU has scored less than 60 points in all but one of their losses. OSU defeated them 74-67.Ratliff came up big in last night’s game, scoring 18 of his game high 20 points in the second half. The turning point came early in the game. IU fell behind 13-7 after another long scoring drought (more than 5 minutes). Sampson inserted Ratliff, Joey Shaw, and Mike White. Those three made an immediate impact.
Speaking of Sampson, how many of you IU fans out there are still disappointed that Greenspan hired him instead of Alford? I was surprised by his hiring; it seemed to me that it was out of nowhere. But I’m glad that I never pontificated on how he was going to be another Mike Davis as many other Hoosier fans did. Of course, he hasn’t won anything yet; however, I think that he will win at IU. Pat Forde at ESPN.com wrote an excellent article. I’ve linked to it here.IU has proven to be a formidable opponent at Assembly Hall. Now they need to follow up this impressive victory by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena this Saturday.
