My memory might not be as sharp as it used to be, but this much I do know: two months ago the Indiana University men’s basketball program nearly defeated then-No. 1 Duke and we’re two weeks removed from the Hoosiers’ victory against Illinois.
IU looked top 10 the way Jessica Simpson looks a ‘10.’
Now the Hoosiers have gone all Ashlee on us, losing at Iowa and adding a new layer of foul odor to “The Barn,” the facility where the Minnesota Golden Gophers have entertained guests since the Coolidge Administration, with last weekend’s 61-42 loss.
March Madness the past two years has taken on an entirely different meaning for IU fans left livid by the Hoosiers’ mediocrity. Thus, Indiana coach Mike Davis began the trek through 2005-2006 standing on thin ice.
Here’s hoping the man knows how to swim. Or at least owns a life preserver.
Wednesday’s 72-63 home conquest of Northwestern is important because ‘W’s against the Big Ten’s lower crust count the same in the standings as victories against perennial powers. In the long run, though, it proves very little because, well, it’s Northwestern.
If the Hoosiers continue to flatline during road trips by treating every venue as if it were Duke’s crackerbox of intimidation, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Davis’ club is destined for the NIT and Bob Knight’s successor in Bloomington will be shining up his resumé.
Now 8-1 between the limestone walls of the architectural nightmare known as Assembly Hall, IU stands 3-4 in road games played on the opponent’s campus (wins against Kentucky and Butler took place at the RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse, respectively).
Worse, the Hoosiers are 0-3 in Big Ten road games.
Throw in the fact that Davis appears to recruit his home state of Alabama better than he does the goldmine laid out in front of him — hardly an endearing quality to Indiana backers — and his off-court decisions are being questioned as passionately as his ability to motivate his players away from Assembly Hall.
IU nevertheless would seem in a good position for the NCAA Tournament bid that will save its coach’s job. The Hoosiers are 13-5, yet insurance can come with a few quality victories the rest of the way. Where better to start than No. 1 Connecticut, which comes to Bloomington Saturday for a nationally televised step away from conference play.
Indiana can’t settle for moral victories like taking the Huskies into overtime and then losing. Not with the tournament committee’s penchant for unpredictability.
Up to this point in the season, victories capable of making people sit up and take notice are against Michigan, Ohio State and Illinois, all virtual NCAA locks. Problem is, all were inside Assembly Hall, which is a strike against IU.
Don’t say thumping Kentucky by 26 points in December is going to sway anyone. The Wildcats are awful to the point that Adolph Rupp can be heard doing 360s in his grave late at night, and not just because of the way he’s portrayed in the new movie, “Glory Road.”
The Hoosiers need wins, yes. But they also need wins that matter or else Selection Sunday promises to be one hair-raising roller-coaster ride through the brackets.
If Indiana fails to upset UConn, future road tests that would score the Hoosiers points with a win include Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.
If victorious in all three, perhaps even in two, Davis can breathe easy because his program would be pirouetting toward the Big Dance. Win one of those games or throw an 0-fer and it would be in Indiana’s best interest to garner an automatic bid by capturing the Big Ten Tournament scheduled for March 9-12 in Indianapolis.
Otherwise, the Mike Davis Era in Bloomington will officially be out of tomorrows.
Tomorrows that soon could belong to the gent warming up in the IU bullpen.
Steve Alford, the ball is yours.
Sports Editor Mike Beas can be reached at mike.beas@heraldbulletin.com.
