Indiana fans have been gloating all season with T-Shirts that read "Got Gordon? We do!" Based on an NCAA report released Wednesday, it looks like it won't be long before they've "Got sanctions" as well.
If you're an Illinois fan, Wednesday was a glorious day. Kelvin Sampson, the cheating liar who coaches basketball at Indiana, is about to get a visit from the karma police.
The NCAA listed five major violations against Sampson in the report, saying he gave "false or misleading information" to NCAA investigators. In addition, he "failed to deport himself...with the generally recognized high standard of honesty" and "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the men's basketball program."
Surprise, surprise.
Indiana sold its soul when it hired Sampson. The coach was on probation for his previous activities at the University of Oklahoma, where he made 577 impermissible phone calls to recruits. Undeterred, he did the exact same thing once he was hired at Indiana, making 100 impermissible calls during the probationary period.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Sampson did anything illegal when he lured Eric Gordon out of his verbal commitment to Illinois.
Still, there are few things better for Illini fans than watching self-righteous Indiana fans squirm. For years, Hoosiers threw barbs at Illinois, extolling the virtues of Bob Knight's clean program while claiming that Lou Henson's program at Illinois was dirty.
Well, who is looking dirty now?
After Knight left Indiana, the program sank from the ranks of the elite under Mike Davis. Tired of mediocrity and desperate to get back to the Final Four, Indiana forced Davis out and hired the slimy Sampson, who will do just about anything and say just about anything to get a recruit.
Sure enough, Indiana recruited some good players (including Gordon) the last couple years, and the results have been pretty good this season, 20-4 with a 9-2 record in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have a chance at a deep run in the postseason. However, anything they accomplish this year will likely be wiped off the books once the NCAA issues a ruling.
Given the nature of Sampson's actions and the university's willingness to keep him around, there will be harsh penalties, a loss of scholarships and quite possibly a postseason ban. Sampson will likely be fired.
Serves them all right. I have no sympathy for Indiana whatsoever. Illinois is suffering this year from the loss of Gordon, but Indiana will suffer for much longer as result of Sampson.
Maybe I'll make the Hoosier fans a T-Shirt. On the front, it will read, "Got sanctions?" On the back: "You do!"
To read the complete NCAA report on the alleged violations at Indiana, visit here
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