We all know who he is

by Alex Bozich in Commentary | January 11th, 2008

Turn back the clock to October 13, 2006. North Central guard Eric Gordon had just made the switch to Indiana after committing to Illinois and coach Bruce Weber on November 28, 2005.

Indiana fans rejoiced. Chants of “Eric Gordon” filled Assembly Hall at Hoosier Hysteria. After missing on Greg Oden and Michael Conley Jr. the previous year, the Hoosiers finally had their man. Gordon, perhaps the best player in the 2007 class, would help Indiana return to national prominence.

Illinois fans were up in arms and cried foul on Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson, Gordon and his father, Eric Sr. Never mind the fact that Indiana had made a coaching change since Gordon’s commitment to Illinois. “How dare he change his mind,” the Orange Krush exclaimed.

Deron Williams, Utah Jazz guard and former Illinois point guard, knew the questions were coming about Gordon.

“What are your thoughts on the Eric Gordon situation?,” a reporter asked in a hotel lobby.

“I don’t know who that is” Williams said.

And so the phrase was born that has become a staple for fans of the Illini when referring to the Big Ten’s leading scorer: “I don’t know who that is.”

Truth is, they know all too well who Gordon is. At this point, who doesn’t know who Eric Gordon is?

He’s the best player in the Big Ten. He’s the best guard in America. And the argument can be made that he’s the best player in college basketball.

Indiana will host Illinois on Sunday at 4:30 on CBS. Verne Lundquist and Billy Packer will call the game. Indiana fans will chant “Eric Gordon.” Kelvin Sampson will say that it’s just another game as will Illinois coach Bruce Weber. What’s done is done, right?

But we all know it’s much more than that.

This game is all about Eric Gordon. Some of you have commented that you’d like to see him defer to teammates and let them crush the Illini. I’m on the opposite side of the spectrum. I want to see complete destruction of Illinois at the hands of Gordon. A facial for Shaun Pruitt would be a nice start. Long range three’s in the face of Chester Frazier would push along the process. In the end, 40 for Gordon and a 25-point IU win would be ideal.

So what are you expecting from EJ on Sunday? Is this just another game for him or will there be extra motivation? Your comments, por favor.

Tags: Eric Gordon

The Ghost of Chiefs Past

IDKWTI got shut down in Bloomington, and the Loosiers got lucky with a victory... Expect a different story tonight at the REAL assembly hall! (not the knock off version iu calls home). Gordon is a solid college player but will do NOTHING at the next level. in 2 years the Fighting Illini will return to dominance in the Big 10 and stay there for many, many years. Loosier fans will go back to drinking moonshine, beating their wives and trying to learn how to speak proper english.

PB

If anyone touches EJ with intent to hurt him, Assembly Hall will riot. The mob will swarm over Bruthy and his "potent" 3-star "athletes," and they will not leave that arena alive...

They won't try and hurt him, with the story behind this and the national attention, that tactic would permanently tarnish Bruthy's reputation as a respectable guy.

Go Hoosiers, beat the s--t out of the Illini.

TXIUAlum

Sunday is going to be a great day for Indiana sports. First, I get to see the Colts whip up on the Bolts and immediately after that game, I get to watch IU & EJ kick the crap out of orange d-bags.

Schultz

the best thing about this game is that it virtually ends illinois' already slim chances of making the tournament. i don't think they'll be able to recover from an 8-9, 0-4 conference hole.

i think with gordon, they would be a top 25 team. that's their problem, they have no scorers and nobody that can shoot the basketball. i think legion was a nice get for them and weber is doing good things with his 2009 class. i think they have 3 top 100 kids already and are in the hunt for a few more, but im not sure if weber is going to be around by the time those kids are freshmen.

ray

bloom...thanks so much for introducing me to the youtube video of gordon...simply phenomenal demonstration of pure athleticism, shooting, driving, and dominance. the dunk at the end is outrageous...his head nearly hit the backboard (ON THE WAY DOWN!).

ray

i agree that the bigger game is in champaigne. i also agree that we should expect the same thing we've been seeing from jamarcus, but maybe a little more so...i would like to see him back them down into the paint and eat them up with his abilities...it would be even greater to see jamarcus land the second ever triple-double against illinois.
i believe this game means no more than any other for the hoosiers and ej, but that the game in illinois will be given more hype from the media, fans, players, and coaches.
the game in illinois is a much bigger game for illinois and weber than indiana, but there will be much more pressure on gordon at this event...namely from the crowd...as well as on ks. illinois has to win at home against indiana, as does indiana in bloomington. i think this weekend's game is bigger for indiana because they have the home court (and winning streak) to protect.
i would like to see dj white end up with 20 and 20 with at least 5 blocked shots. the illini will have a difficult task in bloomington, not just holding gordon back, but keeping indiana and their fans (disgusted by the threats and comments made about gordon by illinois fans and former players) from embarrassing and harassing them early. in front of national television, i would like to see indiana bomb the illini by 30 or more. they need a huge win at home, especially against a weaker foe...not because it's illinois, but because it's a home game in the b-10 conference season.
regardless of what others think, even the game in champaigne is nowhere near as important as four others...iu vs. michigan state and iu vs. wisconsin. why is everyone giving the game against illinois such hype? i don't think illinois deserves this kind of hype. that said, iu better win or we'll never hear the end of it.

Kelin

Yes that was a great game...at one point for the first time EVER I felt sorry for Jordans son and his dad...it was a helpless feeling....I would have gone out there and handed my son a kicking tee and a helmet and tried a new sport....

Stephen

At least Ahlfeld's not Kevin Lemme!

MJ's son...Yeah the same one that Gordon lit up last year. Jeff's scored what, ONCE this season. I love that. That was one of the sweetest games I was able to go to last season. I was only a few rows away from MJ, but all I cared about was watching EJ. J. Jordan started out with a great dunk off an alley oop, but Gordon was just incredible the whole game. I think at the time he finally went out of the game, he had scored more points than Jordan's entire team combined. Although I do remember everyone anticipating a huge dunk off a turnover and Gordon fumbled the ball around and just hit a lay up. But we got that dunk later in the game. I guess he can be human once in a while!

Zac

Let 'em fight. EJ can throw bows better than anyone on Illinois. Deandre can just sit on someone and I feel that Ellis can hold is own. (DJ might fall on the ground randomly like he does 3-4 times a game). Although if a fight did breakout you know that Adam Ahlfield would be right in the middle of it trying to break it up. "Come on guys, dont fight, lets be friends!" God, I love our token white kids under 6 foot. In fact, can we call Adam Ahlfield "Token" from now on like South Park. Just a thought...

Kelin

Stephen...If that happens I TOTALLY blame the coach cause they feed of Weber....why are they upset anyhow they have MJ's son....

Stephen

We have to remember that we play Illinois at THE OTHER Assembly Hall in a few weeks. I hesitate to get too excited. No matter what happens on Sunday, that's the BIG game. We need to take care of business at home, get a good feel for Illinois and then really handle them on their court. That's where I'd love to see the Hoosiers really stick it to the Illini. I expect us to win by more than 10, hopefully 20 or 30 but Illinois has enough on both ends to keep it competitive.

Weber is so distraught over losing Gordon, my greatest fear is that it's spilled over to his players and someone is going to hurt EJ. He draws plenty of contact. If there's a cheap shot, watch out. It could get ugly fast in an arena full of rowdy college kids. Even worse when we're at Illinois. I doubt it happens, but it's crossed my mind.

Go Hoosiers!

Robert

I'm no expert at predicting scores, but, I wouldn't be surprised if the game was called at half-time due to the REAL Assembly Hall being flooded with tears of jealousy and frustration from Bruce WAAAAHHber.....

Kelin

My predictions.....Sunday will be one of the greatest sports days of my life...

Y...on my way to chi-town today a buddy calls and says hey I got two tickets for the game on Sunday....you want them....DAH...

I expect to witness...EJ put up 25 plus and the play of the day that will eventually end up on the front page of many papers is...EJ putting up a 28footer 'right' in front of Bruce Weber!

ALso I expect a motivated Jamarcus Ellis and Deandre T..I am sure Brucey didn't bother recruiting them...why else would he need homestate talent....

IU 80 Illinois 49....these guys cannot score

Bloom

REMATCH: Gordon v Jordan II - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNQRKsZYXZ8

PB

B-SIDE, I made a huge mistake when I wrote that post. I thought this Sunday was @ Illinois for some reason, which will no doubt be bigger than this one at home.

ALH '00

That's an interesting thought, B-Side. I'm sure other teams have focused on EJ, but Illinois will likely intesify the pressure, given the history with EJ.

As I think about it though, that only helps IU. The Illini have weapons, but no depth. The more cheap fouls they commit, the more time on the bench Frasier (and maybe Randle and Pruitt) spend on the bench. Also, the more they pressure EJ, the more open looks DJ, Stemler, and Thomas will get. It will be interesting how EJ responds to the heat...I think he'll be fine.

It should also be interesting to see KS' game plan for this one. Illinois may be able to take EJ out of the game if he doesn't work without the ball.

b-side

PB, while this is certainly one of the bigger games in Big Ten, even us Hoosiers have to think that the game @ Illinois will be even more dramatic.

The Orange Soda Pop will be jeering him with the JJ Reddick treatment and that's when I'd really like to see EJ go off for 40+ points.

Steve O

To the people who keep calling Gordon IDKWTI, I would suggest you learn who he is before he dunks all over your team's face then pulls back and hits a 30 footer.

Illinois fans know exactly who Gordon is... and his 1 year in college will probably be better than the 3 or 4 Deron Williams played. And I think he better learn the name too, before Gordon comes to the NBA and throws one down on his head.

IU 86 ILL 68

Corey James

great quote...while Chief Illiniwek did have the Bo Ryan's boys on the ropes last night I think we will just be too hyped and focused for them Sunday, not to mention I will personally be in the South bleachers, with Assembly Hall rocking it will simply be too much...IU 81 bad guys 59

TimEOBrien

Hoosiers two hundred twenty four, illini... thirty-tree.

and in a stunning turn of events both DJ and Gordon go over the 100 point mark and DJ gets the first ever double triple with a hundred and forty two rebounds.

DAAAA Hoosiers

SocksShortsSwish

By the way, the team to the west's website roster has Da Molester listed as 6'2''. On what elevator?

SocksShortsSwish

In the words of Lee Corso...NotSoFastMyFriend.

While I'd love to see Chief Illiniwek doing his best Keep America Beautiful PSA impression, I think this game will be close. Maybe it's what a previous blog entry stated: the fact that knowing IU will win is such an alien feeling. I hope it's that.

But, that team to the west will come in and bring loads of pressure. I think Chester the Molester will be healthier, and he'll surely be guarding (hounding) EJ. We've already seen His Airness get in foul trouble, especially when frustrated.

Plus, this is a vet, although bad, team in the orange and blue. Things happen when they shouldn't. We haven't seen this IU team really beat a team who pressures yet. SIU has proven to be not as good as advertised.

So, while I think we're superior, I wouldn't be surprised to see a rocky one. They had Wisconsin on the ropes last night, and while we're no Wisconsin, they just don't lose in the Department Store. To rip off Bill Simmons and Pulp Fiction, "Let's not start sucking each other's popsicles just yet."

IU 72
The Visitors 65

Tsell

GO HOOSIERS! GORDON GOES OFF! WHITE DOMINATES THE PAINT! ASSEMBLY HALL WILL ROCK! GO HOOSIERS!

Hoosier Hound

I look at this game and I see Kentucky all over again. Illinois also has a good big (Pruitt-Patterson), a very overrated player (Randle-Crawford), is terrible this year, and can't even win at home. IU destroyed Kentucky by 19 without Gordon. My imagination is running wild trying to predict the margin of victory for Sunday's game. The sweet taste of that UK pounding was great and lasted a long time. But that game was a month ago and I'm ready for a new flavor, namely a delicious chief stew.

Brad

EJ will have his typical 20-30 points, but I don't think he really cares anymore about this game than any other. Even if he does, he certainly won't force the issue like many players in this situation would. He's way to mature, humble, calm, cool for that. Plus he knows he doesn't need to do anything extra to be great. His average game is better than most college players best game.

Personally I would love to see him go off for 50 (and I know he could if he really wanted to and shot it as much as OJ Mayo), but like I said I think about 25 will do the trick.

slojoe

Big A, your ideal is 25 point win and 40 for EJ? You're way to much of a pessimist. How about at 30 pt. win and 57 for EJ (breaking the IU record of 56).

David

The rivalry is between the two fan bases. Eric Gordon has already shown maturity beyond his years and I have a hard time believing he sees this game as anything more than another Big Ten game.

He'll probably go for 25-30 points and 4-5 boards. And I assume that even though Kelvin wants him to shoot more, I would fathom that he will still get his fair share of assists. He's just that type of teammate.

Timmy

Look for BAM to have his team be more physical with IDKWTI than Xavier was. Also, expect some heated exchanges during the game between Frazier, Randle and IDKWTI.

James

I think Gordon scores 30 easily in this game, and we have a good chance to win by that margin as well.

Sherron Wilkerson

No way Chief Illinwek gets 60 points. They are futile on the offensive side of the ball. I love it.

Jeff

For IU and UI it's a very big game. Beyond those two schools, and the avid b-ball fan and Big Ten supporter, I don't think anyone will be paying that much attention.

ESPN is high on EJ (for good reason). They may help the game achieve a more than normal Big Ten regular season game status, but I don't think people down South, out East, and out West will have any idea the two teams are playing.

PB

My prediction:

Indiana 79
Illinois 64

Eric Gordon 33 pts (14 from the line)
DJ White 18 pts, 15 boards

Gordon's gotta stick it to them. He is gonna be charged up knowing he's in the spotlight of the Big Ten's game of the year (maybe the nation?) and will have the attention of the nation's college basketball fans.

I ask you, is this the game of the year in college basketball? I am a Big Ten guy, but I can't think of anything with more drama. Too bad Illinois sucks...they could really use a stud 2-guard, suckas....

We all know who he is

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