And to call Dumes a “thug” is ignorant.

Yes Dumes let his actions and emotions slip out of control, but it was in the middle of a Big Ten game. And, absolutely none of the readers of this blog know what it is like to go through such a frustrating season like this year's team is. Remember, these are 18-22 year old men we are talking about. It is not like Dumes is skipping class to go smoke weed, or constantly disrespecting or completely ignoring the authority of the interim head coach a la last year.

Dumes, as with the rest of this year's squad, deserve nothing but our support and respect for caring enough about IU basketball to work their tails off day in and day out, only to see limited short-term results.

I am sick of sitting in the stands at Assembly Hall and listening to fans and students belittle OUR players.

I constantly hear our own fans make fun of Kyle Taber for his lack of speed and ability. Kyle Taber may not be the most athletic player. But he tries just as hard as (probably harder than) anyone else out there, and we would be even worse off without him because we are small as it is and Pritchard is often in foul trouble.

I also hear fans complain every time Pritchard makes a mistake, and often hear people refer to him as a “pussy.” Tom Pritchard may make stupid fouls and fail to finish from time to time. But, he is a freshman who was forced to be our team's sole inside threat from the day he stepped on campus. Not to mention he has the burden of defending and competing on the boards against bigger, stronger, more experienced big men throughout the Big Ten.

It is time for our fans to stop spending their time criticizing our players and instead spend it supporting them and looking forward to turning the corner and building momentum for the future.

That said, a 1 or 2 game suspension is probably appropriate for Dumes.

And to call Dumes a “thug” is ignorant.

Yes Dumes let his actions and emotions slip out of control, but it was in the middle of a Big Ten game. And, absolutely none of the readers of this blog know what it is like to go through such a frustrating season like this year's team is. Remember, these are 18-22 year old men we are talking about. It is not like Dumes is skipping class to go smoke weed, or constantly disrespecting or completely ignoring the authority of the interim head coach a la last year.

Dumes, as with the rest of this year's squad, deserve nothing but our support and respect for caring enough about IU basketball to work their tails off day in and day out, only to see limited short-term results.

I am sick of sitting in the stands at Assembly Hall and listening to fans and students belittle OUR players.

I constantly hear our own fans make fun of Kyle Taber for his lack of speed and ability. Kyle Taber may not be the most athletic player. But he tries just as hard as (probably harder than) anyone else out there, and we would be even worse off without him because we are small as it is and Pritchard is often in foul trouble.

I also hear fans complain every time Pritchard makes a mistake, and often hear people refer to him as a “pussy.” Tom Pritchard may make stupid fouls and fail to finish from time to time. But, he is a freshman who was forced to be our team's sole inside threat from the day he stepped on campus. Not to mention he has the burden of defending and competing on the boards against bigger, stronger, more experienced big men throughout the Big Ten.

It is time for our fans to stop spending their time criticizing our players and instead spend it supporting them and looking forward to turning the corner and building momentum for the future.

That said, a 1 or 2 game suspension is probably appropriate for Dumes.

And to call Dumes a “thug” is ignorant.

Yes Dumes let his actions and emotions slip out of control, but it was in the middle of a Big Ten game. And, absolutely none of the readers of this blog know what it is like to go through such a frustrating season like this year's team is. Remember, these are 18-22 year old men we are talking about. It is not like Dumes is skipping class to go smoke weed, or constantly disrespecting or completely ignoring the authority of the interim head coach a la last year.

Dumes, as with the rest of this year's squad, deserve nothing but our support and respect for caring enough about IU basketball to work their tails off day in and day out, only to see limited short-term results.

I am sick of sitting in the stands at Assembly Hall and listening to fans and students belittle OUR players.

I constantly hear our own fans make fun of Kyle Taber for his lack of speed and ability. Kyle Taber may not be the most athletic player. But he tries just as hard as (probably harder than) anyone else out there, and we would be even worse off without him because we are small as it is and Pritchard is often in foul trouble.

I also hear fans complain every time Pritchard makes a mistake, and often hear people refer to him as a “pussy.” Tom Pritchard may make stupid fouls and fail to finish from time to time. But, he is a freshman who was forced to be our team's sole inside threat from the day he stepped on campus. Not to mention he has the burden of defending and competing on the boards against bigger, stronger, more experienced big men throughout the Big Ten.

It is time for our fans to stop spending their time criticizing our players and instead spend it supporting them and looking forward to turning the corner and building momentum for the future.

That said, a 1 or 2 game suspension is probably appropriate for Dumes.

I am from the same part of the world as Mr. Dumes and knew some of his high school coaches, and I heard the same thing from them that is manifest now, his attitude is the only thing keeping him back. I thought a couple of years away and the opportunity to play at IU would give him reason to change, but he keeps displaying the same playground-type behavior that is unacceptable on this stage and especially at this time.

I do not know what the acceptable punishment ought to be, but he needs to know he is wasting a good opportunity and good talent to act in such a way. I thought the rest of the team did not deserve their efforts to have it tainted by the actions of one player. I thought the first elbow was part of the game, but he was reacting to the way Walton was playing him instead of using his aggressiveness against him. The second was clearly intentional as he had room to run around but chose to engage. The third, was clearly out of frustration, but was completely unneccessary. I would be embarrassed if I were him….I only hope he can learn from it.

I am from the same part of the world as Mr. Dumes and knew some of his high school coaches, and I heard the same thing from them that is manifest now, his attitude is the only thing keeping him back. I thought a couple of years away and the opportunity to play at IU would give him reason to change, but he keeps displaying the same playground-type behavior that is unacceptable on this stage and especially at this time.

I do not know what the acceptable punishment ought to be, but he needs to know he is wasting a good opportunity and good talent to act in such a way. I thought the rest of the team did not deserve their efforts to have it tainted by the actions of one player. I thought the first elbow was part of the game, but he was reacting to the way Walton was playing him instead of using his aggressiveness against him. The second was clearly intentional as he had room to run around but chose to engage. The third, was clearly out of frustration, but was completely unneccessary. I would be embarrassed if I were him….I only hope he can learn from it.

I am from the same part of the world as Mr. Dumes and knew some of his high school coaches, and I heard the same thing from them that is manifest now, his attitude is the only thing keeping him back. I thought a couple of years away and the opportunity to play at IU would give him reason to change, but he keeps displaying the same playground-type behavior that is unacceptable on this stage and especially at this time.

I do not know what the acceptable punishment ought to be, but he needs to know he is wasting a good opportunity and good talent to act in such a way. I thought the rest of the team did not deserve their efforts to have it tainted by the actions of one player. I thought the first elbow was part of the game, but he was reacting to the way Walton was playing him instead of using his aggressiveness against him. The second was clearly intentional as he had room to run around but chose to engage. The third, was clearly out of frustration, but was completely unneccessary. I would be embarrassed if I were him….I only hope he can learn from it.

Hoosier_Hound, I liked your comment to run him until he is too tired to swing his elbows.

The next question is it o.k. to elbow a Purdue player if it helps their IQ scores? ;o)

Hoosier_Hound, I liked your comment to run him until he is too tired to swing his elbows.

The next question is it o.k. to elbow a Purdue player if it helps their IQ scores? ;o)

Hoosier_Hound, I liked your comment to run him until he is too tired to swing his elbows.

The next question is it o.k. to elbow a Purdue player if it helps their IQ scores? ;o)

Now if he had elbowed a PU player….you would not have one negative thread on this post….which is clearly acceptable….

And I agree Milla….I also think the 'banner' infacuation compounded by the not so dominant season PU is having leads many to this blog…I love it….keep em comin'…don't be surprised your boilers find themselves in a close one with the baby hoosiers this year………