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Posts Tagged Andy Katz

Andy Katz talks IU, Eric Gordon, Michigan State, Kelvin Sampson, Sanctions, Rob Senderoff and more

by in Interviews | November 6th, 2007

andy-katz.jpgAndy Katz is a senior college basketball writer for ESPN.com. His “Daily Word” is a staple of ESPN.com’s college hoops coverage. He is also an on-air reporter for the World Wide Leader’s coverage of college basketball and the NBA draft. We recently caught up with him and got his take on the upcoming IU season, how Kelvin Sampson is perceived by his peers, Rob Senderoff’s resignation and a few other topics. We thank Mr. Katz for his time.

Inside the Hall: With D.J White returning and the arrival of Eric Gordon, IU is back in the preseason top 10 for the first time since the 1994-1995 season. Is this team capable of a run to San Antonio and which player, White or Gordon, is the key to getting them there?

Andy Katz: Both. The Hoosiers need balance to make it to San Antonio. They haven’t had those two working parts in concert in years. If the Hoosiers get an all-American season out of White and what should be a one-and-done stellar season out of Gordon then they will have the two most important pieces in place to make a run.

ITH: The preseason media poll penciled in Michigan State as the favorite to win the conference. Are the Spartans the team to beat in the Big Ten and if so, why?

Katz: The reason was experience. The Spartans return more overall experience and have the most important player to his team in the league in Drew Neitzel. Gordon may end up having just as good a statistical season but he’s still a freshman versus a senior. It’s hard to argue that point.

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Media piling on Sampson in wake of sanctions

by in Commentary | October 15th, 2007

sampson-6.jpg(Editor’s Note: The Indianapolis Star has revealed secondary violations that have taken place in the last 15 months. You can read that report by clicking here.)

Updated, 10/16, 7:15 AM: Those of you hoping for a “this too shall pass” resolution to yesterday’s news regarding Kelvin Sampson’s latest sanctions for violating NCAA phone call rules are in for a rude awakening. It’s not happening, folks. Fan message boards are being overloaded, radio talk show lines are lighting up and talking heads from across the country are calling for, gasp, Sampson’s head.

A survey of prominent viewpoints from across the land revealed the following thoughts about Sampson:

Andy Katz, ESPN.com: Sampson has plenty of friends in the business. And when I say plenty, I would argue that the majority of coaches really do enjoy his company. But a number of them are perturbed by these latest violations. Some of his good friends even told me that they do think this will put a distinctive mark on the public perception of Sampson.

Will Leitch, Deadspin: The move is seen as a preemptive strike against any potential NCAA punishments. Indiana should be much better this year, thanks largely to recruit Eric Gordon (which Sampson swiped from Illinois, infuriating many of his fellow Big Ten coaches), but they’ve now officially wiped the regime of Bob Knight off the books. Say what you will about Knight, but this was never a problem with him. He was too busy strangling the players he already had.

Rick Bozich, Louisville Courier-Journal: Don’t fire up your search engine. Sampson committed similar violations at Oklahoma, then promised it would never happen in Bloomington. Sunday’s news suggests the man is either brash or careless. Doesn’t matter which side you pick. He’s still a repeat offender. IU uncovered the violations. IU reported them to the NCAA. IU is punishing the rule-breakers — Sampson and assistant Rob Senderoff. Sampson described the violations as “disappointing.” Losing to Purdue is disappointing. This is disturbing. Reckless also fits. So does ridiculous.

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Katz: IU to withdraw Mackey offer regardless of outcome in court

by in Recruiting | October 3rd, 2007

mackey12.jpgIt’s been quiet on the Bud Mackey front these past two days, but now ESPN.com basketball columnist Andy Katz is reporting that IU will withdraw its offer to the Scott County standout regardless of how everything shakes out in court.

Expect Indiana to privately cut loose committed recruit Bud Mackey in the coming days or weeks.

A source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Indiana will withdraw the commitment to Mackey, regardless of the outcome of his case that includes trafficking a controlled substance.

Indiana is obviously fairly confident that it will land another point guard without an issue. Taking a player who has this charge wasn’t worth it to the Hoosiers.

I can’t say I am surprised by this, but I was still optimistic that IU would allow Mackey to have his day in court before making any final decisions.

Obviously, the court of public opinion reigns supreme in this circumstance and understandably so. You simply cannot have a storied program like Indiana being associated with crack cocaine. So long Bud. We hardly knew ya.

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Is this D.J.’s last year at IU?

by in Media | July 19th, 2007

white.jpegD.J. White has the option to come back for a fifth year at IU if he so desires. But will he?

Well, Kelvin Sampson doesn’t seem to think so. From Andy Katz at the WWL:

Although listed as a senior, White could return to Indiana next season after receiving that medical redshirt year, but that’s an unlikely proposition, Sampson said.

“But if the year plays out the way it should, then that should be a moot point,” Sampson said of White likely declaring for the draft after this season. Indiana lists White as a senior on the Web site because it’s his fourth year in school.

D.J. White’s career has been slowed by injuries, which have contributed to his return to Indiana for a fourth year.

“It’s nice to know that if something happens, he can come back,” Sampson said. “But everyone anticipates he’ll have a great senior year.”

I’d have to think Sampson’s feelings are the general consensus here. It’s going to be harder for teams to double-down on White this year with Eric Gordon lurking around out on the perimeter, which means D.J. will get the opportunity to showcase his stuff more. And, regardless of Gordon or not, White is in position to make some real noise in the Big Ten and beyond. But can he play himself into a first-round lock? Or better yet, a lottery pick?

Eh, much too early to tell. But with White recently working his way onto the Pan Am team, I certainly wouldn’t rule it out either.

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