Kelvin Sampson told Don Fischer on the Kelvin Sampson Show from Foster quad that Indiana senior D.J. White is expected to play Tuesday night against Purdue.
White left Saturday’s 80-61 win over Michigan State with an injury to his left knee, but an MRI on Sunday showed no structural damage.
We’ve heard that he wouldn’t play, now we’ve heard that he will play. At this point, who knows what to believe. We’ll find out in 24 hours.
(Via The Hoosier Scoop and tipster Kelin)
Still nothing official from the Hoosier camp, but Jeff Goodman of Foxsports.com reported late last night that a knee sprain is likely to keep D.J. White from taking the court on Tuesday against Purdue. Here are the details:
White landed awkwardly on his left knee late in the first half of Indiana’s victory against Michigan State on Saturday night. Although an MRI on Sunday morning came back negative, Kelvin Sampson told FOXSports.com that doctors weren’t optimistic White would be able to play Tuesday night against Purdue. White was diagnosed with a sprained right knee just above the kneecap, and he’ll likely miss a week or so, according to Sampson.
Again, this story is according to Jeff Goodman. He could be wrong, but for the sake of the discussion I’m about to open up, let’s say he’s right. Without D.J. White, can Indiana beat Purdue? How does the game plan change? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments.
The latest from IU Athletics Media Relations:
Indiana senior All-American candidate D.J. White is being treated for an injured left knee and underwent an MRI later today than expected (medical equipment issues). IU’s medical staff is awaiting further evaluation of the test. No further determination regarding his playing status for Tuesday’s game against Purdue has been made.
So yes: I suppose that really isn’t an update … or at least one we want to hear. It was encouraging that White walked off the court on his own accord and came back to the bench under his own power, but until it’s evaluated by an MRI, I guess we won’t know for sure.
Here’s to hoping White can play Tuesday. Even though the team thrived without him last night and I have faith we can put up a fight without him against Purdue, we’re kidding ourselves if we don’t think we need White on the court Tuesday night. It’s the biggest game of the year; we need all weapons locked and loaded.
You gotta hand it to Erin Andrews. Not only is she stunning, she’s a damn good solid reporter. She’s in Bloomington as we speak prepping for tomorrow night’s game with Michigan State and had some reaction from both D.J. White and Eric Gordon on the Sampson situation. Here’s what she had to say on the World Wide Leader’s 6PM edition of Sportscenter:
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I have to agree with both D.J. and Gordon from the standpoint that ruining the season for the players is the wrong thing to do. They weren’t involved and that’s the most unfortunate thing about this whole situation.
*Okay, Okay, damn good might be a little strong. Now settle down and have another look at Erin.
By far the saddest part about everything that happened yesterday is that a fine performance by the Hoosiers — a well-executed gameplan against a good team — went totally by the wayside. It was overshadowed. Overshadowed not only because Brian Butch hit a lucky (yes, it was lucky) banked three-pointer from about 24 feet to win the game, but overshadowed by the giant inky-black specter of the NCAA’s announcement about major violations yesterday.
Sunday, the Hoosiers (to my mind, at least), took a significant step forward to alleviating a lot of the obvious concerns about them as a whole. Last night, they continued that pattern, albeit in a flawed loss. That progress — think how bad they looked the first game against Wisconsin — should be the story. But as I sit and write this, attempting to write about what’s happening on the floor reeks of blind fandom. It feels like ignoring the giant elephant in the room. Be positive! Think good thoughts! Talk about basketball! Easier said than done.
And that’s the problem. It’s not the sanctions themselves — we’re all adults here, and we can get over it. Kelvin Sampson getting fired? C’est la vie. Life goes on. Another lost scholarship? Sucks, but it’s not devastating. Kent Benson getting all worked into a froth again? Not exactly newsworthy.
No, the problem is that because of Kelvin Sampson’s utter stupidity, enjoying the game for what it is in its rawest, purest form — a group of almost-student-athletes competing with their school’s name on their shirts — is now impossible. Watching this team develop into a tournament contender is ruined. Our expression of basketball fandom is tainted. To paraphrase Christopher Hitchens, sanctions poison everything. That’s not fair to D.J. White and Eric Gordon and Armon Bassett and the rest, and it’s not fair to us.
So thanks, Kelvin. Thanks a lot. Idiot.
I’m having a hard time not starting off this recap with an expletive, but alas, I will refrain. Anyone who watched this one can tell you the drill: it was a highly contested, great game. Unfortunately, IU came out on the wrong end, losing 68-66. Brian Butch hit a lucky bank three with just a few ticks left on the clock to put Wisconsin up and Jamarcus Ellis missed a three at the buzzer that would have given IU the victory.
D.J. White started out hot, dropping six of his first six baskets. But he picked up his third foul early in the second and played a bit reserved because of it. So, Eric Gordon did his thing, taking the ball to the hoop and hitting a few shots. White finished with 17 points and seven boards, while Gordon finished with 23 points. Jason Bohannon led Wisconsin with 18 points.
The one good thing here? IU played well. This is two games in a row we can sit back and say: “Hey, we’re looking good, we’re finally coming around.” It’s just too bad it had to come in a loss. At home. The day it was announced Kelvin Sampson got slapped with major sanctions.
As a reminder, we still haven’t beaten a ranked team or anyone of real worth. (Ohio State doesn’t count.) You know, in case you were wondering out there.
It’s been a rough day to be an IU fan. Let’s just leave it at that.
