Date: Wednesday, January 2, 2008 | 9:06 EST

Arena: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) – Iowa City, Iowa

Line: Indiana by 10

All-time series: Indiana leads 91-68

TV: Big Ten Network (Mark Neely and Shon Morris)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Todd Leary and Joe Smith)

Probable Starters:

• Indiana (11-1): Armon Bassett, Eric Gordon, Jamarcus Ellis, Mike White, D.J. White
• Iowa (7-6): Jeff Peterson, Jake Kelly, Justin Johnson, Cyrus Tate, Kurt Looby

Game Notes (Adobe Reader required to view):

• Indiana
• Iowa

As always, your predictions and comments are welcome in the game thread. I’ll also be live blogging during the game, so after the tip, check for updates after the jump.

(Photo credit: Jon Fravel)

LIVE BLOG:

Indiana 79, Iowa 76 (final): Where’s the rolaids?

Indiana 78, Iowa 76 (4.8): Justin Johnson for three. From DEEP. Again.

Indiana 77, Iowa 73 (13.9): Another three for Justin Johnson.

Indiana 77, Iowa 70 (20.2): Two free throws by D.J. White.

Indiana 75, Iowa 70 (21.1): Justin Johnson dials it up from about 27 feet. He’s got six threes in the game.

Indiana 73, Iowa 67 (41.5): You don’t see it often, but Iowa has two four-point plays. A.J. Ratliff is the culprit on this occasion.

Indiana 73, Iowa 63 (49.8): Iowa has no timeouts and is starting to foul. Jordan Crawford steps up and hits two.

Indiana 69, Iowa 57 (2:10): Gordon’s 25 points have given him an IU record for a freshman in a Big Ten debut. Steve Alford previously held that record with 24.

Indiana 67, Iowa 56 (4:14): Gordon has 24 points and after a nice defensive possession by the Hoosiers, Kelvin Sampson wants a quick timeout.

Indiana 65, Iowa 56 (5:21): Back to back dunks by D.J. send Iowa to a timeout. D.J. has another double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Indiana 59, Iowa 51 (7:47): Ellis is keeping the Hoosiers ahead with his hustle and rebounding. The Chipola product has 14 points and seven rebounds. Gordon finds his way back to the line and knocks down a pair. DeAndre Thomas enters the game and gets a chance on the block and the Iowa defender tries the Vlade Divac flop and doesn’t get the call. Thomas gets to the line and knocks down a pair as the Iowa students chant “Dunkin’ Donuts.” Thomas hits another shot in the lane on the next Hoosier possession. After Cyrus Tate hits one of two free throws, Eric Gordon comes back with a reverse layup and draws a foul. He hits the free throw to push his total to 20. Looby is fouled for the Hawkeyes and will be at the line after the TV break.

Indiana 47, Iowa 44 (11:52): Still too much one-on-one for the Hoosiers, but a three by Lance Stemler has the Hoosiers back on top. Jordan Crawford is now on the bench and Gordon and Ellis are splitting duties at the point guard. Ratliff has also re-entered and D.J. has three fouls.

Iowa 42, Indiana 38 (15:54): After a 4-0 run to start the second half, Iowa comes back with a eight-point run of their own and Kelvin Sampson wants a timeout. The early defensive intensity is gone.

Indiana 38, Iowa 34 (18:15): The Hoosiers have picked up their intensity on defense and are reaping the benefits. Gordon scores an easy bucket off an out of bounds play and a steal by Jamarcus Ellis leads to a breakaway jam by Jordan Crawford.

Indiana 34, Iowa 34 (halftime): If not for an off balance shot by Jamarcus Ellis with three seconds remaining, the Hoosiers would be trailing at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Gordon has 11 and White has 8 for the Hoosiers. For Iowa, it’s Tony Freeman with 11 and Justin Johnson with eight. The Hoosiers have quite a fight on their hands and they’ll need to get better offensive possessions in the second half if they hope to win.

Iowa 34, Indiana (30.3 seconds): Kurt Looby has the crowd back into the game with two dunks. Jordan Crawford seems to be forcing the issue and has a couple turnovers as a result. Eric Gordon has also had a couple of turnovers as the refs are calling traveling very closely. Justin Johnson nails another three to give the Hawkeyes a two-point pad.

Indiana 28, Iowa 25 (3:28): The combination of poor shot selection and too much one-on-one is keeping Iowa in the game. Iowa is working the ball around while the Hoosiers are taking contested threes and wild shots in the lane. Coach Sampson can’t be happy with the offense. The Hoosiers have nine team fouls and Tony Freeman has 11 points to lead Iowa.

Indiana 26, Iowa 20 (6:31): Iowa stops a 9-0 Hoosier run with a three by Justin Johnson.

Indiana 26, Iowa 17 (7:25): The Hoosier Scoop is reporting that Armon Bassett has an ankle injury, which might explain why he’s yet to come back into the game. Gordon will run the point for now as Crawford gets a blow. Gordon finds Ratliff for his first bucket of the season with a laser pass. Crawford comes back in and quickly nails a three. Freeman misses the front end of a one-and-one and the Hoosiers come back the other way and Eric Gordon gets to the line for two free throws. After another brick for Iowa, White finds Gordon on a back cut and Gordon finds Ellis for an easy layup.

Indiana 16, Iowa 15 (11:08): White continues his dominance in the post with a jump hook. The Hawkeyes come back the other way, run the shot clock to one and J.R. Angle nails a three.

Indiana 14, Iowa 12 (12:37): The Hoosiers come with a set play out of the first TV timeout and D.J. gets an easy layup off of a back screen. Jamarcus Ellis looks a little shaky early on. A couple of bad shots and a turnover. A.J. Ratliff enters for the first time this season. Gordon nails a three from the corner and Todd Lickliter wants to talk about it with his team.

Iowa 12, Indiana 9 (14:44): Tony Freeman is leading the way for the Hawkeyes. He’s hitting the three and attacking the rim. The junior out of Maywood, Illinois has ten points. Jordan Crawford has entered for the Hoosiers as Sampson is far from pleased with Bassett’s defensive effort on Freeman. Rough start for the Hoosiers.

Indiana 7, Iowa 4 (18:47): White starts off with a quick baseline jumper, but Iowa comes back and hits a three and a foul. Bassett is the guilty party. Gordon comes back with a ridiculous three and the Hoosiers get an easy basket in transition.

Pregame:

Just about ready to tip-off from Carver-Hawkeye. Wisconsin just dropped Michigan 70-54 to open the Big Ten season.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Assembly Hall (17,456) – Bloomington, Indiana

TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: IU Radio Network

The Hoosiers open exhibition play with the Lions, a Division II team led by former Kelvin Sampson assistant Bobby Champagne. Champagne is entering his fifth season with North Alabama. North Alabama finished 15-14 last season and returns two back court starters. Quinn Beckwith is their top returning player. The 6′0″, 185 pound guard averaged 15.2 points a year ago and will anchor the North Alabama offense. You can read more about the North Alabama program by clicking here.

As a part of our Game Thread/Live Blog, you’re encouraged to share your thoughts on the game in the comments section. For those of you unable to see the game, we’ll be providing commentary and feedback throughout the contest.

Indiana 121, North Alabama 76 (final) – Gordon and White are done for the day and Kelvin Sampson is emptying the bench. Ahlfeld is in. Finkelmeier is in. Mike White, however, still hasn’t made an appearance. Crawford now has 30 points. McGee shows some touch as he nails a three. Holman gets fouled and throws up a wild shot that goes in. Holman finishes the three-point play. Finkelmeier misses a running three as time expires. Recap coming shortly.

Indiana 113, North Alabama 66 (3:11) – Eric Gordon gets a breakaway dunk and the “Eric Gordon” chants start. Gordon follows it up with another easy layup. He’s got 24 points on 10 of 15 shooting. It appears his tooth is chipped, not totally out upon further review. Crawford gets another easy bucket. He’s got 24 points as well. Sampson is talking to both McGee and Holman on the bench. Both have looked raw but capable of helping the team. Crawford is fouled on a breakaway and lobs it for Gordon who misses a reverse two handed slam that wouldn’t have counted. Plenty of “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” from the crowd on that play. Kyle Taber makes his first appearance. Still no sign of Mike White.

Indiana 99, North Alabama 62 (7:22) – Gordon returns with a mouthpiece and White quickly finds him cutting to the basket for an easy bucket. Ellis backs that up with a three. Ellis is really starting to assert himself offensively. McGee gets a rebound and put back bucket and hits a foul shot to complete a three-point play. Gordon rifles a pass to McGee underneath who is unable to finish but will go to the line for two free throws. McGee looks solid from the line. Gordon finds McGee once again in transition and he heads to the line once again. McGee has nine points and four rebounds. Gordon buries a NBA range three from the top of the key. DeAndre Thomas has fouled out.

Indiana 84, North Alabama 58 (11:55) - Crawford nails another three. He’s on fire. 5 of 5 so far. Make that 6 of 6. He’s got 22 points and leaves to a nice round of applause. Bassett follows it up with a layup and a chance for a three point play. Gordon has returned to the bench, but I doubt he’ll return. The Hoosiers are easily going to eclipse the 100-point mark. We could see an Adam Ahlfeld appearance.

Indiana 67, North Alabama 50 (15:01) - Jamarcus Ellis shows a nice touch on a floater towards the basket. I really like the versatility of the lefty’s game. Gordon took an arm to the face and it looks like he’s lost a tooth. He’s headed back to the trainer’s room to get checked out. Not good. Sloppy start to the second half for IU. The defense is clearly not in mid-season form. Crawford hits another three. He’s got 16 points to lead IU.

Indiana 55, North Alabama 39 (halftime) – Sloppy play the last 3:55 of the half allows North Alabama to creep back into the game. Too much dribbling and one-on-one for the Hoosiers. Gordon makes an outstanding defensive play as he pins a ball on the backboard to save an easy layup. Announcers mention that Gordon is working on his off the ball defense. Crawford and Gordon are leading the attack with 13 points each in the first half. White has 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Bassett has 8, Stemler 2, Ellis 3, Thomas 3, McGee 2.

Indiana 47, North Alabama 26 (3:55) – Two dynamic plays for Gordon right out of the break: The first was a breakaway 2 on 1 with Jordan Crawford, the pass was off the mark but Gordon grabbed it left hand and made a layup. Gordon then got a breakaway on his own and finished with a one-handed jam. The latter triggered a 20-second timeout for the Lions. Brandon McGee’s first look is a missed three from the corner. Probably not was Coach Sampson was looking for out of the Chicago Crane product. Ellis finds Crawford underneath the basket in traffic for a one handed flush.

Indiana 39, North Alabama 17 (7:46) - Another three for Crawford, this time from about 22 feet. Gordon and White re-enter and Eli Holman makes his first appearance. Ellis shows off a dynamic spin move but is called for a charge as he attacks the basket. White, by the way, is noticeably thinner and in the best shape I’ve ever seen him. Armon Bassett seems to be struggling a bit on defense, but he’s hit a three and converted a three-point play. Holman gets his first chance offensively, but misses a baby hook and comes back and commits a foul on defense.

Indiana 31, North Alabama 15 (11:31) – Jordan Crawford’s first play as a Hoosier is one dribble off a pick and a three. DeAndre Thomas is also in the game and he quickly collects a rebound. He’s an absolute space eater. Crawford follows up the three with a breakaway dunk. Gordon is 4 of 6 from the field with nine points. Thomas and White are both in the game and Thomas comes to the high post and feeds D.J. with a lob pass for a dunk. Thomas follows that with a layup where the defender tried to take a charge but was knocked to the floor. The rout is on, folks.

Indiana 14, North Alabama 11 (15:41) - Eric Gordon has five points early for the Hoosiers, but they’ve had some defensive lapses that have allowed the Lions to stay in the game. Everyone’s scored early sans Lance Stemler and D.J. has been aggressive thus far down on the block. Coach Sampson is probably not pleased with the defense so far and rightfully so.

Starting Lineups

North Alabama: Quinn Beckwith, Isaac Gray, Kenny Johnson, Thomas Morris, Casey Holt

Indiana: Armon Bassett, Eric Gordon, Jamarcus Ellis, Lance Stemler, D.J. White

A special thanks to Mr. Lee Kelly of WNAS for making the necessary arrangements that will allow Inside the Hall to live blog the game. Mr. Kelly does an excellent job running the Radio and TV program at New Albany High School and is a first class individual.

As I told you yesterday, there is a good possibility that I’ll have the chance to talk to some of the recruits either before or after the game, so if you have any questions you’d like to have asked, please post them in the comments. No guarantees, but I’ll do my best.

I’ll update throughout the game, so just click below to continue reading and remember that once we’re underway, you’ll need to refresh to see the latest information. We’re live and blogging away, so click the link to continue and join the discussion. Enjoy!

5:53 pm: We’re here at New Albany High School and with still a hour to go before tip-off, there’s already probably a thousand people in the gym. The line outside of the gym to get in was ridiculous.

Scott County’s Bud Mackey is here warming up his lefty stroke. He’s also mingling with fans, taking pictures and signing autographs.

We also spoke briefly to New Albany’s Braydon Hobbs who told me he’s interested in Western Kentucky, Evansville, Indiana State and Valparaiso.

6:16 pm: The warmups have begun and the players have come in to a nice applause. Fans are actually going onto the court and getting autographs during warmups. This is quite a spectacle, folks.

6:32 pm: Doesn’t appear that Jamarcus Ellis made the trip or he’s still back in the locker room. Everyone else, including Mackey and McCallum Jr. are here and suited up. Jody’s got a bunch of pictures over at his blog, including a nice one of Bud wearing an Indiana jersey.

6:39 pm: The players just left the floor to a nice applause. 21 minutes to go until tip-off. The place is nearly full. You’d think New Albany and Jeff were about to square off.

6:50 pm: Jamarcus Ellis is in the building folks. 9 minutes until tip-off.

6:52 pm: Armon Bassett is here watching, signing autographs for some Hoosier fans. Brandon McGee is wearing #24, Eric Gordon #23, Ray McCallum Jr. #20, Eli Holman #32, Jordan Crawford #5, Jamarcus Ellis #13, Bud Mackey #22 and DeAndre Thomas #2. Bud Mackey just threw down a sick 360 in warmups.

7:04 pm: We’re just about ready to tip it off. Eli jumping center.

7:07 pm: So. Indiana stars are up 6-2 early. Gordon is 0-2 so far. Make that 9-2 on a three by former New Albany standout Ryan Wheeler.

7:10 pm: Gordon connects from NBA range and it’s now 12-9 So. Indiana stars. Make it 12-12 on another three by EJ.

7:12 pm: Jamarcus Ellis putback makes it 18-18 with 14:53 left in the first half. Ellis is making a killing on the boards so far. Gordon leading the way with 6 early points. McGee, Mackey and McCallum Jr. are all on the bench.

7:14 pm: Brandon McGee replaces DeAndre. Eric Gordon hits a nice fadeaway from the baseline.

7:17 pm: Mackey and Ray Jr. enter as the IU recruits now lead 29-22. Mackey’s first possession he went right to the basket and scored on a goaltend.

7:19 pm: DeAndre back in for Eli. The IU recruits are up 35-26 with 10:21 left in the first half. Ray McCallum Jr. is at the line for two free throws.

7:21 pm: Jamarcus Ellis enters for EJ (13 pts, 3 assists). The IU recruits lead 40-31.

7:23 pm: Believe the hype folks, Jamarcus Ellis is a playmaker. He can rebound well for a small forward/guard, sees the floor and he can go strong to the hoop. He’ll contribute immediately.

7:25 pm: Lance Stemler sighting. He’s standing underneath one of the baskets along with walk-on Adam Ahfeld. It’s 49-43 IU recruits.

7:28 pm: Jordan Crawford with a nice driving layup to make it 51-43. Crawford has nice court vision and long arms.

7:29 pm: Back to back monster dunks by Eli Holman. The lefty from Richmond, CA has 12 points and is making his presence known.

7:31 pm: Another putback by Jamarcus Ellis. He’s already got nine rebounds and eight points.

7:33 pm: Jordan Crawford finds Brandon McGee on the breakaway for a dunk. 61-50 IU recruits with 1:50 to go in the first half.

7:35 pm: It’s halftime and the IU recruits lead 66-57.

Some of my thoughts: Jamarcus Ellis will come in and immediately press for a starting position. There’s a reason he was the JUCO player of the year. Eli Holman can get up and down the floor and he can defend the paint. DeAndre Thomas looks to be slimming down as reported recently. Eric Gordon is being himself, scoring a lot of points and making a lot of dazzling plays. Brandon McGee is a solid, all-around, blue collar player that will fit in well with what Coach Kelvin Sampson likes to do. And finally, Jordan Crawford is a very special player.

Want to give a special thanks to Matt Denison of HoosierHillsHoops for helping coordinate the programs we were able to distribute at tonight’s contest.

There’s a crowd of fans on the court getting pictures and autographs with Lance Stemler and Armon Bassett.

7:47 pm: Second half is underway. Among those in the press area tonight are both Jody Demling of the Louisville C-J and Terry Hutchens from the Indianapolis Star.

7:50 pm: A long three by Jordan Crawford. He’s already looking better than brother Joe, a Kentucky guard, to me. IU recruits lead 74-59 on a three by Gordon.

7:52 pm: 78-66 with 16:21 to go. Not a lot of defense being played. Braydon Hobbs of New Albany just broke up an alley oop attempt from Jordan Crawford to Eric Gordon.

7:54 pm: Eric Gordon leading the way for the IU recruits for 20 points and four assists.

7:55 pm: Jamarcus Ellis connects with Jordan Crawford for a dunk to make it 80-68 with 13:58 remaining. Estimated crowd is 3,200.

7:56 pm: Eric Gordon doing what he does best, getting to the foul line. He connects on two from the stripe and has 24 points to lead all scorers. Bud Mackey and Ray Jr. re-enter.

7:59 pm: Eric Gordon stat count: 30 points, five rebounds and four assists. 3,200 impressed fans as well.

8:01 pm: Jamarcus Ellis with 10 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Pick him up in your fantasy league, if he’s still available. The kid can put up numbers.

8:03 pm: If you’re wondering about the score, it’s now 100-81. I can’t tell you enough about the praise from the media amongst me has given to Eric Gordon. He’s special folks, but you already know that.

8:05 pm: Eli Holman shows a nice touch and gets fouled. He’s now 9 for 9 from the field and completes the three-point play to make it 107-85.

8:07 pm: An easy dunk for Eli, he’s still perfect from the field. Mackey drains a three. I really like the Scott County junior’s game and he’s feeling the love from the New Albany crowd.

8:10 pm: 118-99, nasty dunk by Eric Gordon. The crowd loved every second of it.

8:12 pm: DeAndre Thomas shows he can get off the floor and throws one down. It’s 125-101 with 3:20 remaining.

8:13 pm: 36 for Eric Gordon. Eli Holman finally missed after hitting his first 11 shots. The game is just about over so I’m heading down to the floor to try and talk to some of the recruits. Hope you enjoyed the live blog and I’ll be back later on with more updates. It’s 134-104 with a minute left.

8:47 pm: Final was 140-106. I’ll have a final wrapup later with my thoughts.

I’ve also received quite a few e-mails asking for times and ticket information. When that information is available, I’ll be sure to pass it along.

By the way, Inside the Hall will be at the New Albany game and we hope to bring you live blog updates from the event. The details are not yet finalized, but it should be a good ol’ time. Like many of you, we can’t wait to get a look at the incoming class. I just hope the NCAA doesn’t come and kick us out.