The Hoosier Implosion Continues

Yesterday, Jordan Crawford, one of two returning scholarship players for the Hoosiers, announced his intentions to transfer from the school. This leaves Indiana with seldom used senior Kyle Taber (11 mpg) and walk-on Brent Finkelmeier (two points and 11 minutes ALL SEASON) as the only two returners. And the NCAA hasn't even levied their punishment from Sampson's violations.

Although I do have to tip my hat to new coach Tom Crean for not allowing Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis, who were kicked off the team after Sampson was fired, back, but there has been few cases where a team has been liquified in the way Indiana has. Tulane's point-shaving scandal? Maybe. But the team was disbanded. The Baylor murder case? Possibly. But murder is a lot more serious than some illegal phone calls to recruits. The only thing close is the Kentucky recruiting scandal that forced Eddie Sutton out of a job. But even there, Rick Pitino came in with the two leading scorers coming back and four future Wildcat legends.

The bottom line is that Crean is going to have a helluva time trying to build up that program - even one with the storied tradition of the Hoosiers and Alumni Hall. It will be years before Indiana is going to be back atop the Big Ten, even with their recruiting class and incoming transfers (Jeremiah Rivers carrying a team? Please). Maybe that Marquette job isn't looking too bad after all.