It got worse from there, with some rowdiness and some profanity, and the University of Illinois has released the following statement from
"There was a great college basketball game played Thursday night between the University of Illinois and Indiana University, but the game has been somewhat diminished by inappropriate behavior by a number of fans in attendance. We value the enthusiastic support of the sellout crowds at the Assembly Hall, but above all we take very seriously the reputation of our basketball program and the University of Illinois. The profanity and behavior by a small segment of fans Thursday night is disappointing and intolerable, and for that we apologize to fans of both teams."That's all well and good, but apologizing "to fans of both teams" is the wrong approach. If someone deserves an apology, it's Gordon, the guard who first committed to Illinois and then changed his mind and went to Indiana. Illinois fans were enraged, and he received the lion's share of the "inappropriate behavior" referenced in the statement, so he's the one who should be named in the apology.
As for Gordon himself, a brief thought: Although honoring one's commitments is an admirable quality that Gordon apparently lacks, he's far from the only high school athlete who commits to one school and then attends another. The Illinois football program's stellar recruiting in recent years has been fueled in large part by such players. Illinois fans weren't booing those guys when they got the Illini to the Rose Bowl.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-09-2008 @ 11:46AM
LB said...
I am happy he had the guts to change his mind. When I look at Indiana and Illinois. He clearly made the right choice. He is actually from Indiana. I don't think he should make a wrong decision so you can admire him more. The Illinois team lacks a lot of talent.
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2-09-2008 @ 12:17PM
§ said...
That Illinoy team lacks more than just talent; 'class' and 'wins' are two things that immediately come to mind...
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2-09-2008 @ 1:04PM
ADMan said...
Technical Foul on Chester Frazier to start the game! Illinois coach is a jerk, he will be gone soon. The referees, T.Hillary and S. Welmer, made several bad calls* against Indiana in a very hostile atmosphere. IU and Gordon showed class and restraint to win. Gordon is from Indy, he should be a Hoosier! Get over it Illinois!!
*bad calls-no tech; charging 2x, one each for DJW and EG
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2-09-2008 @ 3:14PM
Dave said...
Illinois is recognized as the biggest cheater in the Big 10. They bought their football team over the last couple of years, and have a great record of recruiting kids from Chicago and St Louis that have played for different high schools each year ie have played for the highest bidder. It was great to see them destroyed in the Rose Bowl, and now to see them in the cellar in basketball is awesome. Once a couple of their football recruits get busted with cash they shouldn't have it will be over and they will return to their rightful place in the Big ten, namely the toilet. Adios, losers.
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2-09-2008 @ 8:32PM
Christopher said...
While it was unfortunate to hear reports of objects being thrown at the Indiana fan section, I really have no problems with the fans singling out Eric Gordon and harassing him to no end. It's Division 1 basketball. If you can't take it, go play intramurals, brother.
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2-09-2008 @ 3:27PM
Ronald said...
Seems we need to go back to the prior game in Bloomington, Ind. that crowd had it's own loud off color language.
That's a fact.
Sampson and his team are on the NCAA tournament bubble right now with all these illegal phone calls going on...
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2-09-2008 @ 8:58PM
drew said...
It is sad how much all forget- and how one player can turn a team- with out gordon- Indiana would be in the botom where Ill is- and Ill who was told by him and his family he was coming until signing day - and now Ind coach again 2nd year in a row in trouble with recuritting- ?? look in the Mirror- Il fans should praise greatness and boo poor play- but not cross over - lets be happy about a great hard game as it should be-
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2-10-2008 @ 4:04PM
Roscoe said...
Illinois Football gets interesting now that most of the young team that got thumped in the Rose Bowl come back to play.
Sounds like a little jealousy going on over Zooks' fine, outstanding recruiting. Yee Haa!
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