Hoosiers Finally Win a Big Ten Game

In their ninth try, the young Hoosiers finally gave Tom Crean his first Big Ten win as the head coach of Indiana University. This was the first win for Indiana in nearly two months, as they had tied a school record with 11 consecutive losses. Still, this seemed like a natural progression, as they had been keeping games close for the past three weeks.

Behind the hot shooting of Devan Dumes, the Hoosiers built a 20-point lead early in the second half. Down the stretch, however, Iowa closed the gap, coming within three on a few different occasions.

It was a sight Hoosier fans had seen before. They blew 20-point leads at home to both Michigan and the ever-challenging Lipscomb during this losing streak. Tonight was the night, though, as two late steals and the clutch-shooting of Dumes -- who ended with 27 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including 5-5 from three -- iced the game for good. They eventually had a 68-60 win to show for their efforts.

This game wasn't about the two worst teams in the Big Ten, though. It was the payoff for a group of kids who labored through more than a few embarrassing blowouts, and were predicted by many to go winless in conference play. As I said, they recently began to scrap their way to several close finishes, and now they can experience the elation of a conference win.

The roster is a patchwork group, basically thrown together over the course of one summer, as he reached to pick up the pieces of a nearly-destroyed program. The regular playing rotation consists of a two-time transfer, a senior who initially walked-on, and seven freshman. None of these players were highly touted, and many will take a bit of a backseat next season when a talented recruiting class arrives in Bloomington. What they did Wednesday night was to help restore hope and promise to the program Kelvin Sampson so flagrantly tried to destroy with his nefarious actions.

They probably won't win another conference game, but I won't be surprised if they battle to one or two more. Either way, they have now experienced the payoff for all their efforts, after waiting through eight hard-fought losses. It was very satisfying to see the joy in their eyes, especially after watching a team last year who probably (save for D.J. White) would have just quit playing hard had they lost half as many games in a row.

The best part? Tom Crean was cool, calm, and collected in victory. He's knows where this ship is headed. This insignificant (to outsiders) win was merely the first baby-step of many in a long journey back to national prominence for the cream and crimson. We'll see you in 2011, Hoosiers -- if not sooner.