Out with the old, in with the new

Times are changing in the land of the Hoosiers. A major component of basketball in Bloomington for the last few years is gone. \nAfter what can only be described as a disappointing career, highlighted by flashes of brilliance followed quickly by maddening mental breakdowns, a player decided it was time for a new challenge. In the spring, he ended months of speculation by confirming most of our fears and leaving the IU program. It was like someone punched the entire Hoosier nation in the gut. It was official. The Patrick Ewing Jr. era was over. \nGone are the towel-waving cheers and inexplicable fouls that punctuated his years of dedication to the cream and crimson. The freakish athletic ability that disappointed us so many times will be sorely missed. But Ewing wasn't the only non-graduation related departure this off-season. \nLucas "I was on the basketball team?" Steijn has also left for the greener pastures of junior college. The team also lost a junior guard who wore the number four, but I try to forget he ever existed. For the rest of the season, I'll simply refer to him as "the 47th pick." Think of him as my Voldemort from Harry Potter, also known as "he who shall not be named." Just avoid speaking his name in my presence, unless of course you want to see me fly off the handle in an obscenity-laced tirade, usually concluding with a phrase like, "He makes Bill Buckner look good in the clutch." In fairness to the aforementioned Mr. Ewing, if the 47th pick possessed one-tenth the heart of little Pat, he would have been national player of the year last season.\nBut let's not focus on the past. It's a new era for IU hoops and the newcomers are far more important than the recently departed. After watching one Hoosier practice, it became clear that this is a completely different team. \nAuburn transfer Marco Killingsworth brings intensity, leadership, toughness and a much needed additional scoring option to the IU post game. The pairing of Killingsworth and D.J. White could be the best post duo in the conference, provided White is healthy. (At the end of last season, his back was sore from carrying the team all year). Add the well-rounded inside-out game of Australian import Ben Allen, and the Hoosiers have frontcourt depth and talent they haven't had in years. The arrival of more post depth has allowed Robert Vaden to move back out to the perimeter, where he is more comfortable as a slasher and spot-up shooter.\nHowever, the biggest change this year will be the Hoosiers' guard play. Lewis Monroe, another Auburn transfer, and Earl Calloway, a junior college import, both like to push the ball up the floor and aren't afraid to attack the hoop. The arrival of these two has allowed Marshall Strickland to move back to his natural position: shooting guard.\nThis season's X-factor could be the team's latest addition. Cem Dinc, a 6-foot-10-inch guard/forward who came to Bloomington via the Turkish national team. Since making his commitment to IU, there have been more rumors about Dinc's skill than Nick and Jessica's breakup. Reports on this kid are all over the map. I've heard he can shoot more than 50 percent from beyond the arc, he can dunk from the free throw line, he once ran a 10.8 in the 100 meter, he can leap over tall buildings in a single bound and he's more powerful than a locomotive. OK, those last two were from Superman, but all the others are actual rumors, I swear.\nIf you're like me, you see reason for hope this season and this new era of IU hoops. Hoosier Hysteria is tonight and I know your attendance will be appreciated. The Hoosiers have as much talent as anyone in the country and in case you hadn't heard, the Final Four will be played just up the road at the RCA Dome. Just throwing that out there.\nOf course, on the other hand, if we somehow manage to miss the tournament again, Mike Davis will have done in six years what Jerry Yeagley couldn't do in 31: Turn IU into a soccer school.