Time to shine

Friday, as I sat amid the belt buckle-busting, "big boned" representatives from practically every news outlet in Indiana, I saw something I never thought I'd see. A much maligned Hoosier player received a pass on the left wing, put the ball on the floor, flew through the air and slammed it home with Vince Carter-like authority. I was puzzled. The player was quick, confident and even explosive. The player was ... Sean Kline? \nAfter the initial reaction from the crowd, everyone in the press area was looking around at each other asking questions like: "Who was that?", "Where did that come from?" and "Was that Kline?" \nI have to admit, over the past two years, I haven't been the biggest Sean Kline supporter. In moments of alcohol-fueled frustration, I am guilty of directing my anger at a player that, in the minds of some, represented the problem with the Hoosier basketball program of late. He epitomized high expectations and low results.\nComing to IU out of Huntington North High School, Kline was an All-State selection and was ranked as one of the top 50 prep players in the nation by some. It appeared IU had another stereotypical blue collar native Hoosier star that would shine in his home state like so many before him. But this fairy tale turned out to be anything but typical.\nKline redshirted as a true freshman and struggled to get involved in his first year of eligibility. Then, just when it looked like he was on the right track, posting several excellent games as a sophomore, he suffered a season-ending (and career-threatening) knee injury during the Purdue game in 2004. \nLast season, Kline looked bulky, slow and simply hard to watch because it was obvious he wasn't fully healthy. \nKline's problem has never been a lack of effort. He reminds me of the kid from your middle school basketball team with the wrap-around Rec Spec goggles and the kneepads that didn't match the uniform. We all knew the guy, the one that dove around the gym with the caution of a kamikaze pilot and cared less for his body than Camryn Manheim. Kline's effort and toughness have never been in doubt but his confidence, execution and decision-making have always been questionable. That is, until Friday.\nSure it was an exhibition game, but this was an entirely different player. It was night and day. Several times Kline posted up and called for the ball, maneuvered and put it in the hoop. All I could think was, "Where is Sean Kline, and what have you done with him?" \nHe finished with 13 points and two crowd-pleasing blocks in 19 minutes. \nWith D.J. White now out until late December, players like Kline and Aussie-import Ben Allen will need to pick up the slack. A year ago, White's injury would have meant death to the Hoosiers' early season prospects, but this is a different season and a different team.\nKline has started his senior season out on the right foot, and the sky is the limit for him and his team if they play with the confidence and ability they are capable of. \nSo, I'm officially captaining the new Sean Kline bandwagon. Who's coming with me? Let's support an Indiana native who has given four tough years to the team we all love.\nAfter all, how great would the story of his career be if the fifth-year senior and native Hoosier helped lead his team to the Final Four?