Usually, when a new coach steps into a program his first year and achieves a considerable amount of success, there are at least some detractors.\nThese critics most often use the same line: "Well, sure Coach B is doing great, but he's doing it with all of Coach A's recruits. Let's see what he does with his own guys in a few years."\nFrom what I've garnered, nobody has said that line around Hoosier Nation this season with first-year coach Kelvin Sampson at the helm for IU.\nThere are myriad reasons for this. Below I've listed them. If you aren't already bored with this column, read on. I dare you.
THE Mike White and Lance Stemler effect\nThese are two of Sampson's guys who he recruited after he got to Bloomington in March. Although not standout stars, Stemler has started a considerable amount of games, has been a key component of IU's 3-point attack and has rebounded well. In recent games, Mike White has played well in a reserve role, giving D.J. White time to rest on the bench or play right alongside him. And don't forget that one of this team's best players last year, Robert Vaden, defected with former coach Mike Davis to UAB.
Different style of play\nYeah, a good chunk of this team is of the Davis ilk, but Sampson has them playing a completely different style of ball. Using words I've been exhausting all season long, this team plays harder, smarter and tougher than previous Davis squads. So, in turn, he's simply using these Hoosier players more effectively and better than Davis did.
Davis' reception\nMan, did this guy ever have it tough. Sure, he might not have been the best coach, but I don't think he was quite as bad as a lot of people thought he was. Having to follow Bob Knight at this university is an insanely difficult task, and it's usually the coach after the coach that follows a legend who gets the program back on its feet (see: North Carolina). People loved Knight at IU. Most didn't care for Davis. So, in sticking with the thesis of this column, Sampson, though doing a stellar job this year, followed in the footsteps of someone much easier than Davis did, thus not receiving quite as much criticism. At least so far.
The Future\nTwo words: Eric Gordon. Did anyone see him play Michael Jordan's kids on ESPN2 Thursday night? Wow. In his short tenure here, Sampson has proven he can recruit, bringing in what some scouts are calling a top-10 class next season. So hey, you want to see what he can do with his own kids? I'm sure he'd be more than willing to show you next year.
