A win just feels good

It feels good to root for a winner again, doesn’t it?\nIt feels good to take in a game without feeling the urge to curse out the referees. It feels good to watch D.J. and E.J. dominate the hardwood again like bullies on the playground. It feels good to chant the name of a guy like Kyle Taber so that it echoes off the walls. After a week of doom and gloom, it just feels good.\nSure, the Hoosiers could have played better Sunday afternoon. They could have switched to that zone that gave the Wildcats so much trouble in the second half a bit sooner. They could have squelched Northwestern’s upset hopes in the first half instead of midway through the second. But after two consecutive losses, a low key win will suffice. It’s not like there hasn’t been enough drama as of late.\nThe rumors surrounding Eric Gordon’s wrist injury last week played out like a manic game of telephone: \nPerson one: “Gordon hurt his wrist.”\nPerson two: “Wait, Gordon broke his wrist?” \nPerson three: “Yeah, he’s out for the season.”\nHoosier Nation: “What?!”\nLuckily, Gordon’s father, Eric Gordon Sr., was around to set everyone straight. (Is Bill Belichick controlling the flow of information in Assembly Hall these days?)\nPlaying with his left wrist wrapped for the second straight game, Gordon appeared as healthy as ever. He hit his first three attempts from beyond the arc and had his best offensive game in weeks.\n“I was just getting used to it (last week),” Gordon said of his wrist. “Before, I wasn’t playing that much on it. Now, I am just getting used to it – shooting and dribbling off it.”\nAfter a 29-point outburst, consider him adjusted.\nThe most encouraging performance Sunday afternoon, however, came from Taber, who earned a scholarship this year after playing as a walk-on the past two seasons. I’m sure more people than just this columnist furrowed their brow upon hearing Taber’s name announced in the starting lineup, but the Evansville Central product held his own in 24 minutes of court time, pulling in four rebounds and swatting a shot in the first half.\nKelvin Sampson, perhaps trying to send a message to any forward not named D.J. White on his team, said the start was Taber’s reward for practicing well.\n“I thought he did a nice job,” Sampson said of Taber’s performance. “He screens when he should screen. He cuts when he should cut. He gets on the floor after loose balls. He just has to play his role.”\nFinding a role and forging an identity has been an on-going process for this team. Losses to Connecticut and Wisconsin revealed major holes on both ends of the court, particularly in regards to interior defense. A win over Northwestern didn’t really solve anything, but, as Taber’s start proved, at least this team is searching for answers.\nIn his own personal press conference after the game, Taber couldn’t hide his joy. His smile stretched from ear to ear.\n“It was shocking,” Taber said of being named a starter. “I couldn’t sleep last night.”\nAnd after a week of rumblings and grumblings, that feels good to hear.