Sampson’s last game could come against Boilermakers

Today’s game against Purdue could be the last one for IU coach Kelvin Sampson.\nOn Friday, IU Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan will give a recommendation to IU President Michael McRobbie on the immediate future of Sampson’s career because of the NCAA’s new allegations of recruiting violations made by Sampson and his coaching staff.\nBut despite the impending verdict on his future at IU, Sampson has continued to receive support from some around the campus and community.\nSampson did not comment when asked if he wanted to finish the season with the Hoosiers during his postgame press conference Saturday. Instead, he said his efforts are focused on preparing his No. 15 men’s basketball team for rival No. 14 Purdue.\n“I don’t have any real comments on that stuff,” Sampson said. \nSampson coached the Hoosiers to an 80-61 victory over then-No. 10 Michigan State on Saturday in an emotionally charged Assembly Hall. After being booed during introductions, Sampson’s name was chanted, with a smuttering of boos, in the final minutes of the Hoosier victory. \nSampson said the win meant a lot to him, but added he can’t get too worried about the crowd’s reaction. \n“I know what you are getting at, but I can only control things I can control and that is what I focused on,” Sampson said. \nSince the news of the allegations broke Wednesday, many players have publicly supported Sampson. When asked about the situation after the Michigan State game, freshman guard Jordan Crawford said the team is trying to block distractions from outside the program.\n“We are family,” Crawford said. “You can’t get between the family. Coach comes in, works us out and we practice just like we have been doing all season.”\nOn Monday night, Sampson, like he has done all season, spoke on his weekly radio show, which is taped at Foster Quad. When he walked in, Sampson was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd assembled, a far cry from the greeting Sampson received Saturday at Assembly Hall.\nWith all the attention the allegations have brought to the Hoosiers, Sampson said he knows it is tough on the players. He said regardless of what is happening outside the program, he has to be there for his players.\n“You just can’t go anywhere and people not see the situation,” Sampson said. “But, you know, I try to be a father to them. Not a whole lot different with them than I have been in the past. I have really worked at making sure that they get 100 percent. That is what they deserve.”\nFreshman guard Eric Gordon said the team is trying to avoid the constant media attention involving the allegations.\n“I really don’t read or look at anything,” Gordon said. “We’ve been through adversity all through this year. We have to keep on playing.”\nIf today’s game against the Boilermakers turns out to be the last for the embattled Hoosier coach, people wouldn’t know so by attending a recent IU practice.\n“If you would come to our practice and watch our team prepare, you would see it’s business as usual,” Sampson said during his weekly Big Ten teleconference. “Once I leave the gym, then it’s a whole ‘nother deal. But I think our staff has done as good a job as we can do to in terms of giving our effort and energy and focus to our team.”\nThat’s probably a good thing, because the Hoosiers are facing the hottest team in the Big Ten.\nThe Boilermakers are currently riding an 11-game winning streak and will face a Hoosier team possibly without the services of senior forward D.J. White, who injured his left knee in the first half of Saturday’s game.