Sports

Hoosiers drop final Big Ten tune up

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IU baseball team faltered in its final game before conference play, falling 6-5 to Butler after holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. The Bulldogs (9-12) used their home-field advantage and battled back late in the game for the win, dropping the Hoosiers to 7-11 overall. "To me there is no solace in one-run losses," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "Good teams win close games, and we have go to start winning them." The Hoosiers' hopes of winning began to dwindle away after the first two hitters in Butler's lineup reached base off IU reliever Tyler Tufts. With runners on first and third and no outs, Tufts induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Clayton Deeb, allowing a run in the process. Butler's Stephen Gill then followed with a single, and Josh Brown reached on an error from IU's Keith Haas. Butler's Tony Barnes continued the hitting spree with a single, tying the game at five. The Bulldogs' Joe Pauley ended the game with a shot to the right-center field gap, scoring Brown.

Reaction: Sampson good choice

During IU's search for a new men's basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson's name wasn't plastered on headlines or message board walls. Fans speculated about a list of potential candidates, but the former University of Oklahoma coach's moniker was rarely mentioned. When reports surfaced Tuesday saying Sampson was bound for IU, fans and columnists criticized the decision and spoke out negatively against him. But when the University announced Sampson as its 26th men's basketball coach Wednesday, Hoosier nation decided to speak out again -- this time with words of encouragement and praise for the new head coach.

Bogado extinguishes Flames in win

For the IU softball team, the day started off well and ended even better. The team swept its doubleheader against the University of Illinois-Chicago with wins of 6-2 and 9-2. Riding an impressive streak of 11-3 in their past 14 games, the team will look to harness that momentum as they head into Big Ten conference play. "We feel excited," senior Mariangee Bogado said. "We are ready to play and get some more wins." Bogado had a big day for the Hoosiers in the first game against UIC. The senior threw a complete game with six strikeouts to extinguish the Flames and hold them to just two runs. But, Bogado was not finished.

Inside the Reporter's Notebook: IU coaching announcement

IDS reporter Brian Janosch interviewed players, coaches, students and others Wednesday. Some of the following quotes were used in stories in today's newspaper, while others were left out.

The infractions

Kelvin Sampson might have carried some extra baggage on his flight to Bloomington. The former University of Oklahoma men's basketball coach -- expected to be announced as IU's coach soon -- could be cited for inappropriate recruiting at OU as soon as April, according to The Associated Press. The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions meets April 21 in Park City, Utah. It could cite the OU athletic administration as having lacked institutional control.

NEW: Mark Cuban on Sampson

IDS Sports Editor Matt Mattucci talked by e-mail with Mark Cuban, billionaire IU alumnus and owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. Cuban offered some of his thoughts on IU's newest hire: On picking Sampson: "I love it. It's a brilliant choice." On IU fans' reactions: "I don't know how people will respond, but they should love it. He can coach. He can recruit. He knows how to win."

For weeks, Hoosier fans, players and alumni have begged for answers regarding the new men's basketball coach. Tuesday afternoon, nearly five weeks after Mike Davis' resignation, IU nation received a response: Kelvin Sampson.

Sampson's resume

New Hoosier coach has lengthy list of postseason accolades and Big 12 conference milestones:

The reactions

Freshman Ben Allen's laptop became the center of attention at the men's basketball study table Tuesday afternoon, as several members of the team crowded together to read an ESPN.com article saying Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson would be their next coach.

Hoosiers bring age-old martial art to IU campus

Judo has been around for hundreds of years since its development in 17th-century Japan. Now the martial art is entering its 42nd year at IU. The Hoosiers started a judo club in 1964, flourishing in the 1970s under U.S. Olympic coach Dan Phytila and producing numerous national and regional champions.

Hoosiers prepare for final Big Ten tune-up at Butler

The IU baseball team travels to Indianapolis to face Butler University today with the momentum of a three-game win streak behind it, after sweeping the University of Hartford. The sweep marked the Hoosiers' first home games of the season.

Hoosiers explode into Big Ten season

With just one doubleheader left before the start of the Big Ten schedule, members of the IU softball team feel like they've done everything they can to prepare for it.

UPDATE: IU to hire Oklahoma's Sampson as new head coach, media reports say

INDIANAPOLIS - Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson is headed to Indiana, ready to take over the reins of one of the nation's most prestigious college basketball programs. Sampson told his players of the decision at a team meeting Tuesday, the same day Indiana players were informed of his hiring to replace Mike Davis. "I was caught by surprise a little bit," said Taylor Griffin, a freshman forward for the Sooners. "He made the decision. I guess it's better for the program. I guess it's better for him."

Former IU standout Benson says ex-players have been contacted for input

IDS Sports Editor Matt Mattucci spoke with former IU standout Kent Benson, member of the 1976 championship team and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Here are his comments on IU's head coach search.

New coach's hiring to be announced 'within days'

Larry MacIntyre, director of media relations, said he expects an announcement of the next IU men's basketball coach to be made "within days." He added that the announcement could come as late as the beginning of next week. MacIntyre's expectation, though, was only based on "me reading the tea leaves in front of me," he said. If a new coach is to be announced, IU President Adam Herbert and the personnel subcommittee of the Athletics Committee must approve of the selection of a coach early this week, according to the bylaws governing the committee and subcommittee member Bruce Jaffee, who is also a professor of business economics and public policy.

No. 17 Hoosiers sweep weekend

After starting the season off with seven straight losses to ranked opponents, the No. 17 IU water polo team capped a three-game sweep this weekend at the Fluid Five tournament in Bloomington. The Hoosiers have now won 13 of their last 14 games, including a second consecutive victory against No. 16 University of Michigan Saturday. A last-minute, 6-5 win versus the Wolverines Saturday and victories against Wagner University (13-9) and Marist University (12-6) the next day put the Hoosiers at 17-8 on the season. "In the last month, we've been doing nothing but get better and this weekend was more of a confirmation of the things we've been working on in practice," IU coach Barry King said. "We executed really well and now these are the outcomes that we are beginning to expect."

IU extends win streak to 6

After a week of traveling to Florida and undoing a four-game losing streak, the IU men's tennis team continued to pile up non-conference wins heading into the Big Ten season. The Hoosiers extended their winning streak to six after defeating Vincennes 7-0 Saturday at the IU Tennis Center, followed by a 6-1 win against No. 39 Penn State. "We have been playing well for the past couple of weeks," said IU coach Ken Hydinger. "We need to keep it going, because we have some tough matches coming up."

UPDATE: Coaching decision imminent, IU spokesman says

Larry MacIntyre, director of media relations, said he expects an announcement of the next IU men's basketball coach to be made "within days." He added the announcement could come as late as early next week. MacIntyre's expectation, though, was only based on "me reading the tea leaves in front of me," he said.

Cutters, Kappa Delta take poles

Kappa Delta rider Lauren Ziemba's Little 500 wasn't supposed to be like this. Because of an injury to teammate Mary Gaz Thursday night, Ziemba doubled her workload and peddled two laps during Saturday's qualifications. "I'm a senior this year and I thought this isn't how my senior year is supposed to be," she said. "I'm not supposed to ride two laps. It's supposed to go perfect -- perfect weather, perfect track, perfect quals."

Quarterfinals loss means goodbye for Hoosiers' dynamic duo

MILWAUKEE -- The final buzzer echoed through the Al Maguire Center Friday night as the Marquette fans cheered their team's WNIT quarterfinals victory. Quietly in front of the scorer's table, the 2005-06 IU women's basketball team came together one last time and then walked off the court together while the PA announcer thanked both players and fans for a great game. And that was it for seniors Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth.