Coaching uncertainty overshadows IU’s game Saturday

Sampson or no Sampson, the game must go on.\nIn the midst of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding IU’s coaching situation, the No. 15 Hoosiers will continue their quest for a Big Ten championship Saturday when they head to Evanston, Ill., to face the Northwestern Wildcats.\nMedia reports surfaced Thursday afternoon saying IU coach Kelvin Sampson would not continue to coach the Hoosiers for the rest of the season. Assistant coach and former IU player Dan Dakich has been rumored to replaced Sampson on an interim basis, according to the reports. As of press time, University officials have denied the accuracy of the reports, saying Sampson’s status is still to be determined.\nA decision will be made Friday regarding Sampson’s future, IU trustee Phil Eskew, Jr. told the Indiana \nDaily Student.\nRegardless of who is on the sidelines for the Hoosiers, freshman guard Eric Gordon said the team has handled adversity all season. Since the news of the additional allegations broke last Wednesday, IU has gone 2-1 with victories over No. 19 Michigan State and No. 14 Purdue. \n“We have been through a lot of adversity and we just have to continue to band together,” Gordon said in a statement. “Championship teams have to win on the road.”\nThe victories put IU (22-4, 11-2) within a half game of Big Ten co-leaders Purdue and Wisconsin with five conference games remaining. The Hoosiers, Boilermakers and Badgers all control their own destinies – if each team wins out, the three will split the Big \nTen crown.\n“It is really exciting,” Gordon said in a statement. “It is the reason why we are here. Our goal is to compete for the conference title and see what we can do on the national level.”\nIU defeated Northwestern 75-63 during the first matchup of the season Feb. 3. The Wildcats shot the ball well from beyond the arc to keep the game close, but their defense could not contain the duo of Gordon and senior forward D.J. White, who combined for 55 points.\nThe Wildcats have yet to win a Big Ten game, stumbling to an 0-13 start in \nconference play.\nThe Hoosiers won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Northwestern by 20 in the first contest. Limiting Northwestern to one shot per possession is important to succeeding, \nWhite said. \n“I think our defense and rebounding is our key,” White said. “Limit them to one shot and guard their offensive sets.”\nThe Wildcats run a Princeton-style offense that is focused on cutting and passing – a unique style which few teams in the nation use.\n“Two things about Northwestern,” Sampson said. “You have to defend the back cut and you have to defend the three.”\nEven with the Wildcats winless in conference play, Sampson said the team cannot overlook any game, as Northwestern has played several teams close this season.\n“Whenever you go play Northwestern, you know you’re going to play a team that’s going to fight until the end,” Sampson said. “And it’s going to be a tough game; it \nalways is.”