An upbeat night

It was all hugs and air kisses at the end of the night, waves to the crowd and standing ovations. There were chants of “M-V-P” from the crowd as senior forward D.J. White said his goodbyes while “One more year” was directed at freshman guard Eric Gordon – “the other half of the best duo in college basketball,” in White’s words.\nJokes were told and emotions flowed after IU’s 69-55 victory over Minnesota. For one night, at least, the world of IU basketball seemed as it should be: joyous.\nInterim head coach Dan Dakich – who could win over the most hostile of crowds, but might not be able to charm his way to a permanent head coaching position next season – smoothed over the hard feelings that emerged this season.\n“It’s been a tough year, an interesting year, but you have been there every single night,” Dakich said to the crowd.\nWhen the boos reigned down upon the mention of Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan, Dakich responded in step, “As much as I love you all, let’s just keep this on an upbeat note.”\nAn upbeat note. What a lovely thought after weeks of unrest and upheaval and a disappointing effort in \nEast Lansing.\nPerhaps the most upbeat person in the room Wednesday night was senior guard Adam Ahlfeld, who carried several typed pages of notes in his hand as he addressed the crowd. What Ahlfeld lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in humor and long-windedness. The crowd favorite thanked everyone he ever knew and even some he didn’t.\n“We got a new film guy – I don’t know your name, but thank you for your future work, too,” he said.\nIU’s unofficial all-time leader in high-fives, butt slaps and runs out to center court even displayed a knack for statistical analysis.\n“I want to throw one final stat out,” Ahlfeld said. “It’s not really that big of a deal, but basically, when I play we win. I have a theory: If we want to throw up banner No. 6, I am going to have to keep playing.”\nIf only it were that simple.\nIU bounced back from \nthe Michigan State debacle with its double-digit win against the Gophers, but \nthe team still couldn’t capture the fire it displayed \nin the final days of Sampson’s tenure. Dakich is a great \nguy, but the team hasn’t responded to his coaching style the way it did under Sampson. On some level that is understandable, but as the Senior Night crowd reminded, college basketball should be about playing for the name on the front of the jersey – not the one on \nthe back.\n“Fans, great fans, the best fans in America,” White \nsaid to the crowd. “I appreciate your support, your \nname chanting. It keeps \nme going, it keeps us going. I’d like to thank you \nfor that.”\nThe Hoosiers can secure a No. 2 seed in next week’s Big Ten tournament with a win in their final game of the regular season at Penn State. A couple conference tournament wins at the very \nleast would be a positive sign that this season can \nrun deep into March, maybe even April.\nNow that would be an upbeat note.