This has just been released by the Indiana athletic department.

We are, of course, trying to follow up and find out anything we can.

The basic story is this: Hoeppner won’t be there for spring practice. He’s taking care of health issues. It doesn’t say that Hoeppner is suffering from any lingering effects of a brain tumor that was operated on in late December of 2005. Bill Lynch, who replaced Hoeppner for two weeks during the season following another surgery, will coach spring practice, which starts Tuesday.

More to come . . . .

———–

HOEPPNER TO MISS SPRING PRACTICE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ­ The Indiana University Department of Athletics announced
Sunday evening that Head Football Coach Terry Hoeppner will not participate
in spring practice so that he may attend to personal health matters.

³Coach Hoeppner has indicated a need to take some time to regain his
strength and energy and to receive proper medical care,² Director of
Athletics Rick Greenspan said. ³We have encouraged Terry to make his family
and health a top priority. All of us are hopeful for a quick and full
recovery with Coach Hoeppner returning to lead the Indiana Football
program.²

Hoeppner underwent surgery last September and returned within days to lead
Indiana for the balance of the season, recording victories over No. 13 Iowa,
Michigan State and Illinois. The competitive season was followed by a very
demanding and successful recruiting period and planning for the off-season.

Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Bill Lynch will assume the
day-to-day responsibilities for the football program in Hoeppner¹s absence.

³Coach Lynch is an experienced veteran of the football business in whom we
have the utmost confidence to lead our program during this time,² Greenspan
said.

Lynch said the team¹s thoughts are with Coach Hoeppner as they prepare to
enter spring practice.

³Coach Hoeppner is one of the strongest men I¹ve ever been around and his
health is the most important thing to everyone who cares about him,² Lynch
said. ³Our coaching staff will effectively guide this program¹s progress
throughout the spring practice period as we look to prepare for a successful
season.²

The Hoeppner family has expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming
support they have received.

“At this time, our family feels as though it is in Terry’s best interest to step away from football for a time to concentrate on regaining his strength, Coach Hoeppner’s wife Jane said. ³We appreciate the thoughts and prayers of Indiana supporters throughout the nation.”

Coach Hoeppner also conveyed his gratitude for the well wishes of countless
supporters.

³My faith, my family and the Indiana Football program are the most important
things in my life,² Hoeppner said. ³In order to serve them best and make a
full recovery, I need to take some time away to regain my strength and
energy.

³I have every confidence in Coach Bill Lynch and the entire staff to lead
our football program during the spring practice period. I intend to return
to guide this program into the 2007 season and beyond. As I prepare to do
so, I appreciate the media and our supporters respecting my family’s privacy
as we handle this personal matter. Likewise, we are grateful for all the
well wishes we have received from Hoosier fans everywhere.²

The Hoosiers begin spring practice on Tuesday, March 20. They will conduct
15 practices during the period, culminating with the Cream and Crimson
Spring Game on Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

1:44, second half: UCLA 47, Indiana 45

This is all Pat’s doing.

The Hoosiers have stormed back and are within a basket. They’re the more confident team, and UCLA coach Ben Howland has no time outs to use. Terrible game management by him.

———

4:26, second half: UCLA 46, Indiana 37

Hey! Lance Stemler can shoot again! He just hit a 3-pointer and Sampson called a time out. He only has one left. UCLA has none.

———-

5:11, second half: UCLA 46, Indiana 34

The Hoosiers just aren’t making the plays they need to make to get back in. White and Calloway both missed free throws. Collison got to the net without much trouble.

Are we watching the last five minutes of the Indiana season?

———-

7:18, second half: UCLA 41, Indiana 29

Collison is so quick and so fluid.

Pat, I thought you might have jinxed the company there for a second. But Indiana just isn’t getting good enough looks to make a run in this thing, I think. But I wish we could have a microphone in the huddle right now.

——-

12:42, second half: UCLA 34, Indiana 22

Rod Wilmont needs to get in on this final push right here. D.J. White’s with it and Earl Calloway is driving it. But somebody — A.J. Ratliff or Armon Bassett if not Wilmont — needs to hit some shots.

——-

15:54, second half: UCLA 27, Indiana 16

How much better would you Indiana fans feel if the Hoosiers were shooting just a little bit better from the line? I have them at 4-for-9 so far and right now those points are looming large.

———

17:15, second half: UCLA 27, Indiana 13

Among the worst things that could have happened to Indiana just now, a 7-0 run by UCLA ranks right up there with the basket it is supposed to score upon falling to the ground. At least they might stop the game if that were to happen.

Sampson has called this time out and all it has done, at least to the crowd, is make the tension mushroom throughout the building. Even the cheerleaders can only smile tentatively. That’s saying something.

——-

Calloway went knee-to-knee with somebody on that drive. He’s probable. Right now he’s taking shots and looks OK.

———-

Half: UCLA 20, Indiana 13

Indiana hasn’t hit a 3-pointer — it’s 0-for-8 — but is still very much in this game.

But Calloway was key to what they were trying to do, especially tonight. Clearly Sampson wanted th ball pushed up court and that’s Calloway’s strength. I’m trying to get a report on him right now.
So the teams are shooting a combined 12-for-54.

No player has more than six points (D.J. White).

Rebounds are pretty even (Indiana leads 22-21).

Each team has turned the ball over six times.

It’s just a rumble with a basketball somewhat vaguely involved right now.
——-

1:49, first half: UCLA 17, Indiana 11

Earl Calloway hurt his leg, it looks like, on that last lay in attempt. He stayed under the net while UCLA went the other way and got a basket. He’s in the locker room now.

———-

3:00, first half: UCLA 15, Indiana 11

Pace of the game is really picking up but still not much offense.

———-

7:59, first half: UCLA 10, Indiana 9

We’re on pace for a 30-29 game here. Tough defense all around, but neither team is hitting shots. Indiana is 3-of-18, UCLA is 4-of-17.

Hope ya’ll like rough and tumble basketball. That’s what this game between the Hurryin’ Hoosiers and Majestic UCLA Bruins has become.

———–

11:54, first half: UCLA 8, Indiana 7

Neither team is running much out of set offenses. Indiana is making a real effort to create in transition, and UCLA has been really straightforward. It’s trying to get decent shots and then out-rebound inside for put backs.

The Hoosiers are doing a good job on their own end, though, grabbing four offensive boards.

———-

15:51, first half: UCLA 6, Indiana 5

So, yeah. That slow start thing. It ended with Mike White ducking under the basket for a little scoop and a quick transition bucket orchestrated by Earl Calloway and finished by Rod Wilmont.

———–

17:56, first half: UCLA 6, Indiana 0

As tempted as I am to say uh oh, or see you at Nick’s tomorrow, or some other indication that I think this might be really bad, I just can’t. Indiana doesn’t start well, especially away from Assembly Hall.

The Hoosiers aren’t a team that come out and win close games by being more talented and poised early. They fight through everything, picking away at what the other team is trying to do until they find a little seam to rip open. It’s not their style to go about it any other way.

But UCLA probably doesn’t have as many seams to rip.

———–

Starting for the Indiana Hoosiers: Mike White, D.J. White, Rod Wilmont, Armon Bassett, Earl Calloway.

Starting for the UCLA BRUINS: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Lorenzo Mata, Josh Shipp, Arron Afflalo, Darren Collison.

————

So the UCLA big-flag-waiving guys were out here waving their big flags and then the Indiana big flag guy came out and started like fighting for some of the flag space. There were flag poles hitting in the air. Fearing for the safety of the nearby UCLA female cheerleaders, I attempted to start a conversation so that I could urge them to back away.

They did not acknowledge me.

————–

About 16 minutes until game time after Vanderbilt and Washington State played a thriller here, won 78-74 by the Commodores.

Speculation about Washington State coach Tony Bennett’s future began before this game even ended, with ESPN’s Andy Katz placing him atop the list of candidates to replace Tommy Amaker at Michigan. Bennett’s father Dick, of course, once coached at Wisconsin. So he’s familiar with the Big Ten.

Anyway, the Hoosiers appear ready during warm ups. D.J. White always looks so serious when he’s getting ready for a game. He’s especially grave-looking today and is already working up a pretty good sweat. Other guys like Xavier Keeling and Errek Suhr are always laughing and goofing around.

Second overtime here and Vandy is taking control.

VCU making a push to become the Cinderella of the year against Pittsburgh right now, too.

————

We’ve gathered here at Arco Arena on a night that will either be the last in Indiana’s basketball season or one that propels Kelvin Sampson from having a very good first year to one no sane person could have really dreamed of.

So, anyway, what are you thinking? Will Indiana win this game?

Doug said on our podcast earlier today that he thought the Hoosiers would stay close but ultimately falter.

The stellar beat writers for the Indiana Daily Student are both picking UCLA, too.

Your turn.

How about that Ohio State game? Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

For them to get past that game and also have Oden learn the lessons he inevitably learned by getting into foul trouble, well, I think you should feel good if you’ve got the Buckeyes lasting deep into your bracket. That team knows how to win.

We’re watching the Butler-Maryland game right now, and those Bulldogs are tough. I hadn’t given them much thought since they beat Indiana in the second game of the season and only caught them a few times on TV. There’s nothing flukey about them.

Raw deal for Texas A&M, a three-seed having to play against six-seed Louisville in Lexington.

The interviews have finished up and we’re sorting through all the info now.

A lot of talk about the traditions of each program and how the current coaches have had to help the programs evolve without forgetting the past.

The UCLA players are pretty impressed with D.J. White, although one did say, “He’s never seen a double-team like ours.”

More a little bit later . . .

———–

My mother and father are huddled up under nine inches of snow in Reading, Pa. right now.

My little brother and I are making plans to sit outside and enjoy the warm night later here in California.

I think you know who wins this one.

Back at Arco Arena again, we are, preparing for some “media availability,” as they call it. Not sure yet who we’ll be able to talk to from the Hoosiers, but I’ll get you some sort of report as soon as I can.

FINAL Indiana 70, Gonzaga 57.

Intern, here. I´m blogging from Mexico on a Spanish keyboard which is surprisingly confusing. That and the fact that Jose Cuervo and I had a fight earlier today, so take it easy on me.

Good news is I was able to watch the game from a bar known as the French Quarter, and was able to see the Hoosiers glide to victory.

Rod Wilmont dominated the first half and finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. On his way to scoring 22 points the senior hit six 3s.

D.J. White also had a big game, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. I was particularly impressed with White tonight. Something about when he wears the cutoff t-shirt, its as if he is a different player. Slimmer, quicker, faster. This could be the ¨Hurricane¨ talking.

Most importantly, the Hoosiers held the Zags to only 33 percent shooting from the field. They held the combination of Jeremy Pargo and Derek Raivio to only 19 points.

The Hoosiers now advance to play UCLA on Saturday…with the time to be announced. I´ll still be in Mexico, but I´ll catch the game for sure. Hasta luego.

————

6:26, second half: Indiana 55, Gonzaga 43

Can’t imagine a much better defensive effort for Indiana. It’s just there for each shot. A very mature effort from a group that hasn’t put together many efforts this consistent for an entire game away from Assembly Hall.

————

11:22, second half: Indiana 45, Gonzaga 39

Raivio’s getting pesky again. He dished out to Pendergraft for that open shot and was just fouled under the basket. He can change a game quickly.

————–

14:58, second half: Indiana 43, Gonzaga 35

Off night for Calloway. He’s not in the flow of the offense and Bassett is handling a lot of that. It’s taking a toll on him trying to handle Raivio. Right now, he’s going with instincts and just using his quickness to make plays where he can. It’s up to Bassett, the freshman, to control the pace.

———

15:46, second half: Indiana 43, Gonzaga 35

D.J. White’s big block on Bouldin led to a rush the other way and an easy two points as Indiana has come out strong to open the second half. Raivio’s been shut down so far, so a lot of credit goes to Calloway.

———–

Half: Indiana 34, Gonzaga 29

Wilmont with a mid-range jumper on Indiana’s last possession to give the Hoosiers a five-point lead.

Indiana shot 7-of-18 from 3-point to score 21 of its points that way. Just five field goals so far, with D.J. White only able to get one. He does lead all players with five rebounds, though.
Lance Stemler took and missed a 3-pointer late in a possession but didn’t sulk as it rimmed out. Rod Wilmont dove out of bounds and saved it into a crowd of Bulldogs. But somehow Stemler timed his streak into the paint at the right time and caught the pass. He scooped it in for a basket.

———-

3:12, first half: Indiana 30, Gonzaga 27

D.J. White finally gets a basket on a good put back effort. He’s had a few open shots but hasn’t hit. Gonzaga is monstering him with both of their posts and he’s just not comfortable making a quick decisive move to counter that.

———-

7:55, first half: Indiana 20, Gonzaga 17

Indiana is a bit uninspiring when under the basket. Guys like Mike White, who should be able to muscle it in, are just a bit too small. Guys like Joey Shaw, who should have a little spice and funk, don’t. Shaw took a few steps along the baseline and went up, all elbows and wrists. Raivio just waited for him and grabbed the ball, forcing a jump ball.

———

8:13, first half: Indiana 20, Gonzaga 17

First of all, be sure to check the comments section of the blog for Doug Wilson’s take on the game.

Raivio’s started to assert himself a bit. He’s a little like Wilmont in that he needs to get some shots up — even terrible ones — before he really feels comfortable. He took an absolutely absurd shot while sprinting from right to left and trying to turn quickly. Since then, though, he’s knocked down a 3-pointer and just got past Mike White for a lay in.

———–

11:36, first half: Indiana 17, Gonzaga 12

Five 3-pointers so far for the Hoosiers, putting them on pace for 20. They set their tournament best last year against the Bulldogs with 16.

Wilmont has hit three 3-pointers.

Hutch, the Indy Star beat writer, just leaned over and said that the Hoosiers are 11-2 when Wilmont hits at least three.

He also pointed out that when Armon Bassett hit his first two free throws of the game, Indiana matched its total at the line from last year.

That Hutch, he’s just full of info.

——–

15:45, first half: Gonzaga 7, Indiana 6

Wilmont, of course, with the first couple of baskets, both distant 3-pointers from the left wing. The second one took a tasty hop off the front of the rim and then off the glass before falling.

Mallon has a pretty impressive game for a 6-9 guy. He took White to the hole and also hit a 3-pointer.

The Bulldog, by the way, is a heckuva dancer. Gotta give him that much.

———-

So Duke has lost. No big surprise there, I suppose.

Anyway, I just had my first assist of the year. A ball came flying — OK, bouncing — toward by seat court side and I grabbed it and made an impressive pass to Adam Ahlfeld for a big-time dunk.

Indiana’s going with Armon Bassett, Rod Wilmont, Earl Calloway, Mike White and D.J. White tonight.

Gonzaga will put Jeremy Pargo, Derek Raivio, Matt Bouldin, Abdullah Kuso and Sean Mallon on the floor.

———–

The clock is ticking down and showing just about 10 minutes left for each team to warm up here at Arco Arena.

About the only observation I have about the whole thing is that they have these two adorable little kids under the baskets grabbing rebounds.

UCLA, currently leading 53-29, is going to present so many problems for the winner of the Indiana-Gonzaga game.

Darren Collison, who sprained his ankle earlier in the week but is showing no signs of it, is smooth and has good control of the team. The big guys are all athletic and capable.

Most interesting thing about this game so far? Well, there’s been a lot of talk about Indiana’s procedure during time outs. The team gathers around coach Kelvin Sampson on the floor, sitting on little stools.

UCLA coach Ben Howland sends his players to his bench, then takes a good 20 seconds or more discussing just with his assistants. Then all of them go over to the bench to address the players.

One thing we’ve noticed this year is that Sampson usually interacts with Rob Senderoff the most. Senderoff, who is the recruiting coordinator and works with the post players, also helps Sampson call plays.

Indiana’s other two assistants, Ray McCallum and Jeff Meyer, do talk to the players a bit. Jerry Green, a former head coach who serves as director of basketball operations, and Travis Steele, a young guy with coaching experience who is the video coordinator, also take some notes and talk to players. But for the most part, they’re not communicating with Sampson.

Some national basketball writer — Andy Katz or Seth Davis or someone of that ilk — should use his ability to get access to all these coaches and write an article comparing the way different staffs are put together and how they work during the game.

———-

It’s halftime and UCLA has pulled away. From the latest scores flashing across my computer screen it looks like the lower seeds are still holding their spots. Indiana could have the chance to be the first one to be…oh, I dare not utter it….although it begins with u and ends with “pset.”