This has sure been an interesting year for college basketball fans in Indiana, and I’m not even talking about the mess IU has with Kelvin Sampson.

For the first time in years, I actually took the time to watch IU play that other school from up north Tuesday. As a graduate of Indiana, you know which side of the fence I’m on. This year’s matchup was one of the first in a long time when there was something on the line besides bragging rights. It sure would have been nice, however, to see the two teams square off at West Lafayette so we wouldn’t have to hear all those Boilermaker fans talk about being homered.

You won’t hear me say this very often, but Purdue has a really good squad this year. Of course, I think IU’s is a little better.

It sure is nice, however, to see two other Hoosier schools in the top 25. Butler has looked good for several years now, and since I’m an Indianapolis native and that’s where my daughter and her husband obtained their degrees, I have no trouble rooting for the Bulldogs.

In fact, I have no trouble rooting for any team as long as they are from Indiana. That means IU, Indiana State, Ball State, Evansville, the University of Indianapolis, Franklin, Hanover and on and on. That even means Purdue as long as they aren’t playing IU.

I might even go as far as to root for Louisville because it’s just across the Ohio from Indiana.  Just don’t expect to find me bleeding blue for those Kentucky Wildcats. Western Kentucky, maybe, but Kentucky. Won’t happen.

As for the Sampson mess, I didn’t think hiring him as a good decision in the first place, and I think IU needs to fire him.

The last time IU was sanctioned by the NCAA was back in 1966, giving my alma mater one of the best track records in the Big Ten. It’s a shame that one man could bring it down so quickly.