It's Over

On Friday night, Indiana's college basketball season mercifully came to an end. And it wasn't pretty.

Now a search for a new coach begins and the fickle and fragile emotions and reasonings of a group of young men will go a long way toward determining exactly who will be an Indiana Hoosier next season.

This season was a drama and a shame.

Leading this team when the season began was a skilled coach, a likable guy and in some cases, a father figure to the members of his team. He was also a cheater and a liar who put himself before the kids who revered him.

It was the first season I have ever experienced as a sports fan that actually made me sad. Of course, I've been upset when teams have lost before - I'm a Cubs fan for crying out loud - but this episode was depressing because it was needless, avoidable and ultimately hurt most the young players and their fans whose only fault was that they bought in to what their leader was selling.

The only really good news out of Friday night's season ending loss is that a search for a new coach for IU is now underway. With it, a chance to start new. That, and the first pitch of the Cubs season is just one week away.