Suhr Makes Impact

If you look at the numbers from Indiana's 92-40 throttling of Western Illinois, you'd think guard Errek Suhr made minimal impact. He had just three points and one assist in 12 minutes. But numbers don't reflect the effect this 5-9 (that's being generous) hustler has on the game. He understands Sampson's offense. He gets the ball where it needs to be. He swarms on defense and chases on missed shots, which is why he grabbed four rebounds, which is three more than 6-11 Ben Allen.

Suhr actually could have had at least five, and maybe six points, but he lost a spectacular basket when coach Kelvin Sampson called a timeout seconds before.

Fellow Hoosier Lance Stemler had just taken an elbow to the jaw. Given Stemler's recent concussion (it was bad enough that his jaw had swelled) and the fact Stemler was asking to come out, Sampson immediately called timeout. It was at that moment Suhr drove to the basket and was fouled hard enough to floor a lesser player, yet still managed to toss in a basket.

Officials ruled the timeout came before the basket. Sampson joked about it afterward.

With IU set to play at Kentucky Saturday, joking didn't last. It's time to get serious, which means veterans such as Rod Wilmont (pictured) have to step up.

If the Hoosiers win this game, they'll roll through the rest of December, getting a lot of steam entering their intriguing Big Ten opener at Ohio State.

Of course, when it comes to Indiana basketball, you can't get enough intrigue.