IU Survives First Without Sampson

Jordan Crawford ended his boycott long enough to score 21 points and help No. 15 Indiana hold off Northwestern 85-82 in a Big Ten win last night, reports the Associated Press. Crawford and five other Hoosiers skipped practice yesterday in protest of the buyout of coach Kelvin Sampson, let go in the face of  possible NCAA sanctions against IU because of alleged recruiting violations committed by Sampson and his staff.

Armon Bassett led the Hoosiers (23-4, 13-2) as they barely managed to beat a team with no Big Ten wins. D.J. White, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, saved the day when he blocked a potential go ahead layup by Michael Thompson, then followed up with two free throws to put the game away with five seconds left.