Tom Crean took a tough call when he decided to take up the Indiana University basketball job. The team was a bunch of youngsters trying to make a mark for themselves and the team itself was under the scanner of NCAA.



He was prepared for that, but not for seeing his team dominate the game against Michigan, it appeared as if seven Indiana players were attacking three players of Michigan. It looked as if the young Indiana team matured overnight to set themselves up for their first Big Ten win.

But soon, Indiana players were seen dejected on the field and Crean shaking hands with the Michigan players and its coaches. They lost yet again and Crean disappeared off the court, with a dejected head on his shoulder.

Michigan won 72-66 in overtime.

He was dejected. And why shouldn't he be? Indiana Hoosiers have had a dejected season and when in to the game with a dismal record of 5-8 and a four-game losing streak, including the defeat against Lipscomb, a game where they were in the lead by 21 points.

Hoosiers made an impressive start and dominated the game for nearly 22 minutes. Verdell Jones III, Nick Williams and Devan Dumes were all over the court, making moves and shots which gave the Hoosiers the guard play they lacked in their previous matches which they lost. They were well supported by a shaky start by Michigan, who missed 16 of its first 19 three-point shots.

At one stage of the game, the Hoosiers were in the lead, 44-24 with 18:26 minutes to spare.

After the defeat IU is back at ground zero and nothing is taken for granted. All the teams in the Big Ten are waiting for their chance to take on the Hoosiers. Crean will have to wait for his next recruited batch to arrive.

IU conceded some crucial points and helped Michigan to equalize with the IU at 56-56 and with the three pointer by Manny Harris with 43.8 seconds to play.

With 23.4 seconds to spare, Dumes lost the ball on a misguided attempt to score on a two-on-one fast break, Michigan made the kill with the help of a three by Laval Lucas-Perry.

The match ran in to over time, and the performance further deteriorated, Michigan started off with a three pointer and didn't allow IU to lead. After much struggle, the Hoosiers netted 6 of 9.

Till the boys at the Hoosiers mature and some promising recruits turn up for the Indiana University program, the problems won't ease for Crean.