NCAA basketball is back in Oregon for the first time in 26 years, not because the NCAA and the state didn’t want each other, but because sports betting was legal here until 2002 — leaving state officials hog-tied until it ended and they could bid. They’re happy to have it back. This site, with a capacity of 18,000, has been sold out for a long time, and the enthusiasm is great. There was a decent sized block of Purdue fans that we hope to catch up with Friday on the off-day.

Fans and viewers watching our coverage wouldn’t believe what goes on behind the scenes. I’m working with Matt Wettersten, a reporter/photographer with our sister station in Lafayette (WLFI-TV). We’re teaming up with coverage, but sending our video back through the computer instead of satellite. And you have to use the Internet, so it could take half an hour to send a story back instead of real-time (stressful, indeed). But, so far so good. Let’s hope Purdue keeps rolling.

This is what I love about the NCAA: the drama, win or go home, stars stepping up, unsung heroes born and, oh yeah, a chance to see different parts of the country.

Portland, Oregon is a beautiful place. Mountains sit behind the downtown buildings, the Wilamette River, Mount Hood, and folks here are very into the great outdoors. I’m a big fan of the West, growing up in Denver. So when NCAA trips have taken me to Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Seattle and now Portland, it’s awesome.

Turning to basketball, it’s nice to see Purdue getting rave reviews across the country. That’s what’ll happen when you win three games in three days on national television. I’m on board with the Boilers reaching the sweet sixteen.

Indiana basketball reached new lows this year, at least record-wise: six wins, 25 losses…Hoosier numbers no one’s ever seen.

It was very strange seeing them in their locker room after their season-ending loss to Penn State. I’ve been covering Big Ten college basketball for two decades and when you enter a season-ending locker room, there’s near silence and tears. This Hoosier group was talking, not looking down-and-out. Sure, they weren’t happy about their performance, but they enjoyed the journey and all were looking forward to climbing the ladder, something this experience will bring them. 

How tough it must have been to crank it up in practice day in and day out, knowing the other teams were bigger, stronger and faster. I’m anxious to see who will stay, who will inevitably transfer, and who will contribute the most to an incoming recruiting class rated among the best in the nation.

The Big Ten Women’s Tournament is here again, some of the top teams and the nation’s top athletes going at it under one roof. I’m a hoops junkie, and I don’t get much chance to check out a women’s game, but to have ten games in four days is pretty cool. Thursday, I covered Indiana’s come-from-behind win over Michigan when the Hoosier defense turned the tide. Not often do you see a team come from a dozen behind to win by 18, but it happened. I also was able to get IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack on LIVE during our 5 p.m. newscast, someone who’s just great to be around because of her excitement and personality. I thank her for taking the time, but to be frank, when she told me I was one good looking man, I was an instant fan!

Indianapolis has played host to the NFL combine for years, but it is still a bizarre event as far as media are concerned.

Most of the record number of writers, broadcasters, bloggers and talkers NEVER get a chance to see the field and watch these elite athletes show their stuff. We’re relegated to a small room on one side of the stadium, now Lucas Oil, where the coaches, GMs and players are brought to us for a brief interview session.

It amazes me to see one NFL head coach after another go to the podium in probably the only place they’re brought together under one roof. It’s a chance to compare and contrast, from personality to ideas. Every year a handful of new faces: Caldwell, Spagnuolo, McDaniels, Schwartz — to name a few – put it out there for questioning. Good to see the likes of area QBs such as Curtis Painter and Nate Davis get invites, hoping to show they have the skills to make it in the biggest game around.

Purdue was in desperate need of a good performance and a victory, and it happened behind a performance from a very unlikely hero. Five-foot-nine senior guard Bobby Riddell, a Lafayette native who just wanted to play for the local team got his shot(s) and made them count. A walk-on who’s been on scholarship for three of his four years was never promised anything, fought, battled, learned and shot his way into getting an opportunity.  

Riddell told us after the game what a thrill it is just to be on the team, and making an impact when the Boilermakers needed it most made it a memorable night. Seeing how the crowd and his teammates reacted to Riddell’s performance was another reason to like this group Matt Painter has put together. Good kids who enjoy each other, work hard and appreciate the little things.

It’s been nearly a year since Kelvin Sampson was let go at IU, and it’s taken that long for him to finally speak on the matter with the media.

We did attend the school’s NCAA infractions hearing in Seattle last June, Sampson was there to state his case, but ducked in and out a side door, avoiding the media. He arrived at Conseco Wednesday as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and after a few of us approached him, he agreed to talk on the record. (The entire video conversation is here on our website.)

It was refreshing to hear him be frank on the issues, saying he was dumbfounded at how some things happened on his watch, that he would do things differently, that he has selective memory, but he remains defiant in that he feels the NCAA has it all wrong.

He is appealing for that reason, but may have a tough time getting a five-year potential ban from college coaching overturned. He did tell me he doesn’t want to get back into college coaching, that his life is in the NBA now. What struck me is that he didn’t show alot of remorse, saying that IU is a great program and will rebound quickly. Tom Crean will see to it, and the Hoosiers are better off without Sampson.

In these crazed economic times where folks are trimming back on extra spending, Indiana high school basketball remains a bargain. Most games and tourneys are just five bucks, and when you take into account some of these great athletes playing for all the right things, it’s a chance to support them and their communities.

I get such a kick out of covering these games, seeing tables set up for different charities and functions selling their popcorn or cookies…listened to a great jazz-type band at Perry Meridian before a game that was very impressive…watching rabid student bodies putting their passion on display for one cause..pretty inspirational stuff.

Witnessed my first Pacer game of the season from tip to buzzer when they defeated Detroit, so here are a few observations. Danny Granger has grown tremendously in one season… he signed a new long term contract, is now the go-to guy in the clutch, and looks like he relishes the role. Every good team needs a top-notch player that will lead, and he’s quickly becoming that. Jermaine O’Neal just wasn’t right for the role, but Granger is getting it done, witness the shot that sent this game into overtime.

Defense has been a real issue… new style this year, no big-time stoppers, but they knuckled down and played tough against the Pistons. It’s about consistency, and keeping their opponents field goal percentage down. Their style is enjoyable, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford, Jarrett Jack, Jeff Foster all contributing. What feels right is the chemistry, something that’s been missing.

The dust has settled on another disappointing COLTS season in that they had a chance to advance, but looking back, the year may have ended appropriately. They were a few plays away from missing the post-season altogether, the running game never materialized, Manning saved the season, but the defense was consistent. It never had the feel of a championship run, yet they defeated all of the AFC contenders.

Now, it’s time to look for some changes. Tony Dungy might not return, and there are big free agents to deal with. Bill Polian says he wants Kelvin Hayden back, but they might not want to put out the money for him, and he may go elsewhere. Same with Jeff Saturday. I feel it’s time to let Marvin Harrison go as well, unless he wants to take a pay cut. He’s been nothing short of spectacular, but has had a small role in each of the last two seasons, and the team has been still been successful. Tough decisions all, but they always are, especially after a tough end to a very interesting season.