Badgered and tortured

The IU defense was run over this week. Wisconsin thumped the Hoosiers 55-20. The second half was the back-breaker. Wisconsin scored 31 points, the Hoosiers none.

I've said it for several weeks: teams cannot win without at least a little defense. IU has a couple defensive linemen who are playing well, namely Jammie Kirlew, but a sack here and there is not enough. The IU defense gave up 601 total yards, including 443 yards rushing. Wisconsin rushed for almost twice as many yards than the entire IU offense.

The lack of offense can be attributed to injury once again. Ben Chappell was hurt on a QB sneak late in the first half. He was near the goal line, took a hard hit and fumbled. Instead of the Hoosiers taking the lead (they were down one point at the time), they gave up a field goal and trailed by four at halftime.

Wisconsin running back David Gilreath averaged 21 yards per rush, including a 90-yard run in the third quarter that really ended the game. He ran for 168 yards on 8 carries and P.J. Hill ran for another 127 yards, scoring three touchdowns.

Now the Hoosiers have allowed 400 total yards or more in six of their seven losses. Hopefully the coaching staff knows what to look for on the recruiting trail.

Where is the love?

When I was an IU student 14 years ago, I had to get in line to get my season tickets for men's basketball. We marked our calendars for the day we could pick them up. I even remember jumping for joy in 1995 when learned I would be sitting on the floor for a game against Michigan. By the way, I even appeared on ESPN. I was signaling a three-pointer when the now infamous Neil Reed made in the first half. ESPN used the shot in their lead-in to a commercial break during halftime.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a commercial on the IU Web site advertising student tickets for men's basketball. And this story appeared in today Indiana Daily Student. Four thousand student ticket packages are unsold and now available to the general public.

We all know the Hoosiers are going to struggle this year and may not have a winning record. But that is not a reason for students to abandon the team. IU basketball is not inconsistent like IU football. Five national championships, nine final fours, more NCAA tournament berths than I can count. The tradition is there. And Assembly Hall is what makes it really special.

The students are who make it tough to play in Assembly Hall. Get out there and buy some tickets.

Print is dead, right?

Not after last night's election. According to this post from Poynter.org, you couldn't find a copy of the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post or New York Times in their respective cities.

Journalism may be shifting to the Internet, but newspapers still provide permanency. Our words will be remembered, and cherished, because they can be kept in shoe boxes, closets and basements.

I don't think too many people are saving Web pages that appeared this morning.