Delany 'disappointed' in Sampson's conduct
Using the word "disappointment" -- and using only that word or a derivative -- Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany weighed in Sunday on Kelvin Sampson's latest phone-call mischief.
The second-year Indiana coach lost a $500,000 raise and the use of one scholarship, among other things, earlier this month when the school sanctioned Sampson for taking part in impermissible phone calls for the second time in two years.
After handing down its penalty, Indiana then forwarded all of its information to the NCAA in hopes that it did enough to punish Sampson.
"I will simply say the conference awaits to see what the NCAA does before it reviews the NCAA action," Delany said. "I think that Kelvin is disappointed. I think Indiana has expressed its disappointment, and I would express my disappointment."
Delany then was asked if it was a black eye on the conference.
"I said I was disappointed," Delany said.
Barring an unexpected action by the NCAA, Indiana won't be prevented from challenging for Big Ten and NCAA titles.
That's important this season because the Hoosiers generally are considered to be a top-10 team nationally.
Indiana checked in second in the 22-person media poll released Sunday by the Big Ten. Only Michigan State, with five returning starters and three sensational freshmen, ranked ahead of the Hoosiers.
Coincidentally, Spartans coach Tom Izzo supported Sampson, with whom he has been good friends for years.
"Not to make fun of anything, but to follow all the rules right now you almost need a personal secretary riding around with you," Izzo said. "I don't know all the situation, so I'm not going to try to be judge and jury.
"From what I've heard and what I've read, it seems like pretty tough punishment when I've seen other schools maybe not punished as strongly for things I think are a lot worse."
Neitzel leads: Michigan State senior guard Drew Neitzel, the only first-team all-Big Ten returnee, earned preseason Player of the Year honors from the media.
Indiana center D.J. White, Illinois center Shaun Pruitt, Ohio State guard Jamar Butler and Penn State forward Geary Claxton rounded out the first team.
Ohio State, which retains only Butler from a starting five that went to the NCAA title game, finished third in the team poll.
Frazier sidelined: According to Illinois coach Bruce Weber, junior point guard Chester Frazier jammed his left thumb during Saturday's practice. Frazier's X-rays were negative, but Weber opted to hold him out of Sunday's Orange and Blue scrimmage at the Assembly Hall.
Weber mixed and matched teams as they played four eight-minute quarters. Senior forward Brian Randle led all scorers with 19 points. Junior-college transfer Rodney Alexander added 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Shaun Pruitt scored 14 points.