Changes need to be made in Indiana

Over the past three decades, Indiana Hoosier basketball has been one of the most successful powers in college basketball.

Since their last losing season in 1969-70, the Hoosier faithful have witnessed 12 Big Ten titles, six appearances at the Final Four and three national titles.

All of that makes the 2003-2004 season, which many consider the worst season in Indiana basketball history, that much more difficult to understand.

At Indiana, winning isn't just preferred, it's habit.

The question is -- how can a team, which has reached the NCAA Tournament 18 straight seasons, fall from superiority to mediocrity so quickly?

The answer is head coach Mike Davis.

With the collegiate careers of A.J. Moye and George Leach ending after the loss to Illinois this past Friday, all of the remaining players in the program have been hand picked and developed by Davis.

Most these players have the talent to achieve great things, but over the past couple of seasons they have not shown any signs of the improvement needed to maintain the level of success Indiana basketball demands.

This is a direct result of the lack of leadership Davis provides for his team.

He has never -- not once -- taken responsibility for how his team plays.

After many of the losses his team has endured over the past couple of seasons he has been quick to place blame on the players and none of the blame on himself or his staff.

At the post game conference after losing to Pittsburgh last year in the NCAA Tournament, Davis blasted his players after the loss.

This is not how a coach gains the respect and trust of his team.

Davis has shown a number of times an inability to keep his cool when the team needs his leadership most.

This was apparent last season against Kentucky when the refs made a questionable call at the end of the game and Davis proceeded to get a technical foul, and although it may not have changed the outcome of the game, eliminated any chance the Hoosiers had of upending the Wildcats.

It was a classless move by Davis after his team played a solid game just to stay with Kentucky.

These are the types moments when Davis shows a major lack of ability to lead players.

Over the last couple of years, Davis has been lucky because players such as Dane Fife, Jeff Newton and Tom Coverdale were around to do the leading for him.

However, this season it caught up to Davis when the leadership responsibilities were placed entirely on his shoulders.

This season the Hoosiers finished 14-15 overall and 7-9 in the Big Ten.

They lost to Wake Forest by 33, Kentucky by 39 points, and were outscored in the second half in 15 of their 29 games.

In Big Ten Conference play, the Hoosiers blew three half time leads that resulted in losses, and they lost five games by less than five points.

The Hoosiers floundered once again this past Friday against Illinois, scoring only five points over the last five minutes of the game.

This inability for a team to play at a high level with the game on the line is a result of the coaching they receive.

Davis, and his coaching deficiencies, are why the Indiana Hoosiers will be sitting out of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years.

The Hoosiers can be saved despite the demolition the program has endured under the Davis regime.

The team is still young and players such as Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland could improve over the off season if they work hard.

Also, if they are lucky enough to have their top two recruits go to school instead of going to the NBA, they could put a formidable squad on the floor next season.

However, change is definitely in order and that change needs to be at the top.

The loss to Illinois, or a loss in the NIT if they get invited, should be the final game at Indiana for Davis.

The program has built a long tradition of excellence and Athletic Director J. Terry Clapacs needs to fire Davis and show the fans that Indiana basketball will not tolerate another losing season.