The Magic Long Dead

Once upon a time [because so many stories begin with that phrase] the Purdue - Indiana game was guaranteed to be a titanic battle. The players always played their hearts out, but it was the leaders that helped make the show. On one sideline you had the greatest villain ever Bobby "King of Chair Tossing" Knight. The other side had our hero who scowled all the time Gene "Combover" Keady. All great stories have great heros and villians. Two titanic warriors made for each other. It was as much fun to watch those two on the sidelines as it was to watch the 10 players on the court.

Long ago Knight left for southern environs. For whatever reason Keady and his assistants couldn't recruit the better players and the team declined. One of the few benefits of being in school is that I've barely had time to watch games. I catch a box score and am dismayed, but I haven't seen on the TV screen how the former shine dulled with decay.

Keady's 25th and final season wasn't supposed to end like this. It wasn't supposed to end with a team that won't reach .500 and likely won't make the NIT, much less the NCAA tourney. This season wasn't supposed to end with a lifeless team that lost by 17 points to Indiana.

Perhaps new blood will bring new magic. I can hope so.