When word finally filtered out last Friday that Kelvin Sampson was no longer at Indiana University's basketball coach, the predominant feeling around Bloomington was relief.

Relief that the person accused of NCAA violations — an embarrassment to many students, staff and alumni — would no longer be the face of the program. Relief that the unflattering wall-to-wall coverage on ESPN would come to an end. Relief that the school could get a jump-start rebuilding its proud reputation of winning the right way.

The one place you didn't find relief was in the locker room. Six players skipped a practice session, hurt and confused that their coach was out and their first choice as his replacement was bypassed. Seven were there, but they didn't accomplish a whole lot.

It appeared that, in an ominous phrase for IU fans, a promising season was teetering on the brink. That still might be the case, but the now 12th-ranked Hoosiers sent some positive messages just 24 hours after Sampson's $750,000 buyout was announced.

First, all of the players made Saturday morning's trip to Evanston, Ill., for a game against Northwestern.

Second, they took the court with "KS" scribbled onto their sneakers to support Sampson.

Third, despite their usual problems with the perplexity of defending the Princeton offense, the Hoosiers managed to pull out an 85-82 victory.

After the game, the healing process gained momentum.

First, interim coach Dan Dakich stared into the Big Ten Network's cameras and praised the players' toughness — and pointed out that it stemmed from Sampson. "This is a resilient team," he said. "This is Kelvin Sampson's team."

Then, as Dakich stepped aside to make room for D.J. White's interview, the hulking power forward stopped and enveloped the interim coach in a bear hug. Yes, that action said, the players may have wanted now assistant head coach Ray McCallum to be placed in charge, but they're good with the decision to elevate Dakich.

How this all plays out as the Hoosiers (23-4, 12-2 Big Ten) return to action tonight against Ohio State (17-10, 8-6) remains to be seen, but whatever can pass for normalcy has to be good for the players.

"I'm extremely proud of the kids for the way they came together in a tough situation," Dakich said during a Monday teleconference. "They found a way just like they have all year to be resilient, mentally and physically tough.

"Any adult knows that when you've been through a lot, you're able to handle more. And these kids have been through a lot."

The players say their goals haven't changed: Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, and a run deep into the NCAA tournament.

They probably need to win out — against Ohio State, Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State — to win the Big Ten, as both Purdue and Wisconsin also have only two conference losses.

IU won 59-53 at Ohio State back on Feb. 10, with D.J. White leading the way with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Gordon had 15 points, while Jordan Crawford had eight points, six rebounds and seven assists. Kosta Koufos had 18 points and nine rebounds for OSU.

Dakich and Ohio State coach Thad Matta said White is deserving of Big Ten player of the year honors. "I just love what D.J. does for the Indiana team, the energy and enthusiasm he brings," said Matta.

White was one of the players who missed practice on Friday afternoon, but he came back with a double-double in IU's win at Northwestern.

Then, afterward, came the hug for Dakich.

"In so many ways, this has been an emotional year for these players," said Dakich. "They had a tough week, but they fought through it.

"I'm 45 years old, been through a few things, and the past week wasn't easy for me. If I was a player and the same thing happened to coach Knight, there would have been mayhem."

Instead, now, there's relief — relief that the players are sticking with it, playing as hard and as well as they can.

That's the way it's always been for IU basketball, in the many good times and in the few that were bad.

See More at www.courierpress.com