Indiana Hoosiers 90, Bryant Bulldogs 42: Maurice Creek's knee injury casts pall over dominant performance.

[UPDATE: Per the H-T and other sources, Tom Crean reports that Maurice Creek fractured his kneecap and will have surgery immediately.  Unsaid but obvious is that he's done for the season, at least.  If there is any doubt in your mind, click through to the H-T story for a stomach-turning photo.]

In my preview, I wished for a dominant performance and walk-ons all over the court in the final ten minutes.  That happened, and IU more than doubled up Bryant, winning by a 48 point margin.  Still, unless the stretcher was a dramatic overreaction, this may be one of the lowest moments of a low era.  Freshman Maurice Creek, by far the most indispensable member of the 2009-10 Hoosiers, went down with a knee injury early in the second half.  There was no obvious impact or misstep, but Creek crumpled to the ground after an attempted layup, and after teammates tried to help him off the ground, ultimately he was carted off on a stretcher.  I have no basis for medical speculation, but Creek seemed very upset when he left the court.  I'm not talking about pain, although I'm sure he was in pain.  He seemed to believe it was something serious.  Creek leads the Hoosiers with 16.4 points per game and is shooting 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three point range.

So, after rebounding as well as possible from the Loyola loss, IU may be back to square one as the Big Ten season begins.  At this point, what sort of misfortune would be surprising?  A meteor striking Assembly Hall during a game?  Tom Crean eaten by wolves at halftime?  Oh well, allow me to wallow in self-pity tonight.  Stats tomorrow, Michigan previews later in the week.