Joe Hillman is a prototypical, former Bob Knight player from the last golden era of Hoosier hoops. He averaged 44 points a game in HS as a senior in California before becoming a Hoosier in name and spirit while accepting his "role" not as a scorer, but as a set-up guy for the scorer. He never left the state after his playing career and is as locked in today on Indiana basketball as he was when playing alongside Steve Alford, Daryl Thomas, Keith Smart, Dean Garrett, et al on their way to an NCAA championship. The Hoosiers had gone 23 years between Branch McCracken's 2nd NCAA banner in 1953 until Bob Knight hung his first with the undefeated 1976 team. Then another in 1981, which was followed by the 1987 title. There would be Finals Four's and near misses, but no championships. No one thought Indiana would go silent for 38 years and counting. But they have and many of the former players who played the game the right way, the Indiana way, are not happy with where the program is. Joe Hillman is one of those and fortunately a great friend of ISB Radio. Here's what he had to say today.
