Published: April 02, 2008 02:35 pm         

New IU coach non-committal on Bassett's future

BLOOMINGTON — New Indiana University men's basketball coach Tom Crean was non-committal about the status of Terre Haute native Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis. Both were dismissed by interim coach Dan Dakich on Monday for violating team rules.

Speculation has arisen that Crean would consider re-instating both players, but Crean didn't elaborate today during his introductory news conference.

"I don't have an answer right now that would be correct on those young men," Crean said.

After the press conference, IU Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan was asked if Bassett and Ellis' dismissals were permanent.

"Those are dismissals that Tom will deal with. I don't want to be in the business of micromanaging the basketball program," Greenspan said. "Something that would be binding would be a cancellation of financial aid — that has not happened.

"I will say this, and it's important to be said, the job Dan did, in a very difficult situation, up to and including the dismissal of those two young men, was done with my knowledge and my support," Greenspan added. "I love Dan Dakich for doing what I think was the harder right over the easier wrong."

Attempts to reach Bassett on his cell phone by the Tribune-Star were unsuccessful. Bassett's mother, Anita Burks, declined to comment on Bassett's status when reached at her Terre Haute home.

IU forward Eli Holman, who attended Crean's press conference, said he hoped Bassett would be back.

"I love A.B., he was my host when I visited. He and D.J. [White] are the two biggest reasons I came here," Holman said. "I haven't had a chance to sit down with [Bassett] yet, but we're going to talk."

Bassett and Ellis were dismissed by Dakich for missing an appointment, and then didn’t show up to run laps as punishment, IU spokesman J.D. Campbell said.

Whether he returns to IU or not, Bassett has two years of eligibility remaining. Bassett, who starred at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 assists during his sophomore season for the Hoosiers.

If reinstated and if Eric Gordon leaves IU for the NBA, Bassett would be the highest returning scorer for the Hoosiers next season. He would be the only returning player who averaged double-figure points last season.

Correspondent Craig Smith contributed to this report.