While I've tried to get back into the normal routine around here (I've been back in Grand Forks for a couple of days now), I'm finding it hard to keep my mind off all that is going on back home. I just left a message for Amy on Facebook and that didn't really help matters this evening.

But, all in all, I'm pressing on... Trying to get back to some of my interests and that is helping.

Just moments ago, I checked up on my Hoosiers to see how they have been doing.

The scores, schedule, and results make me cringe:

Sat, Nov 15   Northwestern St.   W 83-65
Tue, Nov 18  IUPUI            W 60-57
Mon, Nov 24  at (8) Notre Dame  L 50-88
Tue, Nov 25  at St. Joseph's  L 54-80
Wed, Nov 26  at Chaminade     W 81-79
Sun, Nov 30  Cornell          W 72-57
Wed, Dec 3  at (15) Wake Forest  L 58-83
Sat, Dec 6  (5) Gonzaga      L 54-70
Wed, Dec 10  TCU              W 66-56
Sat, Dec 13  at Kentucky      L 54-72
Mon, Dec 22  Northeastern     L 42-55
Sun, Dec 28  Lipscomb         L 69-74
Sat, Jan 3  at Iowa          L 60-65
Wed, Jan 7  Michigan         L 66-72
Sat, Jan 10  at Illinois      L 45-76
Tue, Jan 13  at Ohio St.      L 53-77
Sat, Jan 17  Penn St.         L 55-65

Eight losses in a row, 0-5 in Big Ten play and a 5-12 record. That's hard to swallow.

This team does have some young talent and should win games. What it doesn't have, though, is an identity or a leader. Coach Tom Crean is one of the more lively coaches I've seen since Bob Knight left and think he is the one person that can turn this program around.

The program has a good recruiting class for the '09-'10 season and also has some big names in the high school ranks looking at the program for the '10-'11 season. The incoming class next year is ranked in the top 8 in the country and consists of some very athletic players and players with size - something this team desperately needs. The Hoosiers haven't had a strong, solid center in quite a while.

So, I'll suffer through this season and ponder my picks come March. Until then, I'll count down the days until pitchers and catchers report for MLB baseball. February 11 is the first day that pitchers and catchers can involuntarily begin reporting, with the 13th the first day they need to report. Spring Training will be here before we know it and with the World Baseball Classic occurring once again this winter/spring, it will be nice to see baseball on TV once again.

I'm hoping for another great season from the Cubs and hopefully, not another Division Title with zero wins in the Post-Season.