Illinois apologizes for rude behavior and obscenities directed toward Indiana star Gordon

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Illinois students and Orange Krush members hold signs for Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson

Illinois students Cody Bornsheuer, left, and fellow Orange Krush member JR Allen don gear to show their sentiment toward Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson before the start of the game in first half college action at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill., on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Heather Coit)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Feb 8, 2008 at 9:40 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2008 at 9:40 PM EST

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois athletic officials apologized Friday after fans greeted Indiana and star freshman Eric Gordon with obscene chants and curses during the Hoosiers' double overtime win.

"The profanity and behavior by a small segment of fans Thursday night is disappointing and intolerable, and for that we apologize to fans of both teams," Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther and coach Bruce Weber said in a statement posted Friday on the men's basketball Web site.

Gordon was making his first appearance at Assembly Hall since reneging on an oral commitment to play for the Illini. Students chanted "Liar! Liar!" and obscenities, booed every time he touched the ball and cheered every mistake.

He was sloppy early on, but came through late for the Hoosiers, hitting a clutch 3-pointer late in regulation to help send No. 14 Indiana to an 83-79 victory. Gordon finished with 19 points, all but one of them after halftime.

Guenther and Weber said in the statement that they take the reputation of Illini basketball seriously and "the game has been somewhat diminished by inappropriate behavior by a number of fans in attendance."

Gordon and the Hoosiers (19-3, 8-1 Big Ten) are in contention for a Big Ten title. The Illini (10-14, 2-9) are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 1999.

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