As I was watching the Pacers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, a thought occurred to me: Eric Gordon’s parents and I are probably the only people in Indiana watching this game.

Not because it was 10:30 in the evening when the game started. Not because the Clippers were the opponent. Not even because the Pacers were riding a four-game losing streak and in last place.

It’s because the Indiana Pacers are nearly unwatchable.

Between the poor shot selection, the turnovers, the lack of continuity on offense, the lack of effort on defense (by some, not all),the players that contribute nothing to the franchise, watching Brandon Rush become the next George McCloud or Shawne Williams, and the awful coaching decisions, it’s really hard to watch.

There are still three — and only three — reasons to watch: the development of both Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Hibbert and the incredible skills of Mike Dunleavy.

Hansbrough is still limited to 16 minutes per game because of his shin injury and he still seems a little confused about what is a good NBA shot and what isn’t. But in almost every other aspect, the Pacers’ rookie appears to be on his way to becoming a solid pro.

Like Hansbrough, Hibbert has his limitations. He still tries to block every shot and gets out of rebounding position to do so. He still commits silly fouls. However, I think he compares favorably to Rik Smits at this point in his career. Hibbert has some really nice, almost unstoppable, offensive moves and plays solid defense one-on-one defense — even against elite centers.

Like Hansbrough, Dunleavy still has his minutes limited. However, when he plays, he’s starting to show why he was the Warriors’ No. 4 draft pick in 2002. The eighth-year pro has more skills than a lot of Hall of Famers. He can score in every way imaginable, has a beautiful shooting touch and is an amazing passer. I question his toughness, his defense and his durability, but watching him has become a lot of fun.

Otherwise, watching the Pacers this year hasn’t been a lot of fun. But I’ll continue to watch them and report for you. After all, you’re not watching.



INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Before the season, which was before I began writing this column, I stated that the Colts would be the best team in the NFL if either Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie became a viable third receiving option.

I didn’t consider that both would turn out to be much better than viable, making an injury to Anthony Gonzalez almost irrelevant.

The latest news on Gonzalez is that he’s expected to be back by the end of the regular season. However, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said last week not to expect much from the third-year receiver.

It probably doesn’t matter how much Gonzalez can contribute, because the Colts have become the most resilient franchise in pro sports.

Lose Edgerrin James, no problem.

Lose Marvin Harrison, no problem.

Lose Cato June, Mike Peterson and David Thornton, no problem.

Starting cornerbacks Jason David and Nick Harper leave after a Super Bowl title, again, no problem.

After years of questioning every move that Bill Polian has made — and not made — I finally admit that there’s not a better general manager in football.



CHARLIE WEIS

There are now rumors that Tom Moore will retire following the 2009 football season, leaving the offensive coordinator position open.

Who are the Colts reportedly targeting? That’s right, Charlie Weis.

I’m not sure how I feel about Weis being Indy’s offensive coordinator — and it’s not likely to happen — but you can’t say that Pollian doesn’t have a sense of drama — and a sense of humor.



PURDUE BASKETBALL

The Boilermakers looked outstanding in a 101-65 win over Buffalo on Saturday, shooting 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line.

After facing Valparaiso on Wednesday in what should be an easy eighth victory, the Boilermakers will face their first hostile crowd of the season on Saturday at Alabama.

The Tide is 6-2 and coming off of a win over Michigan.

Like Tennessee, Alabama will likely be more athletic than Purdue and the Tide may turn out to be the SEC’s second-best team, behind the Volunteers. They should fight with MIssissippi, Vanderbilt and Kentucky for the SEC’s three or four tournament bids.

Mikhail Torrence has become one of the SEC’s most-complete players at 15.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. JaMychal Green is an athletic power forward and is averaging 14.4 points and seven rebounds a contest

It will be the Boilers’ last big test until they face No. 7 West Virginia — another immensely athletic team — on New Year’s Day.



INDIANA BASKETBALL

After I had already written something caustic about Indiana being on the level of upcoming opponents North Carolina Central and Loyola (Md.), the Hoosiers went out and beat previously-6-1 Pittsburgh — by 10 points at Madison Square Garden.

It is Tom Crean’s signature win as Indiana’s coach and it showed great progress — and unexpected progress.

Freshmen Christian Watford, Maurice Creek and Derek Elston combined for 33 points and 15 rebounds, and sophomore Verdell Jones had 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and two blocked shots in the victory.

Amazing what one win — even against a team that probably isn’t as good as its record — can do for a program, and its fans, in particular.

In one night, this columnist went from acrimonious to excited about the future again.



THIS WEEK IN TIJAN JOBE

Jobe hadn’t missed a shot all season. How many college basketball players can say that?



BUTLER BASKETBALL

I understand during the past couple of years of Indiana University basketball turmoil, many Hoosier fans have turned to the Butler Bulldogs.

Finding the Bulldogs on television hasn’t been hard. I think I’ve seen them more than any other team on ESPN this year, including Tuesday night against Georgetown at Madison Square Garden in a 72-65 loss.

That’s the good news if you’re a Butler fan. The bad news is that — if you’re watching — you have come to realize that the Bulldogs are not near the “elite” level, not deserving of their top 20 ranking and will probably be a double-figure seed in this year’s tournament, if they get there.

Matt Howard is a strong post player, but looked lost against Georgetown’s Greg Monroe. Gordon Hayward — a name most New Albany fans would like to forget — has come on strong this season. There are also some good role players, like Zach Hawn, Shelvin Mack and Willie Veasley, but this team is not the Bulldogs of the past few seasons.

Don’t be surprised if Butler finishes second or third — behind Wright State and/or Detroit — in the Horizon League and outside of the NCAA tournament.



NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Notre Dame is going to make a coaching decision soon.

It’s not going to matter.

Notre Dame fans will get all excited — like they did with Charlie Weis — and they’ll be let down again because they have failed to realize that they are the new Michigan State or Oklahoma State.

No more, no less.

Contact Greg Mengelt at greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com.