It was just a few days ago that we learned of this charming story, in which two random Wisconsin people turned a seemingly innocuous argument about new Indiana head coach Tom Crean into a "four-or-five punch" affair. I wondered if it was going to set a precedent for people to resort to sports-argument violence more often. Now, alas, the chickens are coming home to roost, or something like that, even in Tom Crean's very own office.

Yesterday, after lanky sophomore forward Eli Holman told Crean that he intended to transfer, things turned ugly. Holman apparently threw a "tantrum" and broke a potted plant -- yes, a precious potted plant -- in the basketball offices before police officers were called. Holman eventually calmed down, and remained in a meeting with athletic director Rick Greenspan for about an hour before leaving the building on his own. Which officially makes him less dangerous than Christmas Ape.

Needless to say, Crean's statement on the matter is priceless:

[...] The conversation was very cordial but unfortunately, it did not end that way. His behavior took me, along with the other people in the office, by surprise. We saw him as a danger to himself and wanted to take precautionary measures to help him. We felt bad for Eli and hopefully were able to help him.

I do not anticipate Eli being back at Indiana. We will do our best to help him move forward and wish him well.

No, I do not anticipate Eli being back at Indiana, either, but I do have at least one question: Was Holman's fate sealed before the potted plant, or after? Because some people are really protective of their Areca palms.

Related: Big Ten Basketball, Ill-behaved People, Peculiarity