I've fought the thought of starting a thread all season about Indiana University basketball. Well can't fight it any longer. Born in Indiana (living in Texas) lifelong Hoosier fan. Just beating VCU to reach the Sweet Sixteen, has me crazy excited. This IU team has mass amounts of Heart. IMO this was by far the toughest game to win all year. VCU was as game a team that I've seen all year. Now, on to Kentucky, IU's much hated(though highly respected) rival. Anyone have thoughts about this team? Hayesfan, what do you think the rematch is going to look like? I'm more than positive Kentucky wants this game in a big way. I'm incredibly pumped that "The Movement" back to prominence has begun.
I'm an Indy native who graduated from Purdue, but I've always been an IU basketball fan. Thanks to a choke job by VCU, IU was able to close the game on a 7-0 run. I had given up and thought it was over. Kentucky will lay a beat down on them next week, but it's been a great season. I can only imagine how sick and tired Kentucky fans and players are of seeing ESPN run replays of that last-second shot.
I don't think VCU choked it. What impressed me most about the win was, the way Indiana stayed patient late, continued to attack the basket. I was expecting IU to try to comeback with the 3. This team is growing up. My first thought was Kentucky would lay a beatdown on IU, but I don't think they will be as good defensively as VCU was. That said, I think they will be much better on the offensive end. My heart says IU will win, my head says Kentucky, regardless, the program is back and I'm crazy proud of the way Crean has done it, the right way.
VCU choked and gagged (on offense) but IU was very opportunistic and snatched the game away from them by not panicking and making smart plays on offense. Even if they had lost today, I'm pumped about where the program is and the direction it's going. Making the Sweet 16 is gravy regardless of winning/losing vs. Kentucky. It's been so long and things were so bad the last few years I was having serious doubts about Crean and if things would ever get better. I've lived in Houston over 25 years but I haven't lost the emotions about IU basketball. Good to know another member here cares.
Funny, I just turned 40 and have lived in Houston for the last 30 years. There has not been one day that I haven't bled crimson. Finally after the last coach, I'm thrilled they are doing it the right way.
Gotta be happy with the effort and season. Indiana basketball is back. I expect to be top 10 preseason. Top 3 recruiting class coming in next year. Future is bright. Congrats Kentucky.
Watching them lose to Kentucky wasn't as painful as I expected. Looking forward to next season. It was neat seeing the Harbaughs there supporting the bro-in-law.
Another Purdue Grad here who roots for IU except when they play the Boilers. It's great to have IU on the way back, especially since Crean is doing it the right way. I didn't think IU had a chance against Kentucky because of the regular season game. I thought Kentucky would carry a grudge and a big hammer into this game. While IU lost, I was still pleasently surprised at IU's ability to stay in the game.
Personally, can't stand the guy. He did a lot of damage to IU basketball. He cheated, guys didn't go to class and there was drug use among players. I think Sampson is a pretty good coach and built more for the NBA, but the guy has zero integrity. I was displeased with his hiring as a Rockets coach, but that means nothing to me when it comes to my being a big Rockets fan. Being a lifelong Hoosier fan, you have no idea how good it feels having a guy with such class that embraces Indiana tradition, works hard not only building and restoring a storied program, but building character in his student athletes. MONON, I have a ton of respect for Purdue, of course our biggest in state rival. Most people don't know, Purdue has won more Big Ten Basketball Championships than any other University and it's really not even close.
Thanks Mikol13. Purdue has a tendency to get average height players(not counting JaJuan Johnson) that play hard & defend, sorta like the Rockets now. That may be because most of the Indiana big men seem to like Duke , North Carolina and what's that other school....oh yea IU. I suppose if Sampson had done that to Purdue, I'd feel the same as you. My initial reaction was "crap". After I thought about, I thought it would be alright. He Is a good defensive coach & in the NBA, he doesn't have to worry about covering up illegal recruiting like he did at IU and OU. Looks like he just can't handle the red tint to his team's colors.
