“It’s been an interesting six and a half months” said Tom Crean to “Hoosier Nation” on Friday night at Hoosier Hysteria. So interesting, us students and alumni have very little knowledge of the players gracing Branch McCraken court in the 2008-2009 season. Coming off a very disappointing season that fell apart after the resignation of Kelvin Sampson amongst allegations of illegal recruiting, the new look Hoosiers displayed an array of athletic talent that will provide the back bone of the Tom Crean era.
The night started with the ladies of Indiana University volleyball taking down Ohio State in four games to win the best of five. Probably the biggest crowd this volleyball team has ever played for as the people filling the seats were anxiously waiting on the IU basketball programs. Despite what they were there for, the crowd of 10,000 or so rose to their feet on game points and added a level of intensity as the Hoosiers battled point for point with the Buckeyes. A freshman gazing at the historical court for the first time found a new interest as the game concluded on a great rally. “I have never watched a game of volleyball in my entire life, with the exception of May and Walsh in the Olympics, and it is the most intense sport I have ever seen.” As the volleyball team left the court after they successfully brought the energy to Assembly Hall, a slow chant of “Tom Crean” was building through the stadium, Its time for some basketball.
The basketball portion of the program began with a video tribute to the 1976 championship Hoosiers as the crowd stayed on their feet in admiration - a sign of the strong Hoosier basketball tradition. Shortly following, the IU Women’s team danced their way on to court with their always entertaining coaching staff boxing their way to center stage and punching out the signs of the Big Ten- something the team hopes to accomplish this season. Following a passionate speech from coach Felisha Legette-Jack was a three point contest with members from the team versus the B97 DJ’s - not impressive at all. During drills the 6’3 Freshman forward, Sash Chaplin grabbed the crowds attention with some impressive shots and ball handling while Senior guard Kim Roberson showed her senior leadership and athletic ability in a otherwise slow moving scrimmage. “Can you promise me you are going to come support this team?” asked Coach Legette-Jack to the crowd, “We will make you proud!”The crowd contributed a lot more energy then I originally would have thought coming into an unknown season , but for those who weren’t pumped up for the introductions were brought to their feet by the infamous cheerleader flag scramble (totally unofficial name). You know, the only reason you are on your feet yelling is to hope the cheerleaders crossing paths will collide and wipe out to the crowds satisfaction?
Following this tradition, the crowd was treated to a tribute of past Hoosier legends spanning over the last seven decades. As recent as 2008 graduate Adam Ahlfeld to as far back as the 1946 graduate, John Wallace the legends present included; Steve Ahlfeld, Lee Aldridge, James Barley, Jack Brown, Archie Dees, Scott Eells, Steve Green, Kyle Hornsby, Ted Kitchel, Mike LaFave, Mike Woodson, John Laskowski, Todd Leary, Gary Long, Jerry Memering, Mike Noland, Wayne Radford, Steve Risley, Errek Suhr and Frank Wilson. The loudest cheer award goes to Hornsby and current Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson.
Cue The Alan Parsons Project, the band that made the famous introduction song for the Chicago Bulls. The lights went out, the crowd to their feet as the legends held ground on the court to welcome the new-look Hoosiers. The crowd showed the most support for returning senior Kyle Taber as he was introduced last, the Michael Jordon of the Hoosiers you can say. Oh man, that can’t be good. The biggest moment though, belongs to new head coach, Tom Crean, as he slowly walked into the stadium to be officially welcomed into “Hoosier Nation.” The lights were on Crean to calm the nerves of the Hoosier fan base, who have suddenly lost trust for the Coaching staff and the Hoosier basketball program. Crean let the crowd know that his team will give it their all and play nothing short of their best in order to live up to the standards of Indiana basketball. His admiration for the crowd seemed to take him over as he poured in the respect he has for “Hoosier Nation” honoring their alumni as they did on Friday night.
“This is the greatest tradition in all of sports, anywhere” said Crean. The Goosebumps on my arms became suddenly present as Tom Crean’s powerful words made me very happy to be a Hoosier. Since there was no highlight reel to show the crowd, Crean and the team put together a video that documents their workout regime. This team is working hard, with NBA type workouts, and strong team commitment. As the video began, the loudest Tom Crean chant of the night aroused as the present and past Hoosiers manned Branch McCracken court. They then gathered in the middle as a “nation” and cheered, “Hoosier Nation”, a moment that pasted a permanent smile on the Hoosier legends faces.
After all that was done, the first official practice began with strict ball handling drills and a shoot around. This team is athletic in every phase of the word. The team was showing off their dunking skills, quick ball handling and a wide range of shooting. Compared to years past, this team took the floor at Hoosier Hysteria to prove something to the crowd, to prove they are going to put on a show. The team then held a two on two three point contest where a current Hoosier would compete with a Hoosier from the past. The six current players chosen were, Devan Dumes, Matt Roth, Verdell Jones III, Tom Pritchard, Jeremiah Rivers (son of current NBA coach Doc Rivers), and Kyle Taber. Matt Roth with his partner Todd Leary, the current play-by-play announcer and a member of the Indiana Hoosiers team from 1989-1994, won the competition over Taber and his partner Ahlfeld who put on a show in the first round.
Look out! This team has a couple big guys. Tom Pritchard 6'9 240, and Jobe 7'0 255, look like they can add the height and power that has been absent in recent years.
Cue hula girls? Wait, what?! That’s what I said too. As the Hoosiers make their way to the Maui invitational they were presented with a surfboard to commemorate their invitation. Big 7’0 Jobe from Africa was carried in by his team as he stood on top of the surfboard, a showcase that made me a little nervous, while hula girls danced around them.The evening was then concluded with a scrimmage where the Crimson team beat the Cream team 33-23. Devan Dumes from Indianapolis scored 11 points for the Crimson backed by 10 points from Verdell Jones III. The Cream team was lead by freshman Nick Williams’s seven points and Malik Story’s six.
This team has talent. We now have something to be excited about. Before it was like anticipating a Detroit Lions football season, just knowing you are going to lose the majority of the games, but after watching the new-look Hoosiers display their talent to an estimated crowd of 10,000 the anticipation begins to build. It is time to get together, Hoosier Nation, and cheer on this young team. You can find the roster at iuhoosiers.com
A new era has begun.
No comments:
Post a Comment