If you haven’t heard, the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats are coming to Bloomington today to play the newly interesting Indiana Hoosiers.
It is, without a doubt, the biggest game at Assembly Hall in – well, a long, long time. And Indiana will probably lose. Maybe by a lot.
But that’s OK, because a year ago we knew Indiana was going to lose to Kentucky. We were pretty sure they were going to lose to Penn State. And we suspected they might even lose to Savannah State.
Those days are gone. There’s a swagger back in Bloomington. Not like in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, when nobody – and I mean nobody – came into Assembly Hall expecting (or even barely hoping) to win. That place was loud, that coach was menacing, and those teams could play.
But for two hours this afternoon the unranked Indiana Hoosiers will be at the center of the basketball universe for the first time since April 1, 2002.
So, come 5:15, we’ll all sit in front of the TV and be excited for the Hoosiers. Assembly Hall will be electric. And Bloomington will officially become a tough place to win again – not just for the home team.
Go Hoosiers.
For your reading pleasure, here’s what they’re saying about the game:
Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star says it’s a hot ticket. He also wonders if students should rush the court if the Hoosiers win. Why not? Let them have their fun.
Rick Bozich of the Courier-Journal predicts Kentucky will win by eight (they opened as 3.5-point favorites, and it quickly increased to 5.5).
Dustin Dopirak of the Herald-Times notes Indiana’s wins over No. 1 teams: Duke in the 2002 NCAA’s, Michigan State in 2001, Kentucky in 1993, UNLV in 1987 NCAA’s, North Carolina in 1984 NCAAs.
Ben Smith says the Indiana-Kentucky rivalry is back. Seems premature.
Dan Dakich keeps insisting an Indiana win wouldn’t be an upset because these are two good teams and the game is in Bloomington. Yes, it would, but I appreciate the sentiment.
Joe Lunardi has Indiana as a No. 6 seed (subscription required). Kentucky is a No. 1, in case you wondered.
December 10, 2011 at 11:19 am
Big game. Should hopefully tell us a little more about where Indiana is at in their rebuild process. Any outcome outside of getting blown out at home should be considered positive in my book.
December 10, 2011 at 11:45 am
I would guess Kentucky by 11.