For any Indiana basketball fan, Saturday night's season-opener provided reason to be happy.
The Hoosiers (1-0, 0-0) gave fans reason to be proud at Assembly Hall after their 83-65 win over Northwestern State due to the intensity that was evident on the floor. The Hoosier forced 28 turnovers as they overcame an early 12-5 deficit.
For the first time since the day of the Tom Crean hire, eyes were smiling on the Hoosier basketball program. If anything, Saturday conveyed the message to the 13,000+ fans present that they will not back down from the likes of Michigan State, Purdue, or Wisconsin.
This team has come to play, and play they will for their new coach and a hurting Indiana nation.
Even though I hesitate to say it, I will go ahead and put my neck out on the line. Indiana, although a team that will be vastly out-matched come conference play, reminded me of a Bob Knight Indiana team for the first time since the Final Four year in 2002.
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This was by no means in terms of talent, but of the energy and style of play they brought to Branch McCracken Court. The hustle, intelligence, and energy on the part of both the team and fans was present; characteristics that epitomized the Bob Knight era.
Northwestern State was also one of the bigger non-conference games for Indiana. Let's not forget that the Demons upset a second-seeded Iowa team in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. While most of that team has graduated, Northwestern State is a tourney qualifier every two-to-three years.
Even though in most years the Hoosiers should win a match-up like this by no less than 20, this season brings special circumstances in which every win is a quality win. The initial win gives Indiana momentum going into the heat of the non-conference season where they will face teams including Notre Dame, Gonzaga, IUPUI, and possibly Texas or North Carolina.
The Crean era is underway, and off to a fast start. What seems to be Crean's signature post-game action of walking around the perimeter of the court and greeting the student section and spectators along the east sideline held a special meaning last night. Crean greeted his new school's fan base to the "Tom Crean" chant that was so prevalent in the two exhibition games.
Last night gave me the impression that things are on the rise on and off the court at Assembly Hall, and that days ahead are nothing but bright.
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about 1 month ago
It was definitely a good win for IU. It would've been even nicer if we could've blown out IUPUI as well, but a win is a win at this point. To me, Tom Pritchard is a pleasant surprise. Most of the recruiting reviews said that he would not be a quality player and he's stepped up big time in these first two games.
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