WRT Indiana's (the state's) basketball tradition. I went to grade school there for 6 or 7 years and basketball was literally part of the curriculum in March. We would study the history of the sport. Write papers about it. Had the grandson of Dr. Naismith come speak to us. Went on field trips to the basketball HoF and the NCAA headquarters. It was great. So, while Illinois is arguably the better basketball state and the birthplace of March Madness, Indiana embraces basketball at a more hysterical, almost pious level. It's kind of impressive. But as little hoosiers grow up to be big fat hoosiers, this only fuels their basketball entitlement.Yes, they can get bitter.
There’s nothing more sad in the Sports World than a team or franchise that had a great level of success and then who slid back into mediocrity (Indiana basketball, Nebraska football, De Paul basketball, etc.). The fans got accustomed to a high level of success and it’s a bitter pill when that success evaporates.
Indiana roundball has not deteriorated to the level that Nebraska football did... but the Indi Memories are strong and we all know the mythology that has been built around Hoosier State basketball.
But when I see anyone pushing that Indiana mythology narrative it’s just a reminder that the same mythology could have been built around State of Illini ball. (Maybe THAT movie will yet be made one day).
There simply is no greater ball traditional than the Prairie State. As They say... “The Original Home of March Madness!”.
This will always be an intense matchup what with the (elite) tradition history of both States and the great Big Ten generation games that have been played over the years.
Indiana and Nebraska share a bit of State inferiority complex. Much of their State identities are built around their State U’s. Nebraska has no major pro teams... and Indiana has not had real great success with the NFL or with the Pacers since the ABA days. And neither State is on top of people's vacation lists.
The best we can do is beat the Hoosiers on the court and respect their ball tradition that they have known. Sort of like professional courtesy.
And one more (important) thing. Never let the current Illini success level slide down ever again.
Was mentioned earlier in BB2023 thread he resumed practicing last week but most likely won't play until OSU game presently.2 questions
1. When is Luke Goode coming back?
2. When is Zac Perrin going to play or is he?
Feeling the need to vouch for Bloomington, IN.... It's an awesome, beautiful place to live. Loved my time there!God, the IU boards are funny. What a bitter, has-been group of people. I have literally never talked to a soul who has been to the fake Assembly Hall and to State Farm Center and preferred Bloomington ... weird, outdated arena with no good seats and what "character" it has is mostly forced down our throats by old TV announcers who were in their prime when Indiana was actually good. Additionally, the crapping on Champaign as a city is hilarious ... Bloomington is a tiny, boring town with a small stretch of nice campus running through it. Champaign, for good and bad, is an actual metro area with legitimate dining and bar options, both in Campustown, Downtown and even Urbana.
How dare you. I’ll have you know that Bloomington, Indiana is home to John Cougar Whatever.
He’s used the same 3 chords in every tune since ‘83…at least it sounds like it.
I will be there....I promise I will be loud....looking for an O & B 8pt win....
I like how you ponder.....I really really doView attachment 22989I have been pondering this game since the start of the season and the overrated loosiers and their overrated poster child of overratedness , tjd , what will it take to win this game ??????.............
I've pondered matchups......................................................................
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She dominates.............................
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I've pondered transition D.............................................
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She dominates...................................................
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I've pondered offensive production.........................................................
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she dominates.....................................
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My prediction.............................
Illini 74
loosiers 61
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Sounds good to me .....
me too..........................
and the sight's are dominating.................
me too..............................................
Beat the living sh*t out of them. I want Sencire in Hood-Schifino's shorts. LFG
Actually Mellencamp camp was from Seymour, In about 100 miles south of Indy just off 65JB....a man a few words...but several top hits!
I have to agree, I was born in Urbana and lived around U of I until I was 16. So, this is why I'm an Illini fan for life. The Illini campus is nice and more urban and Indiana's campus is more rural surrounded by trees, lakes, and nature. I've lived about 40 miles from Bloomington for the past 40 years. I prefer nature over urban, but to each there own.Feeling the need to vouch for Bloomington, IN.... It's an awesome, beautiful place to live. Loved my time there!
That said, "bitter, has-been group of people" is a spot-on description for the Hoosier/Loosier fandom. They seem to genuinely believe they invented the sport of basketball, and they're dumfounded as to why they aren't good anymore (except to uphold the lore of their idol-king, 'the General').
Every IL-IN game is my personal Super Bowl/World Series/World Cup, and there is nothing better than putting their team in the perennial blender and pureeing them and their clown-pants loving, deluded fans.
Go, Illini!
...and infinite moves!JB....a man a few words...but several top hits!
John Mellencamp was from Seymour, IN, NOT Bloomington.How dare you. I’ll have you know that Bloomington, Indiana is home to John Cougar Whatever.
He’s used the same 3 chords in every tune since ‘83…at least it sounds like it.
I hope this is /sTo bring everyone back to earth, torvik says we've had the easiest conference schedule to date. Obviously context matters, and these past 4 wins feel really good after the previous 3 losses. But in reality, 4-0 was expected. These next 3 will really tell us a lot. 2 tough home games, and our toughest road game yet. 2-1 would be good enough, 3-0 would have us back to talking about how high our tournament seeding can go.
FWIW, Indiana has the toughest remaining schedule. If they can't figure out how to win without Xavier and Race......they're going to finish bottom half of the conference again. Too bad.
As many have noted, after the half court line, fourteen passes. And the ball hit the ground a total of ten times, two of which were on passes.Calvin said:
Couple random thoughts on the recent play.
3. The passing against Sparty was good, and Minney, even better. Not sure the last time I saw such good playmaking by an Illinois team.
He live (or lived)s in Bloomington for a long time, first in a compound about 5 miles east with house, barn, and recording studio, then in a house on Lake Monroe to the south. I lived across the road from him when he was in the first house.John Mellencamp was from Seymour, IN, NOT Bloomington.
He went to Vincennes University (so did my sister at the same time).
He’s kind of a legend in southern IL and IN. Your comment on the three chords, you obviously only listened to the first two albums.
* You DID say that Bloomington, IN is the home of JM, but it is not.
Didn’t know that. Haven’t talked to him since about ‘92.He live (or lived)s in Bloomington for a long time, first in a compound about 5 miles east with house, barn, and recording studio, then in a house on Lake Monroe to the south. I lived across the road from him when he was in the first house.
Yeah thanks nerds!I think it's interesting how different age bands of Illinois fans feel differently about our various rivals. I'm 25 and was talking to my dad, who is 60, about it a couple weeks ago at the Northwestern game. For people my age, at least in my experience, Purdue is definitely more hated than Indiana. For older groups though it's the other way around usually. I think Indiana's lack of success lately and the ongoing rivalry between Purdue and Illinois engineering has fueled a lot of that.
I believe it's a bit more than generational, though that's a strong component. The sustained success of Branch McCracken (who coached IU form the late '30s through the mid '60s) and, even more so, Bob Knight is a major factor. Back in the day when only the conference champion made it to the NCAA tourney, McCracken's teams finished ahead of great Illinois teams by a hair several times in the early '50s. But it was Knight's open contempt for Lou Henson, his self-righteousness, and general demeanor, that really rubbed my generation the wrong way. (I grew up in Columbus in the '70s and early '80s watching Ohio State as a kid and Knight, though a player on the OSU NC team in the early '60s, was despised there as well.)I think it's interesting how different age bands of Illinois fans feel differently about our various rivals. I'm 25 and was talking to my dad, who is 60, about it a couple weeks ago at the Northwestern game. For people my age, at least in my experience, Purdue is definitely more hated than Indiana. For older groups though it's the other way around usually. I think Indiana's lack of success lately and the ongoing rivalry between Purdue and Illinois engineering has fueled a lot of that.
No need to apologize. Sometimes seems being off-topic is on-topic.Two comments:
(1) Whatever one may criticize of John Mellencamp, he puts on an excellent show. I was a fan for many years of his post-Cougar work, and he seemed to have a genuine love for the Midwest and its working people . In six years in Champaign (enjoying some memorable concerts at Mabel's and Foellinger Auditorium) his gig at the AH in Fall 1985 was among the best I saw.
(2) The best part of watching the IU fan base rend their garments over their modern hoops struggles is the simultaneous pre-eminence of Purdue basketball in the Hoosier State. That must drive the IU partisans insane.
Sorry for straying off-topic. Back to basics: destroy them without mercy.