'Hoosier Hysteria' presented by Smithville set for Oct. 16
Oct. 7, 2009
"Hoosier Hysteria" officially gets underway for 2009-10 when Indiana University men's and women's basketball teams tip off the new season in Assembly Hall, Oct. 16 (Friday), at 6:30 p.m. Hoosier Hysteria is presented by Smithville.
Photo by Heather Brogden
Crean addresses the crowd at last year's Hoosier Hysteria.
IU men's basketball coach Tom Crean -- backed by the seven newcomers who provided the Hoosiers with the top recruiting class in the Big Ten and nine returnees -- is ready to go. "We cannot wait to be a part of the energy that has been established this fall within our athletic program," said Crean. "It was great to see 11,000 students in the stands at Memorial Stadium last weekend. Now we need to carry over that support and enthusiasm to show that Indiana is still one of the premiere programs in college basketball."
A recent ranking released by Bloomington's Jeff Sagarin for ESPN, rates the Hoosier men's program as the fifth best in the history of college basketball. The Hoosiers are tied for third in NCAA Championships (five), are fifth in NCAA Tournament appearances (35), sixth in NCAA Tournament victories (60), seventh in Final Four appearances (eight) and 10th in overall victories (1,635).
Hoosier Hysteria begins when Assembly Hall's doors open at 4:30 p.m. After a 5:30 p.m. IU volleyball match with Iowa, the men's and women's basketball squads will sign autographs at 6:30 p.m. (no outside items will be signed). Then, the men will take the floor for their first workout of the season following an introduction and scrimmage featuring the women's basketball program. The tentative schedule has the women's team taking the floor at 7:45 p.m. with the men to follow at 8:30 p.m.
"This night is so important to us on many levels," added Crean. "We have six outstanding young freshmen who will get the opportunity to run onto the Assembly Hall floor for the first time. We have 10 guys who have worked tirelessly since last season to help rebuild this program from the ground up, and hopefully you have an 8-year old in the stands who comes with his family and decides one day his dream is to be an Indiana Hoosier. That is what Hoosier Hysteria is all about."
Students attending the event are encouraged to make their own "Big Heads" which made their debut last season in Assembly Hall. Coach Crean will choose the four most creative designs and have those students serve as guest coaches for the evening's scrimmage. Admission is one canned food item with the proceeds benefitting the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
The IU volleyball team, coached by Sherry Dunbar and led by All-American candidate Ashley Benson, is 13-5 overall and received votes in the latest Top 25 poll. IU began the conference season by defeating No. 16 Michigan State at home and taking down arch-rival Purdue (also receiving votes) in a five-set thriller in West Lafayette.
Women's Basketball Coach Felisha Legette-Jack and the Hoosiers open the 2009-10 season after tying the school record with 21 wins last year and making their third trip to the postseason in three years. Indiana returns eight players to a team that is highlighted by senior All-Big Ten performer Jamie Braun and junior Jori Davis.
