When people think of Indiana University, basketball is often one of the first things that come to mind. I remember how excited I was to receive my first season ticket package and attend my first game at the famed Assembly Hall, and I'm sure many students felt the same way I did when their freshman year seasons began. With my final game as a student taking place this weekend, I'd like to reflect on all the things that make IU basketball so great and have left me with some great memories during my four years here.
The energy. When the fans inside Assembly Hall are loud, they are really, really loud - and it's electric. It's hard not to get caught up in the excitement and energy, especially when games are close. I'll never forget the North Carolina and Michigan games as a freshman, the Wisconsin game as a sophomore (I even got to storm the court for that one) and the Purdue game this year. Games like those - and many, many others - reminded me how much I love this school and how much everyone loves to be Hoosiers.
I especially love seeing my fellow students' excitement, particularly for the important conference games. The signs and costumes crack me up every time - always gotta look out for the Teletubbies! - and the amount of time people spend outside, often in cold weather (remember College Gameday?), waiting in line for general admission section tickets sometimes blows my mind. But we do it for the love of IU basketball.
Great players. I've seen amazing games with everyone from Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo my freshman year to Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant as a senior (and Yogi Ferrell all four years - oh how we'll miss you, Yogi). From 3-pointers to slam dunks, I'm always amazed with the amount of talent on the team, and I've loved getting to see that in person. Yogi, I'm very excited for your speech on Senior Day.
The traditions. The "Martha the Mop Lady" clip that begins each game. The montage of all the IU basketball historic players and moments that plays before the starting lineup is introduced (with the Wat Shot included, of course - which people still cheer loudly for, almost as if it had just happened right then). The cheerleaders running onto the court toward the end of the game, proudly waving their IU flags while the band plays the William Tell Overture. The big cutout heads people wave when the opposing team shoots free throws (and maybe throwing in some Christmas carols to distract them during the holiday season). These things are what make IU Basketball as special as it is. This level of excitement and sense of tradition isn't quite there when you're watching it on TV.
IU Basketball, thank you for being a special part of my experience at this university. You may have nearly given me heart attacks a few (read: many) times, but the excitement is what I'll always remember. Now go out there and beat Maryland on Sunday - I'll be cheering hard from the GA section!
Pictured: me in November 2012 (back when I had bangs) after IU defeated North Carolina, 83-59.
