FOX Sports Indiana is hosting “Basketball Day in Indiana” on Saturday, Dec. 10 in Central Indiana. The television home of the Indiana Pacers and Fever will broadcast for 13 continuous hours featuring five games, live shows originating from a set on Georgia Street, and several pre-produced features.
This theme is a spin off “Hockey Day Minnesota,” a now annual event that got started back in 2007. It is FOX’s hope that this lives on, too.
“We expect Basketball Day in Indiana to become an annual event,” said FOX Sports Indiana senior vice president and general manager Jack Donovan. “Indiana has such a rich basketball tradition. Basketball Day in Indiana is a full day dedicated to celebrating the sport.”
What you’ll see is two high school basketball games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, a clash between the top two boys basketball teams from Southport High School, Butler basketball against Cincinnati, with the Pacers hosting the Portland Trail Blazers as the grand finale to the big day.
(Admission is free to those two high school games at The Fieldhouse.)
With the Pacers scheduled to play in Dallas Friday night, the conclusion of a five-game road trip, the on-air duo of Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner will be on the broadcast of three games in less than 24 hours at three different venues. Denari and Buckner, paired together for the 11th consecutive year on Pacers telecasts, will also handle the commentary for No. 2 North Central vs. No. 1 New Albany.
“Really looking forward to it,” Denari said. “I’ve played high school basketball in the state. My dad was a high school basketball coach. I did the high school state championships for a number of years. So, it’s going to be really cool to be a part of it.”
FSI also invites fans to hang out around its temporary set on Georgia Street. There will be televisions to follow along and a basketball court for sports fans to put shots up.
Veteran sportscaster Brian Hammons will host portions of the 13-hour special, beginning at 9:00 am, from their outdoor set.
Getting set for tomorrow. #BasketballDayIndiana pic.twitter.com/dYOVGQ5igK
— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) December 9, 2016
“The IHSAA is ecstatic about the creation and production of a Basketball Day in Indiana,” said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox. “This collection of high school, college and professional basketball games from our state will truly showcase the sport which is synonymous with Indiana.”
Former Fever player and now TV analyst Tully Bevilaqua will be the analyst for the girls game and Pacers Live! analyst Eddie Gill will step in for the boys game. Gill’s daughter, Kiara, is a freshman at Carmel. Pacers Radio Network sideline reporter and host Pat Boylan will handle the play-by-play.
For the Butler game, FSI will simulcast the FOX Sports 1 telecast with announcers Tim Brando and Nick Bahe.
Full Schedule:
8:00 am: The Wigwam (taped TV special)
8:30 am: The Milan Miracle (taped TV special)
9:00 am: Basketball Day in Indiana Live tip-off show (from Georgia Street)
10:00 am: Girls Basketball: Carmel vs. Center Grove (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
12:00 pm: Boys Basketball: Lapel vs. New Castle (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
2:00 pm: Boys Basketball: North Central vs. New Albany (Southport High School)
4:00 pm: Basketball Day in Indiana Live show (Georgia Street)
4:30 pm: Men’s Basketball: Cincinnati at Butler (Hinkle Fieldhouse)
6:30 pm: Pacers Live pregame (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
7:00 pm: Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
9:30 pm: Pacers Live postgame (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
10:00 pm: Basketball Day in Indiana Live wrap-up show (Georgia Street)