Basketball is in full swing throughout the state of Indiana. Schools are done with classes for the semester and players can turn their full attention to getting better on the court.
Today is a busy day for hoops in the basketball capital of the world. A diehard fan could make today a special day in regards to attending games. With so much going on in our lives, it is often challenging to catch every game.
Here is a schedule of three games within 27 miles that are worthwhile. Ideally, one could attend all three back to back.
First of all, Butler hosts Stanford for a non-conference dual. The two teams have never met, and today’s matchup will be nationally-televised on CBS (Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony) at 2:05 PM. The Bulldogs at 5-4, have struggled this season without their star Gordon Hayward. They are however, coming off an easy 91-71 win over Mississippi Valley State last Saturday.
Stanford, on a three-game win streak, will be the first Pac-10 team to play in Hinkle Fieldhouse since 1965 (USC). This matchup will be Butler’s last home contest of 2010.
Shelvin Mack has been a stud this year and Matt Howard is a consistent double-double guy. Ronald Nored missed a few games because of a concussion is also a crucial part to the Bulldogs success.
Less than 5 miles away, Purdue (9-1) will host Indiana State for an in-state clash at Conseco Fieldhouse. The 19th ranked Boilermakers usually play in the John Wooden Classic each year. However due to his passing and lack of attendance at the event, this year is being dubbed the Boilermaker BlockBuster. The women’s team takes on Auburn at 1:30 PM prior to the men’s contest at 4 PM.
The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network with Eric Collins, Tim Doyle, and Charissa Thompson on the call. This shouldn’t be much of a game. Indiana State will be no matched for this veteran Purdue team that has won 10 games in a row over in-state opponents.
Then up in Hamilton county, my alma mater North Central High School travels to Hamilton Southeastern. According to MaxPreps.com, the Panthers are ranked 8th in the country. NC has a very talented cast that defeated the top ranked Class A Bowman Academy 88-70 Friday night. Xavier-recruit D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera scored a game-high 32 points, Ronnie Johnson had 22 and Patrick Ingram added 14.
The Panthers won the 4A state championship last season and they’re poised for another season. The only key loss was Terone Johnson who graduated and is now an integral part of Purdue.
I am especially interested in seeing the Royals’ Gary Harris and Zak Irvin. Both are highly touted recruits who have game. A highly regarded high school coach told me Harris reminds him very much of Eric Gordon and is certain NBA talent. This will be a tremendous matchup of two quality Indiana teams.
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Sunday Indiana returns to action at Assembly Hall hosting South Carolina at 4 PM.
24th-ranked Notre Dame hosts Stony Brook at 4:30 PM on Sunday. The Irish improved to 9-1 with an 83-79 win over Gonzaga. The game is on ESPNU with announcers Jim Barbar, LaPhonso Ellis.