When the Indiana Hoosiers were awarded a No. 1 seed to this year’s NCAA Tournament, I couldn’t help but immediately think of everything that has happened over the last five seasons. From where they were — bottom of the barrel, composed of walk-ons and baseball players to where they are now atop the rankings for most of the season, winners of the Big Ten regular-season title, and relevant again in college basketball.
And you know what, college basketball is better off — much better off for it.
While volunteering the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis for the last three years (and it’s a shame it’s now alternating with Chicago, which couldn’t care less about it) those behind the scenes and in the know kept remarking how the tournament needed IU to be good again. They help with ticket and merchandise sales as well as the television audience.
What Tom Crean and his staff, keyword staff, because no one person could rebuild this thing by themselves. Indiana AD Fred Glass, Tom Crean, the coaches, and academic advisers on down. The players can’t be left out, either. They’re just as important because many of them committed and wanted on before the winning record, magazine covers, or conference crown.
“Nobody wants to see IU back,” Crean said a few years ago about other teams. And he couldn’t be more right.
Once IU got their step back, as they did last season, look out. No more giveaway games when the Hoosiers came to town. No more making fun of the team that used to be good. They took the pain and losses, kept working in the gym, and are now tougher and more appreciative than ever.
The Indiana fan base is one of the best in the country. They stuck by the Hoosiers during this dire situation. The fans hung with it, and like the team, are now being rewarded.
A No. 1 ranking is special. Winning the Big Ten regular season title, especially this season, deserves all the praise. But now all the focus turns to the NCAA tournament, where the Hoosiers are seeking banner No. 6.
Over these next two days, take time to think back on what the last five years or the last decade have been like. Tom Crean’s staff won six games, just six in his first season. Now, their chomping at the bit for six tourney wins, beginning Friday against James Madison.