As a sports fan, you have to love what’s going on in Indianapolis this weekend….everything!
Beginning tonight, there are four days of quality sports action that may draw your interest. It’s the holiday time so I’d suggest taking your significant other or best of all a good friend and enjoy some of these tremendous games going on.
The NBA has returned and Pacers fans have a lot to cheer about.
Friday:
Ahh….NBA is back. The Indiana Pacers host the Chicago Bulls to Conseco Fieldhouse Friday night at 7 pm to get the weekend rolling. New Pacers acquisition David West won’t play but this will be the first look at Indy-native George Hill in the blue and gold.
Frank Vogel and his new staff also make their debut. Vogel was able to bring Brian Shaw on staff and it was a huge pickup. He’s a former player that brings experience from Phil Jackson’s staff and connects well with the players.
It’s a young and exciting team. Check it out tonight — all tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to the United Way of Indianapolis.
Saturday:
Again, Conseco Fieldhouse is the place to be. The first annual Crossroads Classic showcases two great college basketball programs in this basketball-rich state.
Butler and Purdue meet on the hardwood at 2:05 pm and it can be seen nationally on CBS. Following this game, Indiana plays Notre Dame at 4:30, this one on ESPN2 with the vivacious Dick Vitale on the call with Dan Shulman.
Saturday will be the show off what Indiana basketball is all about. The event has sold-out, is televised on national television and I expect Conseco to be a blast.
Is Sunday the day? It very well could be...or the misery may continue.
Sunday:
Can the Colts finally win a game? The 0-13 Colts host the Tennessee Titans to Lucas Oil Stadium still searching for a win. The Titans are 7-6 and maybe turning things around. Chris Johnson is finally producing. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has missed time with an injury but he’s expected to start on Sunday.
The drama is still there with Peyton, and many have already turned their mind ahead to the Andrew Luck Draft in April. Is it inevitable that Jim Caldwell will be fired after the season? I feel for a lot of the veteran players on Indy’s roster like Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne and Gary Brackett.
It’s tough watching Dan Orlovsky starting under center, but I will Sunday.
Also Sunday, the Pacers are hosting the Fan Jam at 4:30, right after the Colts game. It’s an opportunity to see the team practice, joke around and get autographs. The jam is free to everyone.
Monday:
After battling Notre Dame on Saturday, the Hoosiers return home to face Howard. The students are gone but I still expect there to be a buzz in Assembly Hall. After IU’s victory over No. 1 Kentucky last Saturday, about 6,000 tickets were sold for the four games of winter break.
Also Monday, IUPUI plays Ball State at Conseco Fieldhouse. More quality Indiana hoops at one of the best venues in America…seriously.
My friends at Conseco Fieldhouse will be busy these next four days: Pacers vs Bulls Friday, Crossroads Classic Saturday, Fan Jam Sunday, IUPUI vs Ball State on Monday. I know they love it.
I also will be busy each day. I am beginning my eighth and final year as a Pacers ball boy. I will be covering the Crossroads Classic, Colts game and Indiana game. I will have complete coverage here and I’ll be tweeting my thoughts every day.
Don’t miss any of it.