Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series desperate for interest and support for what once was a must-see event

Another year of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series is about to come to a close tonight when the teams face off in Indianapolis.

Last night at Bellarmine University (just over 2,000 on hand), Kentucky girls won 64 to 57 and the Indiana boys just edged Kentucky 105-103 in a thrilling finish.

This battle has always been one of my favorite events in the Indiana—maybe because it means basketball in the summer. But what has baffled me and event organizers is the tumbling attendance in the last decade.

From what older, more wiser people have told me, this event use to be a tough ticket in town and one that people across the state always looked forward to. Not so much anymore.

In this day in age, the problem may be that there are far too many options out there. AAU basketball, many other all-star games, and more games on television.

This game has lost it’s edge, it’s zest and it’s popularity. There’s no buzz in the air right now, with fans anxiously awaiting tip-off tonight. And I don’t understand it.

What’s not to like. Last night, media members told me it was one of the best games in the series they can remember. 105-103, a closing shot in the final seconds to seal the deal for Indiana.

Just this year, Hoosier fans can get a preview of incoming freshman Cody Zeller (Mr. Basketball), Austin Etherington and Remy Abell (on Kentucky).

Butler will be inspired by watching the play of Center Grove’s Andy Smeathers and Kameron Woods on Kentucky. And unlike previous years, Purdue doesn’t have a single member on the team but that is no reason to be discouraged.

Add in the athletic Kentucky-bound Marquis Teague and Michigan State’s Branden Dawson and I can’t see why any sports fan would want to miss out. Plenty of division one players, including three future Hoosiers should be enough for the basketball crazy state.

The Indiana boys have dominated the matchup in the last 25 meetings, victorious in 22 of them—including the last six. Nonetheless, attendance continues to slide and the future of the once-coveted rivalries is in jeopardy.

I encourage everyone to make their way to Conseco Fieldhouse tonight to watch both the girls (5 pm) and boys game (7 pm). Not only are you supporting the team, but the game, fieldhouse and city. And I guarantee that you won’t walk away disappointed.

This is Indiana. This is basketball country.

Year Attendance
2000 12,741
2003 7,801
2005 6,787
2008 5,097
2010 6,007


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