Indiana releases 2010-11 basketball schedule

Indiana has released the upcoming men’s basketball schedule…finally.

After a couple weeks to finalize the television games, IU has released its 31 game schedule–20 of which are at home. Meanwhile, 28 of the Hoosiers games will be on television.

Indiana begins the regular season on a tough stretch…six games in 14 days.

November 12th vs Florida Gulf Coast
November 14th vs Wright State
November 16th vs Mississippi Valley State
November 21st vs Evansville
November 23rd vs North Carolina Central
November 26th vs Northwestern State

If IU plays their game and are not fighting injuries, they should start the year 6-0. It is a cake schedule but that’s just what a young, rebuilding team needs… Experience, games and wins thus leading to more confidence. Coming off a ten win season and 16 wins in two years, Crean is hoping the cream and crimson can finish over .500. But he knows that’s no easy task.

This schedule will present us with a lot of unique challenges. Twice, we have stretches early in the season where we will play six games in 14 days so our depth and health will be a critical factor.

Then Indiana travels on the 1st of December to Boston College for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. That contest will be a good one and could go either way. Ten days later Crean and company travel south to battle Calipari’s slimy Wildcats.

I think we will learn a lot about our team during the four non-conference games we play away from Assembly Hall. Boston College has one of the most experienced teams with 11 seniors or juniors, the Kentucky game is one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball.

Later, IU opens the Big Ten season on December 27th at home against Penn State; they also play on New Years Eve, welcoming the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Other highlights include a ESPN matchup at Purdue on February 8th, and then IU hosts the Boilers on February 23rd. Indiana wraps up the Big Ten season on the road at Illinois.

Despite IU’s rebuilding process, Hoosier faithful continue to show up to games. Last season, Indiana ranked 11th in the nation in attendance and second in the Big Ten.

This is another big year for Indiana basketball. Coach Crean must continue to build on the foundation that began from nothing just two years ago. They already have one commit for 2011 and hopefully a couple more will come this fall. Should IU get some momentum and win some games, a recruit or two will commit and the dominos will fall. Just one class could change the future of Indiana basketball and return to glory.

For a complete schedule, click here.