The Madness returns: Hoosier Hysteria tips off season

Basketball is finally back. Then again, basketball never rests in the state of Indiana.

Tonight marks the start of the college basketball season with Hoosier Hysteria. Teams were forced to wait until midnight in the past to begin practice. However due to so many schools putting on events, teams are now allowed to practice beginning at 5 PM EST.

If you cannot make it, the night will be streamed online at BigTenNetwork.com. I have the special opportunity to broadcast the events on the live stream. Tune in.

Last season, Indiana finished 10-21, 4-14 in the Big Ten for a 10th place finish. This year the goals are higher. Coach Tom Crean stressed that “it’s time to go to another chapter…this year there will be a lot more competition.”

And competition is best for everyone. With added talent, they will see internal competition that will carry them.

Being a basketball player is not an easy job. A student-athlete stresses over school, girls, shooting, free-throws and the fundamentals. But one thing Crean said players haven’t had to worry about was playing time. He emphasized that in the coming months and years, playing time will be the biggest thing they will have to worry about.

This evening will be special for Indiana hoops. It is the first time for fans to check out the teams’ new additions.

Victor Oladipo– From Hyattsville, MD, the 6-5, 210 pound freshman was ranked 144th by Rivals.com. He averaged 11.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks during his senior season.

Will Sheehey– The Stuart, FL native was ranked as the 141st player in his class. The 6-6, 195 pound freshman averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in his final high school season.

Guy-Marc Michel– Originally from Sainte-Marie, Guy (GEE) is a junior college transfer from Northern Idaho. His 7-0, 277 frame averaged 7.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in his sophomore season.

There are two walk-on freshman players.
Jeff Howard from Westfield High School stands 6-8, 225.

Taylor Wayer from Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. He is currently not listed on the Hoosiers roster but has been practicing with the team and will be introduced at Hoosier Hysteria. He is a solid point guard that averaged about 19 points in his senior season.

Meanwhile, Indiana also returns two key players that went out with injuries last season. Matt Roth played in just two games last season before he was sidelined with an ankle injury. The Hoosiers top player, Maurice Creek also returns after only playing in 12 games last year—he went down against Bryant. At the time, he was the top scoring freshman in the country.

Crean said it will be too early to evaluate Creek because he is still rehabbing. He has been rehabbing hard for 9-plus months and the team has pushed him but not over the top. He will not practice consistently quite yet especially in back-to-back practices…there’s no need to rush and force a player back risking further injury.

Before the season, Crean and his staff usually take a vacation to be refreshed and prepared for the season. However Crean indicated he is too motivated and focused on recruiting that he has been on the recruiting trail the last few days instead.

The players have worked hard in the offseason and Crean has said multiple times that fans will be amazed with the new look of the team. The team has put in heavy hours in the weight room and it is already evident. Verdell Jones III has beefed up about 15 pounds. Tom Pritchard has lost some weight and added muscle. This will be one of the obvious changes to the players tonight. (Don’t forget about new jerseys this year, although I doubt they will be displayed)

Coach Crean has been loyal to Indiana greats. He is always welcoming former players and staff back to campus and showing off his team. One thing that Crean really gets is the importance of family and the “brotherhood” of Indiana basketball. Tonight, many IU greats will participate in Hoosier Hysteria.

The full list of former IU greats include Damon Bailey, Brian Evans, Wayne Radford, Matt Nover, Archie Dees, Haris Mujezinovic, Errek Suhr, Landon Turner, Tijan Jobe, Kip Schutz, Brett Finkelmeier, Chris Reynolds, John Laskowski, Dr. Steve Ahlfeld, Dr. Larry Rink and Bob Hammel.

This is also a big recruiting weekend for the Hoosiers. Over 15 players will be attending which is pivotal for the future of this program. The best part is they are mostly guys from the state. Crean is slowly taking back the state and getting the states best talent. Recruits are the future and tonight they will get a small glimpse of what Indiana basketball is all about.

Doors open at 6, autographs at 7:30, and team introductions will begin at 8:30 with Coach Jack’s women’s team. The men’s team will be introduced just before 9 PM.

The festivities will then feature a 3-point contest. The players involved are Jordan Hulls, Maurice Creek, Matt Roth, Will Sheehey, Christian Watford, Derek Elston, Verdell Jones, and Victor Oladipo. The final four will then shoot from various spots worth a different amount of points. The player with the most points will win. I think it will come down to Hulls and Creek with Hulls succeeding down the stretch.

Following the shooting contest will be a Wii contest highlighting senior Jeremiah Rivers and a fan.

Then it’s on to the dunk contest featuring Tom Pritchard, Christian Watford and freshman Will Sheehey and Victor Oladipo. Oladipo is the clear favorite and judging from multiple YouTube video’s, I think he will dominate the field.

The basketball team will wrap up the night with a 20 minute scrimmage. Hoosier Hysteria, formerly known as Midnight Madness, is a storied tradition with Indiana basketball. Tonight is the first chance for IU fans to get a glimpse of their favorite team.