Neither Indiana or Kentucky willing to budge – series put on hold

Indiana and Kentucky have met every year since 1969, but that streak is coming to an end. Simply put, Indiana wants the series to remain a home-and-home game, whereas Kentucky wants it to return to neutral sites.

This is terrible news for all. The two schools have to figure it out. They just have to.

The regular-season matchup was one of the best games of the season, and their Sweet Sixteen meeting was arguably the best game of the tournament.

“While we understand that such neutral site games could be quite lucrative, we think the series should be continued as it is, home and home,” said IU Athletic Director Fred Glass.

“Playing on campus enables our students to attend these marquee games which we believe is a great component of the overall college experience. Playing in the historic venues that are Assembly Hall and Rupp Arena is also a tremendous experience for our student-athletes.”

I’m with Glass’s stance. Keep the game on campus because that’s where it belongs. It belongs to the students, players and fans that show up game after game. There’s truly nothing like having such a high-level rivalry game on campus.

“We have a strong belief that this series should be played on campus and is something that should be beneficial for both teams,” Coach Crean said.

This is very similar to the idea that my high school, North Central, dealt with when they received national television offers. When former Hoosier and now New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon played for the Panthers, they received many offers to play on the national stage. There were money incentives, too. But ESPN insisted that the game be played at a bigger venue, like Hinkle Fieldhouse.

North Central’s athletic director Chuck Jones, like IU’s Glass, wouldn’t have it. He believed to much in the school experience and he passed up thousands of dollars to keep the games on-site. ESPN wanted the Gordon vs. Greg Oden and Mike Conley of Lawrence North matchup so much, that they finally agreed to do that game at North Central. But they weren’t happy, and neither school profited that much. Instead, it was about the experience.

I’ve been to IU games at Assembly Hall for years and I don’t remember more excitement or build-up for a game than the Kentucky game last season. Students began camping out five days before the prime-time meeting. Nor do I remember a game that was so intense and loud, all game long.

“In the final analysis, we want our student-athletes, our overall student body and our season ticket holders to enjoy this series at Assembly Hall,” said Glass. “We would be open to reviving the series in the future on a home and home basis.”

This series must continue, no matter where its played. Unfortunately, Kentucky isn’t changing their stance.

These games have created so many magical moments. You think anybody will ever forget the buzzer-beater from last season? No way.

Get it done.

Media reaction following the release:

And the guy who hit the game-winning shot during their December meeting isn’t happy:

One Response to Neither Indiana or Kentucky willing to budge – series put on hold
  1. ryansonofroy
    May 3, 2012 | 4:59 pm

    As a UK fan, I think it’s a shame. The UNC, IU and UofL games are hands down the best games of the regular season every year. I miss the Notre Dame games too.
    “Hope this is a wake-up call for Kentucky…”?
    I hardly think it’s so one-sided. Kentucky doesn’t profit from Home and Home games as much. This article talks about how IU fans camped out for a week for tickets to the UK game. I got news for you: UK fans camp out for weeks to see the first open practice. UK fans travel to Canada and Maui to catch games. UK fans are often a louder presence in their opponents’ gym. I think we’d prefer a larger venue for our fan base. Do IU’s concerns hold precedence over UK’s? I think not. All the same I think it’s a shame that we lose the game. Looks like we’re losing the UNC game too. Someone tweeted here that they should sign a long contract between the two schools: some home and home games, and some neutral site games. I agree. For what it’s worth IU fans: I love Coach Crean, I’m glad he’s putting you guys back on top. A rivalry is no fun unless it’s competitive. And now that both programs are producing top-notch teams the loss of this regular season game is nearly tragic.

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