No Oladipo in this one, but his fellow Hoosiers will compete for the ‘W’ this year. (Photo by Defro)
Former members of the Indiana and Purdue basketball teams will fight for bragging rights this Saturday at the second annual rivalry game, part of the Knox Indy Pro Am. The game, appropriately held on middle ground at The Jungle on the campus of IUPUI, will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. and it’s expected to be another exciting clash.
“I just think an uptempo, fast-paced game with guys that really take the IU versus Purdue game to heart,” Knox Indy Pro Am Founder and Director Carlos Knox said of what fans should expect.
This isn’t your typical alumni game, Knox believes. As about 1,200 fans who were part of the standing-room only crowd at Ritter High School saw last summer, these guys get after it.
The idea to bring former Hoosiers and Boilermakers together stemmed from the IU guys when they played in the Pro Am while still in college. Guys like Jordan Hulls, Matt Roth, Will Sheehey, and Christian Watford.
“I just looked at it from the standpoint that it could be a good thing for the Indy Pro Am as well as these players to rekindle the fire,” said Knox.
The lineups are still being finalized. As of Wednesday, the following guys are committed to play:
Indiana: Jordan Hulls, Christian Watford, Earl Calloway, Matt Roth, Rod Wilmont, Daniel Moore
Purdue: Terone Johnson, DJ Byrd, John Hart, David Teague, Bobby Riddell, Kenny Lowe, Travis Carroll, Errick Peck, Mark Wohlford
Carlos Knox’s Pro Am is in its sixth season. (Photo by Defro)
More names are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Unfortunately, some IU guys that were planning to play had to back out for various reasons. Victor Oladipo was selected to be part of USA Basketball’s Select Team, Will Sheehey had another commitment and D.J. White recently had a child.
Knox, who is in IUPUI’s Athletics Hall of Fame and is still the team’s all-time leading scorer, has a little bit of both teams in him. However, as a player development coach and director of the league, he takes pride in their individual growth and seeing them succeed. He’s not taking sides.
“I like seeing these guys play their game, do what they love, and battle each other on the court,” he said.
Tickets to the rivalry rematch are $20 and can be purchased both online – click here – and at the door. Select VIP and courtside seats are already gone.