The Fieldhouse is all dressed up and ready to go for opening night on Thursday.
The Pacers tip-off a new season tonight in Toronto against Luis Scola and the Raptors.
Then, they return home and to host to a very good Memphis Grizzlies team Thursday evening. It’s not a very favorable start to the season having to play on consecutive nights. The Pacers have 17 sets of back-to-back games this season; may as well knock one out early while they’re fresh, I suppose.
Breakdown of the Pacers’ 2015-16 schedule
Prior to the home opener on Thursday, join me and Kent Sterling at the Tin Roof downtown Indianapolis from 3-6 p.m. At the corner of Maryland and Pennsylvania, it’s just northwest of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We’ll be doing the show live from there on CBS Sports 1430AM (click here to listen).
LISTEN: Pacers Podcast with new FOX Sports Indiana Producer Max Leinwand
Meanwhile, the Pacers’ game operations staff has a lot planned for the home opener, including a special new introduction. Imagine colorful lighting. Remember, they filmed the video intro with Pacers Sports & Entertainment family and friends on the Virginia Ave. parking garage adjacent to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
One question going into the season, as far as the game experience goes, is whether or not to replace the organist. Two months ago, longtime organist Neil Copley lost his battle with cancer. He was terrific at his job, particularly because of his feel for the action.
The Pacers do plan to bring in an organist from out of town for the first time on Friday, Nov. 6 — the first Hickory game — but they remain undecided about whether to have one at every game like in previous seasons.
One other note: FOX Sports Indiana, the television home for the Pacers, will have an hour-long pregame show Thursday night ahead of the home opener. Pacers Live! Pregame, which airs before every regular season game with host Jeremiah Johnson, is typically 30 minutes long and includes an interview with head coach Frank Vogel. Also, former Pacer Jonathan Bender (1999-2006) joins the FSI team.
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