It was a cold Saturday night in Bloomington three years ago. The campus was buzzing as the unranked basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats, a rival, to Assembly Hall. Adding to the hype, Kentucky was unbeaten and the top-ranked team in college basketball.
Things hadn’t gone smooth for the program, but Tom Crean and a group of Indiana kids, including Jordan Hulls, Cody Zeller, Yogi Ferrell, and Derek Elston, were tasked with helping to restore the program.
What a big night it turned out to be, and particularly memorable for those at IU for the night.
The Watshot (via IU Athletics)
Down by two with 5.6 seconds left, Christian Watford inbounded the ball to Verdell Jones on the south end. Jones quickly advanced the ball, getting a screen from Zeller near mid-court and then moving to below the left elbow on the north end. (By the way, this shot is forever engrained in my mind that I can easily recall what transpired.) Jones then sent the ball to Watford on the left arc who sank one for the ages.
“Watford for the win…” ESPN broadcaster Dan Schulman saw as Watford released.
As it went down, Indiana’s Don Fischer shouted, “Oh! It went in! It went in! And the Hoosiers have knocked off the No. 1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats.”
And ever since, Kentucky head coach John Calipari has refused to step foot back into Assembly Hall.
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After I got done posting my video recap and story, I went back to my room and changed and then headed immediately to Kilroy’s on Kirkwood. I know it wasn’t the case, but it sure felt like the Indiana Fight Song was on repeat for the rest of the night, along with highlights of the game — especially Watford’s shot — all over SportsCenter.
I then wrapped up my night at Sports (on Walnut), as many on campus do, and the atmosphere was even better. … That could be because everyone was a handful of drinks in by 2 a.m. The folks at Sports were great, and played the highlight a few more times off YouTube to end the night, along with the fight song. I don’t think they started asking people to leave until 3:15 a.m., 15 minutes after closing time.
For many IU students, that was the highlight for their college career. I’ve heard it, read it, and understand it completely. For sports enthusiasts and a non-postseason game, it doesn’t get any better. Rival (check). Dramatics (check). Upset (check).
The win meaningful because of the state of IU’s program and the turbulence that had occurred. Yes, it was two powerhouses squaring off, but they were not on the same level. At all.
That’s why IU athletic director Fred Glass insists that the annual game remained on campus. As someone who was there, felt it, and it left a lasting memory of college career, he’s 100 percent right. It’s just unfortunate they haven’t played since because of that.
Three years, and it’s still very sweet…
Hard to believe it was 3 years ago… Wish I could relive it again lol
— Christian Watford (@Cwat205) December 10, 2014
The view from my first-row seat on press row:
And the best replay of the clip (in my opinion), with the theme to “Hoosiers” in the background.