What a fantastic weekend of sports. I had the opportunity to work four games in four days Thursday thru Sunday.
My journey began Thursday at Assembly Hall. The Big Ten Network has been a tremendous asset for the conference and their respective schools because of widespread exposure, money and experiences. And I am making full use of the experiences.
Thursday I called the IU women’s basketball game against Memphis. Not only did it stream live at BigTenNetwork.com, but it also played on the network Friday afternoon—all in a part of the Student U, a completely student produced event. It was a lot of fun but also gave me even more exposure and experience.
In college, many students are unsure of what they want to do and switch their major multiple times. Luckily I don’t have that problem. Sports broadcasting is my passion and I know I want to be a play-by-play guy for a team, like IU. This fall I was very fortunate to accomplish three of my many career goals: 1) broadcast a game alongside THE legend Don Fischer, 2) be on IU Radio Network and 3) call a game on the Big Ten Network.
What a year it has been, and I look forward to calling more games this winter.
Butler Bulldogs
Saturday morning I was at Hinkle Fieldhouse doing talent and official stats for the television broadcast on WNDY.
Honestly it was a pretty boring game because Butler dominated Ball State from the outset. The team picked up their 17th straight win at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse as the Bulldogs rolled to a 88-55 win over the Cardinals.
Shelvin Mack who has future NBA talent, scored a game-high 19 points while teammate Matt Howard recorded his 10th career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Bulldogs were clearly a much better team in part to the teamwork mentality, stifling defense, and depth. They dominated the boards 43-32 and scored 17 2nd chance points.
Brad Steven’s team faces a tough test at Siena on Tuesday.
Indianapolis Colts
What’d you expect? It was more of the same. The Patriots edged the Colts 31-28 in a game that went down to the wire. It was the sixth consecutive game that had been decided by a score or less…talk about a rivalry!
The injury-depleted Colts gave all they could on the gridiron but the injuries just continue to haunt this team. Austin Collie had 5 quick catches for 60 yards before exiting with more symptoms from his concussion. Antoine Bethea went out as did Chip Vaughn. Their situations are unknown at this point but injuries are beyond ridiculous with this team. And the league wants to play an 18 game schedule? Good luck.
Peyton Manning had another one of his fine performances even without his top weapons and the existence of a running game. The Colts ran for just 9 yards in the first half and 71 in the second. They had their chance with a minute to go deep into Patriots territory. It was then when Manning threw his 4th interception on the day when the pressure got to him and his arm was grabbed when releasing the ball. It’s too bad because the Colts easily could have forced overtime with a Vinatieri field goal.
It was a difficult game as expected. And as most thought, the Patriots came away with the win though not without a fight. Indianapolis hosts San Diego next weekend on Sunday Night Football.
PS. I still hate Tom Brady. What a lack of class at the end of the game when he blew up at the officials for no reason.
Indiana Football
Not much to touch on. The season has long been over. Just two Big Ten wins in three seasons. They lost again this week to Penn State in Landover, Maryland.
Chappell threw for 235 yards and two TDs. Tandon Doss ran for 61 yards and caught seven passes for 90 yards. IU even saw Mitch Ewald kick a career-long 49-yard field goal but it wasn’t enough.
The punting game also remains broken. Yet another Chris Hagerup punt was blocked, his 3rd of the season.
Indiana has won just one of its last eight games—the long victory coming in non-conference play, at home, to Arkansas State. The Old Oaken Bucket game is next week at Purdue. Neither team is playing to become bowl eligible so just pride is on the line. Let’s hope the Hoosiers can pull out the victory on the road and not finish the season as the only Big Ten team without a loss.
Then it’s up to Fred Glass…
Indiana Basketball
IU basketball is heading in the right direction. Things are very promising as head coach Tom Crean is getting the job done both on and off the court. Sunday the Hoosiers beat up Evansville en route to a 67-54 victory.
IU fueled a 27-2 second half run to spark the victory. Maurice Creek is slowly regaining his step and not playing worried. It was obvious in the first few games he was more worried about his hobbled knee than what he should do on the court. He scored a game-high 19 points and the led IU in the second half. Verdell Jones carried IU in the first half scoring the teams’ first eight points. He finished with 18 points, three assists and three turnovers. Tom Pritchard also tallied a career-high five blocks.
It has been a rough three years at Indiana. Tom Crean is clearly the right man for this job and is not taking it likely. It clearly understands the history and tradition and does not take it for granted by any stretch. It’s now not about if things will return because its just a matter of time. Time for recruits to funnel in and restore IU to basketball prominence. Hats off to Tom Crean and his staff, getting it done…the right way.
IU hosts North Carolina Central Tuesday and Northwestern State Friday.
It was an eventful and fun weekend—now onto the next. A busy week ahead packed with sports, including the annual NFL on Thanksgiving.