I came across an article yesterday where the author stated that this weekend's battle with the Buckeyes will be the biggest and most meaningful home game in the history of IU sports.
Tough to argue with that claim, but I'm wondering if any other game comes close. What about Michigan at IU basketball, February 1976, in Assembly Hall? IU won in OT, preserved the perfect season, and the two teams met again the following month for the natty.
Any other nominees for biggest (or second biggest)?
1967 Bucket Game has to be up there as well.
Thank you for reading Hoosier Huddle
There's a few comments on that in the 'morning huddle' thread since Sammy asked yesterday. Not that it can't be it's own thread.
"Thought of the Day
Saturday’s game is being labeled the most anticipated on-campus event in IU history. Prior to this game what held that honor?"
https://hoosierhuddle.com/community/free-iu-football-board/the-iu-football-morning-huddle/paged/6/
The IU - Purdue football game in 1967 was huge, as was the Michigan game in 1976. The IU - Michigan football game in 1987 had a great deal of hype around it, as well. In 1976, the last game of the 1975 season was against MSU, and that was one of the toughest tickets ever in AH (it was the largest crowd in the Hall for years, and may still be a record).I came across an article yesterday where the author stated that this weekend's battle with the Buckeyes will be the biggest and most meaningful home game in the history of IU sports.
Tough to argue with that claim, but I'm wondering if any other game comes close. What about Michigan at IU basketball, February 1976, in Assembly Hall? IU won in OT, preserved the perfect season, and the two teams met again the following month for the natty.
Any other nominees for biggest (or second biggest)?
Little 500 .
Can't think of anything, probably that 1967 game.
I went to the Ohio State at Indiana game in 1982 and we turned out, had at least 5,000 fans there.
I think its debatable... because we already won the National Title. We already beat OSU last year on our way. Obviously this is an enormous game. And I guess I can't come up with one that's more hyped, more evenly matched, that has more national significance. Have we ever had a football game, in Bloomington, between two top 5 teams? So by that measure, probably yeah. But "biggest", to me, can also mean most important. And that's where I think it could fall short of football games like the Nebraska game two years ago and the bucket game after Hep passed away. And on the basketball side, the Wat Shot game, as an example, was such an important turning point and moment, for that program. If we win Saturday, it'll be an enormous win, but it isn't going to change the path or trajectory of our program, same if we lose.
So... yes, and no... But it is an enormous game. And I can't wait to see how it shakes out.
1945 Indiana vs Purdue football
The fourth ranked Hoosiers beat #18 Purdue 26-0 to cap off a 9-0-1 season.
Not #1 or 2, but definitely up there - - Nov 9, 2024, IU beat Michigan in Bloomington for the first 10-win football season in school history. Warm (for November) late afternoon game, as I remember.
Also, that win was a huge factor in IU subsequently earning a bid to the first 12-team CFP.
michigan homecoming in '87 was a big deal
michigan homecoming in '87 was a big deal
The sort of game as a kid and shuffling down onto the field to celebrate the Win that turns your fandom into granite.
michigan homecoming in '87 was a big deal
The sort of game as a kid and shuffling down onto the field to celebrate the Win that turns your fandom into granite.
you were there?
i was (as 30 yr old kid)
Yes Sir. Stadium bought poncho and all.
Love me some Ernie Jones.
Guess it's time to revisit how I tell the story and say I rushed the field for dramatic effect.
But it was definitely a slow shuffle though down the steps from the mid west level.
Didn't IU play an Elite Eight game in Assembly Hall in '81?
And my personal favorite, #1 IU vs. #5 fab five Michigan in 93 after we beat them by 1 in Ann Arbor. I was behind the basket for this one.