@bigmike that’s the hard part to define is the time line for me. This century or for most of this century IU has not had that status, but I don’t know the expiration dates on past accomplishments.
I've been following Indiana basketball for more years than I'd like to admit. I go way, way back to the days when Jimmy Rayl was popping in long jump shots and Walt Bellamy seemed to be getting virtually every possible rebound. I've experienced the many losses whether listening to the voice of Don Fischer on radio, a Billy Packer on television or being at Assembly Hall when Nick Anderson of Illinois chucked in a prayer at the buzzer.
Some say the most recent loss is the toughest. Not sure the statement is true but the Northwestern loss last evening ranks up at the top in most disappointing for me. I can't figure out how an IU team that has so much to play for could get beat by a far less talented team on its home court. The second half performance of the Hoosiers was abysmal. Our coach didn't appear to have an answer to adopt to Northwestern's play and highly experienced players lost composure. They were being outplayed by a couple freshmen on their home court. A sad evening for IU basketball.
I appreciate all you posters and boosters of Indiana sports and the fine work of the Hoosier Huddle staff. For an old guy living up north in Michigan you have provided a great connection for my IU athletics passion. On an ending positive note we have the women's team to follow Wednesday evening as they travel to play Rutgers. Teri Moren has got that inexperienced group playing well and she has some great talent coming in next year.
The syracuse loss under crean because I then realized crean was not ever going to get us to a final four after that.
..
I hated the losses in 92 FF, especially because I was there and it wasn't as close as the score indicated but that Duke team was the best team
With fair officiating Indiana wins that game... 33 fouls to 18, four of our best players fouled out. TV Teddy took down Bobby, apparently Teddy's goal. Duke's run was when we were being called for anything. Clear charges called blocks against us. Took us out of it. We had no chance, but it wasn't because they were better. Our team was very strong.
True dat!! 😑also the 93 loss to Kansas was a heart breaker mostly because if Henderson is healthy we win it all
There is an argument for both sides and it comes down to how do you define a "Blue Blood". Was Indiana Basketball a Blue Blood? Absolutely, but when does one stop being in that tier? IU has not won a National Title since 1987. They have 5 Big Ten Titles since 1990. Have gone to the NCAA tournament 13 times since 2000. So there is a strong argument that they lost that status.
Sustained success over time and personnel (coaches). We no longer qualify.
Tie between 93 loss to Kansas and 2013 loss to Syracuse. I thought we were winning it all that year. Both were hard to take.
I think of the big games that were disappointing losses, those where we had a chance to win something big, not as much about the tough, inexplicable losses like last night. Those that come to mind:
- 1992 Final Four vs. Duke
- 2002 title game vs. Maryland
- 1993 Elite 8 vs. Kansas
The bad losses like last night tend not to stick in my memory for too long. That said, last night was pretty bad!
That 93 loss to Kansas was my worst. I was sure they redeem getting robbed in 92. I was so mad. I think I was 13.
1986 Cleveland St!! close 2nd, Syracuse in 16 -
1975 Elite 8 loss to UK. Nothing really comes close. It even dampened some of the joy from 1976, because after the UK loss, NOT winning it all in 1976 would have been devastating. So what should have been 100% pure joy in 1976 was 50% relief.
"You can't make someone listen to reason if they aren't willing to think"-- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
@bigmike I don't which is most disappointing. 1975 UK loss probably kept them from B to B undefeated seasons. So it is probably that one but any deep tourney loss is tough. One game not mentioned was 84 when they beat that jordan led juggernaut in UNC then turned around and lost to Virginia in an Elite 8 game?