What makes IU basketball fans supportive of a program that has produced so little for so many years? Nielsen once again ranks Indiana in the top 10 of most popular men's college basketball programs. Many have not experienced any sort of sustained success by IU basketball but surprising to those in the public, still follow the team. In 28 tries the Hoosiers have failed in win the Big 10 Conference tournament and over the last 33 years, only 3 times can IU claim a season conference title. Making the large 68 team NCCA tourney field seems like a major accomplishment to some Hoosier fans but getting into a 68 team field should be no big deal for a "basketball school."
Personally, I'd say there are three prime reasons why I am a devoted Indiana basketball follower.
(1) Being a native Hoosier, basketball runs in my veins.
(2) I was fortunate to be an IU student and experience the 1976 and 1981 national championships while being on campus.
(3) Despite the many years that have passed, I have not forgotten what it felt like when the Hoosiers won so many big games.
The years have somewhat tempered my expectations for Indiana basketball. My hope is that the current administration can turn the basketball situation around so the Hoosiers in the least can demonstrate some relevance as a winner and be in the talk annually as one of the top 20 teams in the world of collegiate basketball. I don't think I'm being unreasonable and not just wishfully thinking.
For you personally, why do you follow and support Indiana basketball?
@bigmike Grew up a fan. My basketball formative years were late 80s to mid 90s. So Alford, Edwards, Anderson, Cheaney's class, Bailey, Henderson, Evans... I'll always love IU sports, especially IU basketball.
That was a great time to follow IU basketball. Those players led Indiana to some memorable seasons.@bigmike Grew up a fan. My basketball formative years were late 80s to mid 90s. So Alford, Edwards, Anderson, Cheaney's class, Bailey, Henderson, Evans... I'll always love IU sports, especially IU basketball.
I grew up a ND fan. My dad went there.. he was head of the regional alumni club and aided in football recruiting...I became an IU fan when Keith Smart hit the shot. I was a freshman in HS. Went to IU 90-94. Played Soccer there .
Witnessed some great teams and games at AH.
Grew up a Hoosier. Lot of buzz around IU basketball in the late 70s early 80s when I was in high school. Attended two years in Bloomington, saw games at Assembly Hall in 82, 83, 84 , not very many since, one every few years until the last decade. Graduated in engineering elsewhere, not Purdue.
I keep hoping. Those numbers you posted are so sad, maybe it is time to support someone else. 🤨 But, can't do it...
I was born and raised in Bloomington, graduated from IU as did my father, and my mother worked for the university for 34 years.
For you personally, why do you follow and support Indiana basketball?
IUB '74-'78
for the remembrance of what once was and the hope that it may return someday
the hope is fading though
@iugradman Very similar, I was born in Bloomington, went to IU, both parents worked their entire careers and retired there.
What makes IU basketball fans supportive of a program that has produced so little for so many years? Nielsen once again ranks Indiana in the top 10 of most popular men's college basketball programs. Many have not experienced any sort of sustained success by IU basketball but surprising to those in the public, still follow the team. In 28 tries the Hoosiers have failed in win the Big 10 Conference tournament and over the last 33 years, only 3 times can IU claim a season conference title. Making the large 68 team NCCA tourney field seems like a major accomplishment to some Hoosier fans but getting into a 68 team field should be no big deal for a "basketball school."
Personally, I'd say there are three prime reasons why I am a devoted Indiana basketball follower.
(1) Being a native Hoosier, basketball runs in my veins.
(2) I was fortunate to be an IU student and experience the 1976 and 1981 national championships while being on campus.
(3) Despite the many years that have passed, I have not forgotten what it felt like when the Hoosiers won so many big games.
The years have somewhat tempered my expectations for Indiana basketball. My hope is that the current administration can turn the basketball situation around so the Hoosiers in the least can demonstrate some relevance as a winner and be in the talk annually as one of the top 20 teams in the world of collegiate basketball. I don't think I'm being unreasonable and not just wishfully thinking.
For you personally, why do you follow and support Indiana basketball?
These days, it's so that I can keep my points for my football seats. I've skipped/sold more of my season tickets in the past 3 years than I did my previous 30+ years combined.
Broken down to it's most basic element, my fandom is because of Bob Knight. Without Coach Knight, I'm probably like a bunch of other people where I grew up. I'm either a ND or purdoo fan.
An uncle turned me onto IU basketball as a little kid in the 70s. He was a Knight fan. Rooted for them exclusively starting around 78. Was on Campus for the '87 natty. Left with a degree and a love for all things IU.
Despite all the past success, up until Cignetti was hired, I was beginning to relate to this kid.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
POTFB
I grew up in Michigan and was a Wolverine fan until I enrolled at IU in 1991. Have been a huge fan ever since. Becoming a student there during the Cheaney, Henderson, Graham, Bailey years cemented my fandom. The IU basketball team is my favorite team across all sports and levels. I would experience more joy from a natty in hoops than I would with any other team I root for. IU football and the Detroit Red Wings are the only teams that even come close. Though I never expected any sort of success in football until now!
@jhoban19 Speaking of hockey do you think IU would ever build an ice arena and have a real B1G hockey team? Paul Skojdt is a former player and was owner of the Indiana Ice USHL team.
@ams66 Big Ten hockey would be pretty tough to crack into. We’d have to invest serious resources to make it worthwhile. Those resources are likely better served elsewhere. That said, would love to see IU promoted hockey to full D1 status.
Born in Kokomo- Aunt and cousin turned me to IU fan around d 74- I was 7! Loved RMK and the great teams. Still hope for those days to return but w each passing g yr, realizing they most likely will not return-
@iunorth….ditto….’92 team got “Valentined” and Henderson getting hurt in ‘93 cost us another title! I’m from Southern Indiana and played against Pat Graham in HS. Great time to be a Hoosiers fan!