Begin the Begin - IU Basketball tips off tonight

Go IU!

Like the Phoenix, IU basketball is rising back up! Great day yesterday to be a Hoosier as we got top instate talent Cody Zeller commitment (sorry to my Butler Bear dad). This is just the latest step in IU's return to the top of college basketball. In the class for next season, we got a top 20 (Cody Zeller) and a top 100 (Austin Etherington) player. For the 2012 class we already have a top 10 (Hanner Perea), a top 30 (Ron Patterson), and a top 100 (Peter Jurkin). Hell, IU got commitments from two of the top HS freshman in the country in September. All but one of those players that have now committed to the Hoosiers are from Indiana. Attention college coaches: the Indiana state borders are now CLOSED! Top instate talent is deciding on the Hoosiers, again. It's about time! I was tired of getting stuck with these tickets. [Yahoo! Rivals & USA Today]

The reason I start off this week's post with this news is because the IU season starts tonight in Bloomington vs. Florida Gulf Coast. Uncle Dave and I will be there, center court row 39 seats 3 & 4 losing our voices and clapping till it hurts. I haven't been this excited for a basketball game in Bloomington since DJ White's senior year. That's a bittersweet memory though, cause it was that year that the walls finally came tumbling down with the Kelvin Sampson fiasco hitting the fan. I'm also well aware that this will be another rough season for the Hoosiers. The Big Ten is stacked this year, many saying it's the best conference in the nation. So a couple of games above .500 with a trip to the NIT would be a great way to finish this season. Begin the begin, it will only get better. [ESPN.com]

Game time 6:30 on Big Ten Network. Look for me, I'll be the one in Crimson.

This week's News Quiz. [Chicago Tribune]

Speaking of IU, new unis this year. Not much difference, but they look like they 'fit' better than last year's tired design. [Green Banner Publications & Rivals.com]

Anyone else ever won a pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars? I LOVED my Chucks, loved 'em. Wore my Chucks playing basketball for North Side one season. We could get them from the coach's office for $25 a pair. I doubt I can wear any now because the arch support is basically nonexistent, and my plantar fascia don't play that. However, I may need to figure something out because (Website of the Week) you can design your own pair of Chuck Taylors. Very sweet. [Wikipedia & Converse.com]

Got her started early...It's Indiana.

IU's current roster is all about team and family. Watch out for Oladipo, he's the real deal. [Indiana Daily Student]

Saw one of the most ridiculous quarters of basketball this week. The Indiana Pacers shot 20 for 21 in the 3rd quarter Tuesday night scoring 54 points in 12 minutes to blow out the Denver Nuggets. It was, like I said, ridiculous. They raised their SEASON FG% from 25th in the league to 9th in one night! Here's a video of their first 20 shots that quarter, all makes. [Pacers.com]

Wrap up our Hoosier heavy post today with great news that Martha the "Mop Lady" will be making her return to IU basketball games. Any old school IU fans remember Martha singing the IU school song while mopping the hallways of Assembly Hall in the late 70's - early 80's? That's the time I was growing into the IU fan I am today, nice to have her back. [Inside the Hall]

Have a great weekend! Looks like this may be the last of the 'summer' weather. 70 degrees today?!? Enjoy and GO IU!

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