It’s been a tough decade for Indiana University basketball. Spoiled fans like me aren’t easy to please. Teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin have dominated on the Big Ten courts, especially in games against my team. This season has been particularly difficult, but oddly not because of these traditional nemeses. The Hoosiers are 2-0 against the Spartans and Badgers, with at least one last battle yet to come.

I’ve already written about how difficult it’s been to win in East Lansing, dating back to the construction of seemly impenetrable Breslin Center. (See Post #829). The victory over “Sparty” this year was monumental and appeared as if it might be the beginning of salvation for the struggling Hoosier team. It was if a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders, as this group of young men had been able to somehow accomplish what even the great ones couldn’t – a win at Breslin. It was indeed a proud day.

Unfortunately, the sweet smell of success soon turned sour again with five more consecutive losses, and Wisconsin viciously knocking at our Assembly Hall door. Just for the record, before tip-off, Indiana did lead the all-time series against the Badger Cheese Heads 95-74, while Wisconsin held just a 28-53 record when playing in Bloomington. However, the Cheddar’s had also won five straight against the Cream and Crimson since late January 2016 and 19 of the past 21 meetings dating back to Jan. 31, 2008. Even cheeseburgers have not tasted good for I.U. fans in some time!

Michigan State, on the other hand, simply hit a rough spot on the schedule, registering all three of their total BIG losses in a short 9-day span to Purdue, Indiana, and Illinois respectively. Lowly I.U. has remarkably recorded the only home court loss for the Spartans this year. Michigan State then easily rebounded with 5 straight victories, including wins at Wisconsin and Michigan. They can extract some revenge on the unpredictable Hoosiers this week by returning the home-court disfavor.

After briefly bathing in the limelight of this “Top Ten” road victory over Michigan State, the sole positive in a 13-game Hoosier slide, it would be unbelievable for I.U. to double-up on the Spartans this year! As a reminder, “Sparty” did lose to Louisville earlier this year, another of Indiana’s surprising non-conference victories over a ranked team. Add Marquette and now Wisconsin to the mix and this gives the bottom-dwelling conference Hoosiers four tourney-quality wins against ranked opponents. Would a double Spartan victory ultimately turn some more heads of the NCAA selection committee?

I.U. lost heart-breakers to Iowa in overtime, and to Purdue on a last-second tip. This has been the norm as to how the ball has bounced for the Hoosiers this year. It was long-overdue good fortune that led them to the double-overtime Wisconsin win. The Cheeseheads apparently caught the same shooting disorder that has plagued I.U. all year. Granted, that’s a mere 3 victories in the last 22, but saying to my restaurant server, regarding the next hamburger order, “double cheese please” will sure feel good. Oh, and by the way, a “Double Spartan Burger with cheese” just might be served this weekend.