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Category: Indiana University Hoosier (I.U) Sports (Page 1 of 31)

Indiana University Hoosier athletics

Old Sport Shorts: Candy Stripes #2659

December 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

After all those years of being spoiled, the IU basketball program, from a fan’s perspective, has been so hard to watch these past few decades. Most thought that it would be better this year until the trip to the Bahamas when reality struck. It was the chance to reestablish IU Basketball as a national contender, but instead the team dropped out of the Top 25 and Coach Woodson lost whatever following he had left. Another change in leadership would mean another step back and who is out there to take on that challenge? We needed some momentum leading into the BIG opener, with only Sam Houston of relatively little consequence coming into Assembly Hall.

Myles Rice came back from the dead to lead the Hoosiers with 19-points and Luke Goode came off the bench to hit five threes. In addition, Malik Reneau scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds with five assists in the 97-71 thrashing.  A 27-3 run left Indiana ahead 34-12 with six minutes left in the first half, but that lead began to fade as the Bearkats (4-5) got within nine early in the second half. It was the same inconsistency that comes from a team without a killer instinct. A Goode free throw, another part of his 18-point, career-high performance put the Hoosiers ahead 60-47 with 11:46 remaining. Sam Houston was 6-17 from downtown, a defensive performance that would need an encore to tackle Miami (Ohio), a team of renowned long ball snipers, ranked 15th nationally at just over 40-percent. 

IU was up for the task but would likely need more of the same against Minnesota and then Nebraska, as the conference openers are scheduled earlier and earlier every year. On the offensive side, the Candy-Stripers had five players in double figures, with Oumar Ballo slamming down 18. Bryson Tucker and Kanaan Carlye, returning from injury, put on a show of sixteen and fourteen respectively. Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako also followed suit with a combined 29 while Myles Rice pulled his disappearing act once again. Tucker hit the magic mark with a free throw at 11:31 to all but seal the 82-67 victory. 

Coach Woodson was now in danger of being outcoached again unless he could find a way to silence the upcoming Huskers and coach Fred Hoiberg, after 3-losses just last year alone. Nebraska won 86-70 in Lincoln, 85-70 in Bloomington, and 93-66 in the Big Ten Tournament quarter finals. The hot-shooting Huskers made a whopping 40 three-pointers in the routs, 12 the first time and 14 in the other two, while Keisei Tominaga scored 23 points, and had 71 total in the three games. He won’t be a factor after graduation, but Brice Williams is still around, having scored 56 points and made 9-of-16 threes against IU. It will truly be a test to see if the Hoosiers can continue to improve their defense and whether Woodson will still have a job. 

 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Fewer Doctors #2658

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It’s probably a bit too soon to write about the New Year, but I’m lost for positive subject matter. This blog has not been filled with humor and poetry as intended. Instead, it’s been a tough year of surgery, doctors, and pain that have taken away from the joy of travel. Yes, we did get to South America, Africa, Spain, and even Maine, my 50th state. But in between, were 10-days of hospitalization and over 90 doctor appointments. One thing led to another, so I’m hoping for a better year of health.

On the positive side, we did get a new puppy, Fosse, that seems to have extended the life of her older sister Tally, at 100 dog years and counting. My wife had a good year of staying away from doctors and finding some passion in teaching youngsters. She continues to tap dance, take the dogs to the bark park, go to the beach, play bridge, and exercise in the pool, all of the benefits of resort living. She’s also been very supportive with my recovery, doing more than her share of keeping up the house – a bundle of energy. I’m still very much in love with her. Thank You, Sweetie pie!

My grandchildren are getting taller and older, although they have recently been living on the East Coast of Florida, far from us and the need for our companionship. Our last hurrah as a family was Thanksgiving, but they will be back for Christmas. We have two new drivers in the family that have yet to make a solo trip. My days of shuttling them around are growing few. 

I’ve been well educated about my aging body by Cardiologists, Physician Assistants, nurses, surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Neurologists, Urologists, rehab specialists, x-ray technicians, doctors that don’t necessarily end in “ist,” dentists, chiropractors, etc. Some are family members that have been extremely helpful in my time of need.  “I don’t need no doctor,” has been my motto throughout life, until this year’s barrage. Worst of all, I had to give up my running streak of 15-years, the foundation of my health.

My muscles are now disturbingly flabbier and I’m currently about 10-pounds heavier, despite daily trips to the fitness center. Running always kept the weight off, while the winter months and holiday libations have always been a problem. I do still have a Florida tan, so I look pretty good on the outside, although rusted out on the inside, as my poem reads: (See post #1811). Unbelievably, IU football has made the College Football Playoffs!

I’ve had my share of problems, but when I look around our retirement neighborhood or stop by the hospital, I really have very little to complain about. I’ve also lost a number of high school classmates this year. Thankfully, I haven’t been sick once, despite all the time I’ve spent in the unhealthy environment of medical offices or a wife that regularly hangs out with first graders. I’m just hoping for fewer doctors in 2025!

Old Sport Shorts: Football School #2655

December 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It was a tough Thanksgiving week 2024 for Hoosier sports. The Battle 4 Atlantis was a disaster for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The women only scored 39-points against the Tarheels after beating Columbia and #18 Baylor. The men only managed to get to 61 in a bad loss to Louisville after a couple of last-minute steals and then gave up 57 in just the first half against Gonzaga. The magic was working against us in the Bahamas and there were few positives to write about. In addition, soccer fell short in the Sweet 16 to Denver 1-0. Were these to be ominous signs for the upcoming Bucket Game?

The doubt started in Columbus where I.U. jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Suddenly, the vulnerability began to show with dropped passes, uncharacteristic penalties, and a disastrous fumble in punt formation. To make matters worse, blown coverage allowed a game-clinching touchdown, adding to the many miscues of the day. Suddenly, the undefeated Hoosiers were no longer and hopes of a coveted playoff berth were in doubt. Would the 1-10 “Spoilermakers” somehow find a way to upset the heavily favored and 10th-ranked Hoosiers on a snowy day in Bloomington?

Purdue had won the last three of these rival games, with IU’s last victory in 2019. Covid won the 2020 battle! The largest margin of victory was 68-0 by the Boilermakers back in 1892, the second year of gridiron competition between the two schools. In fact, Purdue won the first six games, one by forfeit, following losses of 60-0, 68-0, and 64-0. It’s a wonder that the Hoosiers agreed to resume play after a two-year hiatus in 1895 and 1896. A 1903 Halloween contest was cancelled when 17 people were killed in a train crash while traveling to the game. Games were also missed in 1906, 1907, 1918, and 1919, but otherwise it’s been an annual affair encompassing 126 games with Purdue leading with links on the bucket 77-43-6. 

The “Magic of 60” on the football field never happened again until 2004 in West Lafayette when Purdue dominated 63-24 and repeated the beating in 2008 with a 62-10 thrashing. The most I.U. had ever scored was 56 in 2013 until the 66-0 gem to end the 2024 regular season with an unprecedented 11-1 record under first year coach, Curt Cignetti. I.U. is now officially a football school!

 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Step Back #2654

November 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I felt like I was in a Monopoly game yesterday and drew a Chance card that read, Go Back Three Spaces.” I woke up this morning after a restless night’s sleep to some dizziness and weight gainj. By fasting for the injection procedure, I obviously threw off my medication schedule. It was particularly noticeable in the shakiness of my hands. We also stopped at Arby’s after the surgery center so I could gorge myself on a celebratory Janocha Shake. Although, there wasn’t much to cheer about, and it only led to an unsettled stomach that added to the tossing and turning.

The cramp-like symptoms returned to my left leg and left me hobbled. Nurses helped me to the bathroom and car, but ice packs and rest did not resolve the pain. In fact, after leaning on my poor wife too many times for assistance, I had her bring “Sky Walker” out of retirement to get me around the house. She took over all the dog duties while I sat on my butt, ate more junk, and watched Yellowstone, Landman, Curse of Oak Island, and The Unbelievable. I’ll continue today with Gold Rush, Shrinking, and Before. We then have Thanksgiving dinner plans with my son and his family. 

The good news is that I didn’t really need the walker this morning but there’s still a certain tightness/soreness in my leg and lower back. It can take up to three days for the steroids to work, although it has been known to provide immediate relief in some people. That is not the case for me, as I deal with the frustration of going back in time about eight months, following my open-heart surgery in January. The sciatica issues came on slowly after starting with these Charlie Horse-like cramps in my left calf and thigh. It has never affected my right side. At first, they thought it might be related to circulation, but MRI and Ultrasound tests have proven otherwise. Steroid tablets did not do the trick, but the first round of injections brought relief. The second round has hopefully only temporarily set me back. 

On a humorous note, a friend sent a cartoon yesterday, with a family of generous pigs visiting a heart valve patient like me. It made me smile, with thoughts of the College World Series and the obnoxious Razorbacks with endless chants of soooooey! I woke up from being sedated to watching the I.U basketball team go down in flames. Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be a bad dream. They have a chance today to redeem themselves in the Bahamas, but the loss left an ugly scar on Coach Woodson’s team, who sadly took a step back in time, just like me. They too, may need an operation!

While hyped a bit on ‘roids, I also sent out a photo of the “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In)” album done by the T-Bones back in 1964. It was available on E-Bay, while my copy is long lost. My dad brought it home from a recording session in NYC where he worked with the agency who produced this promotional piece for Alka-Seltzer. It featured the jingle, “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh What A Relief It Is.” It’s as appropriate for Thanksgiving as Alice’s Restaurant, two of my favorite Holiday songs. This will soon be followed by the movies “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” along with “Christmas Vacation,” to get me in the Holiday Spirit and well distracted from this disturbing “Step Back.” 

Old Sport Shorts: No Place like Home #2653

November 22, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The IU women came home to heal after a 56-46 loss at Butler’s famed Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was only the 4th time in coach Teri Moren’s tenure that they failed to score at least 50 points, plus the team committed 16-turnovers. It was a disappointing start to the season, after beating Brown in the opener but losing to Harvard in overtime, despite a 60-57 lead in regulation that should have been magical. They faced 4-0 Stanford at Assembly Hall, ranked 24th in the country with the #1 ranked offense. It was a tough assignment to dig out of a 1-2 hole, but the Hoosier women prevailed 79-66. There’s no place like home. 

The I.U. men continued to win at home but sputtered in the process. The defense against UNC-Greensboro was stifling at the start, as the Hoosiers jumped out to a 21-5 bulge, but by halftime the Spartans had cut it to single digits with hot 3-point shooting and too many second chance shots. For some reason, IU could not get in position for offensive rebounds, allowing seventeen, despite a substantial size advantage. In shocking fashion, UNC-Greensboro went on to tie the game early in the second half at 40, while the home crowd went quiet. 

We’ve seen these lulls in play over the past few years, as coach Woodson tinkers with the lineup. From the 11:07 mark to 5:04 left in the half, the Hoosiers were stuck on 21. Then, they only scored 5 points in the first five minutes of the second half and got stuck again on 45 before finally stretching the lead to over ten. At 7:56, they managed to get to sixty on a Myles Rice layup with an 11-point lead. The final score was 69-58. 

Freshman Bryson Tucker was the star of this game with 14 second-half points, when he got his chance to play, although Myles Rice was the leading scorer with 20. Ronald Polite III led the Spartans with 17. IU was 5-19 from three-point range while UNC-Greensboro launched 32, but only 9 fell. Reneau, Mgbako, and Ballo each totaled nine points and Luke Goode finally hit a three. At least, the team was solid from the free throw line at 14-16 but there were fourteen turnovers. 

Both the men and women head to the Bahamas, with the men’s first game against Louisville while the women start with 4-1 Columbia. The Bad Boy Mowers Battle for Atlantis is a mouth full and perhaps a bit sexist. The “Bad Girls” in the Bahamas may have an issue with the name. We’ll see who comes home with the hardware.

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Thanksgiving Weekend #2651

November 20, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I continue to enjoy the first pain-free week of this year, with just a touch of stiffness in my lower back. Chair Yoga was much more tolerable, although many of the poses are still not possible with my lack of flexibility. Hopefully, the additional injections next week in my lower back will be equally effective as those for my sciatica. I’m also encouraged that the Primidone prescription is reducing the shakiness and clumsiness in my hands. The keyboard isn’t as much of a challenge for my fingers this morning and I can use normal kitchen utensils, rather than the heavier ones, again when eating. The neurologist says that he will continue to slowly increase my dosage, providing that drowsiness, dizziness, or other side effects don’t affect me. My life is gradually turning normal and I’m thankful.

It’s that time of year – Thanksgiving – and next week the Johnston family will be back together again. My grandson has been accepted to technical school and my son will soon be moving to the east coast of Florida to rejoin his wife and two daughters. This year’s meal will be the last time that all of us will be in place for a while. He’ll be changing jobs and renting out their home in the process. My daughter-in-law is in optometry school over there and has an apartment. They tried to make it work it two different cities, but it’s good that they are joining forces to raise the kids. Part of the difficulty has been my son’s son, who lives every other week with his mother in Sarasota, and commutes by bus to high school. With his graduation and a long overdue driver’s license, he may be moving to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to live with his grandmother, my ex-wife. It’s complicated!

By the time Turkey Day arrives this may all change. One thing that never changes is that IU will be playing Purdue that weekend in the annual Bucket Game. The Hoosiers are a heavy favorite and may even be a national title contender. The Ohio State game this weekend will determine if playing for the Old Oaken Bucket is just another game or a battle for the unimaginable undefeated season, with more to come. More importantly, will these additional steroid injections finally get me back to thinking about running again? It will be an eventful Thanksgiving weekend for both the Johnston family and the Hoosiers. 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Another Good Day #2650

November 18, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It’s now been a full month since prostrate surgery, while ten months have passed since open heart. I feel pretty good lately thanks to the epidural injections I got last week to relieve the sciatica pain. My lower back is still very stiff and sore, but more shots next week should ease that discomfort, if only temporarily. I continue to go to the fitness center, hoping to take some weight off, especially after last week’s food and drink splurges. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, despite a very early start since my wife had jury duty. A good day for me was not so good for her. 

My weekend football fortunes were not so good, thankfully the Hoosiers had an off week. Da’ Bears suffered yet another heartbreaking loss, so I hope that this misfortune doesn’t extend into the upcoming Ohio State game. The Buckeyes are twelve-and-a-half point favorites, another slap in the face by the experts during this undefeated season of doubt. The pessimist in me can’t see a victory and potential battle of the unbeatens against Oregon for the BIG championship, let alone a national playoff spot. Basketball was at least a bright spot for both the IU men’s and women’s teams. I’m much more accustomed to winning in basketball than football. 

I’ve felt much more like socializing, making phone calls, and enjoying the sunshine this past week. I’m starting to put this difficult year of recovery behind me. I’m convinced that some of my back issues are related to not being able to move forward. It’s time to do so and relish yet another good day. 

 

Old Sport Shorts: S. Carolina #2649

November 17, 2024 / / 0 Comments

While IU football had the day off, Hoosier fans finally got a look at the prospects of this year’s basketball team. South Carolina came into Assembly Hall with an early season loss but at least provided a formidable early season test after a couple exhibition games and two comfortable victories. IU proved that they can hit the three this year, even without intention, after Kanaan Caryle’s lob to Mackenzie Mgbako found the net instead of outstretched hands. Hopefully, it’s a sign of what’s to come following this much improved 8-17 performance behind the arc. Guard play was hampered by injuries to Gabe Cupps, Jakai Newton, and Anthony Leal, but Myles Rice stepped up with 23-points and Carlyle added twelve in this 87-71 victory. There were still a lot of rough edges, but at least turnovers were limited to eleven. 

Trey Galloway put the game away with three of his eleven points at the 10:46 mark for a 62-44 lead, allowing the “first to 60” to work its magic. Oumar Ballo had thirteen rebounds and finally scored his first of seven points once “Sixth Man” Galloway entered the lineup and started to feed him in the post. The fans got fed free French Fries when the Gamecocks’ Jacobi Wright missed two consecutive free throws with 26.9 on the clock thanks to the Finney’s promotion. 

Morris Ugusuk led South Carolina in scoring with 18-points with Collin Murray-Boyles in foul trouble. Mackenzie Mgbako continued to impress with seventeen for the Hoosiers. Next up is UNC Greensboro in Bloomington before they head to the Bahamas and the first Battle 4 Atlantis game against Louisville. 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: IUBB #2647

November 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

After a strong run to finish the regular soccer season and sharing a Big Ten title with #1 seed Ohio State, the Hoosiers fell short to Michigan with a strong sense of disappointment since they easily won the regular season match 5-0. They then had to patiently wait for their seeding in the NCAA tournament. The soccer men did then at least get to watch their football team get some means of revenge against the Wolverines on the gridiron. Typically, it’s been the other way around. 

In the meantime, both men’s and women’s basketball were in action. It was not a magical time for the women, losing in surprising fashion against both Harvard 72-68 and Butler 56-46, while falling badly from their initial #25 rating to start the season. The Hoosier women shot a dismal 36% from the field and had 16-turnovers at Hinkle Fieldhouse against the Bulldogs. They had 27-turnovers against Harvard. The IU men had already topped ISUE in their opener and faced the Eastern Illinois Panthers at friendly Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. 

The Hoosier men did not get off to a great start, trailing by five points before going on a 24-2 run early in the second half. Mgbako, Ballo and Reneau combined to make 23 of 32 shots overall and grab 22 rebounds. Indiana outscored Eastern Illinois 54-18 in the second half. They went on to win 90-55. Nakyel Shelton led the upset-minded Panthers with 17-points and made five threes to take an unexpected one-point halftime lead. They were a far cry from the team that lost by 45 at No. 24 Illinois in their season opener. IUs 24-2 run, the Hoosiers made 9 of 14 shots while the Panthers managed only one basket along with 10 missed shots. At the 12:26 mark, Malik’s Reneau’s layup made it a decisive 60-45 on one of eight assists from Trey Galloway. Overall, the Hoosiers added more magic by holding Eastern to well under 60-points. Plus, Luke

When this story began in the Bob Knight era, I wrote about a McDonalds’ promotion for free food for fans with stellar defensive performances. Finney Hopitality Group has offered a similar program, although not really aimed at defense but rather poor free throw shooting by a home opponent. “If an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws during a trip to the free-throw line, fans receive a free order of Finney Fries which will be redeemable at any Finney Hospitality Group restaurant in the state of Indiana which includes – The Tap, Yogi’s, Social Cantina, and SmokeWorks. None of these restaurants existed in Bloomington when Coach Knight and I came to town in 1971. I got my free fries from McDonalds. 

The men host the South Carolina Gamecocks next. The women try to rebound against undefeated #24 Stanford. Will we see more magic and maybe get some free fries?

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Michigan #2646

November 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I had to let the Michigan game settle in a bit before commenting. I saw the vulnerability of IU’s undefeated season after admittedly being overconfident at halftime. The Hoosiers were clearly in control but not scoring at their usual high level. The Wolverines took the second half kickoff and were promptly stopped, relieving some anxiety that perhaps this was all a dream, too good to be true. Then Michigan “suddenly” took the momentum, using one of announcer Don Fisher’s favorite transitions when things turned on a dime. I was almost embarrassed by the end of the third quarter at the team’s performance. I saw this as a solid team, well balanced on both sides of the ball, but they quickly fell apart – turnovers, bad play calls, dropped passes, missed blocks. It was everything I was accustomed to after watching IU football for sixty-years. 

IU was up 17-3 at one point, but the Wolverines cut the lead to 17-15 in the fourth quarter. The undefeated Hoosiers bent but they didn’t break, never relinquishing the lead and adding a field goal to seal the victory, 20-15, and preserve perfection at 10-0, a historical first. The outcome was hardly with the ease shown in the first nine victories, but this was wounded Michigan, struggling in defense of its national championship. IU Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a Heisman candidate, threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but he got no help from the running game and threw a very costly interception from his own end zone. Furthermore, he was sacked four times and pressured many more. 

Michigan had lost just two times against Indiana since 1987. The Wolverines lost in ’87 and again in 2020, so any kind of a win should have been satisfying. However, I don’t think any IU fan, team member, or coach was happy. The game really meant nothing because Ohio State loomed ahead and only that kind of victory would have turned heads. Beating Michigan was simply a big step in getting to Columbus and a real chance to prove themselves to the college football experts.

Winning against the Wolverines certainly didn’t matter much in the ratings! Even undefeated, the Hoosiers are still ranked fourth in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation. This is because people are used to seeing Indiana as a bottom feeder of the Big Ten, and while IU is a really good football team, Michigan lost the game because the Hoosiers couldn’t effectively close. Is this because there’s a flaw in coach Curt Cignetti’s plan or can’t his front line execute effectively down the stretch? I guess we’ll find out in two weeks against Ohio State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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