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Category: Indiana University Hoosier (I.U) Sports (Page 2 of 31)

Indiana University Hoosier athletics

Old Sport Shorts: Season Opener #2645

November 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It’s basketball time again, the wait lessened by the unprecedented success of the football team. The 2024-25 Hoosiers took the floor against Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE). Once again, Indiana connections played in role in scheduling, as coach Brian Barone, part of Tom Crean’s staff from 2008-10 came back to Bloomington as an opponent. There was not as much pre-game fanfare as earlier in the week when coach Pat Knight of Marian University bent down to kiss the IU logo at center court, but a second Hoosier legacy was in attendance.  One of Barone’s players, Kyle Thomas, son of Daryl Thomas, who played on Indiana’s 1987 national championship team, dressed but did not get a chance to play, an indication perhaps of how seriously the Cougars approached this game. 

Daryl Thomas passed in 2018 at the age of 52. He was the 120th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, selected by the Sacramento Kings, and played over overseas for 13 seasons and then with the CBA La Crosse Catbirds in 1992-1993, before becoming a coach himself for Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Illinois. His entire family was honored at Assembly Hall, where he once starred. 

Once the formalities were over, IU jumped out to a 20-9, as Mackenzie Mgbako was hot early with 13 points in the first 7 minutes. However, the lead didn’t last long after the Cougars The sophomore wing had 13 points in the first 6:56 of the game. But as SIUE settled in and Indiana failed to lock down the defensive glass, the Hoosiers couldn’t create any separation. By the 4:48 mark of the half, the Cougars’ Ray’Sean Taylor tied the game at 27. After a Woodson time-out, his Hoosiers responded to claim a 42-30 lead at intermission. Malik Reneau and Mgbako combined for 30-points going into the locker room, but overall, the Hoosiers allowed 10 offensive rebounds and 10 second-chance points in the opening 20 minutes.

16 turnovers and 6-16 from three-point range are stats that leave plenty of doubt about improvements from last year. Oumar Ballo was mostly ineffective until Trey Galloway began to feed him in the post. Mgabo finished with a career-high 31 points and added nine rebounds. Reneau and Ballo each totaled 15. At least, the Hoosiers were effective at the free-throw line at 14-17, despite the poor 37.5% shooting from the field. Mgbako also got them to the magical sixty-mark first at 60-46 with 9:46 remaining. His overall point performance was the best on opening day since Eric Gordon scored 33 against Chattanooga in 2007. The final score was 80-61.

 

Old Sport Shorts: East Lansing #2642

November 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

At this time in my life, it’s better to focus on sports rather than prostrate or back problems. It’s also best to whine over losses than pain, but I’m not suffering at all. Even though the Elkhart Lions lost a tough one Friday night in the high school football playoffs, they are really not my team anymore, having abandoned the Blue Blazer nickname. Besides, the nearby Venice Indians, my new HS team, won 42-8 over Sarasota Riverside to go 9-1 on the season. IU soccer, basketball, and football are on winning streaks, so I’m living a charmed life. On the other hand, Da Bears play today, after a painful finish last weekend, but I’m used to that!

Five years ago, I wrote an article about my Spartan frustrations called, “O for East Lansing.” (See Post #1509). It seemed like every time my football Hoosiers traveled to East Lansing they were crushed, especially if I went myself. The same was sadly true for games in Bloomington, dating back to Rob Stradley, a friend Kim’s brother, who wore #22 for the team. A sense of dread always fills me when I hear the name “Sparty.” I even once attended a pep rally in East Lansing where I was the only one wearing red. Other friends named Craig Cole and Jeff White gloated in victory. I mention all these names because they are weeping green tears today. 


Winning against Michigan State doesn’t happen very often, considering the all-time series record is 50-19-2, but I.U. prevailed yesterday 47-10 in East Lansing, despite falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter. I don’t ever recall a chance to watch our players victoriously spit in the Old Brass Spittoon, a nasty ritual. I’m sure that at the end of the first quarter, Spartan fans like Stradley, White, and Cole were thinking that the Hoosiers were overrated. However, 47-straight points later they were crying in their beer, if they were still watching at all. I was!

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, returning from thumb surgery, threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt, and Amare Ferrell had two interceptions Saturday to lead No. 13 Indiana to its first 9-0 start in school history. #10 Texas A&M and #11 Clemson both lost, assuring IU of a Top 10 ranking and spot in the college Playoffs, if they continue to win. That won’t be easy against Michigan, Ohio State, and Purdue.

The Spittoon trophy, first introduced in 1950, had been in the hands of the Spartans since 2007. It only lived in Bloomington a dozen times in all those years, filled with DNA from seasons past. 1967-69 was the longest stretch of Hoosier victories over the Spartans, all three in East Lansing, coinciding with IU’s only Rose Bowl appearance and only the second time they had won nine games until this year. I was still in high school, not yet a season ticket holder, so yet to experience “0 for East Lansing.” I can only hope that it never happens again! Go Hoosiers!



 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Exhibit B #2641

November 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Continued from Post #2637. 

Bob Knight’s son, Patrick, the new coach of Marian University in Indiana, ironically named the Knights, brought his NAIA team to Bloomington for the last exhibition game, Exhibit B. He spent the last 10-years as a scout for the Indiana Pacers after head coaching jobs at Lamar University and Texas Tech, where he replaced his father. He also played for Indiana from 1990-1995, so it was a fitting return to his alma mater. However, the warm welcome quickly turned into an expected 106-64 rout. 

The Hoosiers jumped to a 9-2 lead before Pat Knight had to use a timeout less than two minutes into the contest. The lead quickly stretched to 26, as Indiana shot a blistering 65.7 percent from the field despite a poor 1-for-11 performance from beyond the arc, a gnawing concern. IU had a similar 0-11 start from deep against Tennessee in Exhibit A. There was hope that this fatal flaw that had haunted us over the past few years had been fixed. They did find more success from the perimeter in the second half, sinking five of their 14 attempts from beyond the 3-point line, but 6-25 overall is hardly encouraging. 

Malik Reneau had 18 points and eight rebounds, while Oumar Ballo totaled 16 points and seven rebounds for the Hoosiers. Freshman Bryson Tucker, who missed the first exhibition against Tennessee, led the IU scoring attack with 19-points. By the six-minute mark of the second half, Indiana led by 45, easily surpassing the magic 60-mark. Mike Woodson brought on walk-on Jordan Rayford and Dallas James, a transfer from South Carolina State, scoring their very first Hoosier points, as well as Jakai Newton after recovering from injuries. 

There were only four-days to prepare for the season opener against SIU-Edwardsville at Assembly Hall. Hopefully, some of that time is spent practicing free-throws after a dismal 8-14 performance, not to mention 3-pointers. At least, the team showed better ball control with just 10-turnovers, compared with 13 against Tennessee. Let the season and its magic begin! 

 

Old Sport Shorts: IU Soccer #2640

November 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

There’s never been a better time to be an Indiana University sports fan with an undefeated football team, a promising basketball season for both the women and men, and a BIG Ten regular season soccer championship. Swimming was once all the rave, basketball has since gotten the most attention, but it’s been decades since a National Championship, and football could go 9-0 for the first time in history, but it’s been soccer that has had the most consistent winning ways. Here’s the back story: 

In 1976 IU soccer beat Hartwick 2-1 in the semifinals and lost the final to San Francisco 1-0 in Coach Jerry Yeagley’s first trip to the College Cup in Philadelphia. His son Todd was there; he was four years old. 

In 1978 the Hoosiers topped Philadelphia 2-0 in the semifinals but lost to San Francisco again 2-0 in the final. San Francisco went on to defeat IU for a third time in the 1980 finale 4-3. Finally in 1982 the soccer Hoosiers beat SIU-Edwardsville 1-0 and Duke 2-1 in eight overtimes for the school’s first-ever soccer national title and Jerry Yeagley’s first. His son Todd was once again there, only 10 years old.

The second title came in 1983 over Virginia 3-1 in the semis, followed by an overtime thriller against Columbia 1-0. They returned to soccer’s version of the Final Four in 1984 but lost to Clemson 2-1 after defeating Hartwick 2-1. Four years later in 1988 came the third title, won in Bloomington, over both Portland and Howard by the same 1-0 scores. 

Santa Clara beat them in 1989, 4-2 in the semifinals and again in 1991 2-0. It was son, Todd Yeagley’s, freshman year as a player. In his 1994 final game as a player, they lost to Virginia 1-0 after a decisive win against UCLA 4-1. The Bruins came back to haunt them in 1997, a 1-0 semifinal loss in three overtimes. 

Although coach father and player son did not win a national title together, a fourth title for the Senior Yeagley happened in 1998 over Stanford 3-1, and a fifth the following year over Santa Clara 1-0. This was after a four-overtime 3-2 marathon over UCLA. Back-to-back championships for the first time!

It wasn’t until 2003 that Jerry achieved his sixth and final trophy as head coach, following a couple years of disappointment. In 2000 they had lost the semifinal match to Creighton 2-1 in three overtimes and 2001 the title game to North Carolina 2-0. Victory was sweeter as father and son enjoyed #6 on the sideline together, Todd as an IU soccer volunteer assistant. It was Jerry’s 554th and final win at Indiana, an NCAA record. Mike Freitag, who played at Indiana, and was Jerry’s assistant for 11-years, took over the program in his place and claimed the second back-to back title and seventh overall by defeating Maryland and then UC-Santa Barbara on penalty kicks.

I guess you could consider the next seven Yeager-less years to be a draught – not just for soccer but for IU sports in general. The basketball banners were gathering dust, the 2007 Insight Bowl was a football bust, and Hoosier basketball didn’t even make the NCAA tournament from 2009-2011. There wasn’t much to cheer for until Todd Yeagley was named head soccer coach in 2012. He proceeded to win his first national title and the team’s 8th over Georgetown 1-0 in 2012. The Yeagley magic was back! However, it took him five more years to get back to the College Cup. The Hoosiers lost to Stanford 1-0 after two overtimes after beating North Carolina 1-0 in the semifinals. 

In 2018, I went to the Santa Barbara College Cup to watch them fall short to Maryland 2-0. The 2021 team beat Pittsburgh 1-0 in the national semifinals but lost to Marshall 1-0 in overtime in the title game. That season was played in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten-years had passed since a championship when they defeated Pittsburgh 2-0 in the 2022 national semifinals and lost to Syracuse on penalty kicks 7-6 after 2OT periods tied at 2-2. They were the first team since Maryland (2018) to make a championship game without conceding a goal throughout the NCAA Tournament and the seventh team all-time to achieve that feat. More misfortune followed in the 2023 Elite 8 loss to Notre Dame on PKs 5-4 after a 1-1 tie.

The 2024 Indiana Hoosiers just claimed their 35th Big Ten Championship, 19th regular season title, and fifth league crown in seven seasons. They had a final game against unheralded Trine that ended 4-1 at Jerry Yeagley Field before the tournaments started. The team is ranked only 16th because of a slow start to the season and hungry to end a bad streak of five College Cup losses in the last 12-years without that 9th national championship. Will they ride the football and basketball momentum to victory at last?

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Exhibit A #2637

October 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The typically long wait between I.U. basketball seasons was significantly shortened by an undefeated football start. At the same time, however, the recruiting wars were not going well thanks to Dan Hurley’s UConn program. He first locked onto Montverde Academy’s Liam McNeeley after decommitting from I.U. and then wooed Eric Reibe and Braylon Mullins, two key Mike Woodson targets. Fortunately, we were able to land Montverde’s 6’7″ forward Trent Sisley, at least “temporarily,” as happens too frequently these days. We’ll have to once again rely on the portal to be competitive in the future.

The fruits of the 2024 recruiting class and portal were on public display for the first time at Hoosier Hysteria, during homecoming weekend, and in a charity exhibition game at the University of Tennessee a week later. Bryson Tucker, Langdon Hatton, Luke Goode, Kanaan Carlyle, Oumar Ballo, and Myles Rice joined last year’s regulars Mackenzie Mgbako, Gabe Cupps, Anthony Leal, Malik Reneau, and Trey Galloway on the court. Galloway and Tucker are still recovering from injuries, along with Jakai Newton. The rest of the team includes Shaan Burke, Jordan Rayford, James Goodis, Jaden Bobbett, Jackson Creel, Ian Stephens, and Dallas James – “Your 2024-25 Indiana Hoosiers!”

It was a challenging first assignment against a preseason Top 25 team that finished last year 27-9, won the SEC Championship, reached the Elite 8, and are coached by a well-respected veteran Rick Barnes. IU entered the game ranked 17th, while the Volunteers were judged 12th. Both teams had significant personnel losses from the previous year, and the ugliness of regrouping was obvious. 

Indiana started the game with four straight turnovers on offense, then proceeded to miss all eleven of their 3-point attempts. The Volunteers weren’t much better, going just 3-of-20 from distance. In the second half, the shots started to fall, as both teams eventually settled from opening jitters. Six points was the largest margin in Tennessee’s favor, but a Malik Reneau 3-pointer put the Hoosiers ahead 55-54, headed to that magic mark of 60. 

Myles Rice was credited with the reason for I.U.’s four-point victory. The Washington State transfer finished with 20-points and four assists. The Hoosiers got to 60 first and won 66-62. Reneau led all scorers with 21-points and a game-sealing dunk. Mgbako had 12-points, while Ballo pulled down 11-rebounds and added 6-points. “Exhibit A” was a solid way to start the season, before “Exhibit B,” the final exhibition game, on November 1st against Marian. 

 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Quasimodo #2636

October 27, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Rather than “The Gimp with a limp” (See Post # 2635), I was more like Quasimodo yesterday, all hunched over when I tried to walk. The pressure brace that I bought for my calf, designed to relieve sciatica, instead further irritated the nerve. It was like my legs locked up and I could only move with my hands on my knees, bent over like the “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” His team won yesterday, by the way, in a rout over Navy. Watching football was about all I could do most of yesterday afternoon. I had been to the fitness center in the morning as normal and managed to get in a 2-mile walk on the treadmill before this all happened. They were not related, but once I sat down, it was miserable trying to stand up straight and walk. I’ve already harped enough on how many times I need to visit the toilet, so it was a miserable afternoon despite the IU Football victory over Washington.

I feel better this morning, able to do a few simple tasks without any pain. On Wednesday is my scheduled appointment with the pain management doctor. Hopefully, he won’t cancel again! Just in case, after returning the leg brace, I went ahead and bought the lower back devise, desperately trying anything to get relief. Thanks for bearing with me as I spew all my frustrations out with these words. I’ll then be headed to the treadmill after my wife returns from the dog park. 

I checked out the Xfinity streaming services this morning and found the SEC+ Network that will broadcast this afternoon’s IU basketball exhibition game with Tennessee. Like everything else these days, it wasn’t easy, but at least it was free! It’s football Sunday, so plenty to watch on TV, although the games we typically get here are not the ones I want to see. I could go down to the clubhouse where they have the NFL Network, but I’d rather stay home and suffer through the Red Zone broadcast. We’re attending a “Garden Party” tonight with those who share our small plot of vegetables and flowers. Hopefully, I can continue to stand tall today and save the Quasimodo look for Halloween.

Retirement is not without Hassles: The Gimp – Part 2 #2635

October 26, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It was in an April post, 6-months ago, when I first wrote about “The Gimp” in reference to my sciatica. See Post #2512. I continue to struggle with the pain in my left leg, particularly, in the early mornings when I let the dogs out. I hobble down the sidewalk, regretting that moment when I have to bend over to pick up the poop. My wife claims that I haven’t been proactive enough in getting treatment, despite an Ultrasound, MRI, numerous chiropractor sessions, ice, heat, two steroid treatments, and purchasing a brace that puts pressure on the nerve. She’s just as frustrated as I am, awaiting the services of a pain doctor that rudely rescheduled an appointment last week after a month of finally getting that appointment. What else can I possibly do?

She just left to take the dogs to the park, while I write this post. By the time they return, my leg pain will have dulled, and I will make my way to the resort fitness center. Walking on the treadmill, with the support of the side rails, is the only approved exercise I can do over the next month, following prostrate surgery. I’m anxious to get back in shape but there have been too many obstacles in the way. At least, I’m no longer in diapers but have yet to see any improvement in my bladder control. It’s just one more frustration in my life. 

I’ll take the dogs for their monthly grooming while my wife does her aquafit class, hurrying back for the IU football game against Washington. Ironically, it was a former IU quarterback, Michael Penix, Jr. that led the Huskies to the National Championship game last year. It could be our turn this year, although the undefeated season still has a long way to go. Without our starting quarterback today, it will be an even tougher challenge to remain in the playoff picture. 

Last night, the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman’s triple and walk-off grand slam to beat the Yankees in World Series game one was reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s heroics back in 1988. Both limped triumphantly around the base path, despite their injuries. It once again reminded me of my morning sciatica struggles and Pulp Fiction’s “The Gimp.”

Retirement is not without Hassles: Baby Huey Blues #2632

October 21, 2024 / / 0 Comments

It’s probably better that I focus on writing about sports today rather than bladder control and Depends. I will say that the prostate surgery went well, but I feel like Baby Huey in his signature plastic panties, primarily worn as a precaution. It will apparently be some time before my bladder returns to normal. In the meantime, I will begin a “pain management” program for my unrelated sciatica. Relief is on the way!

In an uncomfortable situation like this, I refer to the movie, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” where Steve Martin wakes-up-side-by-side in the same motel room bed with John Candy….”Those aren’t pillows.” They break the awkwardness with the words: “See that Bears game last week?” I’ll use that same distraction in avoiding details about my current health issues.

Da Bears did win last week and had this weekend off. It was the remarkable Indiana football Hoosiers that made my day. Despite record-setting trips to the restroom, I was able to enjoy the stunning victory over Nebraska and a 7-0 start to the season. Baby Huey’s Ducks also claimed the top spot in this week’s polls after crushing helpless Purdue.

After a quick trip to the toilet, I’ll try to finish. Purdue is already looking forward to basketball, where they are expected to win the BIG, while I.U fans can’t wait for the Bucket Game and have a chance for a title and major Bowl appearance. Basketball is not a priority for once, even after a taste of hoops during Hoosier Hysteria on Friday night, all part of the Homecoming Hoopla! The exhibition game against formidable Tennessee is only a week away.

Aside from my love of the Hoosiers, Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers have made it to the World Series with a ticket to play Aaron Judge’s Yankees. The two likely season MVP’s will get a chance to compete against each other head-to-head for a Championship. Ohtani’s move from the Angels have led to his very first postseason experience and a chance for the World Series MVP, the perfect cap to a sensational season. 

IU’s QB Kurtis Rourke will miss next week’s Washington game with a thumb injury. Tayven Jackson replaced him in the second half of the Nebraska game and will be challenged with the task of maintaining the unblemished record. Michigan 
State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Purdue loom ahead on the schedule, followed by a Bowl game yet to be determined. The Ducks and Hoosiers top the BIG TEN standings, with what was unimaginable years ago before league expansion and the portal. There’s a lot to look forward to despite the Baby Huey Blues!

 

Old Sport Shorts: The Next Game #2605

September 22, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Between baseball cards and big games my life seems to revolve around sports. I check the scores every morning, look at all the box scores, go to the Topps Now site every afternoon to see what cards are available, and watch the live action whenever I can, then view a related documentary or read a book like Bushville Wins! about the 1957 World Champion Milwaukee Braves.  IU sports, Purdue, other BIG Ten teams, Indiana Fever, the Cubs, White Sox, Colts, Bears, Kyle Schwarber, and Shohei Ohtani are currently my regular interests.

The baseball playoff race is in full swing, IU football is off to an unprecedented start, IU basketball is getting ready to start, and history is being made by Schwarber and Ohtani on the diamond. Sadly, the Cubs will fall short again this year, and the White Sox are a joke, about to lose their 120th game this season – more history of the worst kind!

Hoosier football won their first four games in dominating style, the local Venice High School Indians are 5-0 after a 54-51 victory last night over Cocoa. The WNBA Indiana Fever and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark are solidly in the playoffs and will battle the Connecticut Sun today on ABC-TV. At least, my sports interests are diverse, ranging from high school and college to professional. I follow the Portland Timbers in soccer as well as the IU program, watch the Little League World Series, men’s & women’s softball, Indy Car, NASCAR, and Formula One. If competition and skill or a ball are involved – I’m interested. 

The Purdue-IU rivalry has finally taken a twist in football this year, as the Boilermakers look weak. Hopefully that trend will continue in men’s & women’s basketball, as well as the other sports. Purdue is my second favorite team, the result of working in that community for several years, but there’s no doubt as to my favorite when they play IU. The Colts and Bears tangle this afternoon. 

My interest in Kyle Schwarber stems from his collegiate years at IU, my alma mater as well. He made history again last night with his 15th lead-off home run for the Phillies this season. No one else in baseball has ever accomplished that feat! He did it against the Met’s pitcher, Sean Manaea, who now boasts a 12-5 record and retired 21-24 batters with only three hits, including Schwarber’s 406-foot bomb. Manaea’s pitching gem, however, temporarily stalled the Phillies claim to the Division title.

Shohei Ohtani immediately intrigued my interest when he moved his skills from the Japanese leagues to MLB in 2018. This despite my being neither an Angels or Dodgers fan. The ability to both pitch and hit effectively is a rare art, dating back to Babe Ruth. I started collecting his baseball cards, as I also do with Schwarber, and have been caught-up in his success. After arm surgery late last year, he’s focused on hitting and base stealing this season, reaching the 52-52 plateau the other night with 7 more games yet to play. He could very well get back on the mound in the playoffs, finally on a team that has gotten him into the MLB postseason for the very first time.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the next game!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Wake Up a Winner #2600

September 15, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Nothing special to report on this milestone post. I’ll spend the day at the baseball card shop, hoping to reduce the inventory that I just added to yesterday. It’s definitely an addiction, opening packs of cards, sorting them by teams or players, and hoping for the Holy Grail. It’s just as bad as gambling, but at the end of the day after playing slots, there’s usually little to show for it. With baseball cards, I have binders that grow in size and number. Today, I’m looking for buyers and have a table to show off my stock. In fact, my sole exercise will be lugging these binders from my office shelves to my car and then to the table and back. Will they get any lighter at the end of the day?

I finally used some gift certificates that my wife gave me at a Sarasota restaurant, Michael’s on East. I’ll always remember the time my son surprised me by buying a pricy dinner there. My wife and I always claim to be celebrating an anniversary in “fancy” restaurants, and usually earn a free desert. We eat out at least once a week and there’s always something to celebrate – birthdays, wedding or first date anniversaries, pet memories, adoption, and simply days together. Our neighbors across the street are headed out for their 50th wedding anniversary. I can say the same thing, but it’s taken two marriages to get there for me. 

The Beatle’s song, “Day in the Life,” comes to mind. “Got up, got out of bed, and dragged a comb across my head.” The painful part of my morning is over now that my sciatica has diminished in intensity until tomorrow, so I tend to routine maintenance – my seven morning pills (some only halves), shaving, and brushing my teeth. The dogs slept in a bit, so I was able to sit for a while with an icepack on my leg while solving another Wordle. It’s a football Sunday, but I’ll be out in the hot sun hawking baseball cards. I’m honestly still somewhat in shock, after the I.U. football drubbing of U.C.L.A. last night. I stayed up late to watch the second-half action from the famed Rose Bowl. I’m used to being on the other side of a lop-sided score, like helpless Purdue’s loss to Notre Dame in the afternoon. It’s good to wake up a big winner! 

 

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