Category: Indiana University Hoosier (I.U) Sports (Page 28 of 31)

Indiana University Hoosier athletics

Retirement is not without Hassles: Overtime #830

February 4, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

My working wife is working extra hours this week. This means that I’ve been relinquished of any stressful cooking responsibilities tomorrow night. She’ll be dining out while I’ll be eating frozen dinners. I love a good chicken pot pie, and it’s just what I need in retirement – less responsibilities. I’m down to running, stretching, sleeping, writing, genealogy, banking/bills, maintenance, trash, personal hygiene, vacuuming, mail, dusting, kitty litter, laundry, dog walking, reading, and TV watching, with very little overtime. This week I’ll include tax and will preparation. Even I can handle that much of a “work” load!

Last night’s Super Bowl was boring, but the baked wings and iced football cookies were great. Congrats to Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots…again. I’m still riding high on the I.U. basketball victory at Michigan State. It made my weekend a 10. We went out to dinner Friday night and saw the movie The Favourite, another must on my wife’s Academy Awards list. It’s a bizarre production, but true in many ways. My wife also rented Roma, but I was busy in “Banister World.” It’s my own little soap opera, based on my true life story of adoption. In the process, I found a few more DNA matches on my massive Ancestry.com Tree.

This Friday marks the 20th anniversary of our first “date.” It’s also the 18th birthday of our cat Frankie, with blue eyes like Sinatra. Two causes for celebration before we head to Phoenix next week. There’s snow flurries in the forecast for this afternoon, so some Arizona heat will be a welcome relief. I have to get some sun before we spend a week on the Thailand coast of the Andaman Sea. It’s just six weeks away! I like my routine at home, but travel is what I really want in retirement. Plus, my wife needs a break from research projects and budget meetings that keep her working extra hours. It makes me feel guilty about being older and enjoying retirement.

Old Sport Shorts: Breslin or Bust #829

February 3, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

There are not too many things in life that I get more emotional about than I.U. Basketball. I know that sounds silly – it’s just a game! There are also not many places that have haunted me more than the Breslin Center – home of the Michigan State Spartans. It’s named after Jack Breslin, the former athlete and alumni leader who pushed for the facility. It was built in 1989 and was never kind to me when I visited. The court itself is the very floor that MSU won the 2000 Final Four at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. I.U. has been a consistent bust at Breslin, but before that time the Hoosiers held the slight edge, winning 17 times of the 33 games held in East Lansing since 1949.

Indiana lost in the inaugural year of the new building in 1990 by the score of 72-66, but rebounded for our first win the following year 62-56. The Hoosiers did not win again until 2013, 22 miserable years later 72-68! The reality of “000 for East Lansing,” reflected in my frustrations over that nightmarish time span when Sparty had his way with us. Oddly, with all the good basketball teams we fielded, the closest we came to victory was a one-point O.T. loss in 2011 by one of the least competitive Hoosier teams that I can remember. Only in Tom Crean’s first season as coach in 2008-09 can I recall a worst Big Ten record. That year, we traveled to the Maui Invitational only to be embarrassed by both Notre Dame and St. Joseph’s. Later that season, they lost at Breslin by 28 points, the beginning of what must be a record 10-game Big Ten losing streak to finish 1-17 in the conference. Thanks Iowa! With only 6 total victories that year, it was the least number of wins since 1915-1916.

In 2010, Indiana did not have to travel to Michigan State but still lost to them in Bloomington. It was in 2011 then that we somehow came so close to beating the 25th ranked Spartans at Breslin. We then defeated Minnesota at friendly Assembly Hall, but stumbled to a 9-game losing streak and finished last in the rugged Big Ten at 3-15 and 12-20 overall. Those were some might troublesome days of Hoosier Basketball.

This year has been just as bad. Our two dogs have to cover their ears with their paws as each televised game starts and I begin to rant. I can’t recall even winning an opening tip. Fortunately, many I.U. basketball games have been early starts out here on the West Coast so we can take advantage of Happy Hour at Buffalo Wild Wings and drown our sorrows. After seven straight BIG losses, there was little hope for victory at Breslin against the #6 Spartans. Last year we lost there by 28 points, matching the frustration of 2009. A few more losses and we would approach that team’s dubious ten game conference losing streak, as well.

I let out a childish scream at the TV when Senior leader Juan Morgan left the game with a shoulder injury. Really??? The dogs cowered – my wife turned her TV volume louder. More injuries – a damaged finger – a twisted ankle. We should have won in regulation, but instead it went to overtime. Only in 1983 had we won an overtime game in East Lansing and that was long before the daunting Breslin Center was ever built. It was now Breslin or Bust, with any hopes for salvaging the season on the line. More screams – more foul words – and then actual tears in victory. My hands were shaking. I couldn’t have been more proud of my hustling, scrappy, wounded team.

Even a Tom Brady Superbowl win today can’t ruin yesterday’s Hoosier high. Groundhog Day will be forever memorable after my poor shooting team somehow prevailed in the “shadow” of the Breslin Center. It could be said that if the Patriots win another trophy today then there will be even more weeks of harsh winter than the Groundhog has already predicted. In that time, maybe the Hoosiers can build a winning streak to offset their disastrous January and find their way into the postseason. I never thought that was even remotely possible, especially after losing at Rutgers just a few days ago. But, anything is possible – so go Rams!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Lazy Days #828

February 2, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s been another glorious week of laziness. As a part-time couch potato, I watched the season finales of both Outlander and Vikings. When my wife got home from work we occupied our evenings with The Americans. Meanwhile, The Curse of Oak Island once again led to few discoveries, as it approaches the end of another season. I also watched I.U. lose their seventh straight Big Ten game on the big screen at Buffalo Wild Wings, just so you know I did leave the house. I then had our traditional “Leadership” lunch there on Friday.

While I wasn’t watching TV or sleeping, I dreamed of travel. Once again I referred to the 1000 Places to See Before You Die calendar, noting that I hadn’t yet been to Belgium (except the airport), the Galapagos Islands, Ethiopia, Turkey, or Bolivia. We have been to Naples (both Florida and Italy) to prevent a total destination shut-out this week. We do leave for Phoenix in another week, signaling the end of my lazy, homebody streak. There’s another potentially painful I.U. basketball game this afternoon before we take-in tonight’s feature film, The Favourite, using one of our many Fandango gift cards from Christmas. Last night’s dinner at nearby Bethany’s Table was another gift from my wife’s staff. Even this week’s “Date Night” was economical at Nek Won Korean Restaurant. Every dollar saved is a dollar to spend on travel.

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl and thinking ahead I tried to make plans to go to next year’s big game in Miami. This was a fruitless attempt to accomplish at least one joint bucket list goal. Even a year in advance, lodging is hard to come by. Tickets, on the other hand, we think we can buy though my wife’s work. I guess we’ll wait to secure the seats first and then look for an Airbnb. Travel to Florida will also give me a chance to see my son and his family for a few days. My wife, unfortunately, will need to get back for budget meetings. This year we’ll eat wings in the living room and watch the Tom Brady show unfold.

I did get my aging car serviced this week at Jiffy Lube, but there were mysterious issues in getting my emissions clearance for Oregon plates. I will still have to go to the dreaded DMV next week. I hope this does not mean expensive electronic repairs to my car or more discussions about a new one. It seems like a shame to invest in a different car when I drive so few miles every week. I only fill-up about once every month and a half. I also worked on Turbotax, trying to reduce my IRS payout in April. This is a pending expense concern along with medical bills, mother-in-law care, and perhaps a wedding.

The most constructive thing I do every day is my morning run. In defense of any perceived laziness, “The Streak” now stands at 3,668 consecutive days and counting. I also take the dogs out at least six times a day, so I do have important responsibilities. Our pups were happy this morning since the rain held off and we were able to get in a “Schnauzerthon.” However, snow is in the cards over the next few days and none of us will be happy with that possibility. Looking ahead, more laziness is in the forecast for next week, along with thoughts of what would have been both my mom and dad’s 98th birthdays. They were never lazy. I miss you!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Wizard of Oz #817

January 23, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s been proven that I have a big heart and a brain, but there’s little evidence of what caused last week’s dizzy spell. I was checked-out by the doctor yesterday afternoon and given the thumbs up to “carry on.” As a result, I left the safety of the treadmill and took to the streets again this morning to get my day started. There was a little bit of relief as my run took me past the spot where I staggered out into the road, unable to control the dizziness. That day, everything was spinning around me in the morning darkness. Today, I easily completed my 3.1 mile route. I did, however, take my phone along in case anything out of the ordinary happened. It didn’t!

As I followed the Yellow Brick Road through our neighborhood, I couldn’t help but think of The Wizard of Oz. It took a little bit of courage to take those first few strides on my own, so the Cowardly Lion would have been proud of me. Last week’s CAT Scan revealed that unlike the Scarecrow, I actually have a brain. One of the technicians joked that he would tell my wife. “Don’t forget to tell her I have a heart, too” I quipped. As it turned out, it’s actually a big heart because the tests showed my aorta to be enlarged. Take that Tin Man! It’s certainly something I’ll want to keep an “eye” on, but it’s also something I can’t “see.”

“There’s no place like home,” also came to mind, as I’ve settled into the retirement routine for the next month. Some warm weather in Phoenix and Thailand will be more than welcome once I begin to grow restless. I watched another episode of “The Curse of Oak Island,” as I did laundry this morning. Much like myself, they didn’t seem to accomplish much today. More digging without striking gold, as they continue to prolong their agonizing search for treasure. I’m admittedly hooked!

Indiana lost their 5th straight BIG Ten basketball game last night, surpassing last year’s 4-game skid and matching the frustration of the 2016-17 conference season. They lost 9 straight in the painful 2010-11 season. It has not been easy to be a fan in recent years, after experiencing so much success during the Bobby Knight era. However, even Bob has turned ugly. I’m a Hooooosier Loooooser (with 5 zeros). At least the Cheer-leading Squad won another National Championship!

It’s a good thing that I have a big heart, because I could say a lot worse things about I.U. basketball. I’m not sure that I have the “courage” to watch the next game and wish I had been born with the “brains” to have gotten a second degree for another college team to support. I definitely would have been better off in Kansas, along with Dorothy and Toto. We need the “Wizard of Westwood” because it’s certainly not “Miller Time.” (See Post #35). “Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” (Post #513).

Old Sport Shorts: Lunar Loser #814

January 21, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

There was a full, blood-wolf moon, plus a lunar eclipse, so it was not going to be an ordinary weekend of sports. It started with an Indiana University Alumni Association game-watch at a local tavern featuring one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball. This was the 208th battle between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue had won a dominant 118 of these in-state basketball wars, including 51 of the first 62 games, but Indiana boasts 5 National Championships in 39 NCAA Tournament appearances. Make that 119 victories for the Boilers!

There was little doubt from the tip-off that Purdue was the better team. Indiana has been notorious for their slow starts this year, and this game was no exception. One beer was not going to be enough. It was also obvious that fellow alumni held little hope for the Hoosiers since only a few showed up to watch. Those in attendance had fond memories of a last second shot to beat Butler a month ago when the team appeared to come together, moved into the Top 25 nationally, and won their first three BIG Ten contests. However, injuries and poor shooting have prevailed, as we sadly watched their fourth straight conference loss in front of an exuberant Boilermaker fan base. Admittedly, I didn’t have a good feeling about the game and considered not even wearing any Indiana gear in case Purdue fans were also in the bar.

Even a crimson moon could not prevent the Hoosiers from shooting a pathetic 7-18 from the free throw line and 4-20 from behind the arc. While that could be blamed on “gravitational pull,” a Purdue “friend” pointed out that this was actually an improvement over last week’s loss to Nebraska when they shot a pitiful 2-14 at home! Indeed, the rare home loss was even more humiliating, especially to a football school. I just hope we get it together before the Boilers come calling next month in Bloomington. Indiana has already lost 4 straight battles with Purdue, meaning that last year’s team couldn’t hold home court advantage. There will be no Alumni game watch for no one to attend because it’s scheduled for a Tuesday night.

I was in atypical agreement with my Purdue friends on football this weekend, with the Superbowl on the line. Ex-Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and his New Orleans Saints were an easy choice for us to make, while rooting against Tom Brady and his New England Patriots was a given. We were wrong on both counts! Brady was once again brilliant, and the Saints got screwed, as admitted by everyone involved. Both games went to overtime, but the Rams and Patriots prevailed. Most all of America will be rooting for the Rams in two weeks!

Yes, I was a Lunar Loser, going 0-3 this weekend with my favorites. However, I really only truly cared about one of these games. The round ball is my passion and I.U. is my team. I was hoping that the round, red moon would be a good omen. Instead, the Hoosier Nation was totally “eclipsed” by Boilermaker Black once again.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Game Day #797

January 6, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I got up early this morning to take the dogs out and do my daily run. My wife and I were hoping to get to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for the King Tut exhibit before it closes later this month. The pups were depressed that their much anticipated “Schnauzerthon” was preempted by rain and cold temperatures. They are often disappointed in the Portland weather at this time of year. They got a shorter walk than normal between rain drops, and we were off to pay homage to the King!

My wife was willing to compromise by leaving for the O.M.S.I. early so that I could watch Bears football and I.U. basketball in the afternoon. What we didn’t know was that it was $2 admission day pricing and the place more like a zoo than a museum. Parking was way out in the overflow lots and ticket lines were outrageous. We had some free passes for the exhibit but still had to redeem them for admission. When we finally got to the front of the line only a few times remained available to see the popular attraction. We elected to get tickets for next week instead rather than endure the long wait and crowded hallways. It also gave us time to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast with assurance that I would not miss either game. The only problem was that they were both on T.V. at the same time.

I am hoping that the message that the dogs left when I got out of bed this morning did not apply to my teams’ chances. I was greeted with an unprecedented “poopsident” in the living room. I just wasn’t sure which schnauzer was guilty? Normally it’s Tinker the “Poopingest Pup on the Planet,” but she normally goes on the tile kitchen floor. This particular deposit was made on the dining room rug where younger sister Tally typically plays. She in turn has never gone indoors, but this looked suspicious! Perhaps the “Super Pooper” was being clever, trying to pass the blame? Tinker then proceeded to poop four more times once I got them outside, while Tally went only once. This could have been the result of Tink’s voracious appetite yesterday that included an entire raw carrot. She was supposed to share!

Input equals output! We attribute some of Tinker’s food cravings to the steroids that she’s currently taking. However, she was also never one to pass up a snack or meal at any time during her near 15-year lifespan. We adopted her at any early age after she had been abandoned in the woods and apparently forced to eat acorns. I guess after that particular diet everything tastes great? She always finishes her dinner and then immediately looks at Tally’s bowl for dessert. Tally unfortunately likes to savor her food but somehow they both weigh the same.

Game Day has finally started, and I am busy flipping back-and-forth from CBS to NBC to stay up with the action. I’m not overly optimistic with either of these two teams, but I also thrive on pessimism. Why set yourself up for disappointment? It could be the end of the Bears season with a loss today to the Eagles, but I.U. will have a lot of basketball to play before their year is complete. Both teams are down early as I gravely predicted. I just hope that neither team plays like what I found on the floor this morning!

Old Sport Shorts: Bear Down #796

January 5, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Bears are up – not down – although it’s time to “Bear Down.” No one does it better than linebacker Khalil Mack, the “Black and Blue Man” version of a Mack Truck. He has 12.5 quarterback sacks this season, six forced fumbles, and one interception for a touchdown. #52 led the “Monsters of the Midway” defense to an 11-5 record and the NFC North Title. This effort even caused me to buy a new hooded sweatshirt, after many years of frustration. Although the transaction at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport last Sunday morning may have resulted in my credit card being compromised?

I would probably have more confidence in my Bears against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow if the offense was equally effective. The Eagles were fortunate to earn a Wild Card berth after a bit to much off-season bragging. Da’ Bears, on the other hand, haven’t won it since 1985, when I was half as old as I am right now. That was a special year with a sole loss to the Miami Dolphins, who in the process were able to secure their still-standing “Perfect Season” accomplishment of 1972.

I would like to be comfortable with Bear’s quarterback #10 Mitchell Trubisky. I already have a place in my heart for his uniform number thanks to my baseball idol Sherm Lollar of the White Sox. A few weeks ago I also bought a “Sherm Freakin’ Lollar” t-shirt to muster a few yuks out of my fellow baseball card collectors. They know me as the only guy in the world that collects his cards and memorabilia despite the fact that he’s not even a Hall of Famer. My justification is that the cost of collecting is not as high as the super stars, and he was my true connection between baseball and childhood. This was simply the result of the televised 1959 World Series. The White Sox lost to the Dodgers, but Sherm won a fan for life.

Walter Payton of the Bears has a place on my office wall. “Sweetness” was part of that ’85 Bears Championship. When the team finally returned to the elusive Superbowl of 2007, my allegiance was fractured between the Bears and Colts, dating back to another childhood hero Johnny Unitas. I was a Baltimore Colts fan long before I was a Bears Fan, and when they moved to my then hometown of Indianapolis I was a big supporter. I attended training camps, sold advertising in their games, did promotions & commercials with the team, had personal relationships with coaches & players, and was frequently on the sidelines or a suite. Ironically, I had transferred to Decatur, Illinois, home of the original Bears franchise, when they clashed in Superbowl XLI. I could not pick a favorite.

I’m following the Colts game as I write this; fascinated with Andrew Luck’s return and T.Y. Hilton’s resilience. Plus, they have a Mack of their own. The remarkable Colts are also the first team in history to make the NFL Playoffs after a 1-5 start. I just hope that both the Bears and Colts don’t reach the Super Bowl again, even though I don’t want either team to lose. The Bears game tomorrow is on at the same time as the I.U. vs. Michigan basketball game. I will have to split my time watching. Or, I might get stuck going to the King Tut exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The sad thing is that the Bears are finally televised in Portland after weeks of being forced to follow only bits and pieces of their drives on the Red Zone telecasts. It was frustrating that they were having such a great season, and I could never watch them. They may have to last another week just so I can concentrate solely on watching a Bears game this year, as opposed to dividing my afternoon between I.U., King Tut, and The Bears.

I.U. basketball is also having a good season with a deceptive 11-2 record, 3-0 in the BIG. The concern is that their victories have been against the bottom three teams in the conference by narrow margins, along with a thorough thumping against Duke. Tomorrow they will face an undefeated Michigan team that is both leading the BIG Ten and nationally ranked. Indiana doesn’t seem to have the muscle (a.k.a. thugs) to handle the interior. Their next six conference games are on the road against top opponents, so we’ll be fortunate to win even two of those games. By the end of January, I could have a sour impression of this year’s version of the Hoosiers. I’m also worried that I may end up watching much more of the Bears game, if the I.U. team gets off to another bad start. Unfortunately, I could end up turning off the TV all together if either team doesn’t “Bear Down.”

Colts Win! A good Luck and Mack attack prevails!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Spring is Here #794

January 3, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Spring is here, however in no way related to the weather. It’s cold and rainy here in Portland – standard for the course this time of year. Yesterday, I heard a loud crash in the house and searched everywhere for the source. It wasn’t until I took the dogs out and hit the switch to open the garage door that I realized what happened. One of the two springs had snapped in two, so there was no access in or out. Spring has Sprung! It’s a heavier commercial door, installed by the former owner to allow him enough clearance to park a Hummer inside. As a result, even after releasing the tension cord I didn’t have enough strength to lift the door, and my wife had to park her car outside for the night.

It’s a costly repair to start the New Year, but it could have happened during our recent travels and put the problem in the hands of our pet sitter. As it is, I’m usually home all day to wait for a repairman, as opposed to my working days when I would have to make arrangements to meet them. They arrived promptly this morning along with the Spring, and we’re now back in business. I wrote a check for $325 that made a painful dent in my retirement budget. At this stage of life, every dollar spent on expenses and repairs means less for travel.

I spent some time copying some Banister files from my newly found half-sisters. We now have a shared file to exchange information on the family. It will help us all stay in touch. I have no current plans to contact my birth-mother or her family again as yet. She continues to avoid my relationship claims, but now presumably knowing the birth-father’s identity there seems to be less curiosity about her at this point. It seems there is only so much I can absorb at one time, so I’ll remain patient about solving the adoption puzzle.

In the meantime, I will remain in my fantasy cable TV world of treasure hunting (Curse of Oak Island), time travel (Outlander), conquering the world (Vikings), and gangsters (Narcos). It’s a good combination of history and nonsense to keep my mind occupied between travel dates. Today, I’ll actually leave the house other than frequent walks with our dogs to watch an I.U. basketball game at our regular hangout Buffalo Wild Wings. Tomorrow is another “Leadership Meeting” meeting at the same place. Maybe I’ll order some “Spring” Rolls?

Retirement is not without Hassles: What day is it? #793

January 3, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I’ve often written that in retirement one begins to lose track of what day it is? The traditional days of the week don’t work any more because weekends, vacations, and holidays all blur together. I’m basically free to do as I please every sunrise without a fixed schedule of places to be and people to see. At first, I began to invent new names for each day depending on the activity such as “Trash day,” “Leadership day,” “Date Night day,” “Errand day,” and “Movie Night day.” The one thing in common with each day is my morning run – that has not changed in ten years.

My younger, working wife is unfortunately still on a Monday thru Friday regimen, while still looking forward to weekends and holidays. I often have to remind her that she still enjoys her career, and that perhaps she isn’t quite ready for the sedate days of retirement. Today was her “Hump Day,” after a rare Tuesday off. She also went into the office on Monday, as the holidays played havoc with the usual work week. Christmas and New Year’s day both fell on Tuesday this year and will be on Wednesday next year. Thanksgiving at least remains consistent, allowing for a four-day weekend. It’s particularly confusing to me as I try to hold-on to my “everyday is the same” attitude.

Today’s calendar highlights Odeon of Herod Atticus that crowns Athen’s highest spot. My wife and i were able to visit the historic site in March. I had just had my jacket ripped away from my body during the morning run on the cruise ship, so the weather was not great for travel. Nonetheless, we visited the beautiful island of Santorini and were able to look out over the city of Athens from the Acropolis or “upper town.” Only an excursion to the ancient city of Olympia was diverted because of the high winds and rain that followed us from Venice. As a result, the Temple of Hera where the Olympic Games originated still remains on my bucket list, but at least we were able to cross-off the Parthenon.

With just over a quarter of my birthday year completed, I have been able to pare my original list of “67 things to do before I’m 68” down to 56. Many of these items are monthly or weekly commitments, so they will remain unfinished until my next birthday. (See Post #642). Some of these plans are also listed as part my resolutions and bucket priorities. I feel that I am on target with all my goals and travel plans.

To add further confusion to my days this week, I will have two “Leadership” meetings, including an I.U. basketball game. We also hope to visit the King Tut exhibit before the week is over and see at least one movie at the theater thanks to some thoughtful Fandango card gifts. “Date Night” was actually New Year’s Eve, replacing “Meatless Monday.” Our dogs are also mixed-up on days, since their “Schnauzerthon” was on New Year’s Tuesday instead of the usual Saturday & Sunday, while we were still traveling. They do not have the benefit of the “1000 Places to see before you Die” calendar that now allows me to cheat on what day it actually is, thanks to another gift from our good friends in Colorado.

Old Sport Shorts: Streak Stoppers #775

December 16, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I hope there’s no one out there hoping that my personal running streak comes to an end, but I was certainly glad to see a couple other athletic streaks come to an abrupt halt this weekend. It started with a I.U. alumni game-watch at the Ladd Tapp as the improving Hoosiers battled the formidable Butler Bulldogs in the Crossroads Classic. Notre Dame beat struggling Purdue in the opening game as our small group of fellow Hoosier supporters ordered some adult beverages to settle our pre-tip-off nerves.

The last 18 years of Indiana basketball have belonged to the Butler Bulldogs. It’s a basketball state and the Crossroads Classic is a showcase of the perennial top programs of the beloved game, now led by Butler. Since the 2000-2001 season, Butler has appeared in the NCAA tournament 13 times, ND & Indiana 11 times, and Purdue 12 times. Once this 4-team classic started in 2011, IU & Butler have 5-3 marks, Notre Dame 4-4, and Purdue 2-6. I should point out that the games are laid out so that Butler never plays ND and Purdue never plays Indiana to avoid conflicts with their respective conferences. In reality, it’s a Big East vs. Big Ten competition, even though it’s hard for me to picture the “crossroads of the Midwest” included as part of the East. Any way you look at it, however, the Big East is the big winner in this Indiana state showdown 9-7.

An un-ranked Butler team upset #1 nationally ranked IU 88-86 in 2012 and did it again in 2016 against the ninth-ranked Hoosiers. IU managed to tie their head-to-head battles 2-2 yesterday and prevented any possible Bulldog streak from developing. Throughout history, the Hoosiers maintain a dominant 22-7 record dating back to 1949-50 when both schools were classified as major. Their first meetings goes back to 1901 with two Butler victories. Indiana claimed its first Butler victory in 1903. There was a time that I remember when the Butler game was a sure victory, but that simply isn’t the case anymore. Yesterday’s buzzer beater by Freshman Rob Phinisee (#10 by the way) erased a fairly dominant Butler afternoon. It was also doubly special for Cream & Crimson fans because Phinisee was stolen out of Purdue’s backyard. In addition, the game was played with former IU star Victor Oladipo in attendance fresh from rejoining the streaking Indiana Pacers’ 6-triumph surge. Similarly, his Alma Mater now has an impressive four-game winning streak of narrow margin victories. The heart-stopping close-calls can certainly cease happening at any time, but I’d love to see the string of W’s continue to grow.

That was just the beginning of my magical weekend of sports. The red-hot Indianapolis Colts handed the Dallas Cowboys their first shutout in 15 years and squashed their momentum of 5-straight wins, speaking of impressive streak stoppage stuff. At the same time, the Chicago Bears defense ended Aaron Rodgers’ bid for another fourth quarter comeback with a timely pick-off in the end zone. It stopped his NFL record-breaking streak at 402 straight completions without an interception, and earned the “Monsters of the Midway” their first NFC North title in 8 years. I couldn’t ask Santa for a much better winning weekend, and look forward to once-again following at least one football favorite in January and maybe even February?