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!