Indiana Women's Basketball: B1G Celebration for First Regular Season Title in 40 Years

Hear from Indiana women's basketball head coach Teri Moren and guards Grace Berger and Sydney Parrish after their celebration of winning the first Big Ten regular season title since the 1983 Hoosiers.

Haley Jordan | Feb 20, 2023

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Indiana Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana women's basketball has earned at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title after defeating Purdue on Sunday. It was an emotional celebration as this was the first regular season title for the program since the 1982-83 team 40 years ago.

"They understand that it takes women before them, you know, to build a foundation and to do some of the heavy lifting, and so we're grateful that particular team is here today to celebrate with us [on] Senior Day as well," Indiana head coach Teri Moren said.

Moren added the 1982-83 team has always showed up for alumni events and supported the new teams. They even got to celebrate in the locker room with the new team following the net cutting.

Indiana women's basketball 1982-83 team — Members of the 1983 Indiana University women's basketball team are honored for their Big Ten Championship during the first half of the Indiana versus Purdue women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 :: © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Current senior guard Grace Berger, who was honored on Senior Day, isn't an emotional being, but you could visibly see the joy on her face following the win, knowing it's her last regular season game in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

She didn't even know the team won the championship until senior forward Mackenzie Holmes told her after the game.

"To go out cutting down the net is something I've been working for since my freshman year," Berger said. "You couldn't ask for a better ending."

Berger has been labeled the team's heart and has been a part of really good women's teams in the past including last year's Sweet 16 squad. She hasn't cut down a net until now.

"I think it was special for me because I've been a part of, you know, multiple teams," Berger said. "I've had the chance to do it but have just fallen short."

Indiana women's basketball — The Indiana Hoosiers pose with the Big Ten trophy after the second half of the Indiana versus Purdue women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 :: © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Indiana's Grace Berger (34) poses with the Big Ten Championship Trophy after the second half of the Indiana versus Purdue women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 :: © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

It was special for Fishers, Ind. native Sydney Parrish whose grandparents come to every home game to cheer on their favorite junior guard.

"I had to go up and see my grandma and grandpa, and obviously my grandpa started crying...so he was just proud and it just means a lot," Parrish said. "This hat is probably going to end up in their house somewhere right next to the state championship hat we got my junior year."

Moren was the last to cut down the net as she stood back taking it all in. She has said continuously how mature her veteran group is and that the Big Ten is the best conference in the country this season. Her family was there to support her Sunday as the all-time Indiana winningest coach added a Big Ten regular season title to her stacked resume.

Moren said people kept telling her what a tough stretch the Hoosiers had on the way to a Big Ten title. Indiana most recently beat Ohio State, Michigan and finally Purdue to clinch a share. The team is more motivated than ever.

"They believe in each other and they have, like I said, tremendous chemistry on and off the floor, which has been so cool to be a part of, and it's so cool to watch," Moren said. "You know, one of those moments right where you you sit back and you go that's that's what it's supposed to look like."

Sara Scalia

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Teri Moren

Chloe Moore-McNeil, Yarden Garzon, Mona Zaric, Kiandra Browne

Chloe Moore-McNeil

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Published Feb 20, 2023

HALEY JORDAN

Haley Jordan is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation video director, staff writer, host and reporter for Hoosiers Now, Fastball and Fastbreak sites. She is a graduate from Indiana University with degrees in Sports Broadcast Journalism and Spanish.