LIVE BLOG: Indiana Welcomes Fans Back for 2021 Hoosier Hysteria
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — If you're unable to attend Hoosier Hysteria this season and don't feel like subscribing to BTN+, not to worry. We have you covered with this live blog for Indiana's fans return to Assembly Hall.
We'll have frequent updates on what Mike Woodson and Teri Moren are saying, who is winning what competition, how the Hoosiers look during their scrimmage and much more.
Let's get started:
5:54 p.m. ET — Indiana practiced a little bit and they mic'd up Mike Woodson, where there was a lot of "I don't hear enough talking," and urges for them to communicate more.
Woodson also continued to preach "move" and "get it out" to make sure his team pushes the ball.
He concluded with "We're not going to scrimmage because we're shorthanded, but thank you for coming out. We'll see you November 9."
5:27 p.m. ET — Jordan Geronimo started things out with the windmill, which earned him a 22 from the three judges. Geronimo had Isiah Thomas alley-oop the ball off the backboard for a two-handed flush, earning him a 29 from the judges.
Nathan Childress had a reverse one-handed dunk, which earned him a 23 in the first round. Childress received an alley-oop from the side of the backboard and threw it down with one hand, also earning him a 29.
Trayce Jackson-Davis had the highest score in the first round with a 28, going under the rim one-handed with the left. Jackson-Davis jumped over Logan Duncomb in his second attempt and earned a perfect score, a 30.
Jackson-Davis and Childress advanced to the final against one another. Childress had a tough time doing his last dunk and had to settle for a normal two-handed dunk and scored a 18.
Jackson-Davis' final dunk came from leaping just inside the free-throw line for a one-handed slam. Jackson-Davis won the dunk contest for the Hoosiers.
5:17 p.m. ET — In the skills challenge, Xavier Johnson and Kiandra Browne finished in 42.9 seconds, and Rob Phinisee and Mackenzie Holmes finished in 38.5 seconds to advance to the final against one another.
Johnson/Browne finished in 51.2 in the finals, but Phinisee/Holmes finished in 44.3 to win the skills competition.
Race Thompson and Chloe Moore-McNeil finished in 48.4 seconds, and Logan Duncomb and Nicole Cardano-Hillary finished in 48.7 seconds in the first round.
5:00 p.m. ET — Xavier Johnson and Ali Patberg scored 24, and Parker Stewart and Grace Berger scored 23 to advance to the finals of the three-point contest.
Johnson/Patberg scored 24 again in the finals to put their total at 48. Stewart/Berger needed 25 to tie and 26 to win, and the duo scored 32 to win the 3-point contest.
Anthony Leal and Aleksa Gulbe scored 22, and Tamar Bates and Caitlin Hose scored 19 in the first round.
4:39 p.m. ET — Isiah Thomas speaking to the crowd now to a huge ovation.
Thomas said he remembers watching Woodson take off his jersey the final time as a player for Indiana. Thomas said "it hurt him so deep, that I vowed to never let my teammates and fans down again here at Indiana University."
Indiana won a National Championship the next year in 1981, but Thomas said the best team he played on was in 1980 with Woodson.
"Some of you will say you were in school with the journey started, and hopefully some of you will say you were still in school when journey ends with a national championship."
"Hoosier nation, there is no fan base better in college basketball than Hoosier nation."
4:33 p.m. ET — Mike Woodson is speaking with the Hoosier fans now, saying "it feels good to be home."
Woodson said he believes Indiana fans are the greatest in college basketball.
Woodson, very matter of fact, said, "We will get back on top."
He thinks the Hoosiers can do that because the 17 players on the roster are willing to work and be coached.
Woodson said it's his job to make the players better, guide them on and off the floor "because there's a guy by the name of Bob Knight that did the same for me."
Woodson said they're going to need the fans to navigate this journey to get back on top.
4:25 p.m. ET — Khristian Lander had a boot on his left foot as he walked out to the crowd.
4:20 p.m. ET — Ali Patberg then spoke to the fans, saying that she had the choice to come back to Indiana, she knew all along that she wanted to come back to Indiana.
"My choice to come back here to have the opportunity to win the championship."
Patberg encourages the fans to come out and support them this season in their quest to achieve that.
"Come out and watch us play, you guys won't regret it."
4:15 p.m. ET — Teri Moren addressed the crowd after getting introduced and had some strong words for the fans.
Moren wanted the fans to high-five one another and scream "Let's go," to which the crowd erupted in high-fives.
"I wanted you to practice that because I have a feeling between men's basketball and women's basketball, we'll be doing that a lot this year."
Moren noted that Indiana had zero COVID-19 cases last season, and she wanted to thank her coaching staff and support staff for everything last season.
"That's the goal. To be playing in Final Fours. We have a taste of what that looks like. I said after we lost a really good Arizona team, that we will be back.
"We are a work program. We pride ourselves on doing the work. We realize it doesn't guarantee us anything but it gives us a chance.
"It's a privilege to coach these guys every day. I just want to say thank you to Hoosier Nation for being out here this afternoon. We can't wait to have you back in the hall, and as always, go IU>
4:03 p.m. ET — After a chilling intro video to welcome fans back in Assembly Hall, the women's team has started to get introduced fresh off its first-ever trip to the Elite Eight in 2021.
3:54 p.m. ET — Indiana recruits CJ Gunn and Jalen Hood-Schifino have officially arrived in Assembly Hall for Hoosier Hysteria. They are two of Indiana's three talented 2022 commits so far. The third, Kaleb Banks, is competing in a tournament in Texas today.
2:45 p.m. ET — Indiana freshman guard Tamar Bates has signed with Excel Sports for NIL representation, Excel announced on Saturday.
Bates, as well as the other Hoosier basketball players, will be getting a portion of the Hoosier Hysteria posters being sold at Assembly Hall today. They are being sold for $2.98.
2:41 p.m. ET — Check out some the gear the Hoosiers will be sporting today for Hoosier Hysteria.
2:30 p.m. ET — Fans have begun filing into Assembly Hall. The Hoosier faithful were full of energy in line as they were chanting for Indiana basketball and anticipating being able to step into the mecca of college basketball.
Here's a look at what the setup looks like in The Hall:
Related Stories on Indiana Basketball:
- TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HOOSIER HYSTERIA: The unofficial start of the Indiana basketball season is Saturday, with Hoosier Hysteria taking place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for both the men's and women's teams. Here's everything you need to know about the event, including how to watch it at home. CLICK HERE
- MIKE WOODSON CHERISHES ROLE AS FACE OF PROGRAM: New Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson and all 13 of his players met with the media on Monday to tip off the Hoosiers 2021-22 basketball season, and he's thrilled to be home. CLICK HERE
