The Balcony Seats would like to welcome Chronic Hoosier. Thanks for taking a few minutes to sit down in The Balcony Seats. Most of #HoosierNation is aware that you're born and raised a Hoosier, we truly appreciate you talking some Hoosier hoops with us. (All of Chronic Hoosiers answers will be in Bold.)
Thanks so much for asking me to come join in the conversation. Always love the chance to talk some Hoosiers with fellow fans.
In your own words what is a Hoosier and what does being a Hoosier mean to you?
Ah, the eternal question. Rather than getting into the etymology of the word, I've always found it more useful to define Hoosiers by their shared characteristics. To me, Hoosiers are: honest, hard-working, tenacious, generous, loyal, principled & willing to fight for what they believe in. Having been born in Bloomington to a Lawrence Co. father who was a 2-sport athlete at IU, living up to these Hoosier ideals goes to the core of my existence. And while I never thought these things could matter any more in my live, raising my own little Hoosiers now has really driven home how special it is to live here and how important it is to model ourselves after those principals.
Other than Assembly Hall where is the best place to watch a basketball game in Bloomington? And why?
Man, Bloomington really is one of the greatest basketball cities in the world. From Assembly Hall to the HPER, SRSC, North and South high schools, Edgewood, the middle schools, city parks, the YMCAs, Twin Lakes, and driveways all across town, it's hard to throw a rock around here and not hit a basketball court. And I absolutely love it. We're a community defined, in large part, by our hoops. There's such a deep commitment to the game here, from the players, coaches and fans alike. Every day I drive home and see a 50-something year old neighbor balling his brains out in the driveway. Doesn't matter if it's 100º or 10º, he's out there getting shots up. The dude even dives to save errant balls from going in the grass. A couple houses further down, there's a group of 60 & 70 year olds that go full-court, 5v5, shirts v skins every week spring through fall. Personally, that block is the just the best. It really speaks to the passion this place holds for the game.
Will the Crean/Painter rivalry ever reach the level of Knight/Keady? Why or why not?
Highly doubtful. Knight & Keady's rivalry was borne over 20 seasons and defined by 17 combined Big 10 titles & 3 National Championships. Crean & Painter just have too many miles (& hardware) to catch up on before they come even remotely close to establishing what the General and the Comb Over had together.
Agree or disagree? Yogi's height will be the only reason he returns for his senior season. I believe he has an NBA skill set.
To the degree that Yogi's draft stock seems to be heavily impacted by his height, perhaps, but I really believe his decision (& Troy's) will come down squarely on what the NBA advisers tell them about their likely draft spots. Unless he finds his name being discussed in the first round territory at the end of the season - and the guaranteed money that comes with it - my guess is he'll be back to improve his stock next season.
Many people have said it, but do you think Troy Williams is the most athletic person to ever put on the candy stripes?
I guess it depends on what metrics we use to define athletic. In broader terms of speed, strength and endurance, perhaps not. You could certainly make the case that guys like Oladipo, Gordon, Guyton, Bailey, Cheaney, Thomas, Buckner, et al. deserve to be in the conversation of greatest IUBB athletes. Now, just in terms of raw explosiveness, Troy is probably a run-away winner in my book. The kid is just a natural born skywalker. He's got an elevator that goes all the way up and needs hardly any runway to get liftoff. He's a freak of nature, plain & simple.
Tight end, Jordan Fuchs recently joined the basketball team. How much of an impact will he have on our team moving forward? How long will he be able to play both football & basketball for the Hoosiers?
Considering how late in the season he joined, and how much the rotation has shrunk in the last month, I'm pretty doubtful we see much of Fuchs on the floor this year. I think his greatest addition to the team may simply be an extra "big" to practice against and an additional body to throw inside in the event Crean finds himself in a pickle (fouls, injury, etc.). I'm not sure how long he'll go the dual sports route. Thinking back to guys like Hardy & Randel El, it seems a year or two is about as long as they can muster the grind of practicing/playing two D1 sports that many months a year. It's gotta be incredibly tough on the body, and they usually end up favoring the off-season rest & recovery to focus on their primary sport.
Alright, the game is on the line down 2 points with only one shot to win the game. You can have any current or past Hoosier take the shot, who gets the ball?
Jay Edwards, all day. Just a dead-eye sniper with a buttery stroke & ice in his veins.
I got Damon Bailey, Oladipo, Calbert Cheaney, George McGinnis and Cody Zeller. What former Hoosiers would be on your team and who would win?
Thomas, Oladipo, Cheaney, May, Bellamy. I have no idea who wins, but if there's a Heaven, I can't wait to see it played out.
Thursday night IU vs Purdue at Assembly Hall. who gets the W? I got the Hoosiers 76-69, what is you prediction?
With this kind of rivalry, this late in the conference season, both teams are essentially open books. Purdue is going try to pound the paint, IU is going try to get out in transition & spread the floor in the half-court. Both teams know exactly what's coming, now it's time to see who wants it more. My gut says it goes down to the wire, but Assembly Hall's energy (read: hatred) lifts IU to a 78-74 victory.
What is the biggest #BoilerFail of all-time?
Both make me laugh more than I care to admit.
Thanks, again, for the great IUBB conversation
Go Hoosiers, beat Purdue!
