In a rigorous schedule of nationally top ranked teams such as Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kentucky, one game never fails to stand out to Hoosier fans everywhere, the Purdue game. The Indiana University (IU), Purdue University rivalry is among the best college basketball rivalries in the country. Yes, Indiana University proudly hangs not one, not two, not even three, but five NCAA Championship banners in Assembly Hall (tied with the University of North Carolina for third most NCAA Championships in the nation), and Purdue University has only one Championship title to their name (acquired all the way back in 1932) but Boilermakers have a 110-84 game lead in the history of the rivalry.
James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, once said, “Basketball may have been born in Massachusetts, but it grew up in Indiana.” Growing up in Massachusetts, and attending college in Indiana, I can personally attest to that statement. High school basketball programs in Indiana are on a completely different level than those in Massachusetts. This is why it should come as no surprise that the two state schools in Indiana, IU and Purdue, have such a heated rivalry. The people of Indiana grow up being a fan of one of the state schools. One time I visited a fourth grade classroom in Bloomfield, Indiana and was introduced as an Indiana University student. I was met with cheers, as well as boos from those students who were Purdue fans. These kids were in fourth grade! It came as a bit of a shock to me at first, but I learned to embrace the rivalry.
Yes, this season Purdue may be ranked higher than the Hoosiers, but the beauty of the rivalry is whenever these two teams play their record means nothing. The two teams play their hearts out, and play for bragging rights around the state. I am excited about tonight’s game, which marks the 196th meeting of the two teams. The game is being played at 8:30pm (on the Big Ten Network) in Bloomington, giving the Hoosiers home court advantage, which has been huge for the Hoosiers this season. If the Hoosiers come out strong, and the fans are on top of their game as well, I think the Hoosiers will be able to come up with the W.
actually that was a mythical national championship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythical_national_championship#College_basketball
ReplyDeletealso, purdue has only won 3 national championships in all sports. and 2 of those were women's.
and cougar is bringing meg ryan to the game tonight. i think.