Indiana University Athletics
Looking Back on Hoosier Hysteria
10/23/2017 3:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Archie Miller played to the audience, and what an audience it was.
Did you expect anything less?
Hoosier Hysteria draws them like few other college basketball preseason events in the nation. On Saturday night, fans in Assembly Hall were treated to fireworks and a scrimmage to showcase, in 24 minutes of action, what the Indiana Hoosiers could become.
First, Miller, IU's first-year coach, offered perspective.
"Tonight is a prime example of why you want to be part of Indiana basketball," he told the crowd. "This is a great celebration for our storied past, and all the unmatched players, coaches and staff. This the start of our staff to recognize our great fans.
"This group has a great challenge. I promise you with who they are and how they've accepted and embraced our change, they will give us a chance to have some special moments. We'll need you fans every night till the final buzzer.
"There won't be a lot of promises. Our one mission is to be the most together, the most unselfish team, and to make you proud.
"There is great excitement and hope that in time the tradition continues to excel, to develop players, to have more great players arrive, to push forward to try our best to knock on that door, and find a way to get the sixth banner hanging up there.
"I believe we have everything we need."
The scrimmage was the first public showing of what IU does have.
Senior guard Robert Johnson led the White team with 12 points. Sophomore guard Devonte Green led the Red squad with 14 points. Senior forward Freddie McSwain had a scrimmage-high seven rebounds.
The Red team won 40-31.
An IU spokesman said veterans Collin Hartman and Josh Newkirk, and freshman Al Durham, didn't play for precautionary reasons.
"It was great playing in Assembly Hall," Green said. "There's no other feeling like it. That stands out the most."
As far as Hoosier keys as they get ready for next Saturday's exhibition opener against Marian University, Green said, "Keeping the turnovers down as much as possible, getting out running in transition and defensively playing well.
"We played good defense (in the scrimmage), but we can cut down the turnovers."
Also on Saturday, former Hoosier standout Bill Garrett and his family were honored with a video and on-court recognition. Garrett was IU's first African American player and the first in the Big Ten to regularly start. The former Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Shelbyville High School earned All-America honors in 1951.
In Saturday's three-point shooting contest, which combined men's and women's players, Josh Newkirk and Ali Patberg combined to beat Tyra Buss and Robert Johnson 34-28.
The dunk contest title went to sophomore guard Curtis Jones, who leaped over 6-10 teammate De'Ron Davis for the winning dunk.
The women's team arrived to fireworks and rocking music. Coach Teri Moren looked into the Assembly Hall stands and said, "This is by far the largest crowd we've ever had" for Hoosier Hysteria.
And then she provided her own perspective.
"When we recruit, it's difficult to describe what Hoosier Hysteria is like. You have to experience it. We have some (recruits) here tonight. I have eight new faces on roster. This is their first time experiencing Hoosier Hysteria. Thank you fans for making this such a special night.
"This is a bitter sweet moment because this is last Hoosier Hysteria with Tyra Banks and Amanda Cahill.
"I ask that you come out and watch this team, that you watch records being broken because that is going to happen. Most importantly, come out because you'll see one more year of two of the greatest women players (Buss and Cahill) to ever wear an Indiana jersey. They are two of the most special people I've ever had to coach."
Buss enters her senior season with career totals of 1,601 points, 400 assists and 390 rebounds, and a 16.3 scoring average. Cahill has 1,321 points and 820 rebounds, and has averaged 13.5 points and 8.4 rebounds for her career.
IU opens its season Nov. 11 at Assembly Hall against Arkansas State.
"We have a competitive non-conference schedule to get us ready for Big Ten play," Moren said. "We have two all-Big Ten players to lead us. I'm confident, I'm optimistic, because I know what's behind me."
Players Mentioned
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