Indiana University Athletics
Seniors Reflect On Championship Season
3/6/2016 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - One after the other, one of the most diverse senior classes in the nation took to Branch McCracken Court to reflect on their time at Indiana.
They were relaxed, open and articulate in the way they spoke. With the Big Ten Championship Trophy sharing the floor directly in front of them, they had reason to be. It was the ending they hoped for long before the season ever began.
"I'm really proud of this group," head coach Tom Crean said.
Indiana hopes its season is only beginning. There's larger goals and a bigger picture looming in March.
The senior class—Max Bielfeldt, Ryan Burton, Kevin Yogi Ferrell, Jackson Tharp and Nick Zeisloft—took their turns in front of the microphone to reflect on their time in Bloomington. None of their stories were quite like the others.
Tharp was the first to step in front of the microphone. A former manager, the Zionsville native joined the active roster January 15 to compensate for Indiana's lack of guard depth when sophomore James Blackmon Jr. was ruled out for the season.
Like Ferrell, Tharp finished his Indiana career with two Big Ten championships.
Unlike Ferrell, Tharp only had one as a player. The other came as a manager.
"(My teammates) welcomed me in with open arms even when I was a manger," Tharp said. "Playing with them in practice, they always gave me love, always were talking to me like I was part of this team. When I became a part of this team, they just did even more."
Burton was next to address the crowd. The Bedford native walked on at Indiana after playing two seasons at Bellarmine.
Though he's played in 33 career games, the majority of Burton's work was done behind the scenes in practice while seeing mostly limited minutes in games. Crean lauded Burton's commitment to the program and the way he represented the university.
"I'm proud of what we accomplished," Burton said. "I can't wait for more."
As Bielfeldt took the microphone next, a fan from the student section made the Michigan graduate transfer laugh by shouting a remark about his large calves. The joke set the tone for the rest of Bielfeldt's lighthearted speech.
Bielfeldt, the only player in Big Ten history to win a conference championship with two different teams, reminded the Assembly Hall crowd that he never won a game at Assembly Hall while playing for Michigan.
This year, he added 17.
"I gotta tell you," Bielfeldt said, "it's pretty fun to be a Hoosier."
Zeisloft, normally reserved in front of the microphone, opened up more than usual in his speech.
The Illinois State graduate transfer played two years at Indiana, breaking the mold as a situational shooter along the way, Crean said. He applauded his ability to be an influential teammate through both good and bad stretches.
Zeisloft took the time to recognize the former Indiana players who paved the way for the current Hoosiers to play at Indiana. He called his teammates his "second family," thankful for their friendships formed over two final seasons and joked about Crean yelling at IU in Maui—for good reason.
"I always thought about when I first got into college what it was going to be like my last year," Zeisloft said. "I really didn't expect this at all. I'm so glad it is."
Then it was time for Ferrell, the only senior who played all four years at IU.
One of the most accomplished players in Indiana history, Crean introduced Ferrell by saying he wouldn't trade him for any player in the country. He said his point guard isn't recognized enough for his accomplishments outside of Bloomington
Ferrell called this season the most enjoyable of his four years in Bloomington. He recounted a recruiting visit with his father where Kevin Sr. told Crean to take care of him, which Ferrell said he did.
He gave advice like, "listen to your momma," told childhood stories and brought his girlfriend up with his family to share the moment together.
"The reason I came back was for this reason right here—us being Big Ten champs," Ferrell said, then turning his attention to the crowd. "I came back for you guys."
When Ferrell concluded his speech, Crean asked the crowd to stay in their seats. The senior class' work wasn't done yet. There was one final thing they had to do before leaving Assembly Hall one last time.
They had to cut down the nets.
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - One after the other, one of the most diverse senior classes in the nation took to Branch McCracken Court to reflect on their time at Indiana.
They were relaxed, open and articulate in the way they spoke. With the Big Ten Championship Trophy sharing the floor directly in front of them, they had reason to be. It was the ending they hoped for long before the season ever began.
"I'm really proud of this group," head coach Tom Crean said.
Indiana hopes its season is only beginning. There's larger goals and a bigger picture looming in March.
The senior class—Max Bielfeldt, Ryan Burton, Kevin Yogi Ferrell, Jackson Tharp and Nick Zeisloft—took their turns in front of the microphone to reflect on their time in Bloomington. None of their stories were quite like the others.
Tharp was the first to step in front of the microphone. A former manager, the Zionsville native joined the active roster January 15 to compensate for Indiana's lack of guard depth when sophomore James Blackmon Jr. was ruled out for the season.
Like Ferrell, Tharp finished his Indiana career with two Big Ten championships.
Unlike Ferrell, Tharp only had one as a player. The other came as a manager.
"(My teammates) welcomed me in with open arms even when I was a manger," Tharp said. "Playing with them in practice, they always gave me love, always were talking to me like I was part of this team. When I became a part of this team, they just did even more."
Burton was next to address the crowd. The Bedford native walked on at Indiana after playing two seasons at Bellarmine.
Though he's played in 33 career games, the majority of Burton's work was done behind the scenes in practice while seeing mostly limited minutes in games. Crean lauded Burton's commitment to the program and the way he represented the university.
"I'm proud of what we accomplished," Burton said. "I can't wait for more."
As Bielfeldt took the microphone next, a fan from the student section made the Michigan graduate transfer laugh by shouting a remark about his large calves. The joke set the tone for the rest of Bielfeldt's lighthearted speech.
Bielfeldt, the only player in Big Ten history to win a conference championship with two different teams, reminded the Assembly Hall crowd that he never won a game at Assembly Hall while playing for Michigan.
This year, he added 17.
"I gotta tell you," Bielfeldt said, "it's pretty fun to be a Hoosier."
Zeisloft, normally reserved in front of the microphone, opened up more than usual in his speech.
The Illinois State graduate transfer played two years at Indiana, breaking the mold as a situational shooter along the way, Crean said. He applauded his ability to be an influential teammate through both good and bad stretches.
Zeisloft took the time to recognize the former Indiana players who paved the way for the current Hoosiers to play at Indiana. He called his teammates his "second family," thankful for their friendships formed over two final seasons and joked about Crean yelling at IU in Maui—for good reason.
"I always thought about when I first got into college what it was going to be like my last year," Zeisloft said. "I really didn't expect this at all. I'm so glad it is."
Then it was time for Ferrell, the only senior who played all four years at IU.
One of the most accomplished players in Indiana history, Crean introduced Ferrell by saying he wouldn't trade him for any player in the country. He said his point guard isn't recognized enough for his accomplishments outside of Bloomington
Ferrell called this season the most enjoyable of his four years in Bloomington. He recounted a recruiting visit with his father where Kevin Sr. told Crean to take care of him, which Ferrell said he did.
He gave advice like, "listen to your momma," told childhood stories and brought his girlfriend up with his family to share the moment together.
"The reason I came back was for this reason right here—us being Big Ten champs," Ferrell said, then turning his attention to the crowd. "I came back for you guys."
When Ferrell concluded his speech, Crean asked the crowd to stay in their seats. The senior class' work wasn't done yet. There was one final thing they had to do before leaving Assembly Hall one last time.
They had to cut down the nets.
Players Mentioned
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