Participants Announced, Special Guest Expected for Hoosier Hysteria Presented by Smithville

Participants Announced, Special Guest Expected for Hoosier Hysteria Presented by Smithville

9/29/2021 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball

Bloomington, Indiana - Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is ready to come alive again Saturday at 4 p.m. for Hoosier Hysteria presented by Smithville.

It's been 571 days since Hoosier basketball fans have been able to watch Indiana Basketball in person at IU's iconic basketball venue. That all comes to an end Saturday at 2:30 p.m., when the doors are once again opened, fans are welcomed, and the roars return for the official tip-off event for the 2021-22 Hoosier men's and women's basketball seasons.

Admission is free, with fans instead asked to bring one or more canned food items to donate to Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Hoosier Hills Food Bank distributes food to an estimated 7,500 people each week in Monroe, Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen and Martin counties, and to make that happen the local non-profit relies on the generosity of Hoosiers through events such as Hoosier Hysteria.

A lot has changed since the last time Hoosier fans filled the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall seats. On the men's side, IU legend Mike Woodson has returned to coach his alma mater, and he's focused on returning the program to the level of success he enjoyed as an All-America player from 1977-80. On the women's side, Coach Teri Moren's team has blossomed into a Big Ten title contender, a squad that returns all five starters from last year's squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight.

Both coaches will address the crowd and introduce their 2021-22 squads to the Hoosier faithful. Those player and coach introductions, meanwhile, will give way to a 90-minute event loaded with things for fans to enjoy.

One of those items will be the introduction of former IU All-American, NCAA Champion, two-time NBA Champion and Naismith Hall of Fame inductee Isiah Thomas, who will be in attendance and will address the crowd.

Other highlights from Saturday's Hoosier Hysteria presented by Smithville:

2:30 p.m. – Doors Open
2:30-4 p.m. – Pre-Event Festivities, including MBB and WBB Trivia on the Videoboard, Candy Stripe Classic 3 v. 3 Championship Game, IU Cheerleaders and Redsteppers performances, and the William Tell Overture
Men's and Women's Player Introductions
3-Point Shooting Team Contest
Skills Competition Teams
- Rob Phinisee/ Mackenzie Holmes
- Xavier Johnson/Kiandra Browne
- Logan Duncomb/Nicole Cardaño-Hillary
- Race Thompson/Chloe Moore-McNeil

Dunk Contest
Men's Basketball Workout

All main-level seats are general admission and available on a first come, first served basis. Fans will be permitted to line up outside the north and south ends of SSAH beginning as early as 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Upon their arrival for the season tip-off event, members of the men's and women's basketball team will greet the early-arriving fans and serve up a limited amount of food. During that same time players will be available for informal photos, but there will not be a dedicated autograph session inside of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall before or after Hoosier Hysteria this year.

Fans can park for free in the surface lots on the IU Athletics campus. ADA parking is available through Gate 13 off Fee Lane.

In accordance with Indiana University protocols and Monroe County Health Department guidance, all fans are required to wear a face covering inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. IU Athletics' Clear Bag Policy is in effect for Hoosier Hysteria, and all fans are subject to be screened prior to their entrance into Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.