Austin Etherington, Indiana’s second commitment in its 2011 recruiting class, spoke without hesitation when asked about his first Hoosier Hysteria experience.
“It was awesome,” the Hamilton Heights junior guard said. “It’s one of the first times I’ve been to Assembly Hall when it’s been that packed and it showed what the fans are like and how much Indiana basketball is loved. It was pretty crazy.”
Coming off a 6-25 season, Indiana drew a crowd of more than 13,000 for Friday night’s opening practice. Etherington, ranked the No. 68 recruit in 2011 by Scout.com, said the big turnout speaks to the tradition of the program.
“It just goes back to the tradition that Indiana has from back in the day,” he said. “People who have loved Indiana basketball are always going to love it no matter if they’re winning or not. It just shows that the fans have your back and that they’ll always be there for you.”
The Hysteria visit was the second trip to Bloomington in recent weeks for the 6-6 guard, who averaged 16 points and seven rebounds in 15 games as a sophomore. He missed the first eight games rehabbing from knee surgery.
After speculation that he wouldn’t attend Friday’s Hoosier Hysteria, 2012 Indianapolis North Central guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera made it to Bloomington this weekend for the kickoff of the 2009-2010 season and Indiana’s 27-14 homecoming football win over Illinois.
