Open Thread: Five most memorable moments

by Staff in Commentary | August 19th, 2011

Tuesday’s open thread on next season’s rotation sparked over 175 comments and also some emails from our readers with suggestions for additional open thread topics.

One such email came from MiamiHoosier:

Hey fellas, best site on the web. My thread suggestion is to have the readers list their 5 favorite memories from the past 3 awful seasons. We will probably never have to go through something like that again, but we will never forget it, and despite the ultimate frustrations of home losses to Penn St, Lipscomb, etc….there were SOME good moments…..my top 5: 5. Sheehey’s Iowa dunk 4. Creek goes off on Kentucky 3. Beating Pitt in madison square garden 2. Pritchard’s dunk and our ensuing victory against Minnesota 1. last year’s victory over Illinois

So via MiamiHoosier’s suggestion, what are your five favorite memories from the past three seasons of Indiana basketball? These can be on the court memories, like MiamiHoosier went with, or off the court memories.

Happy Friday, friends.

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Anonymous

5. Victory over Illinois last year (and not letting my brother forget)
4. Night of the Living Red Scrimmage – Seeing the obvious talent of Sheehey/Oladipo
3. The Pritch’s dunk
2. Cody Zeller’s commitment (never had I ever taken time out of my day to watch a live annoucement)
1. The first B1G win and ensuing celebration with Crean and players in the student section
Anonymous

5. Victory over Illinois last year (and not letting my brother forget)
4. Night of the Living Red Scrimmage – Seeing the obvious talent of Sheehey/Oladipo
3. The Pritch’s dunk
2. Cody Zeller’s commitment (never had I ever taken time out of my day to watch a live annoucement)
1. The first B1G win and ensuing celebration with Crean and players in the student section
Anonymous

5. Victory over Illinois last year (and not letting my brother forget)
4. Night of the Living Red Scrimmage – Seeing the obvious talent of Sheehey/Oladipo
3. The Pritch’s dunk
2. Cody Zeller’s commitment (never had I ever taken time out of my day to watch a live annoucement)
1. The first B1G win and ensuing celebration with Crean and players in the student section
HoosierDadE

5. Thanking the Big Man Upstairs we aren’t pUKe
4. Sheehey and his monster dunk (a youtube clip I still watch weekly)
3. Thanking the Big Man Upstairs we aren’t PUke
2. Cody Zeller saying he is taking his talents to Bloomington
1. Discovering the website Indside the Hall (enjoy that rear kissing)
http://www.myspace.com/Wojt MemphisHoosier

5. The dunk against Minnesota by The Pritch helping spark a great win
4. Victors halfime buzzer beater from beyond half court
3. Beating Illinois.
2. Giving Michigan state a huge scare in east Lansing last year. ( I know it was a loss but it showed the potential and fight of thos young core)
1. Cody Zeller commitment. You could feel the excitement all year because of this. Hope and optimism reigned where only despair and loss of faith had been.
http://twitter.com/kbschaefer Karl Schaefer

5. Sheehey Dunk
4. Zeller Commitment, and ensuing windfall of commitments
3. Illinois Victory
2. Wacthing Eric Suhr slap the floor an major defensive possessions, I want to see Oladipo or Sheehey adopt this move. Pumps the crowd up, shows confidence, competitiveness, and is just overall BA.
1. 2009 Victory over Iowa, my senior year, I have never seen the fans WANT the team to win as bad as they did that night. In earlier years it was expected, that year, we had to want it.
INUnivHoosier

5. The Movement (not a moment per se, so I will put it at 5)
4. Creek dropping 31 against pUKe
3. “The Dunk” heard round the world
2. CZ’s moment of truth
1. Blowing off some steam in the South lobby – just shows that IU fans are fans, not wagon riders
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509070968 Himmy Quailman Tickle

5. Oladipo getting T’ed up in the Minnesota game, Assembly Hall going nuts, and Hoffarber missing 2 free throws (My roommate went to high school with the kid and has never seen him miss 2 FT’s in a row before that.)
4. Tom Crean getting tossed in the Wisconsin game two years ago. Our boys were getting beat up and Crean made a statement that he puts his players first. It was that defining “I’m in charge” kind of moment.
3. Mo Creek putting up huge numbers on Kentucky and making a statement that this program was coming back.
2. The following quote from Cody Zeller, as said to Tom Crean: “Y’know, I’ve got to call two coaches who I respect very much and I’ve gotta let them down, and that’s really hard for me, but this is my third call, and I’m going to Indiana.”
1. Tom Crean in the South Lobby of Assembly Hall after Illinois. That’s the moment I’ll be telling my grandkids about when THEY’RE moving to Bloomington for school (hopefully on basketball scholarships.)
Coming from a Junior @ IU, say what you will about this team (and the football team) losing, but there’s nothing more exciting than this school right now. I love this place.
Glawton12

5. CZ commitment
4. Creek dropping 31 on UK
3. The Pritchslap
2. Crean’s first B1G away victory against PSU (I was actually there for this, hence it’s unusually high ranking)
1. Last year’s victory over the Illini
Anonymous

As a recent graduate I sign on to your final statement. IU is making big calls across the university and the students + alumni are wearing their pride in a way that is hard to describe. The excitement and anticipation I feel living in Bloomington is unreal. Can’t wait to see the progress in the coming years, because everyday is a fantastic day to be a Hoosier.
Anonymous

I’ve only been in Bloomington for the past three seasons. So the last three years were my first-hand initiation into IU basketball. I knew the history of the program, I had heard of the ambiance and I was aware of the passion, but it was still a surprise to experience it. So without further ado:

5. Cody announcing his intention to attend IU. Seeing the fans and my office mates cheering and celebrating the signing of an 18-year-old was something I could never have imagined.
4. Tom Pritchard’s fantastic throw down off of VJ3′s missed three. Unabashed childlike joy as I celebrated with anyone willing to high five in the crowd.
3. My first game watching IU from inside the Hall and hearing William Tell and Indiana Our Indiana. It was a loss to Minnesota the first year. I have missed only a hand full of games since.
2. Mo Creek dropping 31 on Kentucky. IU fought so hard in that game and Mo proved just how good he could be.
1. My first experience of IU vs.Purdue as I scored seats directly next to the student section for the 78-75 loss. I’ve never seen such passionate fans.
Anonymous

My alternate top 5:
5. the Gus Johnson call of the Oladipo buzzer beater
4. The way they fought against top 10 Gonzaga in that first season
3. the MSU road game last year
2. the Overtime victory over Northwestern 2 years ago at home
1. last year’s celebration in the south lobby with coach Crean
http://twitter.com/NeilStamm Neil Stamm

5. Victory over Illinois last year. (although it looked ridiculous to the outside world to rush the court, it was worth it just to feel normal again)
4. Hull’s pull up 3 at home against Purdue two yrs ago. (anyone else remember this?)
3. Sheehey’s face after he put Basabe on the wrong end of a poster.
2. Sitting in a conference room with fellow Hoosier coworkers listening to Cody Zeller announcement.
1. Quinn Buckner’s call of the Pritchslap and his comment “Like he knew what he was doing” at the end.

Honorable Mentions:
- Calbert coming home to Bloomington.
- Mo Creek dropping 30 on UK in Assembly as a Freshman. Had we won the game, it would be #1.
Anonymous

5. Jeremy Hollowell’s commitment
4. Hanner Perea’s commitment
3. Yogi’s commitment
2. Cody Zeller’s commitment
1. It’s Indiana
Anonymous

5.) Pritchard’s Dunk over Minnesota
4.) Creek pouring in 31 on UK!
3.) Will Sheehey’s thunder dunk!!!
2.) Cody Zeller and subsequent commitments!
1.) Watchig IU fans pour into the seats night after night dispite the loosing and letting the rest of the world know “THIS IS INDIANA” nuf said!!!

Honorable Mention: OLADIPOOOOOOOOO!!! HA HA!!

GO HOOSIERS!!!
So_Cal_Hoosier

5. Getting Lyles, Blackmon Jr., and Hanner one after another
4. Jeremey Hollowell chooses IU! Skipped class, celebrate at Kilroys
3. Win over Minnesota / Prithch’s dunk
2. Cody Zellar chooses IU! Skipped class again, day drinking may have been involoved again
1. Win over Illinois last season. Yes I stormed the court, but as a senior undergrad this was by far the greatest win I have witnessed in Assembly hall while attending IU
Anonymous

I’m not sure I have a top 5, but I definitely have a number 1 that has stuck with me. We were in Maui for the Maui Invitational during Tom Crean’s first year in 2008. After two tough losses to Notre Dame and St. Joseph’s, the team won a really tough game over local favorite, Chaminade. Everyone in the stadium who was not wearing red was rooting for Chaminade, especially the Notre Dame and North Carolina fans waiting for the next game. After pulling out a narrow win, lead by (starting point guard) Daniel Moore, Pritchard, and VJ3, Coach Crean instructed every player on the team to run over to the fan section and give the fans a round of applause. He then went the extra mile and shook the hand of every fan as they left the gym. It was just such a welcome sign after all the frustration of the season before, and a good indication that IU basketball was going to be back on track.
jacobdetroy

It’s all so personal.

5. The month before Zeller’s commitment: I checked insidethehall on the hour every hour for a month.

4. Crean’s first top 10 recruiting class (2009), and first #1 recruiting class (2012).

3. Crean’s press conference: “It’s Indiana” – skipped class to watch.

2. Senior night 2009 and the subsequent sellout crowd for a six win team. Backs up Crean’s statement during his press conference. It’s Indiana indeed.

1. The win against Pitt – it’s the way I paced my apartment in Kansas City
and said over and over again, “this is a landmark, this a turning point,
this is where we start”. Plus Bob Knight was there and complimenting IU and the whole things just seemed nostalgic.
http://twitter.com/DubbsTeo Teo Dubbs

I agree with MSU game being a top moment. It was a good stretch for the boys.
http://twitter.com/DubbsTeo Teo Dubbs

Great dunk by Sheehy, but for me that moment was too short due to another lose to Iowa. We had that game. Losing at home to Iowa? I still think about that lose weekly. I hate losing to them more than any other team. (Alford and Recker)
INUnivHoosier

The Pritchslap. I love it. That’s a new one for me.
INUnivHoosier

The Pritchslap. I love it. That’s a new one for me.
Anonymous

Totally agree with #5. I think I’m responsible for 75% of the web traffic on Inside the Hall for October 2010. The day of the CZ announcement, I remember waking up with knots in my stomach I was so nervous.
Anonymous

Going under the assumption that memorable moments can be good or bad..I would have to say:

Creeks injury
Zeller’s commitment
The 2012 class commitments
TP/Will dunks
The win over a highly ranked Pittsburgh team
IUJeff

The win before that and the Mich. State game were when VJ was out. That was when the Indiana boys took over PG duties for a couple of games..
Anonymous

5. Mo Creek dropping 31 on UK.
4. 2010 win over Illinois, and being there to see it.
3. Victor Oladipo carrying the team to victory over Ferris State. Yes it was only a exhibition that we should have dominated. Seeing the future and the feeling of hope of turning things around was amazing.
2. Last years Night of the Living Red. I was in costume as Jigsaw, the villain from Saw. Brought a sign that said ‘You have a choice to make Cody, I recommend the candy stripes’. Sure they confiscated my sign but not before Zeller saw it and got a laugh out of it.
1. The Decision, starring Cody Zeller.
Anonymous

5. Sheehey Dunk
4. Creek vs Kentucky
3. Cody Zeller Commit
2. Tom Pritchard’s dunk
1. Win against Illini
Aceman_Mujezinovic_07

Easy!
1) TP’s putback dunk
2) Will’s dunk
3) Zeller presser
4) Beating the Fighting I-Whiners
5) TP’s knock-out screen on Kramer!!! – I bet a lot will forget that one!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QGJL32OTBJBNKZZKWX7GXVZA6U Adam B

5. The Sheebag. Very few things will make my dad actually jump out of his seat. With two power dribbles and a leap over a now unhappy Melsahn Basabe, Will Sheehey did just that.

4. The Pritchslap. Ever have a moment where you don’t know what the hell just happened? The entire student section was in absolute shock after the dunk. I can’t put in to words how stunned we all were.

3. Cody Zeller’s commitment. Thousands of people were watching via Ustream, including my brother and I in the middle of our apartment. We literally jumped in the air when he said he was going to IU.

2. The home Iowa game in 2009. I’ve never seen a crowd WANT a win more than that one.

1. The South lobby after the Illinois game. If you weren’t there, you really don’t understand how truly everyone was. It was real, pure, unabashed, bliss.
eph521

5. Moses Abraham’s “Decision”
4. Win over Pitt at Madison Square Garden
3. Pritchard’s dunk and Quinn Buckner’s reaction to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8tDbtEbCY
2. Zeller choosing IU
1. Olidapo’s 4pt play against Ferris State
http://twitter.com/IUgrad07 DaMitchellBoy

Tijan Jobe
http://twitter.com/IUgrad07 DaMitchellBoy

Is Zeller this good.
eph521

Best stretch of the year for the team IMO. Jordy took over. The offense seemed to flow, great passing, movement, etc.
Tolly1

Most memorable is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAlZcBTeOP8&feature=related
Most pivotal was Cody Zeller’s commit creating the snowball affect for the great 2012 class
Most shocking was TP dunk
And the wins starting to come back most important.. We will be hard to beat this year guys, I know I am a homer but I see a very good season ahead. SHOCKING to many but not me.
BFowler

5. VJ III laying on Branch McKracken Court after missing the last second heave against the school in West Lafayette.

4. Quinn Buckner’s, “OhmygoodnessgehwjaeWgjajsjhzhwjsif.” After TP’s dunk (PS – I had no idea he could do that), and the #1 Top Play on the East Coast Sportscenter.

3. Turning my TV off way before the ends of many, many games.

2. Michael Santa wearing the candy stripes.

1. The heart, grit and determination of all the kids on the roster and the hope that “The Movement” is bringing back to Bloomington.
BFowler

One more: Coach standing in that parking lot in Maui reading the NCAA report and breathing a sigh of relief that the Denim Shirt era was over.
BFowler

One more: Coach standing in that parking lot in Maui reading the NCAA report and breathing a sigh of relief that the Denim Shirt era was over.
Walt

1. The excitement and abilities of Will and VO brought to last years team.
2. Cody’s decision to attend IU.
3. Prior to last season, seeing the guys working out, climbing hills, etc., gave us a lot of hope. (Would imagine they would be working out as hard now as last year)
4. All the great recruits coming in 2012, 13 and 14.
5. All the wins last year, especially Illanoy and Minny. Remember and appreciate TC.
Walt

1. The excitement and abilities of Will and VO brought to last years team.
2. Cody’s decision to attend IU.
3. Prior to last season, seeing the guys working out, climbing hills, etc., gave us a lot of hope. (Would imagine they would be working out as hard now as last year)
4. All the great recruits coming in 2012, 13 and 14.
5. All the wins last year, especially Illanoy and Minny. Remember and appreciate TC.
dfitz

Only time will tell but I think when the freshman leads the hoosiers
to a victory over the #1 pUKe team this Dec we will know just how good he is.
kristheboss

1- Beating Illinois- 2009/2010
2- Beating Minnesota -2010/2011 + Tom Pritchard Dunk that game
3- Beating Iowa- 2008/2009
4- Maurice Creek lighting up Kentucky, showing Tom Crean can get some very elite level freshman
5- The Recruiting Explosion- Bringing in 11 Kids of Maurice Creek level + entry level college talent.
kristheboss

2010/2011* Illinois.
Kelin Blab

I am going to go a somewhat odd route….

5. Moses Abraham eve: Come on you remember how we all were up ALL night waiting to see if this kid committed to IU

4. Mo Creek v KY. You thought just maybe we could see light at the end of the tunnel lead by Mo Creek

3. Sheeheys Dunk….Have not celebrated a energy play like that for years at IU

2. Pritchards Dunk….A kid you wanted something good to happen for him, I think that changed his season and confidence.

1. Illannoy win…I was there, the place was rockin’, Hulls three was electric and Gus Johnson
HoosierNshaker2

5. “The Pritch” getting more than 6 in off the ground for the putback
4. The start of “THE MOVEMENT”
3. The HOO-HOO-HOO-HOOSIERS chant rockin’ the hall after the Illinois win
2. Zellerpalooza
1. Sheehey’s facial expression after sack tapping Iowa (and the crowd reaction)
http://twitter.com/IUgrad07 DaMitchellBoy

VJ3 is my sleeper this year. His inside game is his bread and butter. You remember that screen that laid him out.
Ryan Goods

5. Sheehey’s insane dunk against Iowa
4. Beating Minnesota 2 years ago in over time
3. Pritchard’s insane dunk against Minnesota
2. Cody Zeller Picking IU and others following
1. Beating ranked Illinois last year
Marsh21

This is like asking survivors of the Titanic what were some of your best memories of the trip.

Hopefully we have better times coming soon.
Marsh21

This is like asking survivors of the Titanic what were some of your best memories of the trip.

Hopefully we have better times coming soon.
Anonymous

I disagree on the floor slap—that’s a Duke move. I don’t want to see IU do anything like Duke (except win on a nauseatingly regular basis.)
base

That’s the truth, Truth

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