Austin Etherington wasn’t the only 2011 commitment at Assembly Hall for Friday’s Hoosier Hysteria. Matt Carlino, who moved to Bloomington over the summer and will play at South this season, attended his second straight opening IU practice. Inside the Hall caught up with Carlino on Monday evening for a Q & A:

On last year’s atmosphere at Hoosier Hysteria versus this year:

“I thought it was a lot more comfortable because Coach Crean has gotten to know the town really well and they’ve gotten to know him. This year people have more of an idea of where we’re at and where we’re going.”

On how the adjustment has been moving from Arizona to Bloomington:

“The adjustment’s been good. It’s just more time indoors which means equals more time in the gym. I’ve gotten along with all my teammates really well. They’re all really good guys. And all the coaches on the staff are really great. The school aspect is actually a little harder.”

On the benefit of playing in open gyms at IU:

“It’s really fun. It’s challenging, so that’s always fun. It shows me that basically I need to work on my strength because they’re way stronger. Other than that, it’s just fun playing with all of the IU guys and then watching them play during the season.”

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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.

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When Indiana fans packed Assembly Hall Friday night for the kick off of the 2009-2010 men’s basketball season, most probably weren’t expecting the following events to transpire: The return of the mop lady. A delivery of a sub by Subway spokesman Jared Fogle. A scrimmage against Straight No Chaser. A heart felt mention and hug from Tom Crean for Wes Hovis, an 82-year old fan recently diagnosed with stomach cancer.  And an appearance by key 2012 North Central recruit D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera in the north end bleachers.

Let’s have a rundown of the night that was Hoosier Hysteria, shall we?

+ Martha the cleaning lady is back: Well, not the original Martha. But a suitable replacement. One of the evenings loudest ovations went to Sheila Stephen, who Crean gave credit to the wife of former Herald-Times sports editor Bob Hammel for helping bring to Hysteria.

+ Bring in the sub for Straight No Chaser: In the midst of a scrimmage between the team and Bloomington based a cappella group Straight No Chaser, Crean called for a sub. (Straight No Chaser won, by the way.) Jared Fogle, everyone’s favorite Subway spokesperson, was happy to oblige and met Crean decked out in Indiana gear with a sub in hand.

+ Meet Wes Hovis: The most memorable moment of the night was Crean’s comments about 82-year old Muncie resident Wes Hovis. Despite recently being diagnosed with stomach cancer and asked by his doctor not to attend Friday’s festivities, Hovis showed up and Crean told his story which drew a large round of applause. “Wes Hovis is in this building with the program that he loves,” Crean explained. “And that is why it’s Indiana, Wes, that’s why it’s Indiana.”

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Indiana coach Tom Crean met with the media following Friday’s Hoosier Hysteria at Assembly Hall. You can listen to his comments in the embedded audio player below:

Update: Tom Crean spoke to 13,000 + fans shortly after the Hoosiers took the floor in Assembly Hall for the first time in 2009-2010. His comments are available below:

North Central guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, one of Tom Crean’s top recruiting targets in the 2012 recruiting class, attended Hoosier Hysteria Friday night at Assembly Hall.

Smith-Rivera arrived just before 9:00 EST wearing a red sweatshirt and took a seat beneath the basket on the north side of Assembly Hall.

Indiana freshman guard Maurice Creek met briefly with the media before Friday night’s Hoosier Hysteria. Listen to Creek’s comments in the embedded audio player below:

Update: Creek also talked after Hoosier Hysteria and here are his comments:

We’ll be “Inside the Hall,” literally, for tonight’s Hoosier Hysteria. Join us and our friends from The Herald-Times and The Indiana Daily Student beginning at 7:00 PM ET for a live discussion.