A half-court shot for free tuition? There was no shortage of excitement during the annual Hoosier Hysteria at Assembly Hall. Student entry did not begin until 6:15 p.m., yet fans were lined up hours prior.
The event started with player introductions from the women’s team. From freshmen to seniors, the roar of the crowd continued to increase. Sophomore Yarden Garzon may have received the loudest applause, however, as she walked with the Israeli flag draped around her shoulders. Sydney Parrish (accompanied by her dog Chanel), Chloe Moore-McNeil, Mackenzie Holmes and head coach Teri Moren were also met with massive cheers.
“I might be biased, but I think we have some of the best shooters in the country,” Moren said. “We’ve made Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall one of the most difficult places to play in women’s college basketball.”
The women were awarded their Big Ten championship rings following Moren’s Q&A.
Next came the men. Freshmen Gabe Cupps and Mackenzie Mgbako were the first introduced, with sophomore newcomer Kel’el Ware (another five-star) shortly behind them. Bloomington’s own Anthony Leal was welcomed back, and senior captains Trey Galloway and Xavier Johnson anchored the player introductions. The applause for head coach Mike Woodson could be heard from Memorial Stadium and all-time scoring leader turned player-development coach Calbert Cheaney made his official return.
“It hasn’t changed in all these years,” Woodson said.
He finished his Q&A asking fans for a favor — to go home and say a prayer for his former coach Bob Knight and his family.
“Make no mistake about it,” Woodson said, “Bob Knight is Indiana basketball.”
The first event was the skills challenge. Leal had the highlight of the night as he drilled a shot from the opposite free-throw line to advance to the final round over Cupps and Moore-McNeil. Leal and Lenée Beaumont came out victorious, beating Johnson and Holmes, and Leal almost had a second make from three-quarters court.
After skills came shooting. The 3-point contest was headlined by Cupps and Sara Scalia, who shot 19-for-25 and 15-for-25 respectively. Second place went to Mgbako and Moore-McNeil (15-for-25 and 16-for-25). Third was Galloway and Garzon (11-for-25 and 19-for-25). And finally, CJ Gunn and Parrish (14-for-24 and 11-for-25).
The final competition was Knockout. What started with many members of both teams and a few fans came down to Garzon, Gunn and a student. Gunn knocked out the fan and Garzon knocked out Gunn, crowning Garzon as the Knockout champion.
Although that was the last of the main events, two lucky fans were chosen to take a half-court shot for free tuition (!). Both were unsuccessful after two attempts each, but all of Assembly Hall was on their feet in anticipation.
Hoosier Hysteria 2023 was wrapped up by none other than Gucci Mane himself, who wished both teams success after performing his set. The men’s season officially begins on Tuesday, Nov. 7 against Florida Gulf Coast following two exhibition matches. The women’s begins on Wednesday, Nov. 1 against Northwood. Both matches will be played at home.
