Indianapolis - the Basketball Capital of the Midwest!

Ahh, the end of spring break! What a sad time for all college students...

Actually, I don't mind heading back to class, because I'm so excited about being back at Butler.  I spent half of my break in Indy, and the other half wishing I was still there!  There's always so much going on at Butler and in the city that I hate leaving.  This week I couldn't seem to tear myself away from all the basketball going on in Indianapolis, and I got to spend quality time with BU friends AND lots of friends visiting from other cities.  Too much fun.

I originally decided to stay at school for the Butler games.  Because we're the regular season champions for the Horizon League, we got to host the HL men's basketball tournament. That means that everyone in our league came to Butler for the games! It's fun being the center of attention but makes parking a bit crazy haha.

 We beat UIC on Saturday, and then advanced to the finals on Tuesday, where we defeated Cleveland State (one of only three teams to beat us this year). Winning the league championship was GREAT, but I think what made the game really special was that it was our seniors last game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.  With thirty seconds left in the game, they all huddled up, and then walked off together, letting the younger guys take the floor.  It was probably one of the most adorable sports moments of my life. 

THANK YOU MIKE, AJ, DREW, PETE and JULIAN for an amazing career at Hinkle! You have been the highlight of almost every winter Saturday and made Hinkle my favorite place to be! It was so hard to finally leave after the game - I just wanted to stay and bask in all the excitement.  After the win, the Dawg Pound rushed onto the floor, the team was presented with their trophy and champion t-shirts and hats and then they did what any champion team would do... cartwheels?? haha, I really have no idea what was up with that.  Maybe an inside joke? Maybe a bet? It looked like they planned it to me! Check out AJ busting out his moves with the rest of the team laughing behind him.... I adore them.

(AP photo... not mine!)

But my love of basketball isn't just for the men... I am a huge advocate for women's basketball! I am actually doing my persuasive speech for COM102 about why women's basketball should get more support, so this spring break I made a point to practice what I preach and support women's bball as much as possible.  Saturday the women played their final regular season game vs. Valpo and I was there for basketball band... man, anyone who says women's basketball is not as exciting is crazy.  The Dawgs did us proud and beat our new HL rivals, Valpo. 

I also got the chance to see two games from the Women's Big 10 Tournament.  Yes, we are lucky enough to have both the women and men of the Big 10 playing right here in downtown Indy at Conseco Fieldhouse.  I'm not really sure why, but I LOVE Big 10 basketball... I think I like the hype, the big crowds, the famous mascots... and since I've been in college, I've met other college students from BIg 10 schools, and I like to cheer for my friends' schools.  Last Friday, my friend Christy and I saw Ohio State vs. Illinois and Michigan State vs. Minnesota. 

Although this sounds really nerdy, I must admit that I was there to see the bands as much as the basketball.  I am obviously really into basketball band, and I have friends in both MSU and OSU's bands.  Some I have known for a couple years from my summers in drum corps, and others I have met from district conferences for Kappa Kappa Psi.  Christy and I had dinner at Steak n Shake downtown with my friend Alex from MSU, helped cheer the State women on to victory, went out for Starbucks, and then met up with my MSU pals back at their hotel where they had a pep rally in the lobby to welcome the women back! It was so much fun... it definitely got me excited for the NCAA tournament! It was also fun that I got to share my city with my out-of-town friends... people are always coming to visit me in Indy, since we are a center for sports tournaments, conventions and other big events in the midwest.  It's a pretty sweet place to be : )

Now that I'm back in Chicagoland for the rest of break, I have naturally spent all my time watching the Big Ten men's tournament on television and wishing I was back in Indy to experience it in person (and because I already miss all of my Butler friends. and my house. and my neighbors. and school.  and Butler basketball... haha). 

UPDATE: I just got a call from my friend Tim - he has an extra ticket to the final Illinois vs. Wisconsin game tomorrow and wants to know if I want to come with... hmmm, pretty tempting offer... it might be enough to get me out of bed before noon so I can drive back to Indiana! I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime... Happy March Madness! Get pumped for Selection Sunday tomorrow at 6 pm!