Indiana exudes tradition at Assembly Hall

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Few places capture the basketball's authenticity and encapsule the sport's passion quite like Assembly Hall and Indiana's fan base.

From its inception in 1971, Indiana's men's basketball team has won more than 86 percent of its home games. Whether the Hoosiers were national champions, like in 1976, 1981 or 1987, or Big Ten basement dwellers, like last season, Indiana finished in the top half in Big Ten attendance.

Last year, Indiana averaged 14,331 fans a game, good enough for fifth among league schools. Last year Indiana finished 1-17 in Big Ten action, with the only win coming at home against Iowa.

“I don't know if there are many programs in the country that could endure what we did with the fan support we have,” second-year coach Tom Crean said. “There's no way that we have the feelings moving forward at Indiana with everything that happened here if it wasn't for the crowd. Tradition is such a big part of every program that is successful. Our fan base is as big of part of tradition as anything. I think when they come they feel connected to your program.”

Indiana tinkered with its ticket prices last year, but largely the arena was full even with a rebuilding program. Late in a 25-8 season two years ago, Indiana fired Coach Kelvin Sampson after multiple NCAA violations. Only one scholarship player return, and the program was left in shambles, despite last year's struggles. That didn't change the way Indiana's fan base felt about the program.

“Most importantly for us, when they feel like they're going through it with you there's nothing like it,” Crean said. “I think it's just an extra amount of energy and feeling that people have when they feel connected to your base. And that's what we're dealing with at Indiana. I don't think a program can take steps when they're rebuilding or repairing without the crowds being at a fever pitch. The players can lose faith so fast if they don't know that their fans are behind them and that's what we've had at Indiana.”

The Hoosiers average 14,568 tickets sold per game this year, and Indiana (9-9 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) is 7-4 at home this season.

Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter attended high school basketball games at Assembly Hall in the early 1970s and is aware of its tradition. Indiana has beaten Iowa in the teams' last three games at Assembly Hall.

“It's got great tradition. It's a basketball facility, without question,” Lickliter said.