Lincoln is back from the MIAA, where does that put Uindy?

[michiganfb]

The biggest mistake is thinking that D2 football is the center of the world. Although I wish this was all about football, Indiana is a basketball state. U Indy hasn't been rated #1 in D2 basketball for 25 years and that doesn't sit well in Indiana. And now with IU renaming its Indianapolis school to tread on U Indy's identity, sounds like D1 basketball may be the way to establish their position above IU Indy (IUPUI) - ie confront them, head on, on the basketball court. Sounds crazy to write that but I keep hearing it. Again, basketball state.

[zimmy21]

The biggest mistake is thinking that D2 football is the center of the world. Although I wish this was all about football, Indiana is a basketball state. U Indy hasn't been rated #1 in D2 basketball for 25 years and that doesn't sit well in Indiana. And now with IU renaming its Indianapolis school to tread on U Indy's identity, sounds like D1 basketball may be the way to establish their position above IU Indy (IUPUI) - ie confront them, head on, on the basketball court. Sounds crazy to write that but I keep hearing it. Again, basketball state.

Queue the angry reactions from posters and mods alike...D2 football is fun, but it's not always the main sport schools will care about.

[Brandon]

Queue the angry reactions from posters and mods alike...D2 football is fun, but it's not always the main sport schools will care about.

Ha Ha Ha. The ability to interpret the intent and tone of text read online must be a valuable skill.

[TheDog]

UIndy Basketball not bad this year even without a go to guy like we normally have. Ranked high at #4 in the country last week and should host the first round of the NCAAs if they win their conference tournament. Should win it - GLVC basketball isn't what it used to be. And GLVC football isn't competitive enough to force programs to improve. We're very competitive outside the conference in about every sport except football where we're usually competitive. But for some reason it's UIndy Football that gets folks excited and brings the fans to campus in this "basketball state".

[Uindy18]

UIndy Basketball not bad this year even without a go to guy like we normally have. Ranked high at #4 in the country last week and should host the first round of the NCAAs if they win their conference tournament. Should win it - GLVC basketball isn't what it used to be. And GLVC football isn't competitive enough to force programs to improve. We're very competitive outside the conference in about every sport except football where we're usually competitive. But for some reason it's UIndy Football that gets folks excited and brings the fans to campus in this "basketball state".

I think there is two main issues for Uindy and basketball when it comes to public interest.

1. Indiana high school basketball is a very big deal, and the vast majority of fans/people are much more likely to follow those teams over the local DII powerhouse. Best example is simply looking at Uindy's nice but small gym (found here: https://twitter.com/AroundIndy/statu...13465412059136 ) against Southport Fieldhouse, which is nearby ( https://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadi...eldhouse-s2579 )

2. For the fan who still wants to see college basketball, Uindy has to contend with IUPUI and Butler. For football, they only "compete" with Butler, which play non-scholarship (essentially DIII) football

[TheDog]

Plus Purdue and IU along with Butler that you mentioned that draw the fans. Not much to contend with as far as IUPUI's attendance or fanbase. The Jags often draw under a thousand so they don't even bother reporting it?

Nicoson Hall Arena was state of the art when built in 1960 but they haven't added seating since. Now considered historic like high schools Evansville North and Southport, etc. Same design as neighboring Southport High and built to add additional seating, but other than a few years in the 1960s and 1990s there's been no need to add seats. Next year should be UIndy's year as far as basketball goes. Hopefully the GLVC will have a few competitive teams. And hopefully it's our last year in the GLVC.

From the archives - UIndy has played some home football games at Southport Field way way (way) back.

[Uindy18]

From the archives - UIndy has played some home football games at Southport Field way way (way) back.

They may have played at the Southport Fieldhouse before for basketball too. I was on campus the year the water main broke and flooded the new gym floor. There were rumors at the time that they could play a game or two at Southport if the floor in Nicoson did not get finished in time.