I started watching basketball in 1986-87 and I fell in love. The passion and emotion that my family shared watching Indiana basketball was unprecedented in my life. I enjoyed playing sports, but it wasn’t my life. That season showed me how powerful sports can be to one’s emotional well-being and psyche.  With that, I started this list at the beginning of the season. I had no idea things would be the way they are with the recent pandemic. So it’s only fitting that I release this mini tournament for all fans of Indiana basketball to have something to think about other than the fact that the one team thought my life I wanted more than anything to make the tournament….did…but there was no tournament to be played. So, without further ado we begin with the play-in games. The only rules to this simulation were:

1. No player on each team could share the same Jersey number.
   1. This helps spread the talent, as this is by no means a greatest of all-time vs everyone else.
2. Bonus points are awarded for college awards earned at Indiana, professional experience and awards.
3. Team bonus points were awarded based on statistical averages in total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The team with the higher average in the category earned a bonus.
4. Teams were divided into categories in order to spread the field. Categories were
   1. Childhood Favorites. 1987 – 1998. 3 Teams
   2. Adult Favorites. 1999 – Present. 6 Teams
   3. Transfers. Least and Favorites. 4 Teams
   4. These F-ing Guys. The IU players that frustrate me to beyond belief for whatever reason. These will be explained. 4 Teams
   5. Leftovers. Players that I neither liked nor disliked, there were some surprises here, plus some will become favorites I’m sure. 3 Teams
5. Final Score = Total point averages + Pro and awards + team bonus
6. 20 total teams with 4 play in games. 12 teams’ automatic bids to the Sweet Sixteen
7. FS = Final Score, TBT = Team Bonus Total,
8. Teams were assembled as a line-up with talent in mind and essentially chronologically. However, PG was chosen first typically, unless the jersey number was an issue.  

Why they were chosen:

Childhood Favorites

Childhood Favorite Team 3

Jamal Meeks – I wanted to be Jamal. At a young age I knew I wasn’t going to be tall, and I was built like Jamal. Tough as shit and thick, played great defense and knew who and when to pass the ball.

Joe Hillman – Similar to Jamal, but not as good. He was a baseball player, and that was my first love.

Pat Graham – Even as a child I thought Pat was one of the most underrated players to play for Indiana. One of the purest strokes from deep I’ve witnessed.

Matt Nover – Initaially would have been considered one of the f-ing guys, Nover got good, had some serious skill, and wasn’t afraid to throw down. Plus, ya know, Ricky Roe.

Haris Mujezinovic – The Mad Croatian. I loved this dude. Plus, you’d never know how successful of a pro he was unless you researched.

Sherron Wilkerson – Dude was just bad, competed as hard as anyone, and wanted to win. My disdain for Bob Knight began with the headbutt, I could’ve cared less about kicking Pat and choking Neil. I once saw this guy play at the HPER, he made really good ballers look like child’s play.

Adult Favorites

Adult Favorites Team 6

Errek Suhr – I was this guy, local, same height and weight, he was just a lot better than I ever was. His name fit the chant perfectly too.

Daniel Moore – A poor man’s Errek Suhr. I wish he would have played soccer. Another perfect chant.

Matt Roth – Dude had heart, balls and mad range. He didn’t care who was across from him, he was out for blood.

Zach McRoberts – Best team player ever, smart and a really good guy.

Tom Pritchard – I wish he hadn’t lost his confidence. He was the man at the darkest of times, he deserved better

Brett Finklemeier – The God Damn Finklestein shit kid, son of a bitch!

Play in Games:

Seed # 13 – Childhood Favorite 3

#	Name	P	PPG	Bonus	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG
23	Jamal Meeks	PG	3.4	0	2	3.7	.7	0
44	Joe Hillman	SG	6.4	0	2.1	2.8	.7	0
33	Pat Graham	SF	8.6	0	1.7	1.8	.5	.1
24	Matt Nover	PF	7.6	16	4.1	.4	.3	.5
55	Haris Mujezinovic	C	4.9	19	3.2	.4	.4	.2
20	Sherron Wilkerson	U	4.8	10	2.7	2.5	.6	.2

VS.

Seed # 20 Adult Favorite 6

#	Name	P	PPG	Bonus	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG
11	Errek Suhr	PG	2.2	0	1.2	.8	.3	0
3	Daniel Moore	SG	1.4	0	.8	1.1	.5	0
2	Matt Roth	SF	4.8	0	.8	.3	.3	0
15	Zach McRoberts	PF	1.4	0	2.3	.7	.7	.1
25	Tom Pritchard	C	4.3	0	3.7	.4	.4	.5
4	Brett Finkelmeier	UT	.2	0	.5	.1	.1	0

Seed	Team	Final Score
#13	Childhood Favorite 3	85
#20	Adult Favorite 6	15