Get ready to go back to your roots and become a basketball state once again.
With the Super Bowl being in Indianapolis this year, everyone in Indiana is talking about football. This has been the norm over the years with Peyton Manning leading the Colts to division titles and a Super Bowl title in 2007, and with the Pacers being in shambles after the Malice at the Palace in 2005. But things are about to change.
After a disappointing Peyton Manning-less 2-14 season, the Colts are hurting. Yes, I know they have the number 1 overall pick which is sure to be Andrew Luck, but it’s going to take more than a rookie quarterback to get that team back into the hunt. Also, they will most likely have to cut ties with Manning, which is sure to end awkwardly and enrage many Colts “fans.”
On the other hand, the Pacers, with a young and exciting nucleus, have an 11-4 record (as of January 23rd) and are currently in 2nd place in the entire Eastern Conference. Sure, they may fall a few spots, undoubtedly to Miami and maybe to an Atlanta, Philadelphia, or Orlando, but they still look like they should be getting home court in the first round of the playoffs barring any serious injuries.
Basically, I am writing this because I despise the typical Colts “fan.” The blue jean, blue jersey, white turtle neck wearing “fan” that had never supported the Colts before Manning brought success to them. We already saw it this year that fan support was waning when the Colts kept losing, and with the Pacers performing well and improving I think we will see the fans go back to their roots and start cheering for the sport that Indiana loves, basketball.
This goes beyond the professional ranks as well. The Indiana Hoosiers are 16-4 overall and a year ahead of schedule in the rebuilding process. They have beaten both the #1 and #2 teams in the nation this year and are restoring the tradition of excellence in Bloomington. Purdue is 14-6, but coach Matt Painter has his kids playing tough as always, and Purdue is happy to have him after he flirted with Missouri in the offseason. Butler has made the National Championship Game the past 2 seasons, and although they are struggling a bit this year, they still have a 12-9 record and should be dangerous in the Horizon League Tourney come March. Notre Dame started out slow this year, but just knocked off #1 Syracuse to remind the Big East that they should not be taken lightly. Even Ball State is leading the MAC West division.
This just goes to show that basketball reigns supreme in Indiana, and we have so much quality ball to watch regardless of which team we root for or where in the state we are from. Football is dying in Indiana. Super Bowl XLVI is its last breath. I think it is fitting that either Peyton Manning’s brother or rival will put the nail in the coffin.
Love,
Bird
