Indiana Basketball: Mediocracy at Best

Ever since the “Christian Watford Shot” that miraculously went in against the University of Kentucky Wildcats back in 2011, Indiana University, and their extremely passionate and loyal fans, have never dropped the fact that they beat Kentucky. These fans love to consistently bring it back up whenever any debate occurs between them and a Kentucky, however, they fail to remember that the same team they beat during the regular season came back and handled them with ease in the Sweet 16, beating them 102-90. Kentucky later went on to win the national championship finishing with a 38-2 record and having the number one overall pick, Anthony Davis. Ever since that shot, however, Indiana fans think that they have a relevant basketball program and are somehow back on the map.

Historically, Indiana is one of the blue bloods of basketball along with Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas. Again, that is just history, this fan base and this organization continue to rest on their laurels. Since their last national championship in the 1986-87 season, they have made the Final Four once and the championship game once, both coming in the 2001-02 season. Since the Watford shot they have only advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, accomplishing this three times, and hanging a banner and receiving rings for one of them. Yes, an organization that has won five national titles hung a banner and gave their players rings for a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Now I’m not saying that Indiana doesn't have good talent, they've produced an NBA talent in Victor Oladipo and have an unbelievable freshman by the name of Romeo Langford. Though it isn't possible in today’s game to win with a single stand out player and mediocracy around them. Romeo is likely a one and done caliber player, and even Victor couldn't lead Indiana to a Final Four with the help of Cody Zeller. Let’s be real the Watford shot didn't make them any more relevant then they had been since the 2001-02 season. They continue to be a mediocre middle of the pack team, compiling a combined record of 297-235 since their 2001-02 season. This is a 55.8% winning percentage over that time span, and zero Final Four or Elite Eight appearances since that season.

Since the Watford shot they’ve missed the NCAA tournament three times, with an NIT appearance and a first round exit in the NIT. They’ve made the Sweet Sixteen three times, and had a second round exit. For a program that is supposed to be back, or a program that is supposed to be relevant again, for a blue blood program that Indiana is supposed to be this shouldn't be considered being relevant again. Granted since the Watford shot they have had a 66% winning percentage which does look good on paper, but for a blue blood this isn't being relevant, this is being mediocre. Mediocre is the word that should be used to describe Indiana basketball and their recent “success”. Indiana is not a powerhouse basketball program, this isn't the powerhouse basketball school that it once was in the 70’s and 80’s, this is mediocracy and delusion from a fan base that wants their program to be what it once was.

Recently, Indiana beat Butler on a last second game winner. In recent memory Butler has been one of the better teams in college basketball, though they are middle of the road as of right now. Indiana and their fans probably think that they are once again back and are relevant. The fan base probably won’t let Butler fans ever live down the fact that they beat them on a last second shot, a last second prayer, ever again. However, here is the harsh and brutal truth, they are not back on the map, they will not be back on the map for who knows how long. Most likely their season will end in mediocre fashion yet again

Indiana basketball players received rings for making it to the Sweet Sixteen after losing to Kentucky during the 2011-12 season.