Mecca of College Basketball

Strictly geographically speaking, Cincinnati could rightfully call themselves the center of the Universe when it comes to basketball. Problem is, we all know most of the basketball lore from Cincy is via an Indianapolis-native briefly providing his talents in the late 50s. The same man who the NCAA later named their Player of the Year trophy after: Oscar Robertson.
Besides that, there's not much to say about Tri-State Hoops being the capital. Much of the collegiate success over recent decades have spread out to neighboring schools Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Louisville, Michigan State... the list goes far beyond just bluebloods and powerhouses - Dayton was a top-5 school just as March Madness was about to begin, until the damn panic shut it down. Creighton was contending for a top-10 spot. Iowa & Illinois were ranked in the top-10. 

I might be so bold as to say that in any given year, at least half the ranked teams are from the Midwest. Yep, that includes NET, RPI, Sagarin, and KenPom rankings. 

So I thought, let's put together a crude lil map and then check every now and then to see how well the prediction holds up.

2021 Update: Naturally, the NCAA chose Indianapolis, and Indiana to host the entire Men's Basketball tournament this March with most games (including all elite8+ games) within covered-walking distance of Circle Center in the Circle City, just south of Carmel aka Roundabout City, which is quick drive to anywhere else around Indy, thanks to Interstate-465 highway, a circle around the city known for driving in circles (ovals). Get it yet? 🎯 

IU baseball now on the map

Omaha to be specific.
After winning the both the regular season title and the tournament championship, the Indiana Hoosiers blasted their way past regional foes including Florida and Florida State to advance to the College World Series for the first time in program history. This marks the first time a B1G team has made it to the final stage since 1984. On Thursday, three Hoosiers were drafted (Ryan Halstead, Dustin DeMuth and Aaron Slegers) all by the Minnesota Twins, and they're all roommates! I smell a Reality TV show in the making. Or movie. All depends how far IU goes in the CWS. They face I-65 rival Louisville on Saturday in a best-of-3 format. IU won 2 of 3 vs the Cardinals earlier this season.

And contributing to the bounty of championships won in the past year, Track & Field stud Derek Drouin won his 5th national title (NCAA record) this weekend, clearing 7'10" in the high jump.

Indy Diagnosed with Championship Fever

There was Katie Douglas courtside, epicenter of the final couple seconds of Championship-clinching Game 4. She hadn't scored in weeks, but she deserved this moment just as much as Tamika Catchings, who won Finals MVP. When the injured star was out, the rest of the team stepped up and overcame tough obstacles to bring home the championship. This marks the 2nd professional championship won in Indianapolis this year (Superbowl) and first pro basketball title since the ABA championships in the early 70s.

Coach Tom Crean reminds us MSU, UM and O$U are the current champs, and while it's nice to be in the (natl) title conversation the real challenge is improving everyday... Trickle-down leadership, starting with Watford. One reporter asked him to comment on the state of basketball in the Midwest, with Louisville, UK, and Michigan all contending. He then reminded her of O$U, Illinois and the rest of the B1G as well as Cincy, Butler and Notre Dame.

Speaking of ND, for the 4th straight year, Football Irish are #1 in grad rate, and likely top-5 in GPA too (Academic All-Americans Mike Golic and Manti Te'o). ESPN Gameday will be in Norman this Saturday as your Irish take on the Sooners in a  primetime matchup featuring a pair of top10 teams. If only Keith Jackson was calling it... WHOA NELLY!

Coach K, Williams, Pitino... Painter, Brey, Stevens

Do NCAA coaches win games [and Coach of the Year awards] because they're that good or because they recruit Indiana's amateur talent?

Is there any doubt that this is still the mecca of hoops? Indianapolis is tied with L.A. for most consecutive drafts represented (5) and they are still killin it in the pros: EJ, Jeff Teague, George Hill, Mike Conley Jr, Josh McRoberts, Gordon Hayward, Courtney Lee, Rodney Carney and former #1 pick Greg Oden.

It can't be understated how significant a feat it is for Tom Crean to lock up all the Elite talent for the next 4 years; hopefully that translates to the same postseason success as the coaches above.

Louisville teen wins Miss World

Earlier this year, we learned that our southern neighbor won Miss Universe, but a much closer southern neighbor has now won Miss World.  Alexandria Mills, 18, KY, won the pageant featuring 115 other contestants from around the globe, surpassing runners-up Botswana and Venezuela. 
Mills’ victory came amid a reported controversy however; critics claimed her biggest rival (Miss Norway Mariann Birkedal) was cheated out of the title due to difficult relations between her home country and the show’s host country, China.

Mills says that she wants to pursue a career in teaching...

 ...let's hope she stays in the area!

The Road to Indianapolis

Back in October, I gave you a Tri-State Hoops Preview highlighting Butler, Kentucky, Michigan State, Purdue and other area teams showing real promise to play in the Final Four. Now that the Tournament has arrived, we have a clearer view of possible Regional Finalists. If all #1s and #2s advance to the Elite 8 that would be boring - so I have Xavier upsetting Kansas State in Salt Lake City. What can I say? I'm a risk-taker!

Here's a map of those eight perceived finalists

Tri-State Hoops Preview

Michigan State returns everybody, including Kalin Lucas. Purdue returns everybody, including E'Twaun Moore. The Hoosiers loaded up. Ohio State, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois are all ranked. Louisville's returning backcourt has been to multiple Elite Eights. Calipari has brought the swagger back to Kentucky. As far as mid-majors, Butler is primed for a big season. Dayton, Xavier and Notre Dame are also hoping to be dancing. Note to Syracuse, Duke, Kansas or any other teams outside 150 miles that are Final Four-bound: there's still a good chance of hotel vacancy.

Indy Hoops recap

Wednesday: J-O made a guest appearance at Conseco Fieldhouse, this time as a member of the Miami Heat. D-Wade's game-winning 3-pointer as time expired bounced in, and then out. Pacers continue to believe they can make a playoff spot...
Thursday: Duke and Purdue both lose, coach Billy Gillispie fired from UK. Is it my birthday?
Friday: While at my gf's parents' crib - amidst heavy drinking and charades - I observed Louisville trounce Arizona and Michigan State come back from 13-down to dethrone defending champion Kansas
Saturday: Indiana crowns 4 State champions today in High School Boys Basketball - including future IU PG and Mr Basketball Jordan Hulls leading an undefeated Bloomington South squad vs Ft. Wayne Snider; Pacers battle the Chicago Bulls at United Center - and it looks like Brandon Rush likes his new role as a starter, scoring 18 in the 1st Q; 'Nova takes on Pitt and Mizzou plays UConn
Sunday: Michigan State and Louisville go head-to-head at da 'Luc for a berth to the Final Four in Detroit; Tyler Hansbrough battles Blake Griffin for the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft. And finally, will Agent Zero make his '08-09 debut in Indy?