One of the disguised blessings of the proliferation of obscure sports channels is that people are occasionally forced to congregate in public to see the game. Many actually have to leave the comfort of their domain if they want to catch the Hoosiers these days. It’s revolutionary, I know.\nWith IU’s game at Southern Illinois being broadcast by ESPNU, the most widely unavailable sports channel this side of the Big Ten Network, I headed to Yogi’s Grill and Bar on 10th Street to catch the game with some buddies. Here is what transpired:
8:45 p.m. – I arrive a full 45 minutes before tip-off to find there is not a chair to be had. Looks like the word is out on this whole “sports bar experience.” My friends and I cling to a post while fending off the growing crowd with icy stares. Get your own post.\n8:50 p.m. – We move to the pool table area, conveniently located next to the digital jukebox and the bathrooms. My buddies Wolfman (he’s hairy) and Big Buckle (he has a thing for large belt accessories) order the Beam and Coke special. \n9:27 p.m. – The Ohio State-Butler game is on TV, and the Bulldogs are embarrassing the Buckeyes after being down 10 at halftime.\n9:31 p.m. – HDTV D.J. sighting. Wrap up the pool fellas, the game is about to begin.\n9:32 p.m. – First man hug recorded.\n9:41 p.m. – The pool table has been converted to bench seating as Eric Gordon misses an open three on several mounted televisions, but the ball is tipped in to bring IU within a basket. \n9:48 p.m. – SIU’s Randal Falker scores his first basket. He must get this all the time, but I’m calling him Gaylord from here on out.\n9:50 p.m. – Wolfman howls a shout out to Mike White who remains on the bench. This is surely the first of many pleas to come.\n9:57 p.m. – Gordon knots the game at 14 with his first basket of the night at the 9:40 mark in the first half. Why does it take Gordon 10 minutes every game to score his first bucket?\n10:05 p.m. – Gaylord fires a free throw with the accuracy of Bobby Knight on a bird hunt. Gaylord missed so incredibly that even he is smiling as he backpedals down the court. \n10:10 p.m. – D.J. man-blocks a dunk attempt by Gaylord at the rim. The Hoosiers are playing good defense tonight.\n10:13 p.m. – Wolfman orders his second double Beam and Coke of the night. \n10:15 p.m. – Lance Stemler connects from downtown to give IU a five-point lead. On the ensuing possession, DeAndre Thomas shrugs and gets called for a foul.\n10:23 p.m. – A twisting lay up in traffic by SIU guard Bryan Mullins plus the foul pulls SIU within six at halftime 34-28. Despite the 3-point play, it was a solid half for the Hoosiers.\n10:27 p.m. – Roomie buys me burger and fries to get mentioned in column.\n10:54 p.m. – Is IU playing zone? The game has turned into a defensive battle as both teams struggle to score in the opening minutes of the second half.\n10:57 p.m. – Gordon dribbles the length of the court for a lay up to give IU an eight-point lead, and the bench celebration ensues. It looks like Adam Ahlfeld’s protege, Brett Finkelmeier, is coming into his own quite nicely.\n11:05 p.m. – An Armon Bassett 3-pointer prompts the bar to break out the “Hoo- hoo- hoo- Hoosiers!” chant. There’s plenty to cheer about this game. IU has only allowed six points in the half with 9:19 left on the clock.\n11:15 p.m. – A close up of SIU guard Joshua Bone prompts Wolfman to bellow, “Bone! His name is Bone! Wow!” After scoring only seven points in the last 14 minutes, the Salukis could use a bone right now.\n11:16 p.m. – Gordon drains another three to give IU a 14-point lead. Just another day at the office for Air Gordon.\n11:23 p.m. – Gaylord makes a free throw with 3:28 remaining. The Hoosiers’ zone has made the 6-foot-7 forward seem invisible this half.\n11:24 p.m. – Mike White for two! Game over.\n11:25 p.m. – A priceless shot of SIU coach Chris Lowery sitting stonefaced on the bench. Someone buy him a drink.\n11:33 p.m. – Yogi’s erupts in one final cheer as the game ends in a 64-51 Hoosier win. A good win on the road for IU in a tough environment. The crowd begins to thin as people head out for the usual Saturday night shenanigans. It’s good to be a Hoosier.
