IU coach Kelvin Sampson set the record for most consecutive home victories to start a career at IU during IU's 81-65 victory against Penn State on Sunday. It was the 26th consecutive win for Sampson and the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. It is IU's 28th consecutive win at Assembly Hall as a program. Here are some of his thoughts about the milestone and the fans at Assembly Hall.
"I guess the fans here are the reason why. And the players. We beat the No. 2 team in the nation on this court last year, we beat every team in the Big Ten on this court. The fans got us through some of those games. We were not a great team last year. We were a team that played with some great emotion, we played hard and these fans really appreciated it."
"I think our kids want to win for them to. I think they realize that when it gets down to brass tacks, you know players and coaches come and go, but the most important part of this program are the fans who support this team. For me, that's what it's all about - the fans."
"I think they (the fans) expect to win, I've gotten that feeling. They (the fans) expect us to win, but like D.J. said, they (players) expect to win."
There have been some good games at Assembly Hall since Sampson took over in May 2006. The most notable, which Sampson alluded to, was the victory over No. 2 Wisconsin, 71-66. Which game was most memorable to you? Which game are you looking most forward to this season (Iowa, UConn, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State or Minnesota)? Which team has the best chance to knock off the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall, or will IU go two consecutive seasons undefeated at home?
