If you were to look on to ESPN.com's Web site, there'd be those pesky banners that get in the way when IU plays basketball gracing the site's front page.
It's there in part because Pat Forde used to write in Louisville and is well-versed with the town of Bloomington, but it is also there because the town of Bloomington happens to be steeped in basketball history.
I say all these ass-kissing things to say that IU was ranked as the Big Ten's best town for basketball in a column by Forde that ran today (Tuesday).
Listed as reasoning behind the choice is the year-round dedication of IU fans, who avoid football games for grassy fields filled with beer and booze.
Also receiving votes was East Lansing. Worst basketball town was State College, and the best town overall was Madison.
Here's a quote from Forde: "No one else in the league is as year-round hoops-centric -- yeah, thanks in part to the lack of football presence. Game-day atmosphere is great everywhere -- in town, on campus, in the arena. Assembly Hall has its flaws, but the banners bring home the tradition."
If you're interested in reading the article, here's a link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4899366
