There's a combination of two words in the gambling world that means there's no pressure, that you know you're at least not going to lose any money: free roll. The Indiana Hoosiers have just earned that in a Sweet 16 rematch with rival Kentucky. Regardless of the outcome of that game, the Hoosiers season has been a success; most would consider this year an overachievement.
And sure the Wildcats could blow out the Hoosiers by twenty come Friday, but you know what will be the take away from this rivalry after the Madness has ended? Hoosier Nation, foes and the college basketball world witnessed the come back of a storied program... at the expense of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Free roll. There will be no pressure on the Hoosiers on Friday. They can't play any worse than they did tonight. They turned the ball over a season high 22 times against probably the best defensive scheme left in the tournament. What was lost in all of the turnover's was the fact that Indiana was playing it's best defense of the season as well in the second half. A half which they held the Rams to just 19 points and held them to under 40% shooting.
Free roll. The Hoosiers weren't even supposed to make the tournament this year and they're in the Sweet 16. They don't have four lottery picks on their team. They aren't expected to win this game. Seth Davis will probably pick against this team one more time. And maybe that's how this team wants it to be. They've thrived in similar situations all season.
Free roll. Something the Kentucky Wildcats are not on. They have championship expectations facing a team that has already beaten them. A team that clearly is less talented at an individual level, but team-wise can compete with anyone and they know it.
On Friday when these two schools battle for a spot in the Elite 8, if you're an Indiana fan just sit back and enjoy. After all, this is supposedly where the road ends. You know, since we were supposedly headed for the NIT before the season started. Oh and we were supposedly one and done once we made the tournament field.
If you're a Kentucky fan? This is your worst nightmare. Nothing worse than playing a team in March that knows they have nothing to lose.
Blogger's Note: There's a few times that I'll have to let my fandom take over and obviously tonight is one of those instances. I'm 5-4 in my B1G picks so far in the tournament. I will post my preview / analysis / picks for the remaining Round of 32 games tomorrow morning before tip. GO HOOSIERS!!
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