Wander Indiana: It’s A Slow Go In Any Snow

By Ryan Fagan
Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan is on a basketball tour of Indiana. He’ll write about all things Hoosier Culture for The Sporting Blog.
So much to update you on ... where to start?
First of all, lots and lots of driving the past couple of days. The trip to South Bend from Evansville was supposed to take about six hours, but that friendly little swath of winter weather that blanketed the Midwest was kind enough to add a couple of hours to the trip.
Not sure why some drivers (especially those driving vehicles of the 18-wheel variety) believe that, as long as they see snowflakes, it’s OK to drive 45 mph in the left lane of an interstate. Saw ice near Evansville, a wintry mix near Indianapolis and heavy snowfall near Lafayette. Good times.
But back to the basketball. Not only has this been a great trip as far as the people I’ve met, but there have been some really great games. If you’re counting at home, the host teams are 6-2 on the trip.
• On Thursday, Notre Dame rallied to blow past Pitt in front of a mind-numbingly loud crowd at the Joyce Center.
Spend 30 seconds or so in that atmosphere and it’s not at all surprising the Irish have won 35 consecutive home games. The bigger surprise is they ever lose there. Tory Jackson is underrated, and if he could just shoot free throws, he would be one of the best all-around guards in the country.
• On Wednesday, Evansville gave Illinois State more trouble than the Cardinals wanted.
The Cardinals came to Roberts Stadium with an 18-8 record, harboring hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid even if they don’t win the Missouri Valley tournament. Evansville was 8-17, but had a chance to hit a game-winning buzzer-beater. Not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing game, but close games are at least interesting, right?
• Tuesday was quite possibly the craziest second half I’ve witnessed live. Wichita State had outhustled and outshot Indiana State and took a 48-27 lead with 13:43 left on an and-1 layup and free throw by Ramon Clemente.
That’s when the host Sycamores rattled off a 21-0 run in 4:50 to tie the game 48-48. Undaunted, the Shockers responded by building their lead back up to 10 points at 62-52, and led by nine with 1:22 remaining.
Indiana State closed on a 13-4 run to tie the game with 3.1 seconds left and won in overtime. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that one.
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I got several e-mails telling me the place I had to visit in Terre Haute was The Ballyhoo, which is just a block or so from Hulman Center. Right they were.
Dave Brasen, the owner, showed off the place to Photo Jay and me. Lots of Sycamores memorabilia on the walls and even a couple of bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Being a Tuesday night, there wasn’t a band playing, but the music room feels like a great place to watch a concert. Small enough that it gives off an intimate vibe, but big enough that you don’t feel cramped. Highly recommended.
Another great place is Fiddler’s Hearth in South Bend. After watching the Irish play a little basketball, I had to visit an Irish pub, right?
The menu has a selection of new and different items, and any time you can get away from the standard Applebee’s/T.G.I. Friday’s fare, it’s a good thing. I got the ham/brie/pear sandwich, and washed it down with a Guinness and a Smithwick’s. Very familiar pattern to my trip to Ireland a few years back.
The two fellas on stage also gave quite a show. They played renditions of everything from Johnny Cash to Kermit the Frog to Michael Jackson, with their own little twist. And not in the “Why? Why? Why?” fashion, but in the “Y’know, that actually works” type of rendition. Andy Hopkins played the guitar and Cory Miller played the cajon, which is an odd little percussion instrument played like a sideways bongo.
Anyway, they brought up several friends to sing or play the kazoo alongside them, and it was just an enjoyable time. Not sure when my next trip to South Bend will be, but I guarantee it’ll include another trip to Fiddler’s Hearth.↵