Column: IU’s regular season’s top 5 wins

In one of the most surprising regular seasons of all time, which of IU’s 24 wins sticks out the most? Below, five of those wins are ranked not by which were most important to the Hoosiers’ tournament résumé, but by which meant the most to the program and the season.

1. University of Kentucky 12/10/2011

This is how we knew this season would be different. It’s hard to believe IU would have gone on this magical run if Watford’s shot rimmed out. At the time, the Hoosiers were unranked and had a week to prepare for a Kentucky game that had a different feel to it because this time, there was actually a chance IU could upset the No. 1 team in the country.

Sure enough, five Hoosiers scored in double figures while National Player of the Year candidate Anthony Davis was limited to just six points as IU handed the Wildcats their only loss of the regular season.

2. At Purdue 2/4/2012

On the surface, a 20th-ranked IU squad beating a mediocre Purdue team does not merit this No. 2 ranking. But this was about beating a team they are expected to beat.
IU’s 78-61 win at Purdue was one of the major indicators that Hoosier basketball was back to normal. It was IU Coach Tom Crean’s first win against the Boilermakers, sealed a sweep of basketball programs in Indiana and proved the Hoosiers could win on the road in the Big Ten after dropping four straight conference road contests leading up to that point — IU’s first win in Mackey Arena since 2006.

3. At North Carolina State University 11/30/2011

Before IU beat any ranked team, before the NCAA Tournament was an inevitable reality, there was the victory at NC State. I didn’t fully understand the importance of this win until interviewing the IU seniors, who, in separate interviews, almost all agreed this win was when they knew this season would be different.

The Wolfpack was IU’s first real test, as the Hoosiers faced a major conference school far from the confines of Assembly Hall. Down by five with 6:36 remaining in a tight game, IU fought back and hung onto a slim lead to close out the game — something Crean’s past three teams would not have been able to do.

4. Michigan State University 2/28/2012

This win proved there was still some fuel left in the tank.

Did I say some fuel? I meant a lot more fuel.

The high of the Purdue win was fading, and the Hoosiers had not recorded a win against a ranked opponent since beating Michigan on Jan. 5 — 15 games ago. I was skeptical the same team that beat Kentucky and OSU could appear.

Well, the Hoosiers answered the call, snapping the then-No. 5 Spartans’ seven-game win streak, crushing Michigan State by 15 points. This team had not lost a step and was poised to make a run into March.

5. Ohio State University 12/31/2011

Was the monumental win against Kentucky a fluke?

After a deflating loss at Michigan State, which gave IU it’s first loss of the season, the Hoosiers had to face then-No. 2 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve at home. The students would not be in Assembly Hall, and the Buckeyes looked to be one of the best teams in the country.

Well, the Hoosiers proved they were for real with a 74-70 victory on top of a 17-point performance from junior guard Jordan Hulls. IU was just 14 games into its seasons and had already defeated the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation.