Column: 3 suggestions to make Hoosier Hysteria better in 2012

During the weekend, IU Coach Tom Crean tweeted from his Twitter account
(@TomCrean) that he wanted to receive ideas from students and fans for what events to sponsor during this year’s Hoosier Hysteria.

Here is my list of ideas for Hoosier Hysteria on Oct. 20.

A Tom Crean “mean mug” competition

Imagine an entire Assembly Hall filled with students imitating the face Crean made after beating Kentucky last year.

Or better yet, why not select a group of students at random to see who can make the best “Tom Crean Face.”

The rules would be simple.

For each student, the “Wat Shot” would be played on the jumbotron as if the moment was happening live. As Christian Watford drains the three and Assembly Hall erupts, the camera then switches to the Crean-wannabe making a face that is half shock and half pure excitement.

Each face would be more priceless than the last, and each could be compared side-by-side next to the face Crean made.

Crean and the three seniors — Jordan Hulls, Watford and Derek Elston— can judge the competition, and the winner gets a framed picture with the coach.

Let’s just hope the fans don’t rush the court each time, or it’s going to be a long night.

Have Cody Zeller come out as Martha the Mop Lady

In 2009, Crean surprised fans at Hoosier Hysteria by playing the video of Martha the Mop Lady — the first time it had been played in 20 years.

At first thought, I was going to suggest Crean begins Hoosier Hysteria by coming out of the tunnel singing the school fight song dressed as Martha the Mop Lady.

After envisioning a reenactment of the Martha the Mop Lady video with Cody Zeller, I have to choose IU’s center as the best candidate to pick up the mop.

I’m sure Crean or Athletics Director Fred Glass can put in a phone call to Hoosier alumnus Daniel Weber to make a “This is Indiana”-esque remix with Zeller as the star of the video.

After the video is played at Hoosier Hysteria and the band continues to play the school fight song, Zeller — still dressed as Martha the Mop Lady — can lead the rest of the team out onto the floor amidst a roaring Assembly Hall crowd.

An instant YouTube sensation will be created, and Hoosier fans will get to see a 7-foot Martha the Mop Lady throw down a couple of dunks.

Bring back Bob Knight

This one is in all seriousness.

I know attempts have been made by IU to welcome Knight back to the program, but enough is enough.

This needs to happen.

By welcoming back the coach on a night that kicks off the season, the message would be sent loud and clear to all Hoosier fans: stars are aligning for a memorable season.

As stubborn as the former coach can be, I would hate to think of the possibility that Knight’s bullheadedness would prevent him from ever returning to the place where his legend was cemented.

Knight’s return isn’t just about honoring the man. It’s about giving true Hoosier fans the opportunity to express their appreciation for what Knight’s Hoosiers represented and accomplished.

Bridging the gap of hurt feelings between Knight and IU during Hoosier Hysteria would also be the truest statement of what IU basketball represents under Crean: honoring tradition while building new legacies.

On the night the first chapter of the 2012-13 season is written, let’s urge Crean and the IU basketball program to bring back one of the school’s all-time greats.

­— mdnorman@indiana.edu