IU and Purdue rosters run deep with familiarity

A tilt in any sport between IU and Purdue is steeped in an inevitable history, and basketball is no exception.

With that being said, a number of players on both teams that will take the court today at Mackey Arena have a history with their opponents that goes beyond the trappings of a college rivalry.

“There’s such a familiarity with each other and there’s some close friendships, not to mention rivalries,” IU Coach Tom Crean said. “I think it’s a big part of it, especially because there’s young players in the game. We have some young freshmen and they have young freshmen that have played together, not to mention the older players.”

Former Indiana high school players dot seven of 12 rosters in the Big Ten, but none to the level of IU or Purdue. With 11 former Indiana high schoolers apiece, in-state players comprise the backbones of both squads.

This is especially true in each school’s senior and freshmen classes. Two of IU’s three seniors are from in-state, as are three of the four freshmen.

Purdue is even more homegrown in those classes, with both of its seniors and all six of its freshmen either growing up or playing high school ball in-state.

“I think the kids think about it a little bit, but once the game starts, I’m not sure if ‘I played with you in AAU’ has a lot to do with it,” IU Associate Head Coach Steve McClain said. “Playing with guys who you played in the summer and now you’re playing with them in this game, I’m sure there’s some emotion to it for all the kids.”

Crean said as a coach, he can rely on such emotion to provide steady energy and focus throughout the game, while senior guard Jordan Hulls said player’s personal history with their foes certainly contributes to their motivation.

“It’s fun playing against guys you know, guys that you’re good friends with that are good competitors,” Hulls said. “You want to try to beat each other. It’s a pretty cool dynamic out there.”

There is perhaps no position better that embodies the long-standing familiarity between players on both teams than guard, where both the Hoosiers and Boilermakers sport a senior and freshman in key roles.

Freshman point guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell and Purdue’s Ronnie Johnson, both Indianapolis products with similar small frames, were ranked as the top two point guards in state high schools for the 2012 recruiting class and had gone toe-to-toe a number on times prior to suiting up for college rivals.

McClain said the difference in the players’ styles, combined with development in different college systems means their familiarity with each other aids little in game-planning.

“When you get so wrapped up in what we’re doing and every game is another prep and you’re studying other guys, they may think back to it,” McClain said. “But just like Yogi’s gotten better, Ronnie’s gotten better. Yogi’s got to understand what he’s gotten better at, and I’m sure the Purdue coaches will make sure that Ronnie knows what Yogi’s gotten better at since his senior year of high school.”

Hulls’ history with Purdue’s D.J. Byrd goes even further back, all the way to being seventh grade AAU teammates. Hulls said he considers Byrd a good friend and is not surprised by his improvement in college.

“He’s always been able to shoot the ball off of screens, quick release,” Hulls said. “I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence, playing hard. That’s been the same way since we were in seventh grade together.”

As he nears his penultimate college matchup with Byrd, Hulls said he cannot help but be taken aback by just how far back the pair go in each other’s careers.

“That makes me feel old, to be saying ‘10 years ago,’” Hulls said. “That’s crazy to think about, to know each other that long.”