Image via Inside the Hall

One year ago today, Aiden and I “stormed the court” in our living room, celebrating Christian Watford’s amazing shot. We weren’t the only ones who reacted that way.

That shot…that game…that reaction…that moment…

it was cathartic.

It was like the remnants of the HeWhoShallNeverBeNamedAgainOnThisBlog nightmare had finally been swept away. And after years of trying to somehow will the Hoosiers to win during the beginning of the Tom Crean era and experiencing disappointment after disappointment, that iconic shot became an instant harbinger that to Hoosier fans, Kentucky fans, Purdue fans, and all other college basketball fans across the nation: Indiana basketball is BACK.

And we celebrated with reckless abandon.

It still stings that Indiana isn’t playing KY during the season this year. It feels a little bit better that the team that replaced IU on the schedule was Baylor. You know – the team that broke KY’s home win-streak. Maybe it’s a case of “be careful what you wish for,” if Calipari truly was concerned about protecting his team’s home court winning streak. While I will always enjoy watching KY struggle, I would rather see these two teams play each other as the powerhouses they should be. I think it’s great for Indiana. And it’s great for college basketball. You know – like Luke vs. Emperor Palpatine is great for film. And I’ve been saying this for years.

Longing for the day when IU/UK rivalry isn't so one-sided anymore & actually means something to both teams and their fans. Soon. Very soon.—
Matt Todd (@mattdantodd) December 12, 2010

I hear Coach Cal says he wanted to play IU at Lucas Oil Stadium this season because he wants to create “experiences” (as if an electric Assembly Hall or Rupp Arena isn’t a magical experience). Well….Lucas Oil is hosting the Midwest Regional this year.

Coach Cal might want to be careful what he wishes for.