IUS students and fans recently filled the Activities Building to catch a glimpse of both the IUS Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams during the annual Cream and Crimson games.
The Cream and Crimson games are intrasquad scrimmages where both the men’s and women’s teams are split into two teams and play each other. Each team plays one 20-minute half.
With both teams coming off successful seasons, 27-5 record for the men and 23-9 record for the women, the Cream and Crimson games were an exciting way to start the new season.
“There’s going to be a lot of excitement during the game,” Greg Grimes, senior forward, said. “We have a lot of high flyers on our team.”
Wiley Brown, IUS Men’s Basketball head coach, is entering his fourth season with the team and explained the importance of the Cream and Crimson game.
“The game is for students and fans to check out this year’s team and to get some good practice before the start of the season,” Brown said.
The women’s team got the evening started. During the game, fans had a chance to see Whitney Duncan, senior point guard, in action.
Duncan is coming off an impressive year, in which she was named Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Duncan and teammate Brianne Miles, junior guard, showed why they’re one of the best backcourts in the KIAC.
The Crimson Team prevailed 37-23.
Before the men’s game began, there was an exciting halftime show.
First, there was a coed 3-point contest.
Jazzmarr Ferguson, men’s senior guard, teamed up with Miles.
Their competition in the shootout was Nick Gagel, men’s junior guard, and Alden Krausse, women’s senior forward.
Each player had one minute to make as many 3-pointers as possible. Both teams made plenty of shots, but Gagel and Krausse won the contest.
It was now time to see the high flyers Grimes mentioned earlier in the men’s slam dunk contest.
Competing in the contest was Steve Hendrick, junior guard, James Johnson, senior forward, and Rick Bodiford, senior forward.
The contestants displayed a heavy arsenal of difficult dunks, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.
In the end, it was Hendrick’s 360-dunk that won over the fans and secured him the slam dunk championship.
The contest changed the atmosphere inside the Activities Building, but the night wasn’t over.
It was now time for the men’s team to scrimmage. The team showcased talent that helped it end last season with a 27-5 record and have a preseason ranking of third in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Coach’s poll.
The game was very competitive for a scrimmage, with both sides really fighting for the win.
The game went down to the wire when Aaron Williams, sophomore guard, was fouled shooting a 3-pointer. Williams needed all three shots to tie the game but missed the second, and the Crimson team prevailed.
It’s a short turnaround for the men’s team as they play Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central in the IU vs. Purdue classic Nov. 12 and 13.
While the Grenadiers aren’t looking past any teams, they have a couple of important games in mind with the University of Cincinnati and Grace College. The latter will take place at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“I’m looking forward to the Cincinnati game,” Brown said. “It’s going to be tough, but that’s why I scheduled it at the beginning.”
Grimes said he is also looking forward to both games.
“The Cincinnati game is huge for us,” Grimes said. “If we can win that game, it would be big and give us a ton of confidence. Playing in Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will definitely be exciting. Playing in two big gyms back-to-back is great exposure for our team.”
By GARRETT TAYLOR
Staff
gartaylo@ius.edu