TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Alan Helrigel has been to countless Indiana State Basketball games over the past six years.
The second-year graduate student has worked broadcasting games over the past six years, but Tuesday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats was one of the only times he’s got to enjoy the atmosphere in the Hulman Center as a fan.
And it’s an experience he won’t soon forgot.
“Honestly, it was probably my favorite experience at a sporting event ever,” he said.
Helrigel was one of many frustrated when the team didn’t make the NCAA tournament, but he said getting to see postseason basketball in Terre Haute has been a silver lining.
“I think within the NIT we have an even greater chance to win the whole thing,” he said. “And to get three more games at home is just, for me I feel really lucky to say I’ve gone to one of the games now as a fan.”
Freshman Owen Pulley has seen a shift around campus as the team has become more and more popular the past few weeks.
“I’ll be walking around campus and I’ll hear people talking about the buzz of the team being so good, ‘Do you think they’re going to make the NIT Final Four?’ Before that, it was, ‘Do you think they’ll make the tournament?’ Fans and students have become invested in this team,” Pulley said.
Next is the semifinal game, which will be next Tuesday, April 9th. Helrigel was so confident he purchased tickets earlier this week.
“[My buddy and I] on Monday bought tickets for the semis and the final hoping that they were going to win last night, so luckily they did,” he said. “It’s very exciting, I used to go to Hinkle Fieldhouse all the time for Butler Bulldogs games as a kid so I’m excited to go back to Indy. Very excited, and I think the Sycamores should come out and support.”
Pulley said this has been a fantastic few weeks, not just for the team, but the community as well.
“There’s two Indiana schools still playing, Indiana State and Purdue. Indiana State being one of the last two schools playing is awesome,” he said.
ISU will face off against the Utah Utes in the semifinal.
