INDIANAPOLIS -- For the first time ever, historic Hinkle Fieldhouse is hosting the Final Four for the NIT and WBIT - and it just happens to be the year Indiana State is storming through that very same tournament.
”I don't think we could have been more fortunate to have this NIT championship more close to home at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse," said Jeremiah Turner with the Indiana State Alumni Association.
After missing out on March Madness, the Indiana State Sycamore Men's Basketball team has made a name for itself in the NIT. Winning games and selling out it's home arena on it's way to a semi-final game in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
”I think we all would admit we would love to be in the NCAA tournament but instead this team said we're going to go and win the NIT and our fan base is going to support, they're going to be with us and they’re going to cheer loud and were going to make Hinkle Fieldhouse Hulman Center East tonight," Turner said.
Hundreds of Indiana State faithful packed in the Bulldog Bar and Lounge in Broad Ripple. The bar is just a short walk from Hinkle.
”This is amazing, isn't it?" Turner said, pointing at the crowd inside the bar. "To have all of these Sycamore fans come to Indianapolis to celebrate this amazing season and show up and show out for this Indiana State team, it's amazing."
Bulldog owner Brian Knoderer said they've been riding great crowds of fans for the Purdue and Indiana Women's tournament runs - having Indiana State in town is the cherry on top.
"I expect a pregame crowd but I also expect a lot of people to be here to watch the game during the game and we traditionally get a pretty good crowd after the game to celebrate ISU’s win tonight," Knoderer said.
Bulldog manager Rachel Sheffer said it's great to get a new crowd of folks in town, too.
”It’s going to be a whole new crowd," she said. "We're used to Purdue, we're used to IU. It's fun to see those different schools come in and see just how they're going to act, how they are going to be and just see what their fans are about."
Indiana State plays Utah at 7 p.m. on ESPN Tuesday night. The winner advances to the NIT Championship.