The Crossroads Classic is one of the greatest events to look forward to each year around Indy. And because of an unfortunate (but understandable) decision by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Saturday will be the last that we know of the always thrilling event.
Butler, Purdue, Indiana, and Notre Dame. The four most powerful basketball brands in our state clashing year-after-year. You’re not going to get much better than that.
Every season, the games deliver.
Of course, the Dawgs had some unforgettable moments versus the Hoosiers too.
Within good reason, it’s probably not a great idea for Mike Brey’s Irish to make the long drive down US-31 to just play a true away game in front of either Purdue or Indiana fans.
As long as the Bulldogs, Boilermakers, and Hoosiers want this event to continue, there is a way to keep it alive. How about this idea?
Let’s get more teams around the Hoosier State involved. Keep Butler, Purdue, and IU all as automatic bids to the Crossroads. But determine the fourth team by having a play-in game just like the NCAA Tournament.
Let’s say you select Indiana State and Ball State as your two teams competing to get in. Have the Sycamores and the Cardinals play a non-conference game each season against one another, and then the winner gets the honor of playing in the Crossroads.
Their opponent would then teeter-totter between Indiana and Purdue each year just like it did with Notre Dame; And boom, you’ve got the Crossroads Classic alive and well.
To be fair, right now Ball State and Indiana State’s level of talent is not the same as ND. But think about the recruiting boost each school would get with that opportunity to play with the big boys; And to get be part of Saturday’s in the 317 like this.
Let’s keep one of our state’s best traditions alive and well.
