— First ever Basketball Day in Indiana to take place Dec. 10 —
— Five games to be played across Indianapolis, all televised on FOX Sports Indiana —
— Fans invited to celebrate Indiana’s rich basketball history and passion —
Basketball is Indiana’s game. On Saturday, Dec. 10, fans can celebrate the state’s unmatched passion for the sport on Basketball Day in Indiana, a new event announced today by FOX Sports Indiana, the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.
Basketball Day in Indiana will feature five games – from high school through the NBA – played across Indianapolis. From the start at 9 a.m. through the final wrap fans will see 13 hours of continuous live coverage featuring three marquee high school matchups, Butler’s non-conference game against Cincinnati at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Pacers taking on Portland at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. FOX Sports Indiana will televise all five games, along with content chronicling the history of basketball in Indiana.
FOX Sports Indiana will broadcast live throughout the day from a set on Georgia Street in Downtown Indianapolis outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Fans are invited to watch the live broadcast and take part in shooting contests on a temporary basketball court on the street.
“We expect Basketball Day in Indiana to become an annual event,” said FOX Sports Indiana senior vice president and general manager Jack Donovan. “Indiana has such a rich basketball tradition. Basketball Day in Indiana is a full day dedicated to celebrating the sport.”
“Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Pacers and the Fever are delighted to participate in a day that will so well capture the essence of all that Indiana basketball is and represents,” said Rick Fuson, President and COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We hope you can attend at least one of the games but if not, grab the popcorn and make it a day and night of Hoosier hoops on FOX Sports Indiana.”
Basketball Day in Indiana will start at 8 a.m. ET with pre-recorded shows on The Wigwam and Milan Miracle. Live coverage begins at 9 a.m. with the Basketball Day in Indiana Live tipoff show from Georgia Street. The first two games of the day will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse: Center Grove takes on Carmel in girls high school basketball at 10 a.m., followed by a boys game between Lapel and New Castle at 12 p.m.
“The IHSAA is ecstatic about the creation and production of a Basketball Day in Indiana,” said Bobby Cox, Commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). “This collection of high school, college and professional basketball games from our state will truly showcase the sport which is synonymous with Indiana. We are thrilled to partner with our friends at FOX Sports and Bankers Life Fieldhouse in creating a day celebrating the rich heritage of basketball in our state.”
The scene will then shift to Southport High School for a matchup of two of the best high school players in the state: North Central (Indianapolis), and its star senior Kris Wilkes, will face defending 4A state champion New Albany, led by junior Romeo Langford.
At 4:30, Butler will host Cincinnati in a high-profile college game that will be simulcast on FOX Sports Indiana and FS1.
“Basketball Day in Indiana is a great way to showcase our state’s love of the sport,” said Barry Collier, Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics. “The simulcast of our game with Cincinnati provides another opportunity for fans who aren’t in Hinkle on Dec. 10 to enjoy a great non-conference match-up. We’re excited to be part of this inaugural event.”
At 6:30 it’s back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the Pacers host the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m., followed by a wrap of all the day’s events.
Interested in Fever tickets? Join us for Select-A-Seat and you can test drive the best available seat location for 2017. You can also meet new head coach Pokey Chatman and All-Star guard Briann January.