As Purdue prepares to face Connecticut in Monday’s national championship game, Zach Edey said he’s been hearing words of encouragement from Big Ten fans, and yes, even IU fans.
“We’ve gone on this run and I’ve had fans of other schools message me ‘hey we’re rooting for you, we’re cheering you on.’ I’ve had IU fans (say) ‘hey we love what you’re doing right now,'” he said.
A media member followed up. “You never thought that — IU fans?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty wild,” Edey said.
What percentage of Indiana fans are rooting for their rival on Monday evening?
The Daily Hoosier conducted a poll on X with a simple question for IU basketball fans. Are they rooting for arch rival and nemesis Purdue on Monday night?
Nearly 8,000 participated in the poll, and here are the results:
Simple question for #iubb fans: Are you rooting for Purdue on Monday night? (your thoughtful comments could be included in a story tomorrow).
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) April 7, 2024
233 fans shared their thoughts on the idea of crossing rivalry lines and rooting for Purdue. Here’s a sampling of what some Indiana fans had to say about where there loyalties will be on Monday evening.
HARD PASS
A lot of fans enjoy the fact that Purdue has never won a national title and don’t want to see that change.
No chance I would ever root for them in anything. I never have & never will. Their fanbase would never cheer for IU in anything.
— Bob Morgan (@bobmorgan64) April 7, 2024
I wouldn’t root for them if my life depended upon it
— Ethan Gressley (@thetrue_ethan) April 7, 2024
Nope. Can’t do it. pic.twitter.com/4h1efi1A0C
— Rachel Rosenthal (@rrosenthal) April 7, 2024
Ridiculous. What IU fan would want Purdue to win? I’d cheer for Russia over Purdue.
— Ryun Cook (@RyunCook) April 7, 2024
A RESPECTFUL NO
Should rivals root for each other in any scenario? A lot of commenters didn’t think so. Some Purdue fans commented and agreed with this sentiment:
I value our rivalry with them. it would be disrespectful of our traditions to cheer for them. I want to win another one and I know they wouldn’t cheer for us. Part of the allure of winning is spiting your rivals. There’s no need to be mean about it. Just Good ol fashioned hate.
— The Hoosier Comrade (@hoosier_comrade) April 7, 2024
IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR (____), BUT NAH
There are plenty of IU fans out there who are influenced by Purdue friends and family members, like Matt Painter, think it would be good for the Big Ten, and a host of other factors. But still, rooting for Purdue in a national championship game is a step too far.
It would be good for the conference. It would NOT be good for my soul. 😏
— Jen Gawne (@HoosierJen96) April 7, 2024
I like Matt Painter, they are a great team, but under no circumstances could I ever root for Purdue!! 🤷♀️
— daphne aglietti (@daphneaglietti) April 8, 2024
SEEMS LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BUT STILL, NAH
Honestly I’m trying and it’s very difficult 🤷🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/qm2RGMjmAr
— Carlos Lamont Davis (@losboysz) April 7, 2024
REPPING THE MINORITY
I’ll admit I was surprised by the percentage of IU fans who will be rooting for Purdue. Here are some of their reasons why:
Yea, why not? They aren’t playing IU, they represent the state, represent the B1G which from a championship standpoint point has been an embarrassment in the tourney, and they’re a darn good basketball team.
— JD (@BarrNone83) April 7, 2024
Have a brother and brother-in-law who went there and many friends as well. Will be happy for them if they win it. It’s hard to do but I have to set aside the rivalry and cheer for the Indiana team and the Big Ten.
— Dennis Schlachter (@dgschlachter) April 7, 2024
Yes and it’s easy. They play in a manner that reminds me of the best days of IU men’s basketball.
— Tim Arnold (@arnoldtimw) April 7, 2024
