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Indiana start Fire Mike Woodson chant in the first half vs. Illinois

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•about 13 hours•

griffin_mcveigh

Indiana head coach Mike Woodson
© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

To this point, Indiana is not having the season it expected. Despite having a 13-4 overall record and entering Tuesday 4-2 in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers are currently projected to miss the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Mike Woodson has not done himself any favors in recent weeks and the fanbase is certainly voicing its frustrations.

As Indiana hosts Illinois on Tuesday, the Fighting Illini are off to a flying start. Heading into the halftime break, IU finds itself down 28 points, giving up 60 first-half points. A big deficit in what would be a second consecutive blowout loss.

Fans decided to get a “Fire Woodson” chant going as a result. It soon began quite loud inside Assembly Hall, expressing displeasure with the head coach. Originally taking place during a timeout, the chants continued as the ball was in play.

Not the scene anyone in Bloomington wanted heading into the season. You can check out the full moment here.

Looking at Indiana’s resume for the season, 11 of their wins have come against Quad 3 or Quad 4 opponents. The Quad 1 record is not great, currently at 1-4. If Illinois holds on for the win, you can add one to the loss column.

Not exactly a recipe to make the NCAA Tournament in a year where the Hoosiers absolutely needed to participate in the postseason.

Woodson is in his fourth season in charge, never advancing to the second weekend. Even when Indiana was a four-seed back in 2022, the Miami Hurricanes took them out in the Round of 32. In his first season in charge, Woodson took a first-round loss.

But the worst was last year when Indiana was not even included in the field. They were 19-14 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play. Despite being invited to the NIT, the Hoosiers decided against playing.

Unfortunately, Indiana fans are likely stuck with Woodson for the rest of the season. A push to make the NCAA Tournament can still come, as the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country. Quad 1 opportunities will present themselves throughout the schedule.

Frustrations just piled up against Illinois, causing the chants. Barring something incredible in the second half, the tension will continue to rise inside Assembly Hall.