With the NCAA basketball tournament underway and the IHSAA state basketball finals this weekend, Hoosier Hysteria is in full swing. In the spirit of March Madness and Indiana basketball fever, the University Film Committee will present "Hoosiers" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Pruis Hall.
"Hoosiers," which was selected by the readers of USA Today as the best sports movie of all time, depicts the fictional Hickory High School's run for the Indiana state high school basketball championship. The film is based on the Milan High School (enrollment 73) 1954 boy's basketball team, which defeated the much larger and heavily-favored Muncie Central team.
University Film Committee Chairperson Chris Shea said that many Indiana residents have a strong connection to the film.
"Who doesn't have some kind of connection to this film?" Shea said. "Many people in central Indiana were extras in the field house scenes. In fact, one of the members of the film committee had a small part in the film."
Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who will be introducing "Hoosiers" and has studied the film as part of his honor's thesis project, agreed.
"The film is obviously relevant because of its Indiana roots, especially the fact that the real story involves Muncie Central High School," Wilkes-Krier said.
Incidentally, Muncie Central plays Lawrence North for the Class 4A Indiana boy's basketball title in Indianapolis Saturday.
As with all University Film Series' events, admission is free for students.
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