When Kentucky and Indiana square off in their annual non-conference matchup, the rivalry is usually intense. Both storied traditions looking to gain an edge on their opponents not just in the eyes of voters in the national polls but in the eyes of the nation and the athletes in talent rich Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
With the signing of John Calipari to Kentucky, however, that rivalry just intensified. But the battles may be in living rooms across the Midwest rather than on the hardwood.
Calipari has always been known as a great recruiter. He got Marcus Camby to come to UMass and then went to Memphis and built a national juggernaut in a couple of years. Add the prestige of Kentucky basketball and Calipari is a force on the recruiting trail.
But if anyone is ready to face up Coach Cal in the battle of the living rooms it is Indiana head coach Tom Crean. Crean also is one of the top recruiters in the country. Where Calipari can go into a propects home and fill them dreams of the NCAA titles and NBA contracts, Crean is like a tornado of energy that anyone would be hard pressed not to be attracted too.
Also is Crean's back pocket is his track record at Marquette, where, like Calipari, he took a school that was down and again made them a national force. Add to it that he brought Dwayne Wade to Marquette and the banners at Assembly Hall and Crean too is a weapon that any recruit would be hard pressed to say no to.
The bottom line is that with these two coaches at the helm, the early season Indiana/Kentucky game may once again be a possible preview of the national championship game. Also Indiana and Kentucky fans now have a reason to hate each other through the off-season. As if they needed any.
Keywords: College Basketball, College Basketball Recruiting, Indiana Hoosiers, John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats, Midwest Recruiting, Tom Crean
