University (600) Built 2003
February 24, 2026: Guerin Catholic vs. University (Boys)
February 24, 2026: Guerin Catholic vs. University (Boys)
A couple years ago when I wrote my Carmel blog, I talked about how people are predisposed to disliking Carmel and Hamilton County in general because of the air of aristocracy that is ever-present there. I also acknowledged that this attitude torwards an entire county is probably unfair due to the fact that it is based on sweeping generalizations made towards an entire group of people. It's admittedly childish on my part and others who feel this way. Sometimes though, you just can't help the way you feel about a certain thing. When I'm in Hamilton County, it just feels different. I feel like an outsider. It's like walking into a high school basketball where everyone is usually dressed in their team hoodies or custom apparel with the players's names and numbers on the back, only this time everyone is wearing quarter-zip sweaters with slacks or pantsuits. You would feel out of place there if you showed up in jeans and a sweatshirt right? You would feel out of place if you brought your 3 year old kid to the game like you always do, but this time he was the only person there under the age of 14. You would feel out of place if you walked through the carpeted halls around the gym in search of a bathroom and mistakenly walked right into a big theater area where students were practicing instruments you can't even pronounce. This was my exact experience when I attended my first game at University High School in Carmel. Sometimes feelings that seem childish, can also be justified.
I didn't think it would be possible for Carmel to be out Carmeled by anyone in their own city, but I think University has actually accomplished it. All of the pomp and circumstance of Carmel is here, just without the cool gym and rich basketball tradition to keep it somewhat grounded. University is a private high school in Carmel that started in the early 2000s. I assume it was given that name because it was designed to be an elite college-prep school. It's pretty ambiguous, which is fitting, because there doesn't seem to be much of an identity here, at least when it comes to basketball. They've had a little success in their two decades of IHSAA tournament play, but they haven't really made their mark on the Indiana high school basketball world. More than one person asked me quizzically, "Who?" when I've brought up my trip to University. Ironically, this was probably the year they had a chance to leave a real legacy with a great team, and then their best player left right at the end of the year to go to Carmel (gotta love those new transfer rules!). It was tough on their team, and basically neutered any chance they had at making a run in the postseason. The game I came to watch was against Guerin Catholic, another preppy private school in Hamilton County. My kid brought jelly beans from home to eat at the game, and he was so excited about them. Seeing that simple joy in him was best part of the evening, because boy everything else was depressing.
It was a good thing my son brought his jelly beans, because the concession stand here is one of the saddest things I've ever seen at a basketball game. It's just a window from the gym into what I think may be the school kitchen? The pop was in cans, and they had maybe three flavors. The gym itself is just a glorified elementary setup, which isn't uncommon for fly-by-night charter schools, but you'd expect a little better from an established private school like University. There are 7 rows of navy blue plastic bleachers on one side behind the team benches, and 7 on the opposite side as well. The opposite side has a much more narrow section though, which means there is a ton of empty space in the corners. One nice thing I will say is that the gym was packed (if that's a real accomplishment when the place only holds 600 people is up for debate I guess). They also played "300 Violin Orchestra" during the pregame, which real hoopers know is a top 3 all-time warmup song. They even played "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" as the players took the court which was also awesome. The only negative I can say about the music is that at one point the band was playing at the same time as stereo system which was not a fun time for the ears. The overall aesthetic is pretty mundane. They've slapped some wood paneling halfway up the baseline walls which I guess is supposed to give it a little more character. There are a few boring state championship and runner-up banners on one side of the wood paneling and some flags on the other. Some University Blazer signage is up on the walls above the bleachers (reminds me of Eastern Hancock, which is not a compliment). Also up here you'll find some Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference (a little wordy if you ask me for a conference name) team banners which are fine. The court design is fine as well. A light-tan color is used throughout with darker areas inside the three=point arcs. A big navy blue "U" is at center court and "Trailblazers" is written across the baselines.
I will say that between the music and pre-game light show, they tricked me into feeling a little hyped up for this game at the start. Guerin Catholic and University both had decent teams (though this game was right after their best player left), The game even went into overtime where Guerin edged them out in the end. As good as the basketball was, and as elite as the pre-game production was, this really proved to me that a lifeless crowd and gym can really take the energy out of a game. Even though the game was back and forth and close the whole time, it was like watching a game take place on the 7th hole at Pebble Beach on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It didn't feel exciting like it should have. I wish the players at University all the best in their academic and athletic endeavors, but this isn't something I can celebrate. This game was the antitheses of what Hoosier Hysteria is all about. Gyms in Indiana are supposed to elevate the game, or at the very least not impede the spectacle of a great matchup. They should never diminish the game, and that's what happened here.
