Indiana Hoosiers Upset Purdue Boilermakers in Thrilling 40th Anniversary Tribute to Bob Knight's Chair Toss

The Indiana Hoosiers celebrated the 40th anniversary of Bob Knight's infamous chair toss in style, securing a 73-58 victory over their in-state rivals, the Purdue Boilermakers. The historic chair, brought back to the sidelines by current coach Mike Woodson, seemed to bring some much-needed luck to the Hoosiers, who had lost six of their last seven games entering this matchup.

A Nod to History

Bob Knight, the legendary Indiana coach, made headlines 40 years ago when he threw a chair across the court during a game against Purdue. This year, to commemorate the incident, Woodson, who played under Knight from 1976 to 1980, had the chair placed on the sidelines. "What you guys don't realize, that probably is the chair," Woodson said after the game. "I've had it awhile. I know a lot of people say they have the chair."

A Game-Changing Second Half

The Hoosiers entered halftime trailing by 12 points but exploded in the second half, scoring 48 points to seal the victory. This win not only ended a three-game losing streak against Purdue but also bolstered Indiana's chances of making the NCAA tournament. As of Sunday, the Hoosiers were listed among the "next four out" in ESPN's bracketology by Joe Lunardi.

The Chair's Legend Lives On

The return of the chair added an extra layer of excitement to this storied rivalry. Whether it was the historical significance or simply a psychological boost, the chair's presence seemed to inspire the Hoosiers to one of their most important wins of the season. As the team pushes for a spot in the NCAA tournament, they'll hope to carry this momentum forward.