New Coach. New Shooter. Same Tradition.
Jeff Yoder | Echo
We all know what happens. It's not a secret anymore. The whole country knows. We pack 2,000 students and hundreds of parents, staff and local residents into a gymnasium that is built for 1,500. We treat Odle like the library until the 10th point when we act like children on Christmas morning who just drank too much coffee and found a winning lottery ticket in our stockings.
And even though Silent Night is a Taylor tradition, it has become so popular that the University of Illinois is now emulating it in their season-opener, calling it "Orange Hush" to honor their head coach and Taylor alum John Groce ('95). But Illinois' version takes place in the State Farm Center-formerly Assembly Hall-with a seating capacity of 17,000. It doesn't have the same effect.
Illinois students wear orange shirts. That's a good start. Taylor students can be sighted in pajamas, robes, reindeer costumes, diapers and body paint. If we're lucky, we may even see the running of the bulls.
Combine finals week, Christmas and the incredible community of Taylor University and you've got yourself a perfect storm.
And while Silent Night is a tradition nearly two decades old, there are some nontraditional things about this year's game.
For the first time, the Trojans will take the court on Silent Night coached by someone other than Paul Patterson, men's basketball coach for the past 34 seasons. New head coach Josh Andrews will lead Taylor in his first Silent Night game.
"I'm excited to experience Silent Night," Andrews said. "It's a very attractive part of the men's basketball program and, certainly for the school, it's a special thing."
Another twist on Silent Night 2013 is the shooter of the silence-breaking 10th point. Former player and current assistant coach Casey Coons hit the big shot in each of the last four Silent Night contests.
So who gets the shot that will echo across the nation and send Odle into pandemonium? With the Trojans' balanced scoring offense, it could be any one of the Taylor starters or primary bench scorers.
"It's a free-flowing offense that breeds unselfishness in the way we play," Andrews said. "We make decisions based on how the defense is guarding us. How you're guarding us is going to determine who takes the shot."
The Trojans have four players averaging more than 10 points per game and another handful of capable scorers, meaning there's a myriad of candidates for the big shooter at the big moment.
"Whoever that guy is, he can put that (award) on the shelf," Andrews added.
Seniors Ben Raichel and Josh Riikonen-each averaging double figures-are playing in their final Silent Night game and could be viable options to launch a shot when the 10th point rolls around.
"It is always nice to get (the 10th point) early and get that pressure off," Riikonen said. "Then it's just a great basketball game and a fun environment."
Raichel, the Trojans' senior sharpshooter, has shot 41 percent from three-point range this season.
"It's typically the role of the seniors to keep the guys focused on Silent Night," Raichel added. "It is a great atmosphere to play basketball in and we always look forward to the opportunity to play in front of a great crowd."
Sophomore Kyle Stidom and junior Jesse Coffey are the other two high scorers in the Trojan offense. Stidom, a transfer, is looking forward to playing in his first Silent Night game.
"It's a chance to be a part of one of the best traditions in college basketball," Stidom said. "It's a big deal here and a great tradition to be a part of."
The remaining Taylor starters include sophomore guard Jordan Richardson, who leads the team in assists, and junior forward Darayl Jordan, who is shooting over 50 percent from the floor this season.
Other possible shooters include juniors Tyler Waite and Ian Dutcher, who normally play significant minutes off the bench.
While we can't be certain who the shooter will be, we can be certain that footy pajama sales rose dramatically this week in Grant County. So whatever your costume may be, remember . . . shh.
The silence begins at 6 p.m. tonight as TU takes the court against Indiana Dabney University.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
