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BLOOMINGTON -- The best line from Saturday's Hoosier Hysteria came from a guy who didn't actually speak them.
For that we can thank former Indiana player Kory Barnett, who revealed one of the Derek-isms that provide so much humor for the team.
For the record, a Derek-ism is a funny or odd saying from senior forward Derek Elston. Think Yogi Berra with a basketball twist.
Elston's roommate, Jordan Hulls, declined to reveal specifics Saturday night other than to say that, “It's all the phrases he says that might not be the smartest thing he's ever said. Eventually, we work it out.”
Enter Barnett, who ran onto the court to give an example. A couple of years ago IU was flying to New York City for a basketball tourney. Elston was staring out the window, and then finally turned to ask a question.
“He said, I don't understand why it's called NYC,” Barnett said, “when it's New York with a K.”
For the record, NYC stands for New York City.
Hoosier Hysteria, which capped a long day that started with a regular morning practice, included a number of contests. In a surprise, the winner of the long-shot contest was not the favored Hulls, one of the nation's best three-point shooters, but forward Cody Zeller, who didn't take a three-pointer last year.
However, Zeller is expected to add that shot to his repertoire this season.
"Cody has a really nice stroke," coach Tom Crean said. "I think he'll continue to do more this year. We're excited about his improvement because it's all over the court.”
Zeller won after walk-on Jonny Marlin, a sophomore guard from Center Grove High School and a transfer from IPFW, upset Hulls in the semifinals.
“I worked on (three-point shooting) a lot this summer,” he said. “I shot 3s in high school a little bit. I know I've got to shoot outside a little bit more this year to make it tougher on teams to double team me. It's definitely something I'm going to do more.”
The dunk contest included judges from IU's past glory -- A.J. Guyton, Pat Graham and Matt Nover. Oladipo won with a perfect 70 score. That included one dunk when he leaped over a group of people, including a couple of women's basketball players and Christian Watford's younger brother.
The night ended with a 15-minute scrimmage divided into Red and White teams. Red team included Yogi Ferrell, Maurice Creek, Jeremy Hollowell and Cody Zeller. White team included Jordan Hulls, Elston, Christian Watford and Peter Jurkin.
The Red team won 40-39 behind Zeller's 16 points. Hulls led the White team with 12 points.
Two Hoosiers didn't participate because of minor injuries -- Will Sheehey with an ankle and Hanner Mosquera-Perea with a foot.
“(Sheehey) practiced a little bit today and he shot, but it was better to hold him off because we don't want anything to linger with him,” Crean said.
Mosquera-Perea, who missed most of the summer with a foot injury, was back in a walking boot on Saturday.
“We're going to hold him out for a little while, too,” Crean said. “He's been practicing so well, but had a little flare up. We really don't want to have any issues with that, so we're going to take a little time with him.”
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