Hey Hoosier fans and comedy lovers it's been a week of highs and lows in the world of IU! From laugh-out-loud moments with the University tWits sketch comedy crew to nail-biting basketball action in the Big Ten Tournament Indiana University has been keeping us on our toes. Let's break down all the action from Bloomington and beyond.
From Inside Jokes to Stage Lights: University tWits Show How Sketch Comedy Magic Happens at IU
Ever wondered how a hilarious sketch comedy show comes to life? Well look no further than IU's very own University tWits. This talented student group is pulling back the curtain and giving us a peek into their creative process and it's pretty awesome. Turns out for them the line between joking around with friends and performing on stage is thinner than you might think!
IU senior Bonnibel Gawron a seasoned writer for the tWits explains that their sketch ideas often spark from everyday chats with pals. That random funny thought you had with your roommate? That could be the seed of a full-blown comedic sketch. Seriously even the silliest joke can be expanded into something stage-worthy.
Once they have that initial spark it's time to write. And for Bonnibel the writing process can be surprisingly quick. Stuck with writer's block? No problem! She suggests simply asking questions about the skit. What are the characters thinking? What would they do next? These questions help flesh out the scene and keep the comedic momentum going. It is like interviewing your own imaginary characters to figure out what happens next.
The tWits get together for show rehearsals about two weeks before a performance . The first rehearsal day is pitch day where everyone throws their sketch ideas into the ring. Then comes the "Leviathan" a super cool Excel program created by IU senior Adam Longstreth another tWit member. This program takes anonymous ratings from the group on each sketch averages them out and voila a ranked list of sketches ready for the show!
Around 20 sketches usually make the cut for a show depending on length and they aim for about a 55-page script in total. Then it's rewrite time! For a couple of days the group works together tweaking jokes characters and looking for recurring bits to weave throughout the performance to make it extra cohesive. But even after all that Adam mentioned they are always tweaking adding new jokes and lines right up to showtime. Comedy is a living breathing thing for these guys!
Memorizing lines and stage directions is a whole other challenge especially with only a week to prepare. Long monologues and complicated blocking? That's when things get tricky. But Cassie Reader another IU senior and tWit veteran said the community and trust within the group are key. If someone forgets a line which happens to everyone they know they can lean on their fellow performers. It is all about teamwork and having each other's backs to make the comedy shine.
Hoosier Hopes Doused: IU Basketball Falls to Oregon in Big Ten Tourney and NCAA Dreams Hang in Balance
Switching gears from comedy to courtside it was a tough week for IU basketball . The Hoosiers faced off against Oregon in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament and unfortunately fell 72-59. This early exit puts their NCAA Tournament hopes in serious jeopardy and now it's a nail-biting wait until Selection Sunday to see if they make the cut.
The game against Oregon was a rollercoaster. IU was down by 8 points at halftime after Oregon went on a 10-0 run. They fought back in the second half closing the gap to just a possession at times. But every time the Hoosiers threatened Oregon had an answer and in the final minutes the Ducks pulled away for the win.
Malik Reneau led the Hoosiers with a game-high 19 points followed by Mackenzie Mgbako with 12 and Trey Galloway with 15 points and 9 assists. Despite these individual efforts the team struggled overall shooting just 36.2% from the field and missing a whopping 14 layups. Free throws were also a challenge with only 5 of 10 attempts made. Oregon on the other hand hit 8 three-pointers compared to IU's 4.
Now the Hoosiers are 19-13 overall and their NCAA Tournament fate is uncertain. Experts are debating whether they have done enough to secure a spot or if they will be on the outside looking in. It's a tense time for IU fans as they wait to see if their team will get to dance in March Madness.
On the Oregon side the Ducks are riding an eight-game winning streak and advance to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals to face No. 1 seed Michigan State. Jackson Shelstad led Oregon with 18 points and TJ Bamba added 17 in their victory over Indiana.
IU This Week: Key Takeaways
- University tWits Creativity: IU's sketch comedy group relies on collaboration everyday jokes and a unique rating system to create their hilarious performances.
- Basketball Heartbreak: Indiana Hoosiers lost to Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament putting their NCAA Tournament hopes in doubt.
- Malik Reneau's Performance: Reneau led the Hoosiers with 19 points in the loss to Oregon.
- Selection Sunday Wait: IU basketball fans are anxiously awaiting Selection Sunday to see if the Hoosiers will make the NCAA Tournament.
- Oregon Ducks Surge: Oregon is on an eight-game winning streak and moves on to face Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
Looking Ahead: Comedy and Basketball Continue to Keep IU in the Spotlight
So that's the week in IU! Whether you are in the mood for some good laughs with the University tWits or holding your breath for IU basketball on Selection Sunday there is always something happening in Bloomington. Stay tuned to see what's next for both the comedic talents of the tWits and the basketball fate of the Hoosiers. It's sure to be an interesting ride!