After 2nd Big Ten Title, Ferrell Earns His Spot Among Hoosier Greats

Last April, Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell had a life-altering decision to make. Would he declare for the NBA Draft or would he return to Bloomington  to play his senior season at Indiana University?

Almost eleven months later, Ferrell’s decision to stay not only helped Indiana win its second outright Big Ten title in four years, but it also helped him secure his place among the greatest Hoosiers of all-time.

Ferrell’s statistics point to one of the most accomplished players to ever wear the cream and crimson. He’s the school’s all-time leader in assists (603) and has the 10th most assists of any Big Ten play ever. He’s also the only player to lead the Hoosiers in assists during all four of his seasons at Indiana.

In addition to his record-breaking assist numbers, Ferrell can also score the basketball with the best. He has scored 1,892 points in his career, which ranks seventh in school history. Specifically, he’s one of the best three-point shooters in Indiana history, passing A.J. Guyton for most three-pointers by a Hoosier in Big Ten play (158). Ferrell passed Guyton when he hit his clutch three-pointer with 37 seconds left against Iowa. Ferrell also owns the school record for longest streak of consecutive games with a made three-pointer (68 games).

Lastly, Ferrell owns the record for most career starts for an Indiana Hoosier (132 games) and is the second player in Big Ten history (the other being Illinois’ Dee Brown) to accumulate 1,800 points, 600 assists, and 400 rebounds over his college career.

With all that being said, Hoosier fans value winning more than any statistic and that’s why Ferrell is finally being recognized for his greatness.

Tuesday’s win at Iowa City gave Indiana its conference-tying 22nd Big Ten title. It’s the second for Ferrell with both being outright championships. Yet while other Hoosiers have the same number or even more Big Ten titles, Ferrell’s accomplishment is unique.

Ferrell is the only player on this season’s team that remains from the 2013 Hoosiers which basically means he has won two conference championships with two completely different teams. His two outright Big Ten championships are even more impressive when you realize Indiana had gone 20 years without an outright Big Ten title prior to Ferrell’s freshman season.

Add in all of the clutch shots over his career as well as the great defense he’s played this season and Yogi Ferrell has without a doubt out earned a seat at the table of Hoosier legends.

However, he might not be done. He already ranks among the top 20 greatest players in IU history, but if he’s somehow able to end his senior campaign with Assembly Hall hanging a sixth banner, he’ll easily move into the top 10.