Scott Agness, www.blogs.pacers.com
With Pacers taking Saturday off, Pacers center Roy Hibbert plans to be a rowdy fan at a local college basketball game. His Georgetown Hoyas, where he played from 2004-08, face the Butler Bulldogs at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (7 p.m.).
Hibbert’s had this on his calendar for a while and he’s real pumped to sit courtside to cheer on his alma mater.
“I’m about to get there and just heckle Butler like crazy,” Hibbert said with a smile. “Give people a little taste of what they give me. I’m going to go out there and be a fan for the first time. I’m happy they’re in my city and I’m going to go out there and show my support for my team.”
Just how does the Big Dawg heckle?
“I’m just going to get on the refs,” he joked. “If they don’t call the right call, then I’m going to make sure they know it. They’re going to have to throw me out because I’m going to be like some of these fans out here.”
The Hoyas (10-4) are coached by John Thompson III, who took over as the team’s lead man before Hibbert’s freshman year. The two remain close and frequently talk. Coach Thompson sat on the baseline at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for one of the Pacers’ postseason games last season.
“Coach Thompson is going to have to tell me to sit down because I’m about to get live, alright!” he joked.
Hibbert said he might pay a visit to the team’s hotel in the afternoon, but he would definitely talk to them before the game. He still closely follows the Hoyas and watches them whenever they’re on television. During the 2011-12 lockout-shortened NBA season, he lived in D.C. and worked out at Georgetown.
“The juniors, they’re like my guys because I was working out with those guys during the lockout,” said Hibbert.
The 7-foot-2 center won’t be hard to spot along the court — likely sporting a Georgetown hat — and by the way he talked, you’ll likely be able to hear him, too.
