Chris Beard is coming to Bloomington; Tony Bennett and Kelvin Sampson, too

Less than a week after Indiana’s season ended with a hallmark Archieball loss in the Big Ten Tournament, former Bob Knight assistant Chris Beard is coming to Bloomington.

Just, uhhh, not for an interview. Or for a new job.

Beard’s Texas Tech program drew a six seed and a date with No. 11 Utah St. at Assembly Hall in Friday’s first round of the NCAA Tournament. He’s one of a few notable coaches who will be bringing their teams into the venerable Bloomington ball hall for tournament games next weekend, including ... you know ... That Guy.

Kelvin Sampson will be back on the arena’s sidelines when his No. 2 Houston Cougars take on No. 15 Cleveland State on Friday night. I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not awkward at all, actually. It’s very good and cool.

And if Virginia can pass COVID-19 protocols this week, Tony Bennett will be in the building, too. The No. 4 Cavaliers are scheduled to play No. 13 Ohio on Saturday night.

As for the men’s basketball coach who is — at the time of this writing, at least — currently employed by Indiana University? No update on his job status. Yet.

Here’s the full list of NCAA Tournament games that IU will host this week, including Thursday’s First Four matchups.

Thursday (First Four)

5:10 p.m. ET: No. 16 Texas Southern vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s (truTV)

8:40 p.m. ET: No. 16 Appalachian State vs. No. 16 Norfolk State (truTV)

Friday (First round)

1:45 p.m. ET: No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Utah St. (TNT)

7:15 p.m. ET: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Cleveland State (truTV)

Saturday (First round)

1:45 p.m. ET: No. 8 LSU vs. No. 9 St. Bonaventure (TNT)

7:15 p.m. ET: No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 13 Ohio (truTV)