Ted Cruz attempted to reenact an iconic scene from the classic Indiana film "Hoosiers," but misspoke by saying "basketball ring" instead of "basketball rim."
A simple mistake, maybe, but Indiana isn't going to let him forget it.
Cruz said it correctly the first time: "How tall is that basketball rim?"
But when he repeated it seconds later, he fumbled the wording:
"The amazing thing is, that basketball ring, here in Indiana," Cruz said. "It's the same height as it is in New York City and every other place in this country."
The gaffe sparked a bombardment of social media criticism.
A "basketball ring"? In Indiana? At Hoosier Gym? In 2016? C'mon Man
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) April 27, 2016
I know I'm just piling on, but using "basketball ring" when pandering to Hoosiers is a colossal gaffe.
— Doug Masson (@DougMasson) April 27, 2016
When ted cruz called a hoop a "basketball ring" pic.twitter.com/RWfaDYwJoI
— James Custer (@JamesCuster_II) April 27, 2016
Donald Trump has also aligned himself with the Hoosier state's love of basketball. He will appear at a rally Wednesday with legendary former IU basketball coach Bobby Knight.
Cruz was referencing this scene from the movie "Hoosiers":
He ended with, "And there is nothing that Hoosiers cannot do."