The No. 1 rule of mixing politics and sports is … don’t mix politics and sports.

We’ve seen through the years that it’s rarely a good idea for politicians to use sports in an attempt to appeal to voters. At best, it sounds like forced pandering. At worst, it’s awkward and cringeworthy.

Enter Ted Cruz, who certainly gave us plenty of awkward and cringeworthy-ness Tuesday night in Indiana.

The Republican presidential candidate gave his speech at the Hoosier Gym Community Center in Knightstown, Ind., a gym famously known for being the home gym in the movie “Hoosiers.”

Cruz thought it would be a good idea to recreate one of the film’s most famous scenes, and that’s where things got a little uncomfortable.

First, for reference, here’s the scene from “Hoosiers.”

And now, here’s Cruz.

A few things.

First, has anyone ever referred to the hoop or basket or rim as the “basketball ring?” No chance, right? Second, what does the metaphor even mean? That somehow everyone in politics is playing on a level playing field? And finally, and maybe this is a nitpicking a little bit, but the reference doesn’t entirely make sense considering the movie scene was at the state championship gym, not the Hickory court. Alas.

Once again, hopefully this serves as another reminder that sports and politics don’t go well together.

Thumbnail photo via Evan Siegle/Green Bay Press Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK