Jeffries, Haston to stay put

Interim head coach Mike Davis said forwards Kirk Haston and Jared Jeffries will not enter the NBA draft following this season.\nNBA draft expert Chris Monter said it's for the better.\n"They're not going anywhere," Davis said. "They're both having good seasons and when you have good seasons like they're having, things tend to fly around like that."\nJeffries, a freshman, said Sunday after IU's 72-59 victory against Michigan that he was considering a jump to the NBA.\n"I'm going to have to figure out what the rules are so I don't get myself in a bind," Jeffries told the Indianapolis Star. "But I do want to figure out what's out there and what my options might be."\nHaston, a junior, also wants to keep his options open but won't make any decisions until after the season. Haston is one of 10 finalists for the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's player of the year award.\n"Until the last game is over, I really won't think hard about it," Haston said. "I just want to keep playing hard to put myself in position to be able to have that choice, if it presents itself and seems to be in the best interest for me."\nMonter, who operates www.MonterDraftNews.com and College Basketball News, said he hopes both Hoosiers stick around for another season.\n"I hate to see kids make the jump into the NBA," Monter said. "It would be a big advantage for them to stay and improve their strength."\nJeffries is averaging 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in the conference. Davis said he should be the Big Ten freshman of the year, and Monter likes his potential as an NBA player.\n"A lot of people would see his potential," Monter said. "A team definitely would take a gamble on him (should he enter after this year). He's a very skilled player. He's got long arms and he's a quick leaper. But does he have the strength to fight for the rebounds? And his free throw shooting is questionable."\nDavis said he is confident Jeffries' father, Tom Jeffries, will help Jeffries make the right decision.\n"His dad is a good guy who understands what is going on," Davis said.\nHaston leads the Big Ten in scoring (21.1 ppg) and is second in rebounding (9.6 rpg) in conference play. \n"He's really improved throughout his career," Monter said. "He's become a much better outside shooter. But if you look at all the great power forwards in the NBA -- Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett -- and how does he match up against them?"\nHaston and Jeffries combined for 56 points against Michigan Sunday. \n"I just want to keep playing like I am so I'll have options," Haston said. "I want to be part of a great team, which is one of the things I haven't been a part of."\nAgainst Michigan wasn't the first time the duo carried the Hoosiers' on their backs. In three other conference games they were the only Hoosiers to score double-figures. Against Purdue they combined for 38 of 66 points. Against Michigan State they combined for 43 of 59 points. At Wisconsin they scored 29 of 46 points.\n"Kirk and Jared know that we have something special going on here at IU," Davis said. "This will be an outstanding basketball team next year"