When someone comes in favored to win at your gym, it is an insult," point guard Donald Perry said after his team's 74-61 bouncing of No. 15 Ball State.\nI agree. The basketball team has given their student fans a clear conscience heading into this week's final examinations, and it has put a smile on the face of the die-hard alumni as the holidays approach.\nFurthermore, IU clearly has momentum for the upcoming contest against Miami and the showdown with highly ranked Kentucky Dec. 22 in Indianapolis.\nThe Hoosiers dominated a team that surprised the college basketball world with upsets against then top five ranked Kansas and UCLA at the Maui Inivitational to open the season. The Cardinals fought hard before falling to No. 1 Duke in the finals of that tournament. Ball State returned home from Hawaii with a top 25 ranking and was even referred to being "America's Team" in an Associated Press article.\nAfter IU's thrashing of the Cardinals Saturday, Ball State is as much "America's Team" as Cam Cameron was "Unlucky" in his career. As of Saturday, Ball State wasn't even "Indiana's team." \nThe Hoosier players were angered at being the underdog Saturday, but head coach Mike Davis was amused. Davis said his team gets no respect when they play at home, and when asked how he felt about Ball State being favored entering the contest, he responded, "I thought it was funny."\nMe too, coach.\nI thought it was funny when Tom Coverdale hit a three-pointer off the bench in the first half from somewhere near Ballantine Hall. I thought it was funny when Jeff Newton chased a Cardinal player from end to end to swat a ball into press row. I thought it was funny when out of a time out with five minutes remaining in the game and Hoosiers with a 10 point lead, Jared Jeffries jumped over Ball State players for one-handed slam off a teammates missed shot.\nInsulted, amused or whatever the motivation, IU out hustled the favored Cardinals to lead in every major statistical category except three point shooting.
Opposites distract\nOne is a 6-foot-2 point guard with a cult fan following and endless range. The other is a 6-foot-11 center with arms like Inspector Gadget and an obsession for blocking shots.\nTogether, Coverdale and junior George Leach made the difference between a heartstopper and the blowout that occurred Saturday afternoon. \n Ball State's backcourt of Patrick Jackson and Chris Williams tried all game to penetrate into the lane to draw fouls and open up the outside for a kickout. Coverdale's hounding defense and Leach's early blocked shots had Ball State players reluctant to drive inside. \n Offensively, Coverdale continued to impress opponents with three pointers from areas on the court that would count for 10 in any "Rock and Jock" game. He poured in 19 points off the bench in 30 minutes and has still not missed a free throw. Leach added eight points, three blocks and led the team with eight rebounds in 24 minutes.\nDavis has found something that works in bringing the fiery Coverdale off the bench for the starting freshman Perry -- Coverdale continues to get twice Perry's minutes. Fortunately, not starting does not seem to affect the play of the Noblesville native. But his cult-like contingent of home town fans are up in arms when he's not in the lineup.\nIronically, when he is on the floor it is the officials who are up in arms -- after every three pointer the red headed gunner sinks.
