All eyes on Assembly Hall

A lot is riding on this season for the IU men's basketball team. \nCoach Mike Davis is under his first year of a contract which will carry out through the 2004-2005 season. His 21 wins as the interim head coach are the most by any first-year coach at IU. His recruiting efforts have not gone unnoticed. Freshmen Donald Perry and Sean Kline look to make an impact this season, with Perry also contending for a starting role.\nSo far so good. The Hoosiers beat Athletes in Action Sunday 105-59 behind sophomore Jared Jeffries' 23 points. The void left by early draft entrant Kirk Haston needs to be filled, and that will ride on the shoulder of Jeffries. \nLast year the basketball team was 10-6 in the Big Ten, finishing third. The Big Ten projects IU third in the preseason, but fans are expecting more.\nThe team belongs to Davis, and so far he has done an excellent job. These efforts are not going unnoticed, but need to be kept at the same level.\nThe 17,257 people that pack into Assembly Hall for home games are looking for the team to produce wins. The fate of IU athletics rests on the helm of the basketball team. \nIU has won five national championships and made seven Final Four appearances. For the past 16 seasons the Hoosiers have made it to the NCAA tournament, with 30 total appearances.\nSenior captains Dane Fife and Jarrad Odle will be very important this season. Their leadership will be necessary to guide IU through the NCAA tournament. The Hoosiers have not made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament since the 1998-99 season.\nIndiana is a basketball state which is led by IU basketball. Tradition is synonymous with every person that steps foot in Assembly Hall. This tradition should be celebrated as the team begins their first full season under the guidance of Davis. Good luck IU basketball!\n