Backcourt tandem helps lead IU into middle of Big Ten season

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are two players on the IU men's basketball roster who have become quite the pair on the court -- at home, and away. \nSophomore guards Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland are IU's backcourt, and in the team's 69-61 road victory over Ohio State (9-8, 1-3 Big Ten), the two had a combined 47 points.\nThe two guards were also the top scorers in Saturday's victory over Northwestern.\nIU (9-6, 3-1) has now won two road games in a row. That's already one more Big Ten road win than in last year's entire season.\nSenior guard A.J. Moye said the team is finally buying into what IU coach Mike Davis teaches them, and that Wright and Strickland are a big part of the IU victories.\n"Bracey and Marshall -- this is their second Big Ten season," Moye said. "That helps a lot."\nBefore Big Ten play, Wright scored a career high 39 points on the road at North Texas. His average dropped a bit, having recently scored 7, 11 and then 16 points in the first three games of the Big Ten season.\nBut Tuesday night in Columbus, Wright was back up there in scoring, having 28 points.\nThe never-selfish Wright contributed his playing to his teammates.\n"Tonight my teammates did a good job of getting me open and getting me the ball where I was able to be in a successful position," Wright said.\nTen of Wright's points came from free throws. He only missed one with eight minutes remaining in the game. \nWright said the biggest thing for him was trying not to force anything. \nEven Ohio State junior forward Terence Dials noticed the affect that Wright has on the IU team.\n"He is the heart and soul of the team," Dials said. "He is a great player who is hard working, and when you have those characteristics you are going to be successful."\nStrickland was a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe, and a perfect 3-3 from three-point range. He finished the game with 19 points and three assists.\n"Strickland was hot the whole game," Wright said of his backcourt partner. "It really takes a load off of me and frees me up a lot."\nWright said when he sees Strickland is on in his shooting, it excites him and gives him more confidence in the game.\nDavis said he was happy for Strickland because he is playing unbelievable basketball right now for the IU team.\n"He's really helping Bracey out a lot, and that's the Marshall Strickland that I recruited," Davis said. "And he's the one I thought would average 13, 14 or 15 points for us this year."\nStrickland's career high came earlier this year against Morehead State when the guard scored 20 points. His 19 points against Ohio State are the second most he's scored this season, and in his career.\nWright gave credit to Strickland, and had a message for the teams up next on the IU schedule.\n"When I know he's going to have a good night and we're both on like tonight," Wright said, "We're going to be a real tough team to mess with."\n-- Contact staff writer Natalie A. Trout at natrout@indiana.edu.