Auburn transfers leave football school for taste of basketball success

Two seasons ago, Marco Killingsworth and Lewis Monroe were starters at Auburn University. Monroe ran the show at the point, and Killingsworth was in his first year of leading the Southeastern conference in field goal percentage from his power forward position. \nThe Tigers were in the Sweet Sixteen, and faced Syracuse in the East Regional semifinal. One point is all that would separate Monroe and Killingsworth from a trip to the Elite Eight as they fell to the eventual Orangemen, 80-79.\nIn the spring, Auburn was put on probation and fired coach Cliff Ellis. The pair began looking for greener pastures.\nThat pasture turned into Bloomington as the pair transferred to IU and coach Mike Davis' Hoosier program. \nHow times have changed in a year and a half.\nInstead of battling SEC foes, Monroe and Killingsworth will don teachers caps in place of game jerseys. Their pupils: the young Hoosiers like A.J. Ratliff and D.J. White who could benefit from the pair's experience. The pair will also be counted on to provide competition in practice and challenge the regulars as scout team members.\nIt's all in the life of players who must sit out a year because of NCAA transfer regulations.\nKillingsworth said since the team hasn't played a real game yet, he doesn't know how bad it's going to be having to sit on the bench the entire year.\n"I know I want to get out there and play," Killinsworth said. "Man, I hate to sit on that bench."\nThe 6-foot-5, 200 pound Monroe echoed similar feelings, saying, "it's going to be a real tough." But having Killingsworth sit out with him will help ease the transition.\n"(Marco) was a big reason to come here," Monroe said. "Having somebody to sit out with me that I've been with the past three years will help."\nThe duo will hope to help the Hoosiers out in any way possible. One way is to take a young freshman under their wing. That relationship has developed between White and Killingsworth, both Alabama natives with White hailing from Tuscaloosa and Killingsworth calling Birmingham home.\nWhite said Killingsworth is helping him, and the team, out in many different ways.\n"I mean he knows the game," White said. "He's been in college for three years. And for him going against me everyday is teaching me the little things about the game that I need to know. He keeps us in check and makes sure we do things right. I feel he's a big leader on this team just coming in from Auburn."\nDavis said Killingsworth has provided an example for the rest of the team through his work ethic. And the fifth-year coach is also impressed with the soft-spoken Monroe.\nMost of all, their impact will be felt in practice.\n"Killingsworth is really a handful for guys in practice," Davis said. "He is a really tough player. Lewis Monroe is a true point guard. To have their kind of talent on our basketball team really helps us out."\nThe pair are excited about playing in more of a basketball friendly environment. For Killingsworth, the transition from a football-dominated school like Auburn to basketball crazy IU has been a blessing.\n"There's no comparison," Killingsworth said. "Basketball is number one. It's football oriented down there. That's what it's about. If you play football, they get crazy. If you play basketball and you win, they're with you, and if you lose, they don't care."\nThat doesn't affect Killingsworth though, as the 6-foot-7, 265 pounder said he'll give it his all no matter what he does, be it either in practice or the games.\n"I bring my lunch pail to everything I do," Killingsworth said.\n-- Contact sports editor John Rodgers at jprodger@indiana.edu.