IU ready to tip-off exhibition season

After a disappointing season last year, IU women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett and her Hoosiers will look to tip off a successful 2004-05 campaign Monday night in exhibition action against the Australian Institute of Sport.\nWith only one exhibition game to work with before their big match-up against No. 8 Baylor Nov. 19, the Hoosiers will look to work on a number of aspects of their game including ball control as well as the inside game, Bennett said.\n"I think we look pretty good, but there are a lot of areas we have to get better in," Bennett said. "One of the keys for us is taking care of the basketball, I feel like we have been a little sloppy with the ball. Our inside scoring has to be a little more consistent as well. \n"I feel like our transition and ability to get out in the open floor and run, however, has vastly improved," the Hoosier coach continued. "Defensively I think we have made some positive strides and we've keyed in on it and I think we're getting a lot better."\nDespite an unfortunate injury to All-Big Ten honoree and senior Jenny DeMuth, the Hoosiers are in good spirits and believe they can overcome the loss of last year's leading scorer. DeMuth will miss the entire season because of a torn anterior curciate ligament in her left knee which occurred shortly after the team's first official practice following the Oct. 16th Midnight Madness.\n"We are staying positive despite losing Jenny," sophomore center Sarah McKay said. "(Jenny) is still as much a part of team as she has always been and she will be a great voice on the sidelines for us. She sees everything from a player's perspective and it will be very helpful for us." \nIn addition to McKay, Bennett returns three starters back from last year's roster. The Hoosiers have 11 overall returning letter winners from the 2003-04 season. Experience will prove to be a factor this season as the nation's fourth youngest squad last season hopes to improve on a 12-17 record.\nBennett is also fortunate to have senior Jamie Gathing back for the Cream and Crimson this year after receiving eligibility to play a sixth year. Gathing has sat out two years because of medical redshirts, including last season when she sustained a torn ACL during a preseason workout.\nGathing is ready to get the season started and said she believes the team has shown a vast improvement over the last year, and that it seems to be working hard toward one common goal.\n"I think we're getting there," she said. "There are a lot of improvements we can still make but I think we're ready to get the season going. There is a lot of heart and a lot of desire to keep working hard on this team."\nGame time for the Hoosiers exhibition game against the Australian Institute of Sport is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers will return to Bloomington Nov. 27 and 28 when they play host to the Hampton Inn Classic.\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.