Freshman D.J. White breathes life into team

The Hoosiers found their new A.J. Moye Wednesday.\nWith 8 minutes and 5 seconds left in the game, D.J. White took a no-look pass from junior guard Marshall Strickland and flushed it.\nAnd that's when the chant came.\n"D.J. White, D.J. White!"\nThat all-so-familiar tune came back to Assembly Hall, but for a different generation.\nNot only did the freshman center dominate Michigan with 16 points and three blocks, he established himself as the heart and soul of the Hoosiers.\n"(D.J.) plays with a spirit that seems to be contagious for the (Hoosiers)," said Michigan coach Tommy Amaker.\nAfter a first half which saw White sit next IU coach Mike Davis for 12 of the 20 minutes because of foul trouble, senior Auburn transfer Marco Killingsworth took the rookie aside in the locker room and calmed him down.\nJust in time. \nMidway through the second half, White went off for 11 straight points over the course of 4:22 to increase the IU lead from three to 10, during which the dunk and the ensuing chant came.\n"The crowd made me feel good," White said. "(They) picked me up. (I) appreciate the fans."\nOnly playing in his 15th game for the crimson and cream, the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native has shown more signs of maturation than the other freshman, and provided a lift when the Hoosiers needed it most.\n"He really stepped up" junior guard Bracey Wright said. "He made some key buckets when we needed them." \nThe 6-foot-8-inch White established himself as a threat for IU. \n"He gives us an inside presence," Wright said. "He gives us that long presence, gives us big rebounds."\nNot only has White started to form into a Big Ten Freshman of the Year contender, he has began to be a leader on this young IU team.\n"I try to," he said. "I think they listen to me more because, I say, because I'm performing better. I'm starting to get more vocal." \nTrying to etch his name along side great IU freshman such as Isiah, Steve, Keith, Alan, Calbert, Jared, Dewayne White Junior isn't at full stride yet, freshman forward A.J. Ratliff said.\n"He's a dominant player," he said. "You have yet to see him."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.