Cooking up some home victories

It's Friday night, and that means it's time for the weekly dinner at Grandma's. \nThey say there's nothing like a home-cooked meal, but last year, Grandma either misplaced her cookbook or was forced to spend her money on Canadian imports instead of quality ingredients. I hate to say it Granny, but last year your food had me running straight for the can and then off to bed because of exhaustion. \nThis year, the taste is back. The brisket explodes on my palette and the potatoes bring tears of joy to my eyes. After dinner, my time is now spent on the couch watching "Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas" -- on VHS, of course.\nIt's safe to say Grandma has fixed the problem and returned the importance of home-cooking to its appropriate place.\nThe same can be said for the Hoosiers, who have rediscovered that home-cooked country goodness. Winners of eight in a row at home, including six conference victories, the Hoosiers are looking to absolve themselves from the home horrors of last season. During the 2003 season, the cream and crimson lost seven home games, five in conference -- an almost unthinkable scenario. Prior to last year, IU had averaged a mere 1.7 losses annually at Assembly Hall since its inception in 1971.\nThis season, the Hoosiers have restored the Hall's home-court advantage, winning the six conference games by an average victory margin of 11 points.\nSunday, IU will be in search of a crucial marquee win versus No. 10 Michigan State. The Spartans come to Assembly Hall on a six-game winning streak, of which all six match-ups were won by double digits. Tom Izzo's team has been flying under the radar around the nation, overshadowed by the invincibility of Illinois, but the Spartans boast a 20-4 record, a top-10 national ranking and are all but assured a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament.\nBut while at first glance the challenge for the Hoosiers looks daunting, three of Michigan State's four losses have come on the road, and the Spartans have yet to capture a marquee win, as beating mediocre teams from the Pac-10 (UCLA and Stanford) in the Great Lakes State doesn't overly impress.\nMeanwhile, the Hoosiers' lone top-notch victory came at home against another now-ranked conference foe, Wisconsin. Factor in the team's recent resurgence behind the arc -- shooting at a 50 percent clip during the last four contests -- and prospects for a Hoosier upset seem rosier.\nNeed another tidbit favoring IU? How about the fact that the last seven times Michigan State has come to Assembly Hall with a national ranking -- IU has won six of those games.\nSunday's game is paramount for IU's NCAA Tournament hopes. A win bolsters the resume, raises the RPI and brings a 10-win conference season within reach. \nLeft for dead by many in college basketball's circles, a little home-cooking could revive the nearly deceased and revitalize a rabid and wanting fan base.\nIf Grandma can right the ship, then why can't the Hoosiers?