Davis criticizes detractors

As Hoosier coach Mike Davis continues to try to fulfill his job description and coach basketball, he finds himself continually answering questions about his job -- not his team. For the second day in a row, Davis' comments made national headlines as he addressed the media during a Big Ten teleconference. \n"It doesn't make any sense," he said. "I've been under fire for the past weeks by not just the fans, but the media. And we were one game out of first place during that time. We were ranked in the top 20 during that time."\nDavis compared recent circumstances to Orlando Magic star Steve Francis under achieving amid trade rumors, or a family being nervous about a company downsizing.\n"The things I'm trying to get (the team) to do should never even be involved in being a coach," Davis said. "I should be trying to coach basketball and these guys should really enjoy their college career ... I don't know if I've had a team that's had positive memories out of this whole deal since I've been here."\nDavis, his staff and the veteran players have been in this position before. This marks the third consecutive season that Davis has had to address job-related questions. In an effort to try and cease those distracting questions and focus on basketball, IU media relations announced that the team has closed its practices to the media indefinitely.\nAs for the reason why the skepticism seems relentless, Davis said it may have been destiny all along.\n"I just think Indiana needs to have one of their own," he said. "They need to have someone that has played here so they can embrace him ... I'm not upset about it, I'm not disappointed about it. I think they need that, I really do."\nThe sixth-year head coach wasn't necessarily saying that's what IU needs in the future, but rather that's why he has faced criticism over the years. He added that his players deserve better than that. \n"We had a really good thing going this year," he said. "But when you hear what you hear, it doesn't make any sense when you're a game out of first place."\nThough the Hoosiers have dropped in the Big Ten \nstandings since the doubters and naysayers first reared their heads, Davis said that is still no \nexcuse. \n"Even Minnesota was 0-6 and not one possession did I feel like (their fans) weren't in the game and pulling for their team," he said.\nMonday evening, assistant coaches Donnie Marsh and Kerry Rupp filled in for Davis on the Mike Davis radio show. Davis went straight home after Monday's practice, but called in to the show and spoke for a few minutes.\n"I'm struggling, but hopefully I can shake it," Davis said of his illness. Davis said the illness prevented him from watching the first half of the Iowa game, and he didn't know anything until his son called him at \nhalftime.\nRegarding IU's upcoming game against Penn State, Davis called it a "must win," but said his team stepped up its play by the end of Monday's practice.