Coach Kelvin Sampson had his weekly meeting with the media. Later, juniors DeAndre Thomas and Jamarcus Ellis commented about the season. Here are some highlights.
How many guards will be playing this weekend "I was really hoping four can play. AJ came down on the inside of his left ankle. I don't think that he will play Saturday. The good news is that his grades turned in."
Ratliff has an ankle sprain which should keep him out of Saturday's game. Sophomore point guard Armon Bassett will sit out for one final game.
Academics The team GPA was 2.89, one of the best he has ever had for a team. Seven players had a 3.0 or better (Ellis, Stemler, D.J. White, Ahlfeld, Taber, Finkelmeier, Ratliff)
"The biggest change is that its all results based. When they come to study hall, instead of groups of two or three, it's always one-on-one. When they come, they have to do whatever is due. You can't leave until it's done. I could tell we were doing a lot better."
"We talk about taking pride in that. It's been a good semester academically."
Practice Facility Update
"The bids were awarded. A company here in
Once started, it should take about 400 days to complete the project. However, the practice courts and player locker room should be done in time for next season. There will be aditional work after that in finishing the coaches offices and the hall of fame.
Eli Holman Update
"As far as I know, he is not going to have surgery. It just depends how long he is out. There has been no decision made on that." According to IU trainer Tim Garl, Holman will not need surgery, but there is no update on when he will return.
Thoughts about Coppin State
"If
"I think it's good to play different style teams. These so called mid-majors are pretty good. You better be ready to play those guys."
Junior forward DeAndre Thomas Thomas said he is at 296 pounds now, but by next season he wants to get down to 275 pounds.
On academics "I got my knocked out the way early. I was working ahead before practice started. It was good that you had to clock in the hours, and get your stuff done."
On struggling a few games back Thomas said his stuggles a few games back were due to him not putting in the extra effort. He said he just didn't have it, but Sampson let him know it.
"Dre your ass ain't doing this..." Thomas said were the words Sampson used to motivate. Thomas laughed looking back on it.
Junior guard Jamarcus Ellis On earning over a 3.0 this semester
"It's big for me, because I had 14 hours. I had to work really hard in the classroom, because if I didn't do that, I wouldn't be playing this semester."
Ellis also talked about becoming only the second player in IU history to record a tripple double. It is a goal he has set for himself and he said Sampson has talked to him about it.
