Hey folks,
Sorry for the delay, I had wireless trouble. Below is a rough copy of what's happened so far, and I'll keep updating throughout the night.
One other quick note: Charlie Creme still has the Hoosiers in the Tournament, this time as an #11 seed against Pittsburgh in College Park, Maryland. He did say something I think seems readily obvious - the Hoosiers must win their next two games against Michigan State and Michigan (both at home) to stay in that bracket.
-Coach Jack attributed the Illinois loss to a mental breakdown early in the second half that let the Illini take control of the game. She also said she and her coaching staff got the Hoosiers up early - 6 a.m. early - this morning for practice because of it. However, she said they responded very well, competing and going hard through every minute of an 1 1/2-2 hour practice. "This young team is growing up right before my eyes," she said.
-She said her team is starting to "reveal" their character late in the season. She said they are getting better as a collective unit, and they are making her feel "inspired."
-Coach Jack and Jeremy Gray, the IU Radio Network announcer for the Hoosiers, both mentioned the "Think Pink" breast cancer awareness program running throughout women's basketball right now. If you haven't heard about it - and you will in this space and in the IDS in the coming days - basically, each team plays a game at home in pink uniforms in honor of breast cancer awareness and in honor of Kay Yow, the head coach at North Carolina State - herself a breast cancer survivor. The Hoosiers play their Think Pink game Sunday against Michigan.
-Gray and Coach Jack brought up the "Head to the Hall" marketing program that's looking to fill enough people into Assembly Hall to break the state record for most people in attendance for a women's collegiate game in Indiana, a record currently held by Purdue. Jack said Frank Cuervo at the IU Department of Athletics has already sold in the neighborhood of 8,000 tickets.
-Coach Jack said she's really enjoying the way her team is growing this year. She said they are having fun and not worrying as much about wins and losses as they are about getting better and enjoying it.
-Jack said Jori Davis is still a question mark, nursing a stress fracture. She said it hurts to have such a good player on the bench, but that Davis' injury is such that rushing her back would severely hinder the healing process.
-Coach Jack said Kim Roberson is embracing her role as a "coach" on the floor, helping lead her team on both ends of the floor.
-The Syracuse native said she's excited about the Valentine's Day match-up with Michigan State, because her mom will be coming to town. She said she can't wait to eat some family home cooking.
That's about it for tonight. Give me just a few minutes, and I'll post that Athletics Department release about the Think Pink game Sunday.
