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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Mike Davis sat in a folding chair Wednesday on the floor of Assembly Hall during his first day as head coach of the men's basketball team. \nHe is the 184th head coach in IU athletics history, and among that group he is unique.\nIt's not that he takes over the school's most visible program. It's not that he wore an "interim" tag before being promoted. It's not that he wears a suit instead of a red sweater. \nIt's race -- the other 183 Hoosier coaches weren't black. Davis is.\nSome knew of the history Davis' hiring was making. Others had no clue. Many were asking the new IU head basketball coach about his background, his roots and his race. But Davis approached making history with the ho-hum, laid-back mentality that reflects his personality. \n"That never crossed my mind," Davis said of his race. "I want to be able to inspire people in every race."\nDavis' background lends itself to inspiration. The 40-year-old has seen his share of problems. \nBorn in Fayette, Ala. -- a town of about 5,000 -- Davis' father died when Davis was 17 years old. Seventeen years later, Davis' 2-year old daughter, Nichole, died. Mix a minority status, a poor upbringing and a speech impediment, and the ingredients for a rough-and-tumble life are obvious. \nDavis can't replace his father or daughter, but his hiring eliminates any question of money, and he said he has continued to work on curing his stuttering problem. Davis said stuttering, and not any other factors hindering him, is his highest hurdle to clear.\n"I'd do anything not to speak in front of people," he said. "I'd run 100 miles. I didn't realize until I got older I can improve, and I can work on it. I feel like I can do it. I've worked hard before in other areas of my life."\nDavis' determination led to his history-making day Wednesday. But he had help, he said. He climbed his way to the top of the IU basketball program with the help of his pastor and God, he said. \n"Mike Davis is a good man. He's a Christian man, and a man of his word," Eastern Star Church Pastor Jeffrey Johnson said. "He can handle pressure. He can handle adversity. He's a man you have to respect."\nThe seven-member committee in charge of hiring IU's next full-time coach did. \nBut while many focused on the future of IU basketball and Davis' plans, many others streamed toward Johnson, Davis'family and the Hoosiersplayers -- the people closest to Davis -- to grasp the emotions involving Davis' hiring.\nFreshman guard A.J. Moye called the hiring "a step in the right direction." He said he thought Davis might open doors for more black coaches to coach at IU.\nMembers of the committee, including Vice President for Administration Terry Clapacs and incoming athletics director Michael McNeely, said Davis' race had nothing to do with whether he would be hired as IU's full-time coach. But they said they were pleased with the decision.\n"It's sad it took so long (for IU to hire a black coach)," Clapacs said. "On the other hand, it's a happy day at Indiana University now that is has occurred."\nDavis' wife, Tamilya, agreed. She said that when Davis was named interim head coach in September, she wasn't aware he could become the only black head coach at IU. She said neither she nor Mike feared race would play a part in the committee's selection. \n"I'm pretty proud," she said. "I thought (race) would be the last thing they would look at."\nDavis' son, Mike Davis Jr., said his dad being the first black coach crossed his mind, and he heard about it at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis. Like his mother, he said he didn't think race would affect his father's future.\nJunior center Kirk Haston agreed with Tamilya and Mike Jr., and said he wasn't aware of IU's lack of a black head coach until someone mentioned it yesterday. Other players said they were surprised and excited about the history being made. \n"I never thought Indiana would ever have a black coach," freshman center George Leach said. \nDavis recruited Leach, Moye and freshman forward Jared Jeffries as an assistant coach under former coach Bob Knight and was largely responsible for bringing Jeffries, a McDonald's All-American and Indiana Mr. Basketball, to IU. \n"(IU is) a very good university, but it had never broken that barrier, so for him to do that, it's great," Jeffries said. \nJeffries usually attracts reporters, but after he, Leach and Moye answered their share of questions and left the Assembly Hall floor, reporters still strolled toward Johnson, inquiring to know even more about the history behind IU's new basketball coach. And Johnson kept answering, praising Davis and the University.\n"It says a lot for the University," Johnson said. "For IU to say, 'You know what, we don't care what color somebody is. We don't care what background they have. If they're the right person for the job, we want to choose them."
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Four years ago, Kirk Haston made one of the most difficult decisions of his life, jumping from small-town Tennessee to Big Ten country and Bloomington. \nAfter IU's first-round NCAA tournament loss to Kent State in March, Haston came face to face with another taxing decision -- stick around Bloomington to finish his collegiate eligibility or scamper to the NBA. \nMonday, Haston made his decision official by making himself eligible for the June 27 NBA Draft. \nSandwiched between the two resolutions, Haston has seen both the gratifying and humbling sides of life. \nTwo years ago Saturday, a tornado killed Haston's mother. Two months ago, Haston capped an All-American season by leading the Big Ten in scoring.\n"He's taken a jolt for a 22-year-old kid," said Haston's grandfather, Hoyt Kirk. "But he's handled it pretty good."\nIndeed.\nBy entering the draft, Haston closes the book on an IU career in which he scored 1,406 points and grabbed 748 rebounds. But he has left the Hoosier chapter bookmarked. \nHaston didn't hire an agent, meaning he can return to IU for his senior season. The 6-foot-10 forward, who plans to attend the pre-draft camp June 5-8 in Chicago, has until June 20 to return to IU. Depending on what unfolds in Chicago and what he hears from draft experts and scouts, Haston will make his decision.\nHaston's predicted draft position is expected to play a large role in whether he goes through with the draft or returns to IU. Players drafted in Round 1 are guaranteed a three-year contract worth at least $2 million. Those drafted in Round 2 are guaranteed nothing.\nChris Monter, publisher of Monter's College Basketball News, lists the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Haston as a late first- or early second-round pick and rates him as his No. 7 draft-eligible power forward behind early-draft entries Notre Dame's Troy Murphy and Michigan State's Zach Randolph, both of whom Haston played against -- and helped beat -- this season. \n"He's improved every year," Monter said. "He has good post moves and can step outside. The problem is, who will he guard? He's kind of a small power forward."\nMonter questions Haston's strength, quickness, footspeed and passing skills -- Haston tallied only 111 assists in a 96-game career at IU -- but said he can't blame Haston, who redshirted in 1997-1998 and is on line to receive a business degree, for testing the draft market. \nTeammate and roommate sophomore Kyle Hornsby agrees.\n"You can't fault somebody who has a chance to be drafted in the first round," Hornsby said. "He's graduating anyway, so it's not like he's leaving early. He can get better and be around a while. He can be a really good NBA player."\nMonter said since IU and the Big Ten is heavily scouted, many NBA teams have had a peek at Haston, but Kirk said Haston isn't picking and choosing where he'd like to end up. \n"It's like buying a car. You have a choice of what you want," Kirk said. "We'd like him to be as close as he possibly could, but we'll play with the hand we're dealt. No matter what happens, it's quite an honor to be in this position."\nThe possibility Haston would pass on the NBA and end up back in cream and crimson come November leaves many IU fans giddy. Statements Haston made in his press release Monday and Kirk's words indicate neither would be disappointed if Haston stayed in Bloomington for one more season.\nHaston expressed his thanks to the IU fans and the Bloomington community for showing "a kindness and support to me that has made Indiana feel like home."\n"The town of Bloomington and IU have poured their hearts out to us ever since we've been there," Kirk said. "Kirk has many fond memories." \nShould Haston return to IU and manufacture more memories next season, the Hoosiers will lose no one from a team that compiled a 21-13 record and finished fifth in the Big Ten in 2000-01. Haston, who scored 626 points and grabbed 288 rebounds last season, is only 656 points from becoming IU's fifth all-time leading scorer and 284 rebounds from becoming the third all-time in career rebounds.\nIU will return two double-digit scorers next season -- freshman Jared Jeffries, who himself pondered entering the NBA Draft and scored 13.8 points per game last season, and sophomore Tom Coverdale, who chipped in with 10.7 points per game.\nFreshman guard Andre Owens is transferring, but coach Mike Davis is filling the roster spots with Tallulah, La., point guard Donald Perry and Huntington, Ind., forward Sean KIine. \nHornsby said the Hoosiers, with or without Haston, have an opportunity to be an improved team next season, but said playing without the third-team All-American won't be easy.\n"He'd be good to have around," Hornsby said. "His presence will be missed. He's easy-going and everyone got along with him. We're losing a good teammate and a good friend"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
On the road to the Heisman Trophy, Oregon's Joey Harrington has a $250,000 10-story high billboard in Times Square. \nAntwaan Randle El has mouse pads. \nHey, they're neat mouse pads. Colorful and bright, they boast IU's quarterback-turned-receiver as a "Heisman Trophy Frontrunner." So does the 2001 IU football media guide, front and center. In fact, Randle El's figure, some red flowers and the Sample Gates cover the cover. Six other Hoosiers got to share the back cover. \nDon't feel sorry for them. It's Randle El who's turned IU football toward the national spotlight. Or maybe the Big Ten spotlight. Or, well, when you attract only 30,000 fans per game it's hard to say Hoosier football draws a spotlight from anyone.\nBut, Randle El is the real deal. At quarterback. \nAt receiver? Who knows? We soon will. But how long will coach Cam Cameron's stunt last? He said he wanted to let junior Tommy Jones play quarterback last season. Instead, Jones got hurt, Randle El rushed and passed for more than 3,000 combined and accounted for 23 touchdowns. Jones threw 16 passes for one touchdown.\nBut, let's stick to the Heisman for now. We can figure out how that Jones/Randle El thing will work after we've seen Jones throw more than 16 passes. \nRandle El could be stuck in the same quicksand as Anthony Thompson, who played his final season on a 5-6 team, finishing second to Houston's Andre Ware. Randle El finished 13th last season, on a 3-8 team. Three returning players -- Northwestern running back Damien Anderson, Oregon State running back Ken Simonton and Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch -- placed higher than Randle El in the 2000 balloting.\nMaybe Thompson, now an IU assistant coach, can help Randle El figure out how to harness the Heisman. But, let's hope Randle El doesn't need help. Let's hope IU can at least win six games, sneak into a bowl game and help Randle El's chances. \n"If we win games, it will happen," Randle El said. "If we don't win, I don't have a chance."\nThe biggest concern -- for both Randle El's Heisman hopes and IU's bowl aspirations -- is whether or not Randle El can get the ball at receiver. Cameron said "it's simpler than you think." \n"You've already seen what he can do at quarterback," Cameron said. "Now, you'll see the same things after he catches the ball."\nAfter the offensive line blocks, Jones passes a strike and Randle El catches. Not all that simple. Not as simple as just giving him the ball and saying "Here, jumpy-feet, go run." \nWhat was wrong with the old plan? Letting Randle El run and pass for more than 1,000 yards and make opposing coaches call him the "best player in the country," like Illinois' Ron Turner did before the slippery Randle El ran for 209 yards and threw for 130 more. After Randle El went berserk, Illini linebacker Robert Franklin compared catching Randle El to trying to holding on to melted butter.\nMinnesota coach Glen Mason tried to imagine what Randle El would be like at Nebraska. Randle El cut up the Gopher defense for more than 400 yards of offense and four touchdowns last season, prompting Gopher defensive tackle John Schlecht to say he'd vote Randle El for the Heisman. Schlecht won't get to vote this season. Too bad. \nAll that under the old plan. But Jones is now behind center, and Randle El is somewhere running across the field, dodging defenders before and after he has the ball. IU offensive lineman A.C. Myler compares Randle El to Michigan alumnus Desmond Howard and former Notre Dame star Rocket Ismail, both Heisman winners, but both playing at national powers. Myler, who admitted blocking for Jones might be easier than trying to clear a path for Randle El as he jukes, jumps and jives across the field, has joined Randle El's Heisman wagon. Heck, Myler even said he might have a shot at the Heisman, should he get a few "pancake blocks."\n"I have that type of talent," Myler joked, smiling and glancing at Randle El. \nHow long the new Randle El-at-receiver plan will last no one knows. Randle El might take over in the IU opener at North Carolina State. He might stay at receiver all season. Time will tell. But chance are he'll finish higher than 13th in the 2001 Heisman balloting. If Jones can get him the ball. And Myler doesn't win the Heisman himself. \nAnyone have an extra Randle El mouse pad?
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
RALEIGH, NC - The experiment didn't work. Coach Cam Cameron admitted it. Tommy Jones knew it. And Antwaan Randle El's statistics revealed it. \nCameron's fledgling idea -- moving Randle El to wide receiver and Tommy Jones to quarterback -- sputtered in front of a sellout crowd of 51,500 fans at North Carolina State's Carter-Finley Stadium Thursday night as the Wolfpack (1-0) rolled to a 35-14 victory.\nRandle El touched the ball 23 times -- 11 at quarterback, four at receiver, three on punt returns and three at punter -- netting 104 yards of total offense, well short of last season's average of 277 yards per game. On the same night, IU's offense managed just 276 yards.\n"It doesn't matter who your quarterback is, you have to execute," Cameron said. "We took a gamble, but we still believe in Antwaan Randle El. We'll get him back on track. I have confidence in both (Jones and Randle El)."\nConfidence aside, it became apparent quickly Thursday that N.C. State would handle whatever Cameron and Randle El threw its way. During the Hoosiers' first drive, an eight-play possession, Randle El replaced Jones at quarterback on two occasions. \nThe result? A buzz around Carter-Finley stadium, but little substance; Randle El gained six yards on two runs. After fumbling on the Hoosiers' second drive, Randle El ran just two more plays at quarterback in the first half. The Hoosier offense managed just 74 yards on 24 first-half plays. \nRandle El made his biggest splash at quarterback on IU's first drive of the second half. IU employed a two-man rotation, using Jones and Randle El. Randle El ripped off runs of 17 and nine yards, but Jones misfired on two passes, ending the IU (0-1) drive inside the Wolfpack 25-yard line. \nRegarding the flip-flopping of quarterbacks, Cameron said he "roughly" stuck to the game plan he had in mind before the Wolfpack stormed in front 21-0 at halftime. The constant switching -- Jones even moved to wide receiver on several occasions -- seemed to shake Jones, but he indicated otherwise. \n"We've been doing the (alternating) in practice," Jones said. "We're capable. We just have to put this aside and start to execute."\nJones finished 18 of 31 for 163 yards, many of which came on IU's two scoring drives late in the fourth quarter. Randle El threw only two passes, completing one for seven yards.\nJones' only touchdown pass came on a fling to junior tight end Kris Dielman with 5:42 remaining. Jones looked as if he had developed a rhythm with Randle El in the second quarter, connecting three times in four plays. But a busted play and penalty halted IU's drive, and the Hoosier offense never recovered, failing to come close to its staggering numbers from a year ago: more than 30 points and 439 yards of offense per game. \nCameron said a number of times he would "look at the (game) tape" and make the appropriate offensive adjustments. But, the ineffectiveness doesn't have Randle El rattled. \n"I feel all right," he said. "I have no doubts (about our offense). Whatever (N.C. State) did, they did a good job. We just didn't execute"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
If I were coaching IU football I'd give the University my two-week's notice, but that would mean I'd have to coach two more football games.\nCam Cameron should go through with his. \nSaturday was pathetic. Utah isn't bad, but the Utes couldn't beat any of the Big Ten's other 10 teams and sure as this is Cameron's last season shouldn't beat IU. Ever. \nAnd IU has no one to blame but itself. A missed extra point? A missed field goal? A wide receiver who lets lining up on the line of scrimmage slip his mind? Utah? \n All of this with senior Antwaan Randle El back where he belongs, at quarterback. \n Even with Randle El at quarterback, it's no longer a question of whether Cameron will be in Bloomington next season, but rather if IU will win one game. If Saturday is any indication, probably not. \nRandle El was solid -- he ran for 69 yards, passed for 157 and said he wasn't rusty. But, his fourth-quarter interception indicated otherwise. Still, it's hard to come down on the guy who pretty much did everything for IU, minus the occasional contribution from senior tailback Levron Williams. \nIt isn't hard to condemn IU's swiss-cheese-like defense. Utah racked up 447 yards of offense and shredded the Hoosiers on the game's final drive, driving the nail in Cameron's coaching coffin. \nThings will only get worse from here on out. If Utah can roll over IU for 447 yards, what will Ohio State do this week? How about Wisconsin? And Northwestern? And Illinois? And Purdue? IU's only hope for saving Cameron from a winless final season is Kentucky -- maybe. \nThe same problems that plagued IU at North Carolina State in the season opener didn't go away Saturday, and it looks like those problems might still be around when IU and UK meet in December. Cameron took the blame for the loss at N.C. State, but he didn't do the same Saturday.\nInstead, he entered the press conference looking like he just got done bawling, then asked the media what they saw in IU. A laundry list followed: soft defense, poor linebacking play, lack of concentration, no pressure on the opposing quarterback, virtually no pass coverage, no kicking game, no fans; the same old Saturday. \nCameron agreed with every appraisal before saying he would start looking at tape of Ohio State later that night. If I were him, I would have gone home, grabbed a gallon (or two) of whiskey and kept crying. \nA few minutes after finishing his interview, Randle El popped back in the press conference and told Williams and senior linebacker Devin Schaffer to give him a call. Wonder what they did? Probably contemplated just where their program is going. The answer is simple, and like Randle El said, "You can't sugar-coat it." \nIt can't get any worse -- less than 27,000 fans, a loss to a Mountain West Conference team and the authentic possibility of a winless season. \nStill, Randle El said nothing could happen this season that would make him regret returning for his senior campaign. I'm saying losses to Ohio State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue and Kentucky will change his notion. \nJust three weeks ago, Hoosier players were discussing the possibility of a bowl game. Now, we're trying to figure out if IU will win one game. You have to wonder if the players are doing the same. You know Cameron is. Unless he's signing his resignation.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
I'm trying to be nice to the football program. \nBut how can I? The Hoosiers miss extra points, commit brain-dead penalties and lose to Utah. \nI'd love to write about Antwaan Randle El making a triumphant return to quarterback. I'd love to chronicle the resurgence of a once- (and still-) diaper-soft defense. I'd love to tell the story of the IU boy coming home to coach his alma mater to bowl game after bowl game. \nBut it isn't so.\nInstead, I'm stuck with losses to teams like Utah. I'm used to it. This week, I realized that since I began covering college football, the teams I cover haven't won a single game. Nope, lost every single time out. Zero wins. Thirteen loses. I covered Ball State football in 1999 during the Cardinals' 21-game losing skid. Then, I transferred to IU -- evidently bringing the curse with me. \nBut it's not my fault the teams I cover can't beat Ohio, Akron and Utah. \nSo I'm braced for Saturday. I'm assuming it will get ugly, but IU has a hint of hope. Don't get excited, it's just a hint. A very slight hint. \nLet's take a look-see.\n• Ohio State sputtered to 166 yards of total offense against UCLA last week. \n• The lone Buckeye touchdown came via a blocked punt that OSU recovered in the endzone. \n• OSU quarterback Steve Bellisari was a magnificent five of 23 with two interceptions. His completions to the wrong team went for 17 yards. His completions to his own team racked up a mind-boggling 45.\n• And, hey, the Buckeyes and IU have something in common -- neither can come close to kicking anything with any accuracy. IU has misfired on an extra point and two field goals this season. OSU missed a field goal against Akron in its opener then missed an extra point and two field goals last week. Both schools are playing musical kickers. Fellas, those two big yellow sticks behind the endzone? Yeah, kick the ball in between those. \n• OSU's defense allowed 262 yards passing and didn't pick off a pass. IU has yet to intercept a pass this season and had only four last season.\nSo, given the Buckeye struggles and IU's pitfalls, here's how Saturday will go. \n• On the first Ohio State drive, Bellisari will complete one pass in 12 attempts and throw two interceptions. How, I don't know, but he'll manage. \n• The Hoosiers will return the favor -- using the same play they used last week on the two-point try that would have tied the game had IU not been penalized -- by forgetting to line up on the line of scrimmage. Three times. \n• After three more incompletions from Bellisari, IU drives to the Buckeye 12-yard line. Randle El drops his first pass attempt to himself, and IU tries a field goal. Wide right. By 23 feet. \n• This time, Bellisari completes two passes in a row (wow!). The second for a 71-yard touchdown. OSU misses the extra point.\n• IU drives inside the OSU 20-yard line three more times before halftime and misses all three field goals. Two don't even get to the endzone, and the other lands in the stands. But not the ones behind the endzone. \n• After a scoreless third quarter that features 27 penalties, eight missed field goals and six interceptions, IU breaks the ice on a 33-yard field goal. By Randle El, who decides he'll play one more position. \n• IU's kicking tandem of Bryan Robertson and Adam Braucher, who have have missed a combined nine field goals on the afternoon, are seen shining Randle El's shoes and playing checkers with Tommy Jones on the sideline. Jones wins. But only because Braucher goes into this big story about how one time he kicked two field goals in a row (wow!) and forgets all about checkers. \n• The Hoosiers, still down 6-3, pick off Bellisari for the fifth time and are in position to kick a 24-yard field goal. Randle El connects, and the game is tied. \n• After three more Bellisari incompletions, Ohio State punts, then stops IU on three plays. IU punts. It's blocked. OSU recovers. In the endzone. \n• Time expires. OSU doesn't even get to miss the extra point and wins 12-6. \n• Half of the sell-out crowd of more than 50,000 is happy. What? A sellout at Memorial Stadium? Half of it is OSU fans. At least they're wearing red.\n• Coach Cam Cameron cries.\n• Randle El parades into the press conference with his shiny shoes. \n•Jones bursts in with his checkers trophy -- an empty bottle of shoe shine. \n•And my streak of consecutive losses as a writer reaches 14.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
It's doubtful the IU-Purdue rivalry needs any more steam. \nThe schools already battle annually for the Old Oaken Bucket in football, the Monon Spike in volleyball and bragging rights in all 18 sports in which they meet.\nOfficials from IU and Purdue have tossed more gas on the fire by adding the Titan Series to the list of Hoosier-Boilermaker battles. \nThe Titan Series will include 18 sports (nine men's and nine women's) and begins this fall. The series acts as an all-sports trophy exclusive to IU and Purdue. \n"We're absolutely 100 percent confident it will heighten the rivalry," said Brent Hutton of IU Sports Communications, which worked with Leerfield Communications to develop the Titan Series. \nEach time IU and Purdue meet head-to-head, one point will be awarded to the winner. In the event of a tie, the point will be split. If IU and Purdue do not play during the regular season in a particular sport, the point will be given to the school that finishes higher in the Big Ten Tournament. \nFor sports like baseball and softball that play series, the winner of the series will earn the point. In sports like track and field, where there is an indoor and outdoor season, points will be awarded in both seasons. \nEach spring, the points will be compiled, and the school with the most points will be awarded with the Titan Series trophy, a vase with the state of Indiana engraved on it; half of the state will be red and half gold. The trophy will travel between the two schools.\nHutton said he'd like to award the trophy at halftime of the Old Oaken Bucket game each year. Had the series been going on last year, IU would have edged the Boilermakers by "a point or two," Hutton said.\nPreparation for the series began in March with contact between former IU Athletics Director Clarence Doninger and Purdue Athletics Director Morgan Burke. The first Titan Series event will be Oct. 20 when IU and Purdue meet in volleyball.\nAs of Wednesday, the series hadn't garnered much attention. Many athletes and coaches weren't aware of the new competition and were being told of the series this week, IU Media Relations Director Jeff Fanter said.\n"People are finding out today," Fanter said. "They think it's a good idea, but they don't know if it will heighten the rivalry between IU and Purdue since it's already so big."\nJay Cooperider, director of communications for athletics at Purdue, echoed Fanter's statements, saying the series "is set, but is in a somewhat formative stage."\nHutton said football and basketball programs and radio broadcasts will consistently update fans on the progress of the series and which school has captured which points. \nSenior Associate Athletic Director Harold Marou said he was "vaguely" aware of the competition, but said he thought it might boost an already-spirited rivalry. \n"Maybe we can start this with another school (too)," Marou said, suggesting Ball State and Notre Dame. "I just hope it doesn't diminish the value of the other trophies"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
IU isn't quitting. \nAfter losing its ninth Big Ten opener in 10 years, the Hoosiers are hell bent on pushing past their 0-3 record, heading to Wisconsin and righting the ship. \nSame old (expletive). Different Saturday.\nQuitters never win and winners never quit. IU isn't quitting, but will it ever win? \nGood luck. Last time IU visited Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers buried the Hoosiers 59-0. \nGood luck. Last season, Wisconsin trounced IU 43-22. \nJustin Smith: "I just want to say right now that this team isn't going to quit. We're not going to quit."\nCraig Osika: "It's tough, but none of us is going to quit. I don't care who you are on this team, no one is going to quit."\nSo, it's obvious they're not quitting. How many times have we heard that?\nSame old excuses. Different Saturday.\nThe fact is, Ohio State isn't that good. Buckeye quarterback Steve Bellisari, a left-handed goober who stumbled around the backfield, looked talented against the Hoosier defense, tossing for 197 yards. Buckeye running back Lydell Ross wasn't even listed on the OSU two-deep before the game. He ran for 124 yards and scored two touchdowns. \nSure, no one really expected IU to upset Ohio State, but the Hoosiers had a chance. After a miraculous goalline stop that Hoosier fans hadn't seen since 1986, IU scored then got the ball back with a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter. \nFizzle. Thud. IU's offense went off with the bang of that damned big drum at Purdue with a three-foot hole in it. \nWhat's up with IU's offense? The option is about the only solid play. The passing game stinks like three-week-old corn someone left in the sink. And Randle El, who doesn't seem to have the same magic he did a year ago, doesn't have much help. If not for Levron Williams, IU probably wouldn't have scored against Utah or Ohio State. \nIU couldn't get the ball down the field, minus the 44-yard touchdown pass to ... guess who, Williams. And when IU desperately needed a score in the fourth quarter, Randle El found tight end Kris Dielman for 22 yards. Dielman, surrounded by no one, promptly fumbled. \nThe tight end and tailback are the only downfield options? Ugh. \nBut, the passing game is only the beginning of what could be both an unforgettable and forgettable season in IU football.\nBut, IU isn't quitting. And the Hoosiers can't come up with any explanations for their zero-defense policy or their stagnant offense. \nSmith: "It's just ... really, I don't know."\nRandle El: "It seemed like we were just ... it seemed like we had it, but then we didn't have it."\nCameron: "We could've, should've, would've."\nWhat it seems like is ... well, I think, well ... IU might not win a game. \nYou have to give IU credit for not quitting, but the excuses and explanations -- or lack for any -- is old hat. \nThe Hoosiers "don't know, didn't have and should've" a lot of things. Same old Saturday.\nThis weekend won't be any different.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
I've seen Camp Randall Stadium. In a word, it's unbelievable. It's old, a little dirty and dingy, but it's football heaven. \nBut, I'm not going, simply because I don't want to drive a billion hours to watch IU stumble over its own feet and get pummeled by the Badgers. I'm hoping the soothing voice of Don Fischer and the IU radio network will suffice, making the beating sound less disheartening. \nThe last -- and only -- time I visited Camp Randall, I was covering Ball State. The Badgers plucked the Cardinals, scoring 50-some points. I didn't care, and I'm not sure Ball State's players did, either. The trip was worth it. \nDuring the course of that visit, I strolled through the bright red endzones, snapped pictures of UW Fieldhouse, which overlooks the field, and marveled over the double-deckered seats full of red, white and drunk Badger fans. \nIf you think Memorial Stadium offers any sort of college football experience, you haven't seen anything compared to Camp Randall. \nLet me offer a comparison. \n• UW has 76,129. Every game. IU has 48,511 fans. Once a season. Half of whom are Ohio State fans. Under normal circumstances, it takes IU at least two games to draw 76,129 fans.\n• Camp Randall's press box shakes when the Badgers get a first down. Memorial Stadium's press box shakes during the halftime rush for hot chocolate and a doughnut. And then again when the game is over and writers, disgusted with the Hoosiers' attempts at trying to beat Utah, want to run as far away from IU -- and as close to a cold beer -- as humanly possible.\n• The UW student body shouts obscenities from one section to the next. "(Expletive) you" and "Eat (expletive)" bounce from section to section. IU's student section, which numbers 37, tells the Hoosiers to "Eat (expletive)." \n• UW students get drunk to enjoy the fun and festivities. IU's students get drunk so they can stomach IU losing to teams like Utah. \n• UW officials had to put up a tarp over the tunnel where the opposing teams run onto the field because the student body often spat on and threw things at the Badgers' unwelcome counterparts. IU officials have to figure out how to deal with the 13 people who "Booo" when IU's foes take the field.\n• UW fans walk from blocks and blocks to watch games, since parking around Camp Randall is basically non-existent. IU fills up its billion acres of parking space once every two seasons. Against Ohio State. \n• Officials block off the streets around Camp Randall before, during and after the Badger games as fans tailgate wherever they can find space. Thirty minutes before IU games, there are 34 cars in the west parking lost at Memorial Stadium. \n• The Badgers' mascot, "Bucky Badger," beats up opposing mascots by coaxing a UW cheerleader to help. Bucky and the cheerleader each grab a leg, run toward a goalpost and run the mascot's crotch straight into the post. IU's two big, dumb, goofy "Hoosiermen" plod around Memorial Stadium falling over each other and themselves. \n• Nearly all 76,129 Badger fans stay after the game to watch the "Fifth Quarter," in which the band plays and the post-game celebration begins. Nine IU fans stay to watch seven little nine-year-olds sneak onto the field to play two-hand touch on the sidelines. \nI only wish Memorial Stadium had something like that to offer. But, even after reliving Camp Randall and all its glory, I'm still set on not seeing the Hoosiers become the latest of the Badgers sacrificial lamb. Instead, I'll sit on a couch, watch some good games, listen to IU's and hope the Hoosiers don't get spit on. \nI hope they win. I hope I wish I went.
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Ever wonder what the 20,000 seats in Memorial Stadium that aren't filled do on Saturdays? \nThe players know how bad it sucks to have a crowd that could be out-numbered by a state-wide meeting of the Athletes Foot Association. But what about those poor seats?\nIt's the same seats week after week that aren't used -- you know, those seats in all four corners of Memorial Stadium. \nThey're there to be sat on, sometimes stood on and occasionally slept on, no doubt in another IU defeat. Instead, they're usually limited to shining in the sun or collecting raindrops and empty cups. Poor, lonely seats. \n Wonder what they thought when Utah came to Bloomington last month? They probably woke up around noon, watched the grounds crew work on the field, the teams warm up and 26,591 fans plod into their seats. \n "Just stay asleep," Row 23, Seat 12 said to his fellow seats in Section 12. "It's Utah, no one will bother to use us." \nBut the seats know they have a bunch of friends in Ohio. Every other year or so, Row 33, Seat 11 in Section 2 sees a familiar red-and-silver Ohio State rump. This season, the crowd of 48, 577 had to shock the seats. But they probably pay attention to the schedule, so they knew what was coming. \n"Get up, fellas. It's Ohio State week," Section 3, Row 34, Seat 5 said to the rest of the west stands. "I know it's hard to imagine, but we'll be used this weekend."\nSo, the seats polished themselves, got a little tan and woke up early Saturday for their big day. Hey, they don't have big days that often. \nThis weekend, it's back to the normal routine for the seats -- Illinois reportedly sent back more than 1,000 tickets. \nThe seats took it personally. \n"Damn Illinois fans," Section 15, Row 29, Seat 17 said. "Is their Memorial Stadium better than ours, or what?" \nAt that point, the seats were ready to pick a fight with the benches at Illinois' Memorial Stadium, but they calmed down when they realized with no one sitting on them, they'll get to see a good game. Imagine the good games and careers they've seen: Anthony Thompson running for 1,793 yards during his near-Heisman season of 1989; Trent Green tossing for 2,627 yards in 1991; IU throwing for a Stadium record 441 yards against Ball State in 1997 and Antwaan Randle El running, punting, passing and returning for something like three million yards during his four-year career. The seats behind each endzone have caught extra points from All-American kicker Pete Stoyanovich.\n"It's been a great ride," Section 34, Row 12, Seat 14 says. "I remember when Pete kicked two 53-yarders in 1988. I caught them both. Boy, that was great. But, this year's been a little bumpy, since IU has had trouble kicking extra points and field goals."\nSeat 14 is correct -- four missed extra points and three wobbly, misfired field goals. But he is optimistic and has his own solution.\n"Maybe Coach Cam Cameron should let Antwaan kick," he said before wandering into another topic. "Wonder if I'll see Cameron around here next fall ... I think Bill Mallory was better. At least his teams could kick an extra point." \nBut Seat 14 puts aside his criticism, remembering the 63-32 shellacking IU handed Wisconsin last weekend and wishing he could have seen it. \nSeat 14 has seen more hot dog wrappers than fans in the last five years. He's heard more lawn mowers than ovations. And he's witnessed less than a dozen victories. \nSo, when you stroll into Memorial Stadium, glance toward the trapezoid-shaped areas where fans will be sitting, then notice those poor, empty seats. \nDo IU football and the seats favor. Get someone to sit in them.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Sean May has a knack for dodging questions about where he will play college basketball next season, but early Saturday morning at IU's Midnight Madness, the Bloomington High School North star couldn't escape.\nInstead, May heard chants and cheers directed at him, then read a series of signs and posters -- all attempting to convince May to follow his father, Scott May and older brother, Scott May Jr., to IU -- scattered around Assembly Hall.\nMay's reaction -- his head buried in his hands or arms folded across his chest -- mirrored his laid-back and tight-lipped approach to announcing where he will end up next fall. \n"It's a great feeling," May said as fans sitting across the floor unfurled a banner reading "We want 48 months of May." "I've been coming to (Midnight Madness) for a while, and it's exciting."\nMay has company on this late-night trip. Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland, who have committed to IU, sat with May and a group of friends behind the men's team bench. Wright, who committed to IU early last month, and Strickland, who settled on the Hoosiers in July, are doing their part to ensure IU fans get their wish that May plays for the Hoosiers. \n"Both of us are working hard," Strickland said with a grin. \n"I think he's going to come (to IU)," said Wright, who sported a red IU sweatshirt. "I really do."\nMay said he's narrowed his choices to IU, Louisville and North Carolina. The 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 23.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and two blocks per game last season has visited all three schools. May's most recent visit was a trip to North Carolina about a week ago. May visited Notre Dame in September but ruled out the Fighting Irish. \nMay said he expects to make a decision next month and plans to use the time between now and then to talk with his family about the decision. May's decision to attend IU's Midnight Madness rather than those at Louisville and UNC was one of geography and convenience. \n"I am at home, and I knew Bracey and Marshall were going to come," May said. "This is my first opportunity to meet Marshall." \nStrickland and Wright, who arrived in Bloomington Friday, had made previous trips to IU to meet the team and coach Mike Davis and see the campus. Strickland indicated his second impression is better than his first, saying he "likes it better now than in the summer."\nThe presence of students and a horde of red-and-white-clad Hoosier fans in a nearly filled Assembly Hall affected both Strickland and Wright. \n"It's crazy," Wright said. "I'm loving it." \nStrickland trailed off in mid-sentence, his eyes slowly moving toward the five national championship banners hanging on the south end of the court. \n"The fans here are serious," Strickland said. "That's something I really like. I was (in Assembly Hall) before, but it wasn't full. This is a totally different atmosphere. I'm real excited." \nStrickland, a 6-foot-1 point guard, will return this season to South Carroll High School in Maryland, where he averaged more than 30 points and four assists per game last season. There were questions surrounding Strickland's decision after it was rumored he would not be granted another year of eligibility. \nStrickland attended Winchendon (Mass.) Academy his freshman and sophomore years before enrolling for about one month at Thayer Academy. The time spent at Thayer muddled Strickland's eligibility. Strickland said he expects to play point guard at IU next season and will run the point for South Carroll this season. \nThe 6-foot-4 Wright said he will play both inside and outside at The Colony, Texas, where he scored 21.6 points per game and grabbed 6.1 rebounds per contest last season. \n"I'm going to work on my rebounding more," Wright said of his plans for his final high school season. "And I'm the biggest guy on the team, so I have to play inside, but that's something I like to do."\nWright and Strickland, who signed autographs and received a warm ovation when they emerged with May onto the Assembly Hall floor just before midnight, said they can't wait to make their Hoosier debuts. \n"There's so much energy," Wright said. "I'm as anxious as I can be"
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Anyone else confused? \nIU has played five games, and in each one, the Hoosiers have missed either a field goal or an extra point. Field goals -- ones from further than 35 yards -- are understandable. But what IU is doing isn't.\nThe Hoosiers have two kickers -- sophomore Adam Braucher and freshman Bryan Robertson -- who have combined to miss five extra points in 17 attempts. IU opponents have missed only one of their 18 point-after attempts. IU's field goal efforts -- again from Braucher and Roberston -- have failed on four of five tries. Makes you wonder if these two are kicking with the correct feet. \nThe good news is Braucher and Robertson are young, so they have time to improve. The bad news is if they don't improve, it could be a long, bumpy road for the duo ... and IU might be better off betting on the two-point conversion.\nNot all of Braucher and Robertson's misfirings could have made a difference had they hit them. Let's establish this: kicking isn't what's losing football games for IU. But it is a glaring detriment to a team that is unstoppable one week and despicable the next. \nBut how are so many of these two's kicks sailing left, right and low? It's befuddling when you look at their accolades. \nBraucher, a high school soccer player, nailed eight of 10 field goals during his senior season at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla. One of his successful attempts was a 51-yarder. He's supposedly hit from nearly 60 yards in practice. Too bad we can't hurry, run over to the practice field and attempt field goals from there during the season. \nThis season, Braucher has missed from 41 and 44 yards and botched an extra point before being replaced by Robertson, whose high school success is pretty much unmatched.\nAfter his senior season at Seymour (Ind.) High School, Robertson was the only kicker named to Street and Smith's first-team All-American squad. Foxsports.com listed Robertson as one of the top 100 high school football players in the country ... a kicker? Yeah, and he stayed home to play for the usually kicking-rich Hoosiers. \nRobertson hit 34 field goals for the Owls and set the state record for the most field goals in a career. During that same time, he hit 183 extra points. In his senior season, Robertson hit five field goals of more than 50 yards and missed only eight extra points in 51 attempts. Robertson also owns the state record for the longest field goal, a 61-yard rocket. \nWith those gaudy statistics, it's just plain unbelievable that Robertson hasn't been able to kick anything straight since arriving in Bloomington. Everything wobbles, spins sideways and falls to the ground without passing through the uprights. \nSince taking over for Braucher, Robertson has missed four extra points in 12 attempts, including three at Wisconsin. He's also shanked two field goals, one from 28 yards and the other from 44. Saturday's wobbly 28-yard attempt against Illinois would have given IU a 9-7 lead heading to halftime. The lead would have been 9-7 because Illinois blocked Robertson's extra point earlier in the quarter. \nRobertson did finally hit a field goal against Wisconsin. From the incredible distance of 28 yards. \nHey, kicking isn't easy. Most people couldn't kick a football from here to two feet from here. But most people don't kick for a Big Ten football program. \nWe want these crazy-footed guys to hit field goals. We're supposed to be able to go to the bathroom or pick up some nachos after a touchdown without worrying about whether we should stay to see if IU hits the extra point. \nLet's hope these missed kicks have been the sum of nerves ...or some suitable excuse. Let's hope Braucher and Robertson get their feet straight. Let's get this fixed.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Not many basketball players who average 13 points per game in high school get the chance to play Division I college basketball. Even fewer get a shot in the Big Ten.\nRyan Tapak's case is unusual, and he's the first to admit it.\n"There's not too many guys 6-foot, 160 who can come in and play," Tapak, a freshman walk-on, said. "Coach Davis gave me a shot, and I owe the world to him. Hopefully, I left a good reputation with him."\nThe closest Tapak came to IU basketball last season was occasionally playing in front of coach Mike Davis. Tapak and Davis' son, Mike Davis Jr., teamed up for Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, and Davis often came to watch his son.\nLess than a year later, Tapak found himself on the Assembly Hall floor as a full-fledged member of men's basketball program, a place he never dreamed he'd be. \n"Never in a million dreams," Tapak said. \nTapak convinced Davis to give him a shot to walk on, worked with assistant coaches John Treloar and Ben McDonald and beat out two competitors for the final spot on the Hoosiers' roster.\nTapak, who is listed at 190 pounds, looks more like the 160 he alluded to. But the Hoosiers' shortest player might be one of the sqauds' best shooters. Tapak knocked down 11 three-pointers in the first round of the three-point competition early Saturday morning at IU's Midnight Madness, then came back to sink eight more in the second round, topping junior guard Tom Coverdale, who hit five. \nTapak finished off his Hoosier debut by catching fire in the final round against Jill Hartman of the women's team. Tapak's last-second shot sailed through the net as time expired, giving the unlikely winner the victory. \n"(If I wasn't on the team), I'd probably be over at the HPER," Tapak said, adding that he would have come to IU even if he didn't have the chance to play basketball. \nTapak said he hasn't had much contact with Davis, who was been on recruiting trips when Tapak was working out, but has his long-term goals figured out. As for his role on this year's team, Tapak said he's not sure what he'll do.\n"A lot of schools have little shooters," Tapak said. "Every team needs them."\nBULKING UP\nSenior forward Jarrad Odle and sophomore center George Leach both looked noticeably bigger Saturday at Midnight Madness. Both indicated they've spent time in the weight room adding muscle mass. \nThus far, their iron-pumping efforts have paid off. \nLeach and Odle both paced their respective offenses in the 10-minute scrimmage, as Leach led all scorers with 14 points for the white team. Odle chipped in with eight for the red squad.\nLeach has put on 20 pounds and is listed at 225 pounds. Odle has gained 10 pounds and is listed at 220. But Davis seemed more pleased with Leach's footspeed and work ethic than with the wider bodies.\n"I'm going to have to play George this year," Davis said. "Hopefully, I can play him a whole lot. He ran the floor a couple times and made a couple good moves."\nEXPECTING ME TO SHOOT?\nSenior guard Dane Fife admitted before Saturday that he couldn't get rim, so he wouldn't take part in the dunk contest at Midnight Madness. But Fife joked that he could get rim by shooting three-pointers, something some people have said the 6'4" defensive stopper will do more of this season. \nFife isn't so sure. \n"We've said that (I'll shoot more) since I came here," Fife said. "It's just a mind-set that I have to get in my head that I can score and I can play with these guys. I know I can."\nFife averaged a career-high 5.1 points per game last season and fired several shots during Saturday morning's scrimmage. Fife scored nearly 26 points per game as a senior at Clarkston (Mich.) High School. \nWith Kirk Haston gone, Fife said he realizes he must produce some offense. Or else. \n"We have (sophomore Jared Jeffries) and Coverdale returning, and that's the bulk of our scoring, so somebody has to step up and score," Fife said. "Teams are always going to have scorers, but I think they're going to look to me to score more, or I won't be on the floor."\nHEADED TO UK\nWabash Valley College guard Antwain Barbour, who visited IU late last month, decided last week to play next season at Kentucky. The 6'5" Barbour limited his choices to UK, IU, UNLV and Cincinnati before making his final decision. Barbour was originally recruited by Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith, but grades forced him to attend junior college. \nIU has two recruits committed for next season: 6'4" Bracey Wright from The Colony, Texas, and 6'1" Marshall Stickland from Sykesville, Md.
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Sean May won't follow in his father's footsteps. Or his brother's.\nThe Bloomington High School North standout forward verbally committed Sunday to play at North Carolina. In doing so, May turned down the chance to play alongside his older brother, Scott May Jr. a freshman walk-on at IU this season, and the opportunity to play at the same school where his father, Scott May, won a national championship and was the college player of the year in 1976. North Athletics Director Ralph Sieboldt confirmed the report Monday and said he didn't expect a press conference. \nSieboldt said the family might issue a statement.\n"I don't think Sean wants to talk about it," he said.\n"I just talked to him, and he told me he's decided to go to North Carolina," Scott May Jr. told the Associated Press Sunday. "He wanted to know what I thought about it, and I told him I was really happy for him. This has been a difficult decision for him, and I know he's happy to have it behind him."\nDuring IU's Midnight Madness practice Oct. 13, May told the IDS that he had narrowed his choices to North Carolina, IU and Louisville. May said he would delay his decision until November to "sit down and talk with his family." \nMay, regarded by many recruiting experts as one of the top players in the nation, visited UNC the weekend before Midnight Madness and said he stayed in Bloomington because of logistics and familiarity. \n"I've been coming (to IU's Midnight Madness) for a long time," May said at the practice. "It's close to home."\nThe same factors evidently didn't sway May's decision this weekend. \nScott May Jr. said last week that he wanted his brother to play at IU but indicated he'd support Sean's decision no matter what. \n"He's good enough to play anywhere," Scott May Jr. said. "His decision is going to affect me. That's my brother, we're best friends and we're extremely close. Of course, I'd like for him to come to IU and room with me. His decision is up to him. But, I can't tell him where to go." May, who averaged 24.3 points and 12.3 rebounds a game as a junior, would have been IU's fourth verbal commitment for next season. Six-foot-1 guard Marshall Strickland (Mt. Airy, Md.) committed to IU in July, 6-foot-4 guard Bracey Wright (The Colony, Texas) committed in September and 6-foot-8 forward Daryl Pegram (Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass.) committed last week.\nWright and Strickland said at Midnight Madness that they were doing their best to get Sean May in cream and crimson. \n"I think he's going to come," Wright said. "I really do."\n"We've both been working real hard," Strickland added. \nMay met Strickland at Midnight Madness and had previously developed a friendship with Wright. The trio sat along court watching the practice as fans chanted May's name and held signs attempting to persuade him to commit to the Hoosiers and asked for autographs. The nearly 9,000 fans on hand greeted May, Wright and Strickland with an ovation when they entered the gym on the floor level. \nMay didn't tip his hand that night saying only that "you always want to play with great players."\nScott May said earlier this month that he had not discouraged his son from committing to IU because of the firing of Knight. Sean May and his father visited former IU coach and current Texas Tech coach Bob Knight in Lubbock, Texas, over the weekend. \n"This isn't about the rift between Coach and (IU president) Myles Brand, or the rift between Coach and the University; this is about my kid," May told the Associated Press. "I don't have a problem with Sean playing at IU if that's what he wants to do. It's his decision. In the end, he'll make up his mind on what he wants to do and where he wants to."\nNorth Carolina officials could not confirm the report because of NCAA restrictions, and IU officials said they had received no notification from May that he had turned down IU. \nNorth Carolina coach Matt Doherty, in his first season in Chapel Hill, will need May to replace the holes 6-foot-10 seniors Kris Lang and Brian Bersticker will leave upon graduating after this season.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The men's basketball team spent nearly as much time lining up on the baseline in preparation to run at Monday's practice as it did doing basketball-related drills. \nThe reason for the running, according to sophomore George Leach? Himself. \n"I kind of caused that running," Leach said after practice and an individual free-throw shooting workout. "I let my emotions get to me in practice, and I shouldn't have said some things. But it was all about playing hard today and showing our coaches that we are in shape and we can go hard."\nLeach and a group of Hoosiers ran several consecutive sprints, but Leach has his mind elsewhere, like Sunday's initial exhibition game against Athletes in Action. After a season in which Leach said he "didn't produce," -- 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game -- the 6-foot-11 center is ready. \n"I have everything to prove," Leach said. "I have to show the state of Indiana that I can play. This year, I want to come out and do what I'm capable of doing. I'm not sitting the bench this year."\nDavis and his assistants spent Monday's practice paying special attention to IU's defense and conditioning. The running captured the team's attention.\n"We did a lot conditioning-wise," junior forward Jeff Newton said. "We did like 10 sprints in the middle of practice. That's always hard."\n'NECK TO NECK'\nA week after saying freshman Donald Perry was the frontrunner for IU's point guard slot, Davis said Monday the race between Perry and junior Tom Coverdale is "neck to neck."\n"Coverdale is winning by a red hair," Davis joked, referring to Coverdale's red head. \nCoverdale evidently took notice of Davis' statements, which appeared in several publications. \n"It's good that (Coverdale) is reading the paper," Davis said. "He's playing real well."\nDavis said he doesn't expect much from Perry, but said he's pleased with his progress.\n"He's coming around," Davis said. "He has good ability, and he's better this week than he was last week."\nPerry spent some of last week's practice time on the sidelines with a pulled groin, but Davis said that didn't slow the 6-foot-2 guard. \n"I don't think he was hurt," Davis said, smiling. "I think he was nervous."\nKLINE ON THE PINE\nFreshman forward Sean Kline sat out for most of practice Monday, nursing his sore pectoral muscle. An MRI last week revealed the muscle is not torn, but Kline is still being held back from contact drills. \nDuring the four-on-four drills Monday, Kline retreated to the south end of the court to practice his shooting touch. \nDavis said there is a possibility of redshirting Kline, who's questionable for Sunday's game. If Kline would play Sunday or against Nike Elite Nov. 14, his redshirt status would be forgone. Davis said Kline has participated in only "three or four" of 14 practices.\n"Kline is so far behind, but hopefully, he can get back before (Sunday)," Davis said. "If he's still hurt, we still have another exhibition game. I'll probably gauge him on the second exhibition game more than the first."\n(FORMER) GOPHER BURROWING ELSEWHERE\nMinnesota guard-forward Shane Schilling announced Monday he plans to transfer. The decision comes just days after Golden Gopher coach Dan Monson suspended Schilling for violating team rules. The team issued a statement over the weekend, but did not specify which rules Schilling violated. \nThe 6-foot-6 junior was to remain suspended until Monson decided otherwise. \nSchilling, who started both games against IU last season and scored six points in each game, started 31 games last season and averaged 8.4 points per game.
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The consensus is in. \nAnd the men's basketball team is sick and tired of practicing. The Hoosiers know their own offense and their own defense, and it's making practice a bit hum-drum. \nIU, ranked No. 20 in the USA Today/ESPN poll, will finally get the chance to see shirts of a different color at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Assembly Hall when it meets Athletes in Action. \nThe exhibition game is the first of two for the Hoosiers before they open their season at Charlotte Nov. 18.\n"(In practice), we know what the other team is going to do," junior guard Kyle Hornsby said. "You run the same things. It's pretty easy to know what they're going to do."\nThings won't be as simplified Sunday. IU beat AIA last season and has won four of the five meetings. But AIA's high-octane offense \nhas led to some high-scoring games. In three of the last four meetings, the winning team has reached the 90-point mark, and twice IU has scored 100 points. IU won last season 84-74 behind a game-high 27 points from then-freshman Jared Jeffries. Five Hoosiers scored in double figures. \nHornsby said the Hoosiers won't be familiar with AIA's offense or defense heading into this season's go 'round, but he and his teammates indicated that really doesn't matter. \n"I just want to play somebody else," junior forward Jeffrey Newton said. "I don't care who it is."\nNeither does their coach. \n"I'm ready to play somebody different," coach Mike Davis said. "We're still behind in some areas, but we'll see."\n"Somebody different" is a team that will have five games under its belt by Sunday. AIA edged Mount Vernon Nazarene 99-93 Oct. 24 and beat up Kentucky Christian 108-94 Oct. 27. AIA played Alabama Thursday night and will meet Bradley Saturday. Six different AIA players scored in double figures against Mount Vernon Nazarene and three more did the same against Kentucky Christian. \nAIA is led by David Daniels, an eight-year member of the team and a 2000 Olympian with the Canadian basketball team. \nAlthough Davis said earlier this week he hasn't determined Sunday's starting lineup, AIA could see a different Hoosier team. Plans to institute a pressing style of play began Thursday and will continue today and Saturday, Davis said. The plan could become a staple, or at least more a familiar set. \n"We have some pretty quick guys," Davis said. "I have a unit I can put out there and press people with."\nDavis also said he "definitely" sees a three-guard set in his plans and said the Hoosiers are ahead of where they were at this time last season. Their only lacking areas are in dealing with zone defenses and the press. IU opened quickly last season, winning its first two regular season games before losing three straight. The intrigue of kicking off the season has the players' attention. \n"We don't know their personnel," Hornsby said. "It will be interesting to see how our defense holds up and see how our offense holds up."
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
IU waxed Northwestern by nine field goals and four safeties Saturday. \nI said they'd lose. I was wrong. Way wrong. \nLet's have a little pow-wow with the football team and let them ask me questions (this is all make believe, just like Mr. Rogers and that little whistling train). \nMe: Mr. Cameron, I'll start with you. \nCoach Cameron: So, I'm fired, eh? Sure didn't look like that Saturday, now did it? You're mean. Quit being so mean. \nMe: No. Not until you win more than four games in a season. And I didn't appreciate that cold shoulder at Iowa. For Saturday, congrats, but you're still fired. Next, Mr. Randle El. \nAntwaan Randle El (with a mouth full of Skittles, just like Saturday): I'm the only guy on the team you seem to like. (Stops to chew). Damn Skittles. Anyway, why don't you have love for my teammates? We just slobberknocked the defending Big Ten champs. \nMe: You did. You are awesome. That's why I write good things about you. And I do like at least one more person -- Levron Williams. If you keep winning, I'll write more good things. Give me some Skittles. OK ... who's next? Cameron? You again? \nCameron: Antwaan, don't give this punk columnist Skittles. He's mean. \nMe: Coach, unless you have a question, I don't want to hear from you. Maybe next season, you can work for Skittles. Next, Mr. Williams. \nLevron Williams (smiling, because he always smiles): I played good Saturday. I play good a lot. Thanks for being nice to me sometimes. What do you think about those big, large guys who block for me. Any love for them? (Still smiling and eyeing Randle El's Skittles).\nMe: Lots of love. They're good, just like you. As a matter of fact, I'd say -- even though you yahoos haven't won but two games this season -- those offensive linemen are some of the best in the Big Ten. Antwaan, give Levron some Skittles. Next, Mr. Bell. \nJames Bell (defensive coordinator): Don't you always rip up my defense? Ha. We played great Saturday. Ha. Ha. Ha. \nMe: You still gave up 513 yards. Ha. But, the four redzone turnovers? Brilliant. How did you do it? Bell: Hell if I know. Luck, I guess. That stuff never worked before.\nMe: I know. That's why you lose a lot. Like 13 times since you got to IU. But, you deserve some praise for Saturday's calls. And for all those funky, crazy hand motions you make on the sidelines. You look like you're on Ecstacy. \nBell: I'm not. I'm on Skittles. \nMe: Time for a couple more questions. Mr. Smith, shoot. \nJustin Smith: Do you like ripping on us? It makes some people really mad, and we don't like it. Would you mind if I picked you up by your feet and smashed your head into a brick? \nMe: I'll be nicer ... if you win. Until then, don't hurt me. I like your hair.\nFor Saturday, the Hoosiers get an A+. It was shocking, amazing and fun. Keep it up. I could be nicer. But I could be meaner, if that's a word. For now, I'm done. Give me some Skittles.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
After seasons of constant television coverage, the men's basketball team will take a hit this season. And we have the economy to thank, IU Media Relations Director Jeff Fanter said. Seven of IU's first 12 games - including two exhibition contests - will not be televised. \nSunday's exhibition victory against Athletes in Action was the first. \nOther games that will not be televised include Nike Elite, Charlotte, Southern Illinois, Ball State and both Hoosier Classic contests. IU's game against Miami of Florida will be broadcast regionally on the Sunshine Network. Last season, IU's Preseason NIT loss to Texas was not televised, and the loss at Indiana State would not have been on TV, had the Missouri Valley Conference and FOX Sports Net picked up the game. The last time the Hoosier Classic games were not televised was in 1991, Fanter said. \nBut this season, IU is not alone in having its coverage sliced. It is the Big Ten that is calling the shots. \nThe Big Ten has cut the overall coverage of its interconference games by 37 percent from last season, when 195 games were televised. There will also be a 16 percent drop in the total number of televised games. Only 169 games involving Big Ten teams will be on TV this season, but all but one conference game will be televised. Last season, two league games were cut from the schedule. In the four previous seasons, all 352 Big Ten games were televised. \nBig Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney released a statement earlier this week regarding the downturn in television coverage across the conference.\n"After eight years of a robust economy, significant softness set in the network, cable and local advertising marketplace in the spring and summer of 2001," Delaney's statement said. "Since Sept. 11, additional economic pressure has been generally experienced by the media as well as the companies that buy advertising time. This has and will impact to some degree the number of games presented under Big Ten television agreements."\nThe Big Ten also cited a decline in local market ratings and the lack of independent stations as reasons for the decline. \nEach Big Ten school sells its television rights to the conference, which then gives the rights to ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN Regional) and CBS.\nCBS selects the games it wishes to televise first, followed by ESPN, ESPN2 and then ESPN Regional. \nThe games selected by ESPN Regional can be covered by any station, but those stations affiliated with national networks are obligated to run network programming, Fanter said. \n"(Network affiliates) can't pre-empt Buffy the Vampire Slayer to cover IU games," Fanter said.\nWTTV-TV in Indianapolis - one of those non-network-affiliated stations - has covered IU mens basketball since 1979 and has recently covered games through ESPN Regional.\nSinking ratings for IU's pre-conference games have made airing the Hoosiers difficult for WTTV, station program director Harry Ford said. \n"It's not economically feasible," Ford said. "We'd love to air them, but the ratings drop has been so significant over the last several years. It's disappointing."\nFord acknowledged that the coverage problems stem from rights fees and the network does not have a problem with ESPN Regional, but WTTV isn't the only station struggling to televise games.\nESPN Regional is having a difficult time finding stations like WTTV to carry games this season all over the Big Ten. \n"Stations have to pay production costs and it's not beneficial for them to do that (right now)," Fanter said. "Ratings are down in college basketball, and there are fewer and fewer independent networks to cover games."\nOther conferences have tracked down ways to sidetrack the economy and maintain high numbers regarding televised games.\nThe Big East Conference uses the same television plan as the Big Ten, giving rights to CBS and ESPN. But the Big East isn't reporting any cuts this season. \n"We have a handful of games that arent on TV, but we havent cut any," John Paquette, Big East associate commissioner for communications said. \nThe ACC and SEC are reporting the same outlook as the Big East. \nThe ACC has increased its number of TV games from 138 last season to 143 this season. Seventy of 72 conference games will be televised, ACC Associate Commission and Director of Mens Basketball Operations Fred Barakat said. \nIn the SEC, 142 games will be on television. \n"We have more (on TV) than last year," said DeWayne Peevy, men's basketball contact. "We definitely didn't cut any."\nBoth the SEC and ACC use national, regional and local coverage, much like the Big Ten. But the ACC and SEC have partnerships with several other networks, including Jefferson-Pilot Sports and FOX Sports Net. \nStill, the Big Ten ranks at the top of television coverage, Fanter said, and the league is searching for ways in which to avoid the problem again next season. \n"It's unfortunate," Fanter said. "(Cutting games) is not new to college basketball, but it's new to Indiana. It's trickled down, but the Big Ten tried all it could."\nFord said it was the first time he could remember WTTV will not cover this many IU games and said he isn't sure what will unfold next season. \n"It's a one-year deal," he said. "We'll see what happens next year."\nWhile many fans and players see the lack of coverage as a problem, IU coach Mike Davis isn't angered. In fact, he sees it as an advantage and said the lack of coverage wont enable opposing teams to scout the Hoosiers as well.\n"There is no down side," Davis said. "Indiana people can either read or listen to (the game)."\nWhile some players weren't aware of the TV scenario, at least one didn't agree with Davis. \n"I think it's a bunch of bull," senior guard Dane Fife said." A lot of our families have bought satellites to be able to watch the games. Now, they have to travel three hours just to hear it on the radio. Indiana basketball has always been broadcast to the American public. It affects me. I think it's crazy"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- George Leach didn't want to sit the bench. He didn't want to wear the white practice jersey that denotes the second team. \nAfter Sunday's eight-point, seven-rebound, four-block performance in IU's 65-61 season-opening victory at Charlotte, Leach decreased the chance either will happen again. \n"I called my mom (before the game), and she said 'You know you can play basketball, so calm down,'" said Leach, who graduated from Charlotte's Olympic High School. "I just did what I thought I could do. I figured while I was in there, I might as well try something."\n"Something" worked from the time the 6-foot-11 Leach set foot on the floor in the second half until game's end. Leach used his size, wing-span and athletic ability to stop the 49er inside attack, help foul out two Niner big men and propel IU to its first victory. \nHis effort impressed IU coach Mike Davis. \n"George Leach, what can I say?" Davis asked. "He played the best game of his career at Indiana. He blocked shots, he got key rebounds; I've never seen George play this way." \nNeither had Charlotte. \nAnd Leach's surprise spelled the end of the 49ers' end to upset No. 22 IU in front of a sold out crowd of 9,105 towel-waving Niner fans at Halton Arena.\nLeach quieted the Niner fans on several occasions after entering the game with just more than 16 minutes remaining and IU (1-0) trailing 42-30.\n"He's a really good shot blocker," Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz said. "That's the first guy we've seen like that. He had a really big impact on the game."\nLeach's biggest contribution came with IU trailing 51-49 with just more than six minutes remaining. Leach took a pass from junior guard Tom Coverdale and exploded for a one-handed dunk that set off the Hoosier fans in attendance and tied the ball game.\n"That dunk was awesome," Davis said. "That was a big-time dunk."\nLeach, Coverdale and sophomore forward Jared Jeffries then finished off the Niners, scoring the Hoosiers' final 10 points to send IU to the victory. \nGetting there wasn't easy. \nCharlotte carried a six-point lead and momentum into halftime, fending off an IU run that closed the 49er lead to 24-23 with just less than five minutes remaining and stretching that gap to 31-25 at the break. \nThe Hoosiers fell behind by eight early on and battled for the remainder of the first half. IU's only lead came just seconds into the game when Jeff Newton's dunk put IU up 2-0. Newton kept IU in the game, scoring the team's first six points and eight of the initial 17. But the 49ers used a steady dose of outside shooting, offensive rebounding (24-16) and physical play to shove the Hoosiers into a hole and help erase the IU offense that drubbed its two exhibition foes. Only four Hoosiers scored in the first half.\nThe Niners appeared on their way to their fourth win over a ranked team in Halton Arena early in the second half when they scored on three consecutive trips. The Niners stretched the lead to 12, but IU used a seven-two run to shrink the Niner lead to six with just more than 12 minutes left. \nIU then had several cracks to draw within single digits but misfired from the field or turned the ball over on four of five possessions. The only score came from Leach, who hit two free throws and kicked off his game-changing antics. \nIU got back in the game without help from Fife, Newton and junior Kyle Hornsby, who remained on the bench for varying reasons throughout the second half. Fife rested with three fouls in favor of freshman Donald Perry while Hornsby's lack of defense relegated him to the bench. \nThe game mirrored last season's 76-72 Hoosier victory in Bloomington in which IU fell behind by 17 in the second half before erupting for the win. What the game didn't mirror was any of Leach's "casual" play, as Davis called it. \nThe result was something Davis and the Hoosiers could get used to. \n"He did a great job tonight," said IU assistant coach Ben McDonald, whose duties include working with the Hoosier post players. "I have to give him all the credit. We just try to drill into him that he has talent." \nSunday, it worked.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Hello, Matt Mitrione. \nAnd all of your stuck up, jaw jerking teammates who just can't seem to believe they lost to the lowly football Hoosiers.\nA handful of Boilermakers said they "stooped down" to IU's level in Saturday's rain-soaked game that mirrored sloppy, overweight pigs with broken legs attempting to run through a pit of mud.\nAh, the excuses and bashing of IU has begun. And it looks like it won't stop for a while. Even Purdue coach Joe Tiller said his beloved Boilers stooped to IU's level. \nBut whatever Purdue did, didn't work. And whatever IU did, did. And it was brilliant -- cheap shots, trash talking and personal fouls included. \nMitrione, earlier in the week called IU senior tailback Levron Williams a "pretty boy" and said Williams would be "scared" to run up the middle. So, Williams took care of Purdue's jabbering lineman by scooting right by him for a 52-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Turns out, that was all IU needed. \nWho's scared now, Mitrione? Keep stooping. \nIn the aftermath of IU's first Old Oaken Bucket since 1996, Mitrione tried to backtrack, offering this rebuttal. \n"Give credit to them," Mitrione said, probably wanting to interject some remark about Antwaan Randle El's mother and pet fish. "As soon as they won, they came over and they were all really cool. Randle El, Levron, the offensive line, they were all really cool. It's such a respect thing between us."\nSure, it is. Nothing but respect for a team that calls you "pretty boys" and fires punches your way. Sure doesn't sound like Randle El has much "respect" for the Boilermakers. \n"He can say he stooped to our level, but he came in with that mentality and he can leave with it, because he left with a loss and that's the most important thing," Randle El said.\nIndeed. A loss for the bunch wearing that putrid, pukey looking gold, and it's about damn time. Yeah, Purdue will play in a bowl game, and no, IU won't. But, the first of the Hoosiers' two pseudo-bowl games was Saturday, and IU sent Purdue back to stinky West Lafayette with nothing but cream, crimson and an empty seat where the Old Oaken Bucket would have sat on its mind.\nSunday, Tiller told the Lafayette Courier and Journal Saturday's loss was his "most disappointing" since he arrived at Purdue. He then made the Boilermakers practice in full pads. He should have strapped a strip of tape across their mouths. \nOdds and more odds\n• Purdue rushed for minus eight yards Saturday. IU's previous season low was 106 at Wisconsin. Keep stooping. \n• IU fans ripped down the south endzone's goal post. I have a few ideas where Tiller and Mitrione can stick that. Bend over. Or keep stooping.\n• The IU defense rescued the Hoosiers' horrid kicking game by making Purdue throw 62 passes and coming up with a miraculous, fourth-quarter goal line stand. Too bad that same kicking game might have cost IU a bowl berth. If IU hadn't missed an extra point and a field goal -- the Hooseirs have missed seven PATs and seven field goals on the season -- and been forced to try a two-point conversion late in the loss to Utah, IU would be 5-5 and could be bowl bound, pending a win over Kentucky this weekend. \n• Cam Cameron's "Save My Job Tour" has taken a turn for the better, at least for his sake. The jury is still out, but you know what I think.\n• But, let's not rest on the depressing thoughts, for now. IU beat Purdue, and it's sweet. Now, let's find that bucket and fill it with whiskey. In the meantime, Purdue can keep stooping. \n• See ya next year, pretty boys.