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(03/04/09 5:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>His grin filled Assembly Hall like $5 balcony seats.The fifth-year senior who’s had a front row seat to the rise and fall of IU basketball clutched a microphone in his right. Grasped in his shooting hand were various notes he’d scribbled on a hotel notepad the night before.Minutes prior, his teammates battled as hard as they had all season to send him off with a victory. When it was clear that No. 8 Michigan State would prevail, Hoosier nation defiantly cheered his name as loud as it could, paying homage to the lone constant in the program’s recent history.He stood on Branch McCracken Court for the last time as an IU player. He grew up in Evansville worshipping the Hoosiers, committing to the school as a walk-on after its Final Four run in 2002. He wanted to win championships. Instead, he witnessed a different kind of history.Now, miraculously, he was the last player standing after five tumultuous years.Thousands of faithful fans stuck around Assembly Hall on Tuesday night to witness the senior’s farewell speech. But he wouldn’t go off without one last chant.Ky-le Ta-ber, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, Ky-le Ta-ber.The 6-foot-8 forward, surrounded by his parents, teammates, coaches and friends took it all in one last time.“What can I say? It’s Indiana. Look at this,” he said.There would be no tears from Kyle Taber Tuesday night. Only smiles.Taber played 33 minutes in his final home game, finishing with a stat line as humble as his legacy: three points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.But the former walk-on’s contribution to the program goes far beyond numbers. IU coach Tom Crean, Taber’s fourth coach in five years, called Taber the “epitome” of IU basketball.“I speak on behalf of all his coaches at Indiana when I say he meant a great deal to everyone here,” Crean said. “He represents each and every one of you the right way, as the only senior member of this Indiana basketball team.”As most seniors traditionally do, Taber thanked a long list of people from all corners of the world for helping him get to where he is today. When he thanked his grandmother, who was in attendance for her first IU basketball game, the student section erupted into a new chant: Grand-ma Ta-ber.“It was very emotional, very upsetting, but also very gratifying (Kyle) was able to play here one last time,” Steve Taber, Kyle’s father, said after the game.Taber’s father said the past five years had been long ones for his son.“He was kind of happy he was finished but at the same time sad,” Steve Taber said. “I’m sure it will hit him hard tomorrow.”Taber’s final year as a Hoosier was very different from the four previous. Originally recruited by former IU coach Mike Davis, Taber rarely saw the floor in his first four seasons in Bloomington. After Davis, Taber played two seasons under former IU coach Kelvin Sampson and interim coach Dan Dakich before Crean took over the program last April.With only two returning players and not a lot of incoming talent, Taber emerged as a starter and one of Crean’s most reliable post players this season, despite scoring only 34 points during his first four years as a Hoosier.Over the past few weeks, Taber has been reluctant to reflect on his five seasons in Bloomington. But in his speech Tuesday night, the senior revealed his amazement at the support the team has received this year.“We’re 6-23 and we’re playing in front of a packed house that’s louder than anywhere in the country,” Taber said.More than anything, Taber said he’d miss playing in front of those fans. He said Tuesday was the loudest he’d heard Assembly Hall all season.In his post-game press conference, Crean said he hopes people remember Taber for how much he improved and for his integral role in IU’s rebuilding season.“He was a huge part of laying the foundation,” he said.Taber’s father sees his son being remembered for something else.“I think (the fans) will remember him as a hard-working walk-on that showed everybody what you can do if you work hard,” Steve Taber said. “He got a scholarship, and he lived out his dream. As long as you work hard, it can happen.”
(03/04/09 3:57am)
His grin filled Assembly Hall like $5 balcony seats.
(03/03/09 11:27pm)
The Hoosiers couldn't send Kyle Taber out with a win, but they gave him everything else.
(03/03/09 3:37pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Through five years and four head coaches, Kyle Taber still doesn’t have a lot to say.Just one day before delivering his farewell speech during senior night, Taber said he hasn’t written a word.“I haven’t,” the senior forward said Monday. “Tijan (Jobe) has been joking with me and said he’s going to write it for me.”The Evansville native has seen a lot since stepping foot on campus. He said he’s excited and sad for his final home game inside Assembly Hall.“It’s my fifth year here, so I knew it was coming sooner or later,” he said.With nearly 50 family members and friends coming to Bloomington for his last game, Taber said he’s “ready” for Tuesday night.As for his speech, he’s hoping to learn from his teammates’ successes and mistakes. Forced to pick one, Taber chose Adam Ahlfeld’s speech last year as his favorite. When asked which one was the worst, Taber hesitantly selected quiet former IU forward Mike White. “I learned what not to do,” he said with a laugh. “He did good. They all helped me with remembering who has helped us along the way.”Originally a walk-on, Taber has been a scholarship player the last two seasons. IU coach Tom Crean said the Hoosiers have asked a tremendous amount from the fifth-year senior, who had scored just 34 points his entire career heading into the season.“He could probably write a book today, he’s seen so much,” Crean said. “I’d buy it, as long as he doesn’t treat me wrong.”After graduating, Taber said he plans to finish up his master’s degree in sports administration and maybe work as a graduate assistant for a college team.Asked if he’s reflected on his five years as a Hoosier yet, Taber said he hasn’t had time.“After the season, I think I’ll see how crazy it really was,” he said.
(03/03/09 5:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Senior Night speeches hold a special place in Hoosier fans’ hearts, just like candy-striped pants, five championship banners and Assembly Hall popcorn. It’s been an IU tradition since 1973, when Bobby Knight ushered his senior class back onto the floor to deliver farewell speeches following the final home game. Since then, the custom has flourished, spreading to other schools and providing a platform for players to thank everyone who has helped them along the way. Over the years, the speeches have varied as much as the players, but a majority of them end with tears. A.J. Moye couldn’t stop crying during his speech as the fans loudly chanted his name one last time. Damon Bailey broke down as he told the heroic story of his sister, Courtney, surviving her battle against cancer. Regardless of format, the senior speeches have cemented themselves in IU history. Jarred Odle, a scrappy, seldom-used forward who graduated from IU in 2002, summed it up best. “I put four years in for you guys. You can give me 20 minutes.”When Knight began the tradition in 1973, his players had no idea they’d be addressing the spectators packed inside Assembly Hall.It was the same year “The General” also won his first Big Ten Championship, and the coach went out of his way to thank his predecessor, Lou Watson, who had recruited four years ago the heralded freshman class that would ultimately help the Hoosiers claim the title.That freshman class was led by Steve Downing, who was named the conference’s most valuable player his senior year. Along with Downing, Watson recruited John Ritter, Frank Wilson, Jerry Memering and George McGinnis, who turned pro after his sophomore season.The basketball program fell on hard times in the 1960s, but Knight and the star-studded senior class helped the Hoosiers execute a quick turnaround.That night in ’73, the seniors helped IU beat Purdue 77-72, assuring a Big Ten co-championship. Hours after the game, IU emerged as the lone regular season champion.Chuck Crabb, who has been the school’s public address announcer for more than 30 years, was a senior at IU that season and recalls Knight handling Senior Day in 1973 just like he handled it every year after.“Coach (Knight) usually set the mood for stuff, then he’d walk away and never be a part of it again,” he said, “then would turn it over to the players.”In 1994, Knight did a little more than just introductions.“When my time on earth is done, and my activities here are past,” Knight famously said, “I want them to bury me upside down so my critics can kiss my ass.”Needless to say, Knight’s words elicited no tears, only laughter.***Since the year Downing and company. delivered the inaugural farewells, Crabb has been courtside for every senior speech.While most players are accustomed to playing in front of a large crowd at that point in their careers, very few are prepared to speak in front of one.“If you’re not used to having a microphone and a large crowd in front of you, it can be the most intimidating thing you ever see,” Crabb said.Some keep their speeches short, like Mike White did last season. Others go a little longer, like former IU guard Todd Leary.After that day, Leary became known in some IU circles for his public speaking gig as much as he was for his sweet shooting.As Crabb recalled, Leary set “what must be the intergalactic world record for longest single extemporaneous speech.” One of the most memorable parts of Leary’s speech was his rebuttal to Knight, who had spoken moments before. Knight told the story of Leary’s recruitment.“I remember the night I recruited Todd,” Knight said. “I called him at 8 o’clock one night and said, ‘I’m going to call you back at 9 o’clock. You tell me then whether you want to come to Indiana or not.’ That was the extent of recruiting Todd Leary. You can see I bought him for nothing then, and I wouldn’t sell him for gold today.”But Leary didn’t recall the story quite that way.“He called back at 8:15,” the guard said of Knight.Outside of Leary’s and a few others, few speeches stand out in Crabb’s mind, but those that do bring a smile to his face.In 1993, IU guard Chris Reynolds, now a senior associate athletic director for the Hoosiers, was playing his fourth and final year for IU. Most knew Reynolds for his defense and hustle, but his teammates knew him for something else.They joked that Reynolds couldn’t dunk a basketball. So when Senior Night rolled around, “The guys got him up and two of them lifted him into the air so he could finally dunk a basketball,” Crabb said.***During the Mike Davis era, the Hoosiers had two walk-ons – Mark Johnson and Ryan Tapak – who Crabb and many fans struggled to tell apart.The only distinguishing trait was Johnson’s tattoo on his upper left arm.On Senior Day, Johnson came to the scorers’ table to report he was going into the game.A dead ball happens. The horn sounds. And Crabb introduces No. 34 ... Ryan Tapak.Later that night, during the speeches, Johnson took the microphone and said, “I’ve been interchangeable all four years with Ryan Tapak. Everybody got us confused. And even today, Chuck Crabb announced me going into my final game in this building and still couldn’t get it right.”Luckily for Crabb, Johnson’s call-out drew a huge laugh.***Crabb isn’t sure what IU’s lone senior Kyle Taber will say tonight.In his five years, Taber has remained a quiet, and pleasant presence around Assembly Hall, rarely saying more than ‘hello’ in the hallways.“He’s an extremely quiet person. ... Tomorrow night, being his final home game as a senior, he may still not say a whole lot,” Crabb said.But fans will likely stick around Assembly Hall after the Michigan State game to see what No. 44 chooses to say.“The fans worship and idolize them, and this is a time when I think people have maybe seen the players being more human, seeing the emotion, seeing the tears, and there have been tears,” Crabb said. “They see some laughs, some nervous laughs, because you’re on the big stage at that point.”
(03/03/09 12:40am)
Over five years and four head coaches, Kyle Taber still doesn't have a lot to say.
(02/28/09 10:33pm)
Like so many games this season, the Hoosiers were in it at the end, but ultimately fell short.
(02/28/09 6:28pm)
With most of the local counting their pennies and not traveling to Penn State this weekend (including us), there was no pre-game presser with IU coach Tom Crean this week. Instead, a handy Q&A with Crean magically arrived in my inbox yesterday.
(02/27/09 5:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean never set a timetable on how long it would take to rebuild the Hoosiers. The quest to return IU basketball to glory is proving to be a challenging one.After his team’s loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night, Crean sat at a press conference podium for the 17th time in 18 games explaining why his team had lost.The coach, known for his eternal optimism, rarely admits defeat but was ready to concede something as he searched for words to open his press conference.“I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just start with this: I’ve never accepted it, and I never will. But this was bound to happen with this team,” he said. “We’ve asked a lot of them.”Losing hasn’t been easy on the Hoosiers (6-21, 1-14). After tumbling to an 11-game losing skid earlier this season, IU finally won its first conference game against Iowa on Feb. 4. But since the feel-good victory, the Hoosiers have lost six in a row, five by double digits.Crean referenced a quote Wednesday posted in the team locker room Wednesday.“‘Tough times never last, tough people do,’” he said. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Hoosiers are running out of chances to get another victory this season. On Saturday, they’ll travel to Penn State to face the Nittany Lions (19-9, 8-7), who have lost four of their last six, but beat IU in the two team’s first meeting Jan. 17, 65-55.Crean admitted Wednesday night “the steam is running dry right now” with his young team.“There’s no question they’re mentally drained,” he said. “I think it’s far more mental than physical.”Crean himself is battling through a mental war.When he arrived in Bloomington last April, Crean inherited a program with problems as deep as the Monroe County rock quarries. IU basketball had lost its shine, and Crean was determined to restore it. He recalled what “beating Indiana” meant when he was an assistant coach at Michigan State in the 1990s.“Because when you beat Indiana, it was something. It was absolutely something,” he said in his introductory press conference. “And that hit me as I flew in here last night. We are going to have that. We are going to have a presence in here.”But the Hoosiers haven’t regained that aura yet. The program is still laying the foundation for its return to glory one day.Wednesday was not the day. The Wildcats won in Bloomington for the first time in 41 years.Crean said he learned three things from Ralph Willard, under whom he worked at Pittsburgh and Western Kentucky, that a good coach establishes in his or her program when he or she takes over: work ethic, style of play and enthusiasm.Backed by a resilient fan base, Crean said, “Our fans have taken care of the enthusiasm.”With eight freshmen and two returning players, Crean said, “Our work ethic is coming.”As for the team’s style of play...“It’s not here yet.”Style of play comes with how you defend, Crean said, something the Hoosiers haven’t done well this season. They rank 316th in the country in field-goal-percentage defense.Nevertheless, the Hoosiers won’t sit back and accept their fate. Crean said the team would continue to work on a daily basis to do “something about everything.”“Right now the best thing we can all do is understand what our record is but never come in here and act like it is that way,” Crean said. “I know I’ll never coach that way. I have a staff that will never coach that way, and I want a group of young men that will never feel that way. But it has to change.”
(02/26/09 5:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In an ironic instance of history repeating itself, a recruiting violation involving phone calls once again forced the men’s basketball program to punish itself last December. IU’s compliance department discovered the secondary recruiting violation on Nov. 21 and self-reported the instance to the NCAA and Big Ten on Dec. 10. The coaching staff’s “mistake” was revealed during a routine check of compliance office’s phone call monitoring system.The violation stemmed from a week in October when the Hoosier coaching staff made one too many phone calls to IU recruit Bawa Muniru. Schools are allotted two phone calls to senior prospects per week. IU committed the violation by placing three.The men’s basketball and compliance programs have a system set up where IU coach Tom Crean and a designated assistant coach each contract a recruit once per week. The violation occurred last October when assistant coach Roshown McLeod left the Class of 2009 recruit a voicemail, unaware Crean had contacted Muniru twice earlier in the week, instead of his typical one phone call.In response to the violation, IU took corrective action and prohibited the men’s basketball program from making recruiting phone calls for a week in December.An IU Athletics spokesperson estimated the department as a whole commits 20 to 25 secondary violations a year.Despite the latest recruiting mishap, IU Athletics reiterated its dedication to compliance in a statement Wednesday.“Coach Crean places a tremendous amount of emphasis on the proper use of phone calls in his staff’s recruiting efforts and phone use procedures are discussed regularly with the compliance office staff,” the department said.Recruiting phone calls placed by the IU coaching staff are documented daily and reported to the IU compliance staff, according to the statement.The latest recruiting violation is an all-too-soon reminder of the previous coaching staff’s recruiting discretions, led by former IU coaches Kelvin Sampson and Rob Senderoff.On Nov. 25, four days after Crean and his staff reported their secondary violation, the NCAA Committee of Infractions released its final report in regards to the program’s five alleged “major” recruiting violations.The NCAA decided not to punish the school any further and accepted the University’s self-imposed three-year probationary period.The Indianapolis Star first reported the violation Monday through a public records request.
(02/25/09 10:37pm)
For years, the Hoosiers bullied Northwestern every time they came to Assembly Hall.
(02/25/09 8:35pm)
A digital poll question on idsnews.com caught my attention this afternoon. The question read, "Will IU win tonight?"
(02/25/09 5:03am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>An untimely foul and a late turnover were all that kept the Hoosiers from beating the Wildcats in their first meeting last month.A year could be all that separates IU from experiencing the type of turnaround Northwestern is undergoing this season.While the Wildcats’ story falls short of rags-to-riches, they have rebounded from one of the worst seasons in Big Ten history to become a viable team in a competitive conference, a transformation many win-thirsty IU fans would gladly drink.Last season, Northwestern went from a team that annually toes the .500 line to a team hovering over the Mendoza Line.The team from Evanston, Ill., finished 8-22 overall, “low-lighted” by a 1-17 showing in conference play.Among the pitfalls the Wildcats went through in 2007-2008: a loss to Brown at home, a 42-point slaughtering via Virginia and a 14-game conference losing streak.Now, with the same coach and, for the most part, the same team, IU coach Tom Crean sees Northwestern as a team “that is playing to get into the NCAA Tournament and playing at a high level.”With only four conference games remaining, IU (6-20, 1-13) is almost certain to replace the Wildcats in the Big Ten cellar this season, a dwelling the black and purple had occupied for the past two seasons.Just 12 months off an eight-win season, Northwestern sits at 14-11 and 5-9 in Big Ten play. The team’s record is modest, but the Wildcats are already playing for a postseason bid, an encouraging turnaround for hopeful IU fans.Unlike some turnarounds, Northwestern hasn’t experienced massive overhauls. The team retained both its head coach, Bill Carmody, and its top three scorers from last season, in addition to other role players.With a young nucleus and a head coach who just signed a 10-year contract, IU will likely do the same next year.What Northwestern did change is its schedule. Playing in the Big Ten all but guarantees a tough schedule, unless teams lessen the load by scheduling easy non-conference games, something Crean has repeatedly told reporters he wants to do next year.With the 288th easiest non-conference schedule in the country, according to kenpom.com,, a Web site that compiles basketball statistics, the Wildcats went 9-2 outside of Big Ten play this year.This past April, Crean inherited not only a bare roster but the fourth toughest schedule in the country, according to the same site. IU also had the 52nd strongest non-conference schedule in the country this season, facing top teams like Wake Forest and Gonzaga, all while rebuilding at the same time.“It’s hard doing what we’re asking them to do,” Crean said, “with this record and not having a lot of success and things to fall back on from their past and things of that nature. Frankly, we are asking these guys to do a lot of things that at other places they wouldn’t be asked to.”Next year, Crean will have a heralded recruiting class to blend with his current roster. Armed with an easier non-conference schedule, the Hoosiers could position themselves to have a chance at .500 basketball next season.Already, Carmody doesn’t see the Hoosiers sitting in last for long. Since his team’s 77-75 victory against the Hoosiers in Evanston, last month, the Northwestern coach is already seeing signs.“I think they’ve improved ... certainly it seems like they are playing better,” Carmody said. “They’re making the games longer and they are playing with a lot of enthusiasm. A lot of young guys have gotten minutes. So this time, its not like they are veterans, but they’ve played an awful lot and they’re used to it.”
(02/23/09 6:25pm)
Believe it or not, it's been 24 years today since Bobby Knight chucked a chair across Branch McCracken Court during a game against Purdue.
(02/23/09 4:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>WEST LAFAYETTE – Even with one side in full-scale rebuilding mode, the IU-Purdue rivalry wasn’t going to make any exceptions Saturday. Friday night proved just that, when the Hoosiers pulled into West Lafayette and were greeted and serenaded by 150 Boilermaker fans singing the Purdue school song. The “friendly” treatment didn’t stop there. While No. 19 Purdue is in the middle of a race for the Big Ten regular season championship, and the youthful Hoosiers are still struggling to find their way, the atmosphere Saturday inside Mackey Arena still had the feel of the same heated rivalry. IU (6-20, 1-13) did everything it could to make it just that, but wasn’t able to overcome an early deficit and the hot shooting of E’Twaun Moore, losing to the Boilermakers, 81-67. Purdue’s first-come, first-serve student section was filled about an hour before the game, with students chomping at the bit to heckle their bitter in-state, down-on-their-luck rivals.One group of students held up oversized letters that spelled out “c-h-e-a-t-e-r-s.” Another sign bared the adoring nickname “Loosiers.” No one would have held it against the Hoosiers to roll over in West Lafayette. But rather than succumb, IU fought back like they have so many times this season. Even when the game had already been decided, the Hoosiers did their best to compete. “The student section was on us. They wanted Purdue to kill us,” senior forward Kyle Taber said. “We tried to do everything we could to stop that.” Purdue got off to a quick start when Moore, who finished with a game-high 26 points, scored eight of his team’s first 11 points to give the Boilers an early 11-2 lead. But a new-look lineup featuring freshman swingman Malik Story in favor of junior guard Devan Dumes helped the Hoosiers drive into the paint and keep pace with the Boilermakers. “We’re 6-20. I’m not married to any starting line-up,” IU coach Tom Crean said. “We’ll do whatever we can do to have the best lineup on the floor.” Crean did just that, playing Story at the point at times and switching up his defenses to confuse the Boilermakers. After displaying as much frustration as he had all season Thursday night following IU’s 68-51 loss to Wisconsin, Crean said Saturday he was proud of the way his players overcame the quick turnaround.“It bewilders me sometimes how we can come back so fast from how poorly we played Thursday night to come out this way,” he said. “I guess that’s part of this whole youth thing we’re going through.” In the 40 hours leading up to the game, Crean said his players not only were locked into their preparation to play Purdue, but moved their own focus back to where it needed to be. Despite a game plan that enabled the Hoosiers to compete with an older, more talented opponent, Purdue coach Matt Painter said he knows it’s not enough to the coaching staff and players in the other locker room. Painter, who went through a similar rebuilding process with Purdue three years ago, said he knows it isn’t enough for the Hoosiers to compete and be told, “Hey, you guys played hard.” “You want to win,” Painter said. “You want to go out and win the game ... I know he’s going down the same path and he’s building for another day, and there will be another day.” Three years ago, after a similar loss, Painter told his players in the locker room after the game “they are laughing at Purdue right now, but they’re not going to laugh at Purdue in three to four years.” The Boilermaker fans were certainly laughing at the Hoosiers on Saturday. Although the students showed favoritism toward the “IU sucks” chant, they eventually switched up their battle cry as the final seconds slowly ticked off the game clock Saturday. The game was already decided, but the Hoosiers continued to stop the clock by fouling and calling timeouts at every opportunity. “Just go home,” the students chanted. But the Hoosiers kept fighting, coming up for air any time the Boilermakers relented and gave them a chance. IU had lost for the 16th time in 17 games, but they left Mackey Arena knowing better days are to come in the IU-Purdue rivalry. “To come in here and battle like this, it’s a good thing,” Crean said. “We just got to find a way to get over the hump.”
(02/21/09 6:14pm)
Even with one program in full-scale rebuilding mode, Saturday's atmosphere at Mackey Arena still had the feel of a rivalry game.
(02/20/09 5:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Even three months of preparation might not be enough for IU to beat Purdue on Saturday. Try 40 hours.The Hoosiers (6-19, 1-12) will have no choice but to make the quick two-day turnaround. On Saturday, the Hoosiers will forget about the Badgers and focus on the Boilermakers when they travel to West Lafayette to face No. 19 Purdue (20-6, 9-4). IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean said Wednesday he’s been well aware of this portion of the schedule since the beginning of the year – and not because he was looking forward to it.“I just think that every game is big – every game to every coach is the biggest game of the year – but there are certain games, in all leagues, that transcend the others,” Crean said. “And I think Indiana-Purdue is one of those games.”After watching the Boilermakers humiliate No. 6 Michigan State 72-54 in West Lafayette on Tuesday night, IU’s coach isn’t sure how much extra preparation would even help the Hoosiers.“Right now, to get Purdue, it wouldn’t matter if we had three months,” he said. “They are going to be a very hard team to play. What we saw (against Michigan State), my goodness ... I know coach (Tom) Izzo isn’t happy with how his team played, but I don’t know who would have beat Purdue (that night).”The Boilermakers forced the Spartans to commit 22 turnovers and shoot 32.7 percent on the night. The upset marked the return of Purdue sophomore Robbie Hummel (12.3 ppg) to the starting lineup after sitting out with a nagging injury.By the time the Hoosiers and the Boilermakers tip off at 2 p.m. in Mackey Arena, Purdue will have had three days to prepare for the rivalry’s lone game of the season and rest Hummel’s ailing back.Even with Hummel sidelined, Crean said Purdue hasn’t “skipped a beat.”In both his teleconference Monday and with local reporters Wednesday, Crean was questioned about the 40-hour turnaround and voiced his displeasure. While he did not complain, he did articulate he’d like to see a change in the future.“I get it now. I get it for television,” he said. “But I think some concrete thought has to be put into not letting this happen.”In addition, Crean said he’d like to see the Hoosiers face their in-state rival twice a season, rather than once, like this year.Saturday’s game will give the Hoosiers a chance for redemption after failing to compete with two of their border rivals, Illinois and Kentucky, earlier this season. On Dec. 13, the Hoosiers lost by 18 to Kentucky in Rupp Arena. During the conference season, IU lost to Illinois twice by a combined 44 points.Unlike the two Illinois games, IU will have junior guard Devan Dumes, the team’s leading scorer, at its disposal for the entire game. Freshman forward Tom Pritchard said Dumes “brings out the best in us” and his presence on the court will help them on both ends.As for Purdue, the Boilermakers have now won nine of their last 11 games and are beginning to get healthy as the season winds down. Purdue coach Matt Painter’s team is only a game behind Michigan State, the team it throttled earlier this week, for the conference lead.But Painter is making sure his team isn’t getting caught up dreaming about conference titles.“We don’t sit around and talk about winning a Big Ten Championship,” Painter said. “You do in the spring, the summer and the fall. Once the season starts, you move to the next game. Now, we worry about Indiana.”
(02/19/09 10:37pm)
If the second half of Thursday night's game left you frustrated, you're not alone.
(02/19/09 5:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Wisconsin Badgers are predictable. Since 2001, when Bo Ryan took over the program, the Badgers have possessed one of the most recognizable styles of play in the country with their slow-it-down, slug-it-out defensive mentality. The style has been conducive to winning and defense. Over the past five seasons, Wisconsin has held its opponents to an average of 59 points per game while racking up 26 wins per season. The Badgers (16-9, 7-6) are efficient. They almost never commit self-inflicted mistakes, something the youthful Hoosiers (6-18, 1-11) have struggled with this season. Loaded with size and strength, Wisconsin tries to play a half-court game. Like a high school team taking advantage of a lack of shot clock, Ryan’s team tries to limit its opponent’s possessions as much as possible. And it works.While teams shoot 43.8 percent from the field against Wisconsin, the second-highest percentage in the conference behind IU, the Badgers have only surrendered 1,238 field goal attempts to their opponents, the second fewest in the Big Ten. Wisconsin essentially plays “keep away” by limiting fouls and turnovers and prohibiting the other team from snagging rebounds or getting off extra shots – in other words, by minimizing mental mistakes. The team also commits only 15.7 fouls per game, the 24th best average in the nation. When it comes to turnovers, the team is even better. While the Hoosiers come in 326th in the nation with 18.3 turnovers per game, the Badgers are fifth, barely turning over the ball 10 times per game. Tonight will mark the eighth time senior forward Kyle Taber will have faced the Badgers as a member of the men’s basketball team. Since 2004, when he redshirted and sat out the season with a knee injury, Taber said the Badgers haven’t changed much, if at all. “They do a good job of attacking the offensive glass and really playing their pace,” Taber said. Crean, who coached against Wisconsin annually while he was at Marquette, agreed with Taber, calling the Badgers “a very typical Wisconsin team.” Over the past few years, few teams in the Big Ten have been as good as the Badgers when it comes to keeping opponents off the glass. This year, Wisconsin leads the Big Ten in the category once again, surrendering only 28.3 rebounds per game.While he’d “love” to see his team run against a walk-it-up team like Wisconsin, Crean said his emphasis will be elsewhere. “We’re going to try and not turn it over, so whatever that means,” he said. Calling some of his team’s unforced turnovers this season “ridiculous,” Crean praised Wisconsin’s ability to take care of the ball and attributed its success to good spacing and very defined rules. Crean and several IU players said they’ve spent a large chunk of the week preaching ball control. With junior guard Devan Dumes returning from a suspension, the team’s offense should be more talented, but the stress of shot selection is at a premium.After suffering six consecutive losses in January, the Badgers have now won four straight. During the team’s winning streak, Wisconsin has held teams to an average of 49 points per game. Taber said predicting what Wisconsin will do today isn’t the hard part – stopping them is. “You can expect every time a shot goes up, their block-outs will be pretty physical,” he said. “If you go up for a layup, they aren’t going to give you one. You can expect it to be a physical game.”
(02/18/09 9:32pm)
IU coach Tom Crean announced this afternoon that junior guard Devan Dumes' suspension is over and that the team's leading scorer will play Thursday night against Wisconsin.