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(08/24/06 2:42am)
Apparently, the general public just doesn't understand Obie Trice.\nObie is quoted on his official Web site as saying, "I just want them to get an idea of the things that go on in Obie Trice's head and see who I am ..."\nWell, his fans get a chance to see just that on his sophomore album, Second Round's on Me. The second album continues Obie's "bar theme" and follows up his platinum debut, Cheers.\nSimply put, the thing that makes Obie's rap style effective is when he goes against the grain. He has several songs on his new album that are so generically gangsta it's painful.\nFor example, you know how you'll see "Scarface" memorabilia in every rapper's homes while watching MTV's 'Cribs'? Obie takes it a step further when he samples a "Scarface" quote in his appropriately titled song, "Kill Me a Mutha". The sample has so much swearing it would make Richard Pryor blush.\nBut Obie makes up for his stubborn rap songs with stimulating tracks such as "Wanna Know," which features a great Van Halen sample that gives the song a distinctive edge. You might have even heard the song before if you have HBO - "Wanna Know" was featured on an episode of "Entourage" last season.\nWhile recovering from a gunshot wound to the head earlier this year after being shot in a drive-by, Obie recorded "Cry Now," an emotional song declaring himself the king of rap in Detroit. He sings in the song, "the white boy stepped down, so I will accept the crown," a reference to his friend Eminem's retirement from rap.\nThe first single, "Snitch," is a song with Soul-Survivor Akon. Although it's been received with popular reviews, the song will never make MTV or similar companies because of the song's obvious anti-snitch agenda. This leads me to believe MTV could very well be snitching. And there's nothing we all hate more than a snitch. Or maybe that's just me.\nSecond Round's on Me takes a soulful turn when Obie recruits help from Trey Songz in two tracks, including "Ghetto". Songz could easily be mistaken for a gospel-singing R. Kelly and the song adds depth to the album's occasional dull hooks.\nTwo of Obie's more famous friends lend their voices to the album as well. 50 Cent sings the chorus on "Everywhere I Go," while Eminem has an impressive verse on "There They Go". Apparently, everyone Obie Trice knows has somewhere to go.\nSecond Round's On Me concludes with "Obie's Story". The song is centered around Obie bringing home a good report card, so his mother rewards him by purchasing him a new pair of shoes. But before you can ask, "Nikes or Reeboks?" gunshots fire off in the background, Obie's killing people, he hates his mother and he's screaming.\nThe last song on the album is symbolic to Obie's entire second album. At times, Obie shows he has as much potential as his friends, with his unique voice and impressive rhymes. But then Obie turns his back to his talent, and starts rapping about guns, money and drugs.\nHopefully, for his fans' sakes, that isn't what Obie's all about.
(08/24/06 2:10am)
You know when events in your life have such a ridiculously high build-up that you're going to be disappointed no matter what?\nLadies and gentleman, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."\n"Talladega Nights" is Will Ferrell's latest comedic blockbuster featuring him in the role as NASCAR's best and dumbest driver, Ricky Bobby.\nMuch of Bobby's fame in the movie stems from his trademark phrase "shake and bake," which he shares with his teammate Cal Naughton Jr., played by John C. Reilly.\nArguably the movie's funniest actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, plays Jean Girard, the homosexual French Formula 1 driver. Cohen, who is best known as Ali G, perfects an exaggerated French accent in the movie and brings new flavor to the Ferrell comedies.\n"Talladega" deserves to be included in the Ferrell comedies that have reached fame recently ("Anchorman," "Old School," etc.). The reason this movie has been received differently is Ferrell's fans have grown up.\nWhen I went to see the movie, afterward, one friend said, "Oh, well that movie was pretty dumb. Everything was so ridiculous and overboard."\nWell, duuurrr. \nWere you expecting the sequel to "The English Patient"? In order to fully appreciate this movie, you have to dumb yourself down before going to the theater. It's not that bad; I do the same thing every time I watch Fox News.\nMy modern day litmus test for comedies is based on repeatability. If I go see a comedy and can recite four to five funny lines after the movie -- it's a success. Using that test, this movie is a success. It provides the punch lines you would expect.\nThe problem though is it doesn't do much else. The movie lacks depth. I don't think they'll have any problems showing this movie on TV without commercial interruptions because of the abundance of product placement. I could only remember four or five lines from the movie, but I'm pretty sure I could free-sketch the logos for eight sponsors from the movie while blindfolded.The movie was a slight disappointment in my view, but only because I hold Ferrell in such a high regard. If I had stumbled upon this movie randomly, I would be raving about it. \nIf you are looking for some laughs (although not sophisticated ones), this movie is well worth seeing. At least until "The English Patient: The Patient Strikes Back" hits screens.
(08/07/06 12:15am)
Don't ask IU basketball coach Kelvin Sampson how the team is going to do this year. Truth of the matter is, he doesn't know.\n"There's an excitement with me since I am coaching a new team," Sampson said. "People ask me, 'How are we going to be this year?' And I have no idea, no clue."\nHe isn't blowing you off when he says he has no idea; he genuinely doesn't know. Sampson is inheriting a team that although is talented, hasn't been able to work much under Sampson this summer.\nDue to NCAA rules, Sampson and every other head coach in the nation, is forbidden to practice, scrimmage or even watch tape together with his team. Sampson cannot coach his new players in a practice situation until Aug. 28, when classes begin.\nFrom there, Sampson and the Hoosiers are permitted to practice together for only two hours a week. The off-season practice rules continue until Oct. 13. Once that date arrives, teams are considered "in-season" and are permitted to practice 20 hours a week.\nWhen asked what the NCAA training rules were like when he played Sampson said, "I'm not even sure if they had rules back then. Remember I played coming out of the Chuck Taylor era."\nWith the NCAA training rules harnessing what Sampson can do, Sampson would like to see one change made in the rules.\n"If a kid is in summer school taking classes, I'd like to see the same out of season practice rules," Sampson said. \nIn other words, if a player is taking summer classes, the coach thinks the player should be permitted to practice with his coach for two hours a week during the summer.\nSampson worries that with the players somewhat on their own, they can sometimes get in trouble basketball-wise.\n"Summer is when bad habits are created," Sampson said. \nWhile his players practice on their own, Sampson has spent the majority of his summer stationed in Bloomington. He's been occupying himself by watching tape, moving into his new house, helping his wife who recently broke her foot, and growing accustomed to his new town. \n"This is a beautiful city," Sampson said of Bloomington. "I've been making the drive from Indianapolis to Bloomington a lot. I wish the airport was closer. I've learned how to take the 67 turnoff to Martinsville, I've got that all figured out. It's a beautiful drive."\nAlthough he has been enjoying his time in Bloomington, Sampson is ready to get his hands dirty and work on his favorite thing: basketball. \n"I am not going to be a diplomat in August," Sampson said. \nOnce practice begins Sampson said he is going to be "teaching, getting the kids to understand this system."\nThe only thing Sampson can do now is wait for Aug. 28 to roll around so he can begin working with the team more. Don't ask him how the team is going to do; he doesn't know. But there is one thing Sampson has noticed from watching tape and talking to people this summer.\n"I haven't seen anything we can't overcome," Sampson said. "It's about teaching"
(08/06/06 11:51pm)
With the heat in Bloomington hovering around unbearable, one Hoosier has found a way to escape the heat: Australia.\nThe Hoosier traveling to Australian isn't Melbourne native Ben Allen. It happens to be senior shooting guard Rod Wilmont.\nFor the past three days, Wilmont and 10 other Big Ten basketball players have been participating in a three-day training session led by University of Michigan basketball head coach Tommy Amaker. \nOn Tuesday, with the conclusion of the training camp, Wilmont, Amaker and the rest of the team will travel to chilly Australia, where they will participate in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Foreign Tour. The Tour is a 10-day trip that is focused around four exhibition games against several Australian teams. \n"It's an honor to represent Indiana," Wilmont said. "I'm going to go down there and have fun."\nThis summer Wilmont has been honing his game in Bloomington, working on several different aspects to get ready for his senior year.\n"I've been working on my ball handling, getting ready for the season," Wilmont said. \nOutside of working on his abilities, Wilmont has also been working hard in the weight room to improve his body. \n"I've gained about 10 pounds this off-season. But I'll probably run it off and get back down to my playing weight."\nWhen asked who he thinks the strongest player on the team is, Wilmont looked around IU's media room, smiled and said, "I am."\nThis summer Wilmont has noticed himself taking more of a leadership role on the team. He hopes he can help the younger players the way older players helped him, including former Hoosier Dane Fife.\n"Fife used to tell me, 'Your time will come. Wait your turn,'" Wilmont said. "He taught me a lot on the defensive end."\nIU's new coach Kelvin Sampson has one thing in particular he wants Wilmont to keep in mind while across the globe, and it has nothing to do with defense. \n"The most important thing for him is to have fun. If it wasn't for basketball ... Rod would never have this opportunity," Sampson said.\nSampson chose Wilmont to represent IU on the Big Ten team, saying he had earned it.\n"He's a senior, he earned the right," Sampson said. "He has no idea what kind of competition he'll face. Basketball is a sidebar on this trip." \nAfter arriving in Australia and resting and sightseeing for two days, Wilmont and the rest of the team will open their tour with a game against the West Sydney Razorbacks Basketball Club August 12. After the opener, the Big Ten squad will also compete in games against the Sydney Kings Basketball Club, the Brisbane Bullets and the Southern District Spartans.\nThe game against the Spartans will be played August 16. Wilmont will then travel back with the team and return to Bloomington August 18.
(08/02/06 10:43pm)
A couple of days ago I made the fatal mistake of brushing my teeth and then drinking orange juice. We've all done it. You get your morning routine mixed-up and you're left with an extremely bad taste in your mouth. And it doesn't just go away. The toothpaste/orange juice combination is lethal.\nIn fact, the only time I've been left with a worst taste in my mouth was in early May when the Indiana Pacers bowed out of the playoffs in typical disappointing fashion.\nSo the Pacers and its respected front office duo of Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh set off this summer to revamp the roster. It was clear the Pacers needed a serious personnel overhaul.\nAnd, disappointingly, that meant no more Peja Stojakovic. After being brought over in exchange for Ron Artest, Peja appropriately used Indiana as the Crossroads of the NBA and signed with the New Orleans Hornets for approximately 300 billion dollars. OK, so maybe the contract wasn't that rich -- but you get the idea.\nIn exchange for Peja, the Pacers received a $7.5 million trade exemption that they have been using as bait in order to bring Atlanta Hawks forward Al Harrington back to the Pacers. A few days ago it seemed Harrington was a lock to be Pacer again. But then Harrington decided to fire his agent Andy Miller so he can supposedly hire super agent Arn Tellem. Although that seems to be the consensus rumor among basketball experts, my sources (the voices in my head) tell me Harrington is going to sign on with Ari Gold once he gets his new agency organized next week on Entourage.\nAnother problem the Pacers are facing is the point guard situation. They traded away Anthony Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for veteran journeyman Darrell Armstrong and two other players. I understand this trade just about as much as I understand Mel Gibson's theories on the world's socioeconomic cultures.\nBut if you're worried the loss of Johnson might deplete the Pacers' point guard depth, don't worry. During the off-season the Pacers signed Orien Greene and Jimmy "Snap" Hunter. Feeling excited yet? Judging by their names, I'm going to guess they're both from Martinsville. I figure if the Pacers are going to go ahead and bring back Harrington to make the team better, why not bring back Vern Fleming and Haywoode Workman to run the point? I bet they know the offense.\nThe one constant on the Pacers roster for the past several years has been Jermaine O'Neal. But there have been a lot of question marks surrounding O'Neal over the past two years and the trade rumors have grown louder as the Pacers continue to struggle. Here's the problem: O'Neal is a great player. In a way, he reminds me of the NBC sitcom "Frasier." "Frasier" was a good show; not as good as "Friends," but it was solid. You could count on it for plenty of laughs, some dry humor, and the re-runs are pretty watchable. The problem with "Frasier" was that it was only a good show and not a great one. People are satisfied with "good," so they avoid change. Such is the case with O'Neal. O'Neal is a very good player, which seems to satisfy the Pacers front office. Unfortunately for the Pacers' win column, he isn't "Friends."\nWhere to next? Ah, the Middle East! Feeling reassured yet? \nTrying to do their part to "get that thing figured out over there," the Pacers signed Maceo Baston from Maccabi Tel Aviv, the team he was playing for in Israel. Baston is the second player the Pacers have signed out of Israel. The first one was Sarunas Jasikevicius, who the team signed last year. The Pacers seem to be the basketball equivalent of Cyprus. \nAnd then there is Stephen Jackson. You might remember him from his cameo in (what should have been) a Chappelle's show skit in 2004, "When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong," in which he attempted to fight the entire state of Michigan. The episode was filmed at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the fourth quarter of the Pacers game against the Detroit Pistons. Jackson charged into the stands throwing left jabs and right hooks like he was fighting Mike Tyson. \nJackson's size and shooting ability make him valuable to the Pacers. But his temper and shot selection make him more expendable than IU football tickets. Some people speculate Jackson is a cancer to the Pacers locker room. But that's not fair to cancer. Jackson, well, let's just say bubonic plague doesn't seem inaccurate.\nAnd at least Artest played defense. Just saying.\nBut to the Pacers' credit, they have been active this off-season. Their drafts of Shawne Williams and James White were respectable. The Marquis Daniels for Austin Croshere trade appears to be somewhat of a wash, if not a small improvement. Daniels is a player who can be easily compared to Jackson, minus the crazy and the three-point shooting. \nWith training camp only two months away, the Pacers will continue to clean house and attempt to brush away the dirt left from last year's squad. Let's hope the Pacers aren't thirsty after they are done brushing and cleaning the roster. Or we might be in for a long, sour season.
(07/31/06 3:48am)
John Jackson's friends used to joke that one day John would get rich and all of his friends would be able to live off of him.\nUnfortunately, Jackson didn't live long enough for his friends to cash in. Instead, Jackson's friends are helping others live off the memory of Jackson.\nThe sixth annual Take It Easy Open was held Saturday in memory of John Jackson. Friends, family and others gathered from across the United States to The Links Golf Club in New Palestine, Ind., to participate in a golf scramble that benefits the John M. Jackson Memorial Scholarship.\nJackson, a former Indiana Daily Student editor in chief, died suddenly at the age of 21 from a tragic brain aneurism in 1996. In his memory, his friends and family created a scholarship to help students who were similar to Jackson in their desire to learn journalism hands-on.\nDue to immense support, the scholarship has grown in value from $200 in 1998 to two separate $3,000 dollar scholarships this year. Since the creation of the Take It Easy Open in 2001, the tournament has been able to raise $36,000 on top of this year's proceeds for Jackson's scholarship. \n"The scholarship doesn't go to the person with the best grades," Jackson's friend and tournament organizer JR Ross said. "John really believed you couldn't learn journalism in a classroom, you have to learn doing it."\nThe scholarship is given to (a student) every year at IU who has shown dedication to the IDS and has a special interest in the newspaper business. This year's winners are current IDS editors Sam Nissen and Jessica Wolfe.\nIn 2001, Ross called IU's School of Journalism to see how the scholarship was doing. It was at this point that Ross and several close friends decided to create the Take It Easy Open to help raise money for the scholarship.\n"They all put their heads together," Jackson's mother, Judy McKenzie, said. "They were all buddies and decided to make the tournament the weekend of his birthday."\nThe tournament's name comes from Jackson's favorite song, a hit by The Eagles called "Take It Easy." But the tournament's moniker describes Jackson accurately, as well.\nJackson's friend and former roommate Greg Bardonner described the expression "laid back" as the "perfect terminology" for Jackson.\n"John was great. He was a genius, too. The guy never went to class, then we would all take the test and he'd do better than any of us," Bardonner said.\nMcKenzie agrees.\n"He was real laid back," McKenzie said. "Things came very easy for him."\nBesides being easy going, Jackson was also known for his affectionate personality and his ability to light up a room with laughter.\n"John really touched us and inspired us all," Ross said. "A lot of people feel like John was their best friend. That's the way John could make you feel."\nA message board was passed around at the Take It Easy Open where friends and family could write down some of their favorite memories about Jackson. Most of the comments were funny stories about Jackson and his antics.\n"I remember when Johnny fell through our glass coffee table during a mock wrestling event in our family room!" Kandi Bardonner Murphy wrote. \nIn honor of Jackson's personality, Jackson's stepfather Mark designed Jackson's gravestone. The gravestone features things that Jackson loved, including a Chicago Cubs logo and a guitar, the instrument Jackson loved.\nGuitar was just one of the things that came easy to Jackson. At the age of 18 months Jackson began reading the newspaper, his mother said. \n"At the age of 3, he told me, 'Mom, someday I'm going to have a book about me.' And when he passed away, the IDS created a bound book with all of his articles in it. And I always think of that as his book," she said.\nMcKenzie also remembers her son having a profound ability to memorize information, particularly sports-related trivia.\n"Kids would ask, 'Can John come out and play?'" she said. "And starting at the age of 8, out on our porch, the kids would hold up sports cards of players like Kent Benson and John could tell them what college he went to and all of his statistics."\nThe scholarship in honor of Jackson's life has been able to help many students so far. McKenzie hopes the scholarship continues to be helpful and can become self-reliant.\n"Eventually I want the scholarship to be able to be on its own. I don't want these boys to have to come back and do this tournament forever," she said.\nAs McKenzie sat on the eight hole during the Take It Easy Open, she wondered out loud: "Wouldn't it be cool, if one day an IU student walked in and said, 'Man, I hope I win the John Matthew Jackson Scholarship'?"\nA decade after her son's passing, McKenzie hopes her son's spirit lives on in a positive way.\n"It'd make me feel good to know his death could somehow help others," she said.
(07/24/06 12:18am)
Hours before boarding a plane to Memphis on a recruiting trip, IU head women's basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack had her complete attention focused on a local recruit. \n"Our biggest recruit is the community's support," Legette-Jack said. \nLegette-Jack was out recruiting her prized prospect last Friday at the "Meet, Greet and Eat" with IU women's basketball, sponsored by the IU Credit Union. \nNearly 500 fans, the team's entire coaching staff and several Hoosier players attended the event, which was held at the Credit Union's 17th Street branch. The "Meet, Greet and Eat" gave the Bloomington community a chance to meet the new coach for the Hoosiers. \n"This is just a chance for us to touch the fans and let them know how much we appreciate them," Legette-Jack said. "They are our sixth man." \nLegette-Jack joined IU's staff earlier this year after previously coaching at Hofstra University. When comparing the two school's programs and support Legette-Jack joked it was like, "comparing apples and oranges." \nIU's Assistant Director of Marketing Megan Allen helped organized the "Meet, Greet and Eat" along with the IU Credit Union and Legette-Jack. Allen was extremely impressed with the new head coach and her immediate impact on the community. \n"I absolutely admire Coach Jack's enthusiasm and passion for the sport and the program," Allen said. "She is very positive and her energy is contagious. I feel that those who are going to be around her are excited about Indiana basketball." \nAllen also described the cookout as a "huge success," saying she was very pleased with the turnout. \nSeveral of the IU players in attendance were also impressed with the event's attendance and the community rallying around them. \n"It's great to see all of this support," senior Sarah McKay said. "It's great to have the community behind us and see everybody." \nAlthough official practice hasn't started yet, McKay and others are excited for the upcoming season due to Legette-Jack's personality. \n"She brings so much energy," McKay said of Legette-Jack. "Everyone has jumped on board. All I want to do right now is go and play Purdue." \nMcKay's sophomore teammate, Bloomington native Whitney Thomas, echoed McKay's sentiments. \n"Coach has so much energy and brings so much passion to the team," Thomas said. "I think she is going to turn the program around and bring it to the next level." \nDuring the cookout, countless IU fans introduced themselves to Legette-Jack and shared their support and encouragement. \n"I'm really excited," said IU fan Doris Sims during the cookout. "I can't wait to be behind the basket this year cheering the Hoosiers on." \nWhen Legette-Jack took the job at IU she wasn't a complete stranger to the Hoosier program. In fact, she was even familiar with a couple of the players already on the roster. \n"I had watched the kids on film before and I just thought that there was so much potential," Legette-Jack said. "I love working with kids. Working with them can be so special and it lets me spread my family wings."\nLegette-Jack and the rest of IU's basketball staff are hoping that three little words will help them land their one big recruit.\n"We've got three words we like to use around here: 'Yes you can"
(07/20/06 1:11am)
On Monday, IU wide receiver James Hardy appeared in Allen County Court for his second pre-trial hearing, stemming from his domestic battery charge on May 16. Hardy and his lawyer, Randall Hammond, made their second pre-trial request to Superior Court Magistrate Robert Ross asking for statements by the alleged victim, Kyra Nolan, to be stricken from the record.\n"We filed a motion to prevent the state from using a 911 tape recording," Hammond said. According to state law, a 911 tape recording cannot be used as a defense unless it is proven the 911 call took place during an emergency.\n"The call occurred well after the event and was not an ongoing emergency," Hammond said. "Therefore, the state will not be able to play the tape at the trial."\nWhether the tape may be used or not will be decided by Ross later this month.\nThe state of Indiana filed a motion of their own on Monday. The state requested the judge allow them to use an expert witness who specializes in battered wife syndrome. \nAccording to Wikipedia, battered wife syndrome is "a recognized psychological condition to describe a woman who, because of constant and severe physical abuse by a male partner, becomes depressed and unable to take any independent action that would allow her to escape the abuse."\nHammond and his client rejected the state's request on the basis that, "there is no relevance because there is no prior history of abuse. It is an isolated incident."\nLast month, Hardy appealed to the court to have the No Contact Order lifted between himself and his girlfriend Nolan. Since the NCO has been lifted, Hardy and Nolan have been spending time together, but are not living in the same city, Hammond said.\n"He's a strong individual," Hammond said of Hardy. "He certainly is determined to go to school and perform as best as he can. I know he would like to have this resolved as soon as possible, and I hope it can be resolved soon."\nThe two charges Hardy faces are from an incident involving Nolan and the couple's infant son. Hardy is being charged with domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime.\nHardy's trial is slated to begin August 23. Hammond said it was not clear whether the trial would interfere with Hardy's football schedule or not.
(07/17/06 3:05am)
IU diver Christina Loukas and former IU diver Cassandra Cardinell will trade in their cream and crimson uniforms and instead represent their country in red, white and blue.\nLoukas and Cardinell will represent the United States in the XV Fina Diving World Cup in Changshu, China later this week. The Cup runs from July 19 to July 23 and consists of five different events for men and women. \nBut the women's team isn't the only team that will feature divers with Hoosier connections. Competing in the 10-meter platform and the 10-meter synchro will be David Boudia of Noblesville, Ind. and Thomas Finchum of Indianapolis.\nLoukas will be competing in the 1-meter springboard and the 10-meter synchro. Cardinell will join her former teammate while competing in the 10-meter syncrho as well.\nAlthough she graduated last year, Cardinell has continued to train in Bloomington and also served as the conditioning coordinator for the Hoosier team. During her senior year, Cardinell won the 2005 NCAA Championship in the 10-meter dive. Cardinell will continue to train after the competition and hopes to return to China for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.\nLoukas has had immense success lately in her diving career. She was awarded Big Ten Diver of the Year for the second straight season last year, and she also won the 1-meter title at the Big Ten Championship.
(07/05/06 11:57pm)
They might not have been drafted, but Marco Killingsworth's and Marshall Strickland's NBA dreams are still alive.\nAfter not being selected in the NBA Draft June 28, both of the former Hoosiers have signed with NBA teams to play for their summer league squads. \nAfter working out twice for them in the weeks preceding the draft, Strickland signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Strickland and the 76ers will travel to Utah to play in the Rocky Mountain Revue from July 14-21.\n"I knew they liked me and they showed a lot of interest," Strickland said. "After my second workout they basically told me if they were going to get a second round pick they would grab me. They wanted to be sure I'd be around for summer league."\nBefore the draft, Strickland also worked out with the hometown Indiana Pacers. Although he enjoyed the workout, Strickland elected to play with the 76ers because he felt, "more at home in Philadelphia." \nDuring his career as a Hoosier, Strickland played point guard his first three years and shooting guard his senior year. But Strickland doesn't see himself as a "combo-guard" at the next level.\n"I'm a pure point guard. All of that shooting guard stuff is over," Strickland said.\nFormer IU assistant coach and current UAB assistant Donnie Marsh thinks Strickland will be a solid professional in the NBA.\n"In this day and age when you don't know what guys are doing when they leave the arena, Marshall is going to handle his business," Marsh said. "That's something that can't be overlooked. Marshall just has to play to his strengths and do things to the best of his ability."\nMarsh thinks that both Strickland and Killingsworth can have successful NBA careers if the right situation presents itself.\n"It's a situation where it's got to be the right fit," Marsh said. "The right team for both of these guys. That's what it's all about in the NBA, getting an opportunity."\nKillingsworth hopes the right fit for him will be with the Orlando Magic.\nMark Stevens, Killingworth's agent, said Marco decided to sign with Orlando because it was the "best fit to allow Marco to play his game."\nStevens said he sees Killingsworth in the mold of former NBA players Charles Barkley, Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason. \n"We'd like Marco to be able to play his game, but he can adjust," Stevens said. "He can do whatever the team needs him to do."\nAfter getting off to an impressive start at the beginning of last year, many draft experts expected Killingsworth to be drafted in the first round. Draft Express President and Director of Scouting Jonathan Givnoy was not one of them.\n"We haven't had Marco in our mock draft for the last six months, even when he was tearing Shelden Williams to shreds," Givnoy said. "At the end of the day, he's 6'7", not athletic, 25 years old, doesn't play defense and has a bad attitude." \nStevens had a different perspective on Killingsworth's draft stock.\n"We anticipated him to be drafted," Stevens said. "But we saw how the draft was going. With more European players being drafted, we anticipated that he might not be picked."\nGivnoy said that one of the reasons Killingsworth's draft stock slipped was because of his suspect attitude.\n"He has a very high opinion of himself," Givnoy said. "Some people have a realistic opinion of themselves, some don't. Marco might not necessarily be a bad kid, but you want a guy with a mentality saying, 'I'm nothing. I'm going to earn everything I get.'"\nBut Killingsworth's attitude can be misinterpreted to people who aren't close to him, according to Marsh.\n"Marco has a passion for the game," he said. "He has a passion for winning. And if you don't see him everyday you can misread what he is all about.\n"If you watch him for a full year, the passion the kid brings to the floor each night, that's the passion you can translate to a winner. People have to understand what the kid's passion is all about."\nStevens, Killingsworth's agent, had similar sentiments in regards to Killingsworth's attitude.\n"He has a strong love and passion for winning," he said. "Sometimes his emotions become over-bearing. But he's not uncoachable and he doesn't have a bad attitude."\nWhile Marsh feels that Killingsworth will be able to make an NBA team if he can work on one area, Givnoy believes Killingsworth has a long way to go before he can have a serious NBA career.\n"If he can lose a lot of weight and do kind of what Udonis Haslem did, he'll become a lot quicker and more athletic," Givnoy said. "He's going to have to work his butt off. Nobody builds their offense around a 6-foot-7 center who isn't very athletic."\nKillingsworth flew to Orlando yesterday to join the Magic, where they will compete and host the Pepsi Pro Summer League. The league consists of six teams, including the Magic and Pacers. \nAccording to Draft Express, 16 undrafted free agents made NBA teams last year and remained on the roster the entire season.
(06/21/06 10:51pm)
Amanda Beard has not met Kelly Clarkson, she loves to shop at Nordstrom, if she had to choose she would be a Colts fan and, sorry boys, she does have a boyfriend.\nThose were just some of the answers Beard gave during an IU swim camp Q&A session Monday morning in the Student Recreational Sports Center auditorium.\nBeard fielded several dozen questions from the campers, ages ranging from 8-18, on every topic imaginable. She discussed everything from her favorite movie ("The Notebook") to her first experience at the Olympics at age 14.\n"I've been swimming competitively ever since I was 10," Beard told the audience. "I'm a very competitive person, no matter what I'm doing."\nWith the 2008 Olympics in Beijing coming up, Beard is in "crunch time" for her training schedule. Beard is training to make her fourth Olympic appearance.\n"I hope I make it," Beard said. "Cross your fingers and cheer for me."\nThe seven-time Olympic medal winner stormed onto the international stage at the young age of 14, but admits she couldn't imagine any of the young faces in the audience doing the same.\n"When I look at these 14-year-olds it's hard to believe. When I was 14, I didn't feel young, I thought I was mature," Beard said.\nBeard passed around one of her Olympic gold medals to the audience. She has won two gold medals, four silvers and one bronze medal, total. \n"She made the Olympics at such a young age," IU camp instructor Michael Hewitt said. "She really inspires a lot of them."\nBeard isn't the only former Olympian helping out with the swim camp. Lars Jorgensen, a 1988 Olympian, is serving as an instructor at the camp. \n"I go back with coach (Ray) Looze," Jorgensen said. "He invited me to the camp. It's a lot of fun to instruct the kids."\nAlthough getting advice from an Olympian is rare, the campers will be able to receive instruction from Jorgensen all week. \nJorgensen said his favorite part about the weeklong program is the campers.\n"I'm just trying to reach a couple of the kids and give them a chance to be great," he said.
(06/19/06 3:52am)
They may have graduated last month, but former IU basketball players Marco Killingsworth and Marshall Strickland are preparing as hard as ever for their next big test: the NBA Draft.\nThe two players have been working out extensively the past month in hopes of being selected in the upcoming draft June 28.\nBoth draft prospects had standout careers at IU, but are finding out that past success doesn't automatically equate to a chance at the next level.\nStrickland has participated in team workouts with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics the past two weeks.\nOn June 1, Strickland performed for the 76ers along-side several other former NCAA players who are projected to be first round selections in the upcoming draft. The workout consisted of drills to test the players' individual skills and one-on-one and two-on-two games. \n"We've been scouting Marshall for years," 76ers Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Tony DiLeo said. "He does everything pretty well. He's a good shooter and is kind of a combo-guard. We really like his defense; he really defends well."\nAlthough his statistics might not be at par with other prospects, Strickland has presented other attributes that DiLeo said makes Strickland valuable.\n"He is a winning type player. He doesn't do a lot of things to make you lose," DiLeo said. \nStrickland, who was recently named an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner by the Big Ten, left a good impression with DiLeo and the 76ers after his workout.\n"He was well grounded and seemed like a stable person. He was hungry and had a drive to become great. You could see that hunger," DiLeo said.\nBut a good interview won't be enough to get drafted.\n"Strickland was a good college player, but I never thought of him as an NBA player," ESPN college basketball analyst Andy Katz said.\nStrickland failed to crack Katz's colleague's draft rankings. ESPN's draft analyst Chad Ford doesn't have Strickland in the top 100 prospect rankings. Barely making it onto the list is Killingsworth at No. 93. \nOf the two players, most draft analysts have Killingsworth being the player more likely to be drafted. Last weekend, Killingsworth participated in the invitation-only Orlando Pre-Draft Camp where he performed to mixed reviews.\n"He had flashes when he was good and other times when he was not so good. Right now he is projected to be a second round pick," DiLeo said.\nKatz saw similar things at the Orlando camp, where he scouted Killingsworth.\n"He played OK in Orlando, but his problem has always been conditioning," Katz said.\nIn Orlando, Killingsworth averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds on 81.3 percent shooting a game. His struggles from the free throw line continued in Orlando where he shot only 50 percent.\n"Killingsworth's numbers were better than he looked," according to Nbadraft.net. The Web site, which is renowned for it's draft analysis, also noted Killingsworth "appeared 15-20 pounds overweight." \nDuring IU's regular season, the Web site's mock draft had Killingsworth going late in the first round. Before the Pre-Draft Camp Killingsworth had fallen to No. 41. His draft stock has further plummeted, with his ranking falling all the way to No. 60, the last pick in the draft. \nBefore the Orlando Camp, Killingsworth traveled to New York May 22 to work out for the New York Knicks in a session conducted by Knicks' head coach Larry Brown.\nRequested details of the workout were not available due to team policy, Knicks' spokesman Jonathan Soprano said.\nIf the ex-Hoosiers slip through June 28 undrafted, they will still have the opportunity to make an NBA team by participating in summer league play and training camp. As soon as the draft concludes, NBA teams can contact players and sign them to play in the summer league.\n"If he isn't drafted, Killingsworth will probably sign on with a summer league team," Katz said.
(06/15/06 4:00am)
For the past couple of years, I've struggled to find a comedy that was funny, smart and quick enough to fill the void "Seinfeld" left when it went off the air.\nAfter hugging it out, I've found it. It's a show about an up and coming actor and his group of friends. The posse consists of a paranoid micromanaging best friend, a half-brother whose clinging to his acting career like Tonya Harding clings to the lime-light, a pot smoking friend who gladly rides his friend's coattails, and an agent who is a combination between Tom Cruise and Bobby Knight.\nIf you haven't figured it out by now, the show I'm referring to is HBO's hit series "Entourage," which just released it's complete second season DVD. Most of the season is focused around the storyline of Vincent Chase, (Adrian Grenier), contemplating whether or not to star in the fictional summer blockbuster, "Aquaman."\nAttempting to convince Vince to take the part of Aquaman is Vince's agent, Ari Gold, played by Jeremy Piven. Although all the characters have their qualities, Piven seems to be the highlight of every episode. Whether it's his catchphrase, "Let's hug it out, bitch," or his berating of his openly gay secretary Lloyd, Piven will leave you in fits of laughter. \nAdding to the comedy of "Entourage" is the abundance of cameos in the second season. While there are several to choose from, the best cameo of the season goes to Val Kilmer, who plays a weed-dealing Sherpa. In one scene, the former Batman goes on a Dennis Miller-esque rant when he remarks, "The earth is moving. Did you feel that? Everything. All the time. Dimensions we can't even see. Everything is evolving. Turtle, you're a dove."\nThe only complaint about the season's DVD is the lack of special features. Unless you've been dying to hear Turtle dubbed over in French, there is only one feature to be noted. \nAlthough the features section lacks in quantity, it does make up for it in quality. "The Mark Wahlberg Sessions" is a 20-minute behind the scenes look with Wahlberg, the executive producer, as host. \nIn a casual setting, Wahlberg sits down and discusses "Entourage" with the producers, writers and actors and gives the viewer an inside look into the hilarious comedy.\nThe "Sessions" cover everything from the casting of the show to an interview with Johnny Alves, the real life Johnny Drama. Alves goes out of his way to mention that he does not, in fact, have an obsession with men's calves. \nBut the lack of features is compensated by the durability of the 14 episodes. You can watch each episode multiple times and still be entertained. Although it's hard to choose, perhaps the funniest episode of the lot is, "The Bat Mitzvah." In the episode, Vince and the boys attend Ari's daughter's Bat Mitzvah where several storylines intersect. \nAltogether, the 14 hilarious episodes and the "Wahlberg Sessions" makes the three disc DVD a worthy purchase that will leave you hugging out for more.
(06/15/06 12:02am)
One of the top high school point guards in the nation will be on IU's campus today.\nDemetri McCamey, who is ranked No. 51 in Rivals150 class of 2007, is travelling from his Chicago home to make an unofficial visit to meet the Hoosiers in person.\nThe 6-foot-3 215 pound guard is being highly recruited by several top schools and has already had scholarship offers from Wake Forest, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Boston College and DePaul. \nMcCamey is going into his senior year at St. Joseph's high school in Illinois. In the past, St. Joseph's has been a hotbed for Hoosier talent. The Chargers have produced former IU stars Isiah Thomas and Daryl Thomas. Daryl currently serves as an assistant coach for St. Joseph's under head coach Gene Pingatore.\nThe Illinois point guard averaged 16 points per game last season to go along with 7 assists and 4.5 rebounds.\n"He can shake and bake with the best of them," Ill. Hoops publisher Scott Powers said. "He's got a natural build and is a real strong kid."\nPowers also said that this past season was the first year McCamey has played point guard, previously getting most of his minutes at the two position. He said that although McCamey is a great scorer, his game is by no means limited to that label.\n"He is a big playmaker. He has become more of a guy who looks to pass first," Powers said.\nMcCamey isn't the only player from St. Joseph's who has caught IU's attention. Evan Turner, a 6-foot-6 prospect ranked No. 23 overall in Rivals150 rankings, has already been offered a scholarship by IU coach Kelvin Sampson.\n"I don't know if Turner and McCamey will be a package deal or not. But the fact that McCamey is making an unofficial visit is a good sign for IU," Powers said.\nThe interest in the two St. Joseph players marks a new recruiting trend for the Hoosiers. \n"Sampson is recruiting Illinois a little harder than (Mike) Davis," Powers said. During his tenure at IU, Davis didn't have a single basketball prospect from the Indiana's western neighbor. \nThe ties between IU and St. Joseph's high school continue with McCamey's high school coach Pingatore. \nPingatore was the head coach of St. Joseph's when Isiah Thomas was recruited by ex-Hoosiers coach Bobby Knight. After attending several of Knight's basketball camps, a lasting impression was left on Pingatore. According to American Basketball Quarterly, Pingatore used and committed to Knight's theories of pressure man-to-man defense and motion offense.\nAfter his visit to IU, McCamey will continue his summer basketball schedule next week when he attends the NBA Players Top 100 camp. In its 11-year history, the camp has had numerous famous campers, including Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal.
(06/14/06 9:09pm)
For the past couple of years, I've struggled to find a comedy that was funny, smart and quick enough to fill the void "Seinfeld" left when it went off the air.\nAfter hugging it out, I've found it. It's a show about an up and coming actor and his group of friends. The posse consists of a paranoid micromanaging best friend, a half-brother whose clinging to his acting career like Tonya Harding clings to the lime-light, a pot smoking friend who gladly rides his friend's coattails, and an agent who is a combination between Tom Cruise and Bobby Knight.\nIf you haven't figured it out by now, the show I'm referring to is HBO's hit series "Entourage," which just released it's complete second season DVD. Most of the season is focused around the storyline of Vincent Chase, (Adrian Grenier), contemplating whether or not to star in the fictional summer blockbuster, "Aquaman."\nAttempting to convince Vince to take the part of Aquaman is Vince's agent, Ari Gold, played by Jeremy Piven. Although all the characters have their qualities, Piven seems to be the highlight of every episode. Whether it's his catchphrase, "Let's hug it out, bitch," or his berating of his openly gay secretary Lloyd, Piven will leave you in fits of laughter. \nAdding to the comedy of "Entourage" is the abundance of cameos in the second season. While there are several to choose from, the best cameo of the season goes to Val Kilmer, who plays a weed-dealing Sherpa. In one scene, the former Batman goes on a Dennis Miller-esque rant when he remarks, "The earth is moving. Did you feel that? Everything. All the time. Dimensions we can't even see. Everything is evolving. Turtle, you're a dove."\nThe only complaint about the season's DVD is the lack of special features. Unless you've been dying to hear Turtle dubbed over in French, there is only one feature to be noted. \nAlthough the features section lacks in quantity, it does make up for it in quality. "The Mark Wahlberg Sessions" is a 20-minute behind the scenes look with Wahlberg, the executive producer, as host. \nIn a casual setting, Wahlberg sits down and discusses "Entourage" with the producers, writers and actors and gives the viewer an inside look into the hilarious comedy.\nThe "Sessions" cover everything from the casting of the show to an interview with Johnny Alves, the real life Johnny Drama. Alves goes out of his way to mention that he does not, in fact, have an obsession with men's calves. \nBut the lack of features is compensated by the durability of the 14 episodes. You can watch each episode multiple times and still be entertained. Although it's hard to choose, perhaps the funniest episode of the lot is, "The Bat Mitzvah." In the episode, Vince and the boys attend Ari's daughter's Bat Mitzvah where several storylines intersect. \nAltogether, the 14 hilarious episodes and the "Wahlberg Sessions" makes the three disc DVD a worthy purchase that will leave you hugging out for more.
(06/08/06 4:00am)
Simply put, Less Than Jake's new album is...Less Than Great. In With The Out Crowd, which was released in May, comes in the wake of Less Than Jake's 2003 hit album Anthem.\nFor those not familiar with their music, Less Than Jake is recognized mostly as a ska punk band. But their latest album features a new sound with less horns and more unnecessary shouting. The band's sound could be described as a combination of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Blink 182. I know that might sound like a good combination, but so did a collaboration between Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy. \n"Soundtrack Of My Life" is the first song on the album and the song sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the record. Right off the bat you know the album is going to feature a lot of screaming, an abundance of complaining, and more teenage angst than an episode of "Saved By The Bell." If this is, in fact, the soundtrack to their lives, I wouldn't recommend seeing the movie.\nThe first single released off the album is ironically titled, "Overrated." I can't make this stuff up. In the song, the band asks out loud, "How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?" Which led me to the obvious question, "How can I be satisfied when all of your songs sound exactly alike?"\nAnother song that most likely won't be nominated for any awards is, "Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway." I listened to this song about 10 times and still can't tell you what it is about. It sounds like Less Than Jake tried to fit as many words as possible into every line of the song. While doing this, they seemed to have failed to make the song have any real meaning. Oops.\nAlso, I'm pretty sure the band stopped trying when they recorded "Fall Apart." The intro to the song sounds eerily familiar to "There Goes My Hero" by the Goo Goo Dolls. To worsen the blow, on the same song the band sings "I can't stop this sinking feeling..." That line would be fine if Neil Diamond and several other artists hadn't recorded nearly the same phrase in, "Hooked On A Feeling."\nAlthough it sounds like I personally invented negativity, there is one song on the album I do enjoy. Less Than Jake saves their best for last with their last song on the album, "P.S. Shock The World." The song incorporates the horns that makes the group unique and sends an interesting message to its fans about their music.
(06/08/06 12:20am)
IU wide receiver James Hardy appeared in Allen County Court Monday to set up his August 23 trial, where he will face hearings on his two class A misdemeanor crimes. \nThe two charges against Hardy stem from a May 16 incident involving his girlfriend, Kyra Nolan, and their infant son. Hardy is being charged with domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime. \nThe pretrial hearings are set for June 13 and July 17. Hardy must be present for both hearings. \nIn the first pretrial hearing, Hardy and his defense attorney Randy Hammond will attempt to lift the no-contact order currently restricting contact between Hardy and Nolan.\n"We filed a motion asking the court to modify Mr. Hardy's pre-trial release," Hammond said. "We are requesting the court to eliminate the no-contact order." \nIn Indiana, a no-contact order is designed to protect a victim from the perpetrator in any violent crime. In this case, Hardy is legally barred from contact with Nolan for the entire criminal proceedings. Violation of the order results in revocation of bond. \n"The court does this fairly routinely," Hammond said. \nThe first pretrial hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 13 in Allen County Court. Hammond described the pretrial meeting as a, "brief hearing, just on the issue." \nHardy was arrested the night of the incident after police responded to a 911 call placed from his girlfriend's home. According to court documents, Nolan was found with reddish marks on her back and neck and her shirt was torn. \nOriginally, Hardy told the police at the scene that he had not been physical with Nolan. But later Hardy confessed to pushing Nolan after she "got into his face," according to the court documents. \nHardy was released from the Allen County Jail on $1,500 bond. The bond was set for $750 for the domestic battery charge and an additional $750 for interfering with the reporting of a crime. \nThere is still no word on whether the court proceedings and charges will have any effect on Hardy's future at IU. \nPete Rhoda, director of IU athletic media relations, said there was no further information available at this time in regards to Hardy and his football future. \nAlthough he faces problems off the field, in his first year as a Hoosier, Hardy thrived on it. The 6'7" wideout led IU in 2005 with 61 catches for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. His elite play was recognized when he was selected to the second team all-Big Ten squad.
(06/07/06 9:28pm)
Simply put, Less Than Jake's new album is...Less Than Great. In With The Out Crowd, which was released in May, comes in the wake of Less Than Jake's 2003 hit album Anthem.\nFor those not familiar with their music, Less Than Jake is recognized mostly as a ska punk band. But their latest album features a new sound with less horns and more unnecessary shouting. The band's sound could be described as a combination of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Blink 182. I know that might sound like a good combination, but so did a collaboration between Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy. \n"Soundtrack Of My Life" is the first song on the album and the song sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the record. Right off the bat you know the album is going to feature a lot of screaming, an abundance of complaining, and more teenage angst than an episode of "Saved By The Bell." If this is, in fact, the soundtrack to their lives, I wouldn't recommend seeing the movie.\nThe first single released off the album is ironically titled, "Overrated." I can't make this stuff up. In the song, the band asks out loud, "How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?" Which led me to the obvious question, "How can I be satisfied when all of your songs sound exactly alike?"\nAnother song that most likely won't be nominated for any awards is, "Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway." I listened to this song about 10 times and still can't tell you what it is about. It sounds like Less Than Jake tried to fit as many words as possible into every line of the song. While doing this, they seemed to have failed to make the song have any real meaning. Oops.\nAlso, I'm pretty sure the band stopped trying when they recorded "Fall Apart." The intro to the song sounds eerily familiar to "There Goes My Hero" by the Goo Goo Dolls. To worsen the blow, on the same song the band sings "I can't stop this sinking feeling..." That line would be fine if Neil Diamond and several other artists hadn't recorded nearly the same phrase in, "Hooked On A Feeling."\nAlthough it sounds like I personally invented negativity, there is one song on the album I do enjoy. Less Than Jake saves their best for last with their last song on the album, "P.S. Shock The World." The song incorporates the horns that makes the group unique and sends an interesting message to its fans about their music.
(06/06/06 1:46pm)
IU star wide receiver James Hardy appeared in Allen County Court today to set up his August 23 trial, where he will face hearings on his two class A misdemeanor crimes. \nThe two charges against Hardy stem from a May 16 incident involving his girlfriend, Kyra Nolan, and their infant son. Hardy is being charged with domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime. \nThe pretrial hearings are set for June 13 and July 17. Hardy must be present for both hearings. \nIn the first pretrial hearing, Hardy and his defense attorney Randy Hammond will attempt to lift the no-contact order currently restricting contact between Hardy and Nolan.\n"We filed a motion asking the court to modify Mr. Hardy's pre-trial release," Hammond said. "We are requesting the court to eliminate the no-contact order." \nIn Indiana, a no-contact order is designed to protect a victim from the perpetrator in any violent crime. In this case, Hardy is legally required to have no contact with Nolan for the entire criminal proceedings. Violation of the order results in revocation of bond. \n"The court does this fairly routinely," Hammond said. \nThe first pretrial hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 13 in Allen County Court. Hammond described the pretrial meeting as a, "brief hearing, just on the issue." \nHardy was arrested the night of the incident after police responded to a 911 call placed from his girlfriend's home. According to court documents, Nolan was found with reddish marks on her back and neck and her shirt was torn. \nOriginally, Hardy told the police at the scene that he had not been physical with Nolan. But later Hardy confessed to pushing Nolan after she, "got into his face," according to the court documents. \nHardy was released from the Allen County jail on $1,500 bond. The bond was set for $750 for the domestic battery charge and an additional $750 for interfering with the reporting of a crime. \nThere is still no word on whether the court proceedings and charges will have any affect on Hardy's future at IU. \nPete Rhoda, director of IU athletic media relations, said there was no further information available at this time in regards to Hardy and his football future. \nAlthough he faces problems off the field, in his first year as a Hoosier, Hardy thrived on it. The 6'7" wideout led IU in 2005 with 61 catches for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. His elite play was recognized when he was selected to the second team all-Big Ten squad.
(06/01/06 2:34am)
To be a Hoosier, or not to be a Hoosier, that is Phil Jones' question.\nJones, a 6'10 senior currently attending Laurinburg Prep in North Carolina, told the Indianapolis Star last week that the only thing keeping him from becoming a Hoosier was the formality of some paperwork being processed.\nAfter further review, that may not be the case.\nAfter Jones was interviewed by the Star, he requested the article be e-mailed to him after it was published, according to Terry Hutchens' Hoosier Insider blog on www.indystar.com.\nWhen Jones read the article, which declared his intentions to go to IU, Jones told Scouthoops.com that his college decision was "wide open." He called the article into question, saying "I don't know how the newspaper had quotes from me when I never said those things."\nThe confusion remained Wednesday night with no word from Jones on his basketball future.\nWhen questioned, IU Director of Athletic Media Relations Pete Rhoda said there was, "no official announcement" on Jones. \nSeveral calls were also placed to Billy Reid, the Laurinburg basketball coach, but none of the calls were returned.\nAt one point in time, Jones appeared to be headed to Indiana after his official visit May 13. The visit included Jones playing in several pick-up basketball games with current Hoosier players.\nBut several things have changed since the visit in mid-May.\nCoach Kelvin Sampson was sanctioned for rules infractions by the NCAA while he was across the globe in Kuwait for Operation Hardwood. Jones' friend Larry Davis decided to attend Seton Hall over Indiana. Jones has mentioned Seton Hall as one of his top choices.\nThis year, Jones has attracted a lot of attention from many big time programs across the nation. The forward had supposedly narrowed down his choices to Kentucky, Cincinnati, Connecticut and Seton Hall.\nThe addition of Jones would add some much-needed size to the Hoosiers squad. Listed at 260 lbs., Jones is ranked No. 106 in the 2006 recruiting class by Rivals.com. \nAlthough no official answer has been made public, there have been a few clues dropped revealing Jones' possible intentions.\nOn his MySpace.com profile, under "Big Phil's Schools," Jones lists IU as the school he will attend from 2006-2010. In the same box, Jones lists the "Basketball Team" as his lone club.