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(11/15/02 5:36am)
The IU men's basketball fans got to welcome one of the newest members to the Hoosiers squad last Friday night. Fifty-six seconds into the game, this youngster stepped behind the arc and lofted a shot that landed perfectly in the hoop. \nLadies and gentleman, meet freshman guard Bracey Wright. \nWright has been making waves with Hoosier fans since Midnight Madness, and has played basketball to both near perfection and the crowd's delight.\n"Bracey can be a good player," IU coach Mike Davis said. "He's got to continue to work and try to improve everyday. He's a good guy and a special player. When kids have that (talent) they tend to act a certain way, but he's just really good."\nWright didn't stop wooing the crowd with his first three-point jump shot. He helped the Hoosiers jump out to an early lead in their 97-56 victory over Athletes in Action by dishing out assists, grabbing rebounds and scoring. Not long after Wright hit his first shot and assisted a senior guard Kyle Hornsby three, he showed the crowd his jumping skills.\nWright followed a fast break lay-up miss by junior center George Leach and scored a put-back dunk off the miss. The crowd went crazy, while Wright headed down the court to set-up for defense. It was all seriousness on the court for the Texas native.\n"He dunks the rebound the other night and it looks like he didn't even strain," Hornsby said. "That's impressive to me, because I'm never going to do that, ever. If I go up and dunk one, you're going to see a lot of straining. It just impresses me so much the way he does things and it looks effortless; it looks like he's not even trying. It's something he does and it looks so fluid."\nWright credits that "effortless look" to his high school coach in The Colony, Tex. His coach, Wright said, was the one that sat him down and told him how playing could look and be easy for him.\nIt was also his high school coach that told him to let the game become him, and it would just come naturally.\n"(The court) feels like home," Wright said. "I never have a worry, I just play. My high school coach put it in my head and now it looks effortless."\nAlthough Wright has talent that allows his game to be solid even if he's not all there mentally, Wright still has areas of his game he wants to work on.\nMost notably, his focus during practice and games. Hornsby said that while Wright's getting away with the lack of focus right now, during the Big Ten season, he could be even better if he keeps in the game.\nWright admits that this is one area he needs to work on.\n"I need to work on not so much physical, but just learning the game and being patient out there," Wright said. "Sometimes, as the game goes up and down I tend to get impatient as far as the basketball. So just be patient and let everything come to me"
(11/15/02 5:33am)
Just one problem faced the IU men's basketball team following the 41-point win over Athletes in Action last Friday night. The team went into Monday's practice with less focus and more ego.\nBut as practice progressed this week, the Hoosiers found their focus and hope to contain it for tomorrow's exhibition game.\n"The only thing scary out of Friday night's game is that our guys came back a little bit big-headed on Monday," IU coach Mike Davis said. "Really, AIA is a good team, don't get me wrong. But they don't count."\nNeither does the Nike Elite, who the Hoosiers face at 8 p.m. Saturday in Assembly Hall. But that doesn't mean IU wants anything less than a large victory.\nBut they face a Nike Elite team that has been on a whirlwind tour of college campuses since the early part of November. The team is slowly migrating west, but has yet to pick up a win. The Nike Elite has lost to Marquette, Syracuse, Massachusetts, Penn State and Ohio State.\nBut playing in college arenas is nothing new for the Nike Elite. Their roster is made up of former college standouts, including former Maryland player Exree Hipp and former Iowa State guard Dedric Willoughby. The team, who faced Michigan State Thursday night, dropped a game last Tuesday to the Buckeyes 73-59.\n"I hear that this team we're playing is much better than the team we played this Friday," freshman guard Bracey Wright said. "I don't know if they'll be as healthy or as rested, but I think Saturday will be a bit more of a challenge for us. But if we come out the same way we played Friday, with the same intensity, we'll be all right."\nBut the Hoosiers didn't feel the need to make many adjustments following last Saturday's blowout. After Monday's lackluster practice, IU regained their focus and worked on cleaning up offensive plays a bit and improving on transition defense.\nNot that the Hoosiers have much to worry about following last Friday's 97-56 routing of AIA. IU showed that the focus on the three-point shot has not wavered much, and was 18-for-35 beyond the arc. The more than 50 percent three-point shooting was even better than the overall field goal percentage, which was just more than 49.3 percent.\n"I know that I had some defensive plays that could have been better," senior guard Kyle Hornsby said. "It wasn't terrible but I know that I can get a lot better. As far as offensively, I think 7-for-8 is good, but if someone is shooting 7-for-8, then he should be shooting more shots."\nHornsby was the leading scorer for the Hoosiers last Saturday, picking up 20 points and going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. \nOther notable offensive standouts last week included Wright, who tied with senior point guard Tom Coverdale and senior forward Jeff Newton, for 15 points.\n"I looked at the box score, and it's good to see we were the only team that beat (AIA) by a lot," Davis said. "But hopefully we can make shots like we did that night and that's a big part of our offense"
(11/14/02 5:57am)
So, we've established that the IU football team is the worst team in the Big Ten this year. Now, that's a pretty sad and pathetic feat for the season, but it could be worse.\nNeed proof? Imagine the following:\n10. Being the L.A. Lakers without Shaq. The Lakers are 2-6, and dead last in the Pacific division of the Western Conference. What a great way to prove that the only way you can win is by relying on your big man to carry you. Does this remind anyone else of the Chicago Bulls minus Michael Jordan in the mid-90's. They couldn't win without him. The current Lakers a dynasty? I don't think so. More like the Shaq dynasty with 13 peons.\n9. Being Ben Affleck. Can you imagine being engaged to a more flaky person? The IU Athletic Department could have saved money on figuring out how to change their image by watching a tape of Jennifer Lopez over the years. First she's Jennifer with a Latino husband, then she goes to J-Lo and hip hop with Puffy, threw in husband Cris Judd for fun and now she's Jenny with Benny. Next thing you know, she's sporting a Boston accent and reciting Good Will Hunting. How do you like them apples?\n8. Being part of the recent craze of running onto the field and getting attacked or being attacked. What is wrong with these people? Miami (Ohio) assistant coach Jon Wauford was arrested after sucker-punching a Marshall fan after the Marshall win. This comes after Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa was attacked by a scary father and son duo. People, people, people, the IU football team lost to Northwestern and Michigan State, and no one got a beat-down in the process. If they can keep control, anyone can.\n7. You could be poor Northwestern, back on the Bottom 10 poll on ESPN.com. The Wildcats beat IU, yet the Hoosiers are not on the list, and Northwestern is No.10? That's just not fair, even if the Wildcats face Iowa this week. IU faces Penn State, on NATIONAL television. That's got to be worthy of at least a mention. \n6. You could be Bob Knight. Note to coach Knight -- it's called letting go. To sue IU two years after he was fired seems counterproductive. The fact that he's one of the best coaches in the history of college basketball is only strengthened by the job he has done at Texas Tech. He needs to move on from the past, because it's not going to change.\n5. You could be at a University where the colors still aren't consistent and the athletic department is in debt. Imagine the basketball arena at this University. The floor, banners and cheers are still one color, when everything else is another color. Hey wait a second. That describes IU. Darn.\n4.You could have to play on the same team as Barry Bonds. Bonds needs his own stadium for his ego and Creatine alone. Plus he's moody, rude and is the one person who has managed to find an "I" in the word team.\n3. You could be part of the Michigan basketball program. The Wolverines penalized themselves before the NCAA could take action after it was discovered an alumni gave former players money. This includes taking the Fab Five out of their record books, forfeiting 112 games and taking down various banners from the past 10 years. Erasing the history of the best recruiting class ever? Heartbreaking.\n2. You could be an athletic department that doesn't know the definition of the word "deadline." Here's some help. It is "a time limit, as for payment of a debt or completion of an assignment." Can you believe some athletic departments set deadlines then don't even abide by their own timeliness? Oh no -- this is IU again! Damn!\n1. Being a member of the Indianapolis Ice and having to seriously play hockey with Manute Bol. Hello! He's 7-7, an NBA disaster and actually participated in the show Celebrity Boxing. Are they trying to turn themselves into the biggest joke in minor league hockey? Mission accomplished.\nSee, being the worst isn't so bad after all.
(11/12/02 4:38am)
Dun-da-da-da. They're baaaaack. \nThat's right. The weekly awards are making a return appearance. And why not?\nBy losing, or getting destroyed, by Michigan State, the team self-appointed themselves into the position of the worst team in the Big Ten. Give them a crown, or even a banner. \n"2002 Big Ten Bottom-Dwellers."\nCongrata-freakin-lations. What an honor. IU coach Gerry DiNardo said in his post-game press conference that he felt really sorry for the seniors that they wouldn't be able to play in a bowl game. Let us not forget, however, that the team should have sewn up a bid by this point. But by blowing it against Iowa, unexplainably losing to Northwestern and getting completely embarrassed by the Spartans, the Hoosiers ruined their chances all by themselves.\nSo while we ponder how it is that a team can lose both their captains and their coach within a two-week span, go on the road and then beat up on the home team, let's hand out some awards.\nBiggest sham at Indiana University\nThe IU athletic department. Has it escaped everyone else's attention that the original price for basketball tickets was $11.50? And if it hasn't, can anyone explain why the students who purchased the tickets are only getting refunded $11 per ticket. Hmmm, apparently the athletic department is experiencing counting problems again. And why, if IU is $3-million dollars in debt, pay former Athletic Director Michael McNeely $800,000 to go away. The University is still paying former IU football coach Cam Cameron and former basketball coach Bob Knight. Does anyone wonder why this school is in debt? What's needed is a complete overhaul of the administrative and athletic department staff. We need reasonable people to run this school. And by the way -- it's not McNeely's fault football ticket sales sagged. When you're worst in the Big Ten, not so many people want to come to the games.\nItem most needed by IU Saturday\nStick-em's for the receivers. A lifetime supply, pronto. IU quarterback Gibran Hamdan was 11-for-25 with two interceptions before being taken out once the game was out of control. The running backs for IU were less-than-impressive, gaining a mere 124 yards total, so the offense had to look elsewhere to move the ball. But when receivers are dropping balls that hit them in the numbers, you know there are problems. \nBest part of the entire game\nGetting a chance to watch Spartan wide receiver Charles Rogers. Wow. I may not be a fan of Michigan State -- but they are worth watching just to see him in action. Rogers twice caught balls that to anyone else appeared completely uncatchable. The first time was when State scored in the endzone to go up 21-7. Rogers caught the ball while being smothered by the IU safety, and somehow managed to fight for and grab the ball. The second was a 17-yard reception that set-up the next Spartan touchdown. Once again, Rogers was covered. And once again, he was money.\nMost understandable event\nWhen the crowd got up and streamed out of the stadium at halftime. The score was 42-7. At this point, there was no reason to stay.\nMost hope-inducing event\nEven though the Hoosiers were down by five touchdowns, the defense right out of halftime was impressive. After Gibran Hamdan was intercepted on the first series of the second half, the defense came in, kept the Spartans out of the endzone and blocked a field goal attempt. Freshman cornerback Leonard Bryant was responsible for keeping the Spartans out of the endzone, with nice coverage on Charles Rogers. Then senior cornerback Antonio Watson blocked the field goal attempt. Too bad those plays came too late. \nBiggest letdown\nThe season in general. The results turned out far, far less than expected. The players said they were playing the next two games for pride, now that a post-season isn't going to happen. Playing for pride is respectable, but they should be playing for a decent bowl bid.
(11/07/02 5:05am)
Lately, I have been hit with various questions about the IU football team and other random events. These seem to be pressing inquiries that deserve to be answered, so here are the top 12 questions of the week, complete with answers.\nWhy was former Michigan State coach Bobby Williams so bad at his job?\nBecause he obviously cared more about being a pal than being a coach. Williams is probably not the only person in the Spartan program that had knowledge about all the problems with the team, but he was the one with the ability to put an end to all the outside drama. That is one good aspect about IU coach Gerry DiNardo. He holds his players to high standards on and off the field. Williams should have done the same.\nThat was the most predictable event?\nThat once Williams, an African-American coach, was fired, several people would be crying that he was fired because of his race. Never mind the fact that the program is in such disarray that the Spartan players couldn't even produce against its most historic rival, Michigan. It doesn't matter what color the coach was; because of the situations, anyone in that position should have lost his job.\nWhy does MSU's quarterback Jeff Smoker have such a drug problem?\nHe found inspiration in his last name. \nHow angry is MSU's wide receiver Charlie Rogers?\nCharlie who? Just kidding. Rogers should be livid at his teammates, especially the supposed captains, Smoker and newly-kicked off Dawan Moss, for the state of the team. Rogers is one of the most talented wide receivers in the country and had his name thrown around Heisman talks. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards and is also fourth in the nation. But Rogers has gotten lost somewhere in all the controversy. If anyone is worthy of sympathy, it's him.\nShould we be concerned that Michigan State is now in the ESPN Bottom 10 poll?\nYes. It's the same ranking Northwestern had prior to the IU game, and apparently the Hoosiers can't even beat teams that are considered the worst. It's a miracle the Hoosiers aren't on the list. Apparently the people that make those polls are smoking the same thing State's quarterback was.\nWhy aren't you more positive about the Hoosiers?\nShow me something positive, and I'll write something positive. But the last three games have provided zero to be optimistic about, and IU's been given the benefit of the doubt one too many times.\nSo, is the team going to win?\nNo. \nWhere did IU's rush defense go?\nThe same place Jeff Smoker's substances went. Up in smoke.\nWhat's most encouraging about the IU team?\nOk, so the underclassman players are providing a glimmer of hope for the future. The list of players includes sophomore Courtney Roby, one of the top receivers in the Big Ten, running backs Yamar Washington and Chris Taylor, two freshman who ran all over the field against Northwestern, linebacker John Kerr, cornerback Damien Jones, fullback John Pannozo and receiver Tyke Spencer, among the others. Even as youngsters they are impacting the team this season, so the next couple of years should only get better.\nWhat would be most embarrassing for the Big Ten?\nThat the first year the Big Ten is given the chance to send seven teams to a bowl game, and only fill five. Technically, Wisconsin should be eligible because it has six wins, but they are struggling this year. I mean, the last win IU had was against the Badgers. Enough said.\nHow big of waste is the luxury boxes being built in Memorial Stadium?\nHuge. How about you work on attracting students to the games? But as the IU Athletic Department has shown over and over again, their motto is "Money Talks." Which leads into the next question...\nHow much is the IU athletic department in need of counting lessons?\nWhat is with this over-estimation of interest in tickets for the men's basketball season? It's great that so many students want to see games, and even better that IU gets more students into the games than other Big Ten schools. But the stink of it is, not only do the students see fewer games this season, they get stuck in the balcony for most of them. Hope the public enjoys the coziness of their lower level seats. Can we see where the priority lies?
(11/06/02 4:05am)
By the time the IU basketball team started the Big Ten season last year, the Hoosiers were 7-5, and drawing critical responses from their fans. \nBut as coach Mike Davis said, playing "cupcakes" in the preseason is not what helps improve a team, and IU showed that first hand.\nAfter losing to such teams as Butler, Southern Illinois, Miami and Kentucky, the Hoosiers started their Big Ten season on the road against Northwestern. The road trip to Evanston sparked a 7-1 run by IU over the next eight games, and led to arguably one of the more anticipated games of the season.\nFour games down, and still undefeated, the Hoosiers traveled to Columbus to take on the then-undefeated Buckeyes. This game would determine who had sole possession of the Big Ten.\nBy the end of the game, it wasn't the Hoosiers. They fell 73-67 to Ohio State.\n"I am really proud of the way my team played," Davis said, following that game. "I am not happy that we lost, but I thought we played well. We needed to make shots down the stretch and just didn't get it done."\nBut the IU squad bounced back from the disappointing loss to continue toward reaching that ultimate goal of winning the conference title.\nAfter routing Penn State in Happy Valley, the Hoosiers protected their home court by taking care of Illinois and Purdue. During the 88-57 win over the Fighting Illini, the Hoosiers showed off their knack for long-range shooting by setting a school and Big Ten record with 17 three-pointers.\n"Defense wins games," senior guard Tom Coverdale said, following the win. "That is the best we've played all year as far as both sides of the floor go."\nWith a 7-1 record in hand, the Hoosiers traveled to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. The week before the IU-Minnesota game, the Golden Gophers upset Ohio State. Next, they took down the other Big Ten leader.\nMinnesota experienced a second half resurgence after a weak first half, and as the Hoosiers shooting went cold, the Golden Gophers warmed up, and went on to beat IU 88-74.\n"This game is just one example of how tough it is to win on the road in this conference," Davis said, following the loss. \nThe Hoosiers won four of their next eight games, and were the co-Big Ten Champions with three other teams. IU clinched the title with a 79-67 win over Northwestern.\n"We still have a long way to go until our season is over," then senior Dane Fife predicted following the win. \nBut before they got started on the their NCAA run, the Hoosiers lost to Iowa in the Big Ten tournament by a buzzer-beating shot by Luke Recker. IU fell 62-60, and went home to wait for the NCAA selection show that Sunday.\nThe first game of the tournament pitted the Hoosiers against Utah. As the No. 5 seed in the tournament, the Hoosiers faced a recent history of not faring well in the opening round of the tournament. But as Utah, and UNC-Wilmington found out, history would not be repeating itself. IU had no problem getting past Utah, picking up the 75-56 victory. \nLed by Coverdale's 19 points on a bum ankle, the Hoosiers second opponent was waiting to play upset kings. But UNC-Wilmington couldn't overcome IU in the 76-67 Hoosier victory, and for the first time since 1994, IU was headed to the Sweet 16.\n"Duke is a team that deserves a lot of respect, but I think if you psyche yourself out at this point coming into the game you shouldn't be in the Sweet 16," Coverdale said prior to the game. "We are not the type of team who will come in scared; we will fight to the end like we have all year against every other team."\nBut it looked as if the Hoosiers did come out intimidated, falling behind by as many as 17 points in the first half. But thanks to the play of sophomore Jared Jeffries, IU battled back into the game.\nCoverdale had only one field goal in the game, but it gave IU its first lead with just under a minute to play. The Hoosiers were up by two points, and junior guard A.J. Moye widened it to four as he hit two free throws. But just when it seemed the Hoosiers had pulled off the improbable upset, Fife fouled Duke's Jason Williams, who was shooting a three-pointer, with 11 seconds left. \nWilliams made the three -pointer, but missed the tying free throw, giving the Hoosiers the victory, and the spot in the Elite Eight. \n"We took our best shot and we got them," Fife said following the game. "Coach had us believing in ourselves from the get-go. It just took us some time to settle down and run our offense."\nThe Hoosiers faced Kent State in the Elite Eight game, and had no trouble getting past the Golden Flashes to the Final Four. Kent State had eliminated the Hoosiers during the 2001 tournament, and thanks to three-points shots, IU returned the favor.\nWith the 81-69 victory in hand, IU headed to the Final Four to take on Oklahoma. The Hoosiers upset the Sooners in the Final Four game, thanks to the strong surge from senior forward Jeff Newton. Newton scored 19 points, with six rebounds and four blocked shots, helping IU to the 73-64 win.\nThe Hoosiers were in the NCAA championship game against No.1 seed Maryland.\n"The run this team has made has been unbelievable," Jeffries said after the Oklahoma win. "For us to be able to come out in the NCAA Tournament and play this well to this point is really remarkable."\nBut the clock struck midnight for the Hoosiers against Maryland. In an unusual offensive absence, IU was unable to get shots to fall, while Maryland rolled. The Hoosiers were the nation's runners-up with the 64-52 loss.\nFor the team, it was a magical season, but one they plan on repeating again this year.\n"I think we have the same hopes that we had last year," Coverdale said. "We just want to win a Big Ten championship, get to the Final Four and be playing our best when the season is over"
(11/05/02 8:14pm)
Since Bill Carmody took over the helm at Northwestern, the Wildcats have improved drastically. \nLast season the team won seven games in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1983-84 season and went 10-3 on its home court, good for the second-best record at Welsh-Ryan Arena in 50 years.\nBut Carmody said he has not used words to turn the program around. Instead, he has emphasized actions.\n"You go out there and you just try to win. I mean, I'm not a great motivational talker," he said. "I don't think motivation is with words always. You go out there and you work hard and you establish habits, so the team has good habits because they practice and they work and work."\nThe Wildcats will look for senior shooting guard Winston Blake (13.6 ppg) and junior point guard Jitim Young (12.1 ppg) to provide leadership for a team with three seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen.\nAmong the freshmen, Carmody said he has been most impressed with forward Jimmy Maley and point guard T.J. Parker whose big brother, Tony, starts at the same position for the San Antonio Spurs.\n"TJ's very fast and he's going to mature beyond his years. I think he's gonna help us," Carmody said. "Jim Maley who's a local kid, I think is a very good player. People question him because he's so skinny, but he's a tough nut. And as long as he's not afraid I don't care if he's skinny or not skinny"
(11/05/02 8:14pm)
Coach Jerry Dunn had his work cut out for him last season with only one senior on the Penn State roster. A youth movement was necessary, and Dunn's freshmen and sophomores logged nearly two-thirds of the Nittany Lion's minutes. \nThat translated into a last place finish in the Big Ten (3-13) and an abysmal overall record (7-21).\nThe team will again be one of the youngest in the conference but, coming off its third-worst campaign in school history, Dunn said it will be better.\n"I think we're a stronger, more physical team, and obviously a deeper team. And with us it's going to start with defense," he said. "It's going to start with the mindset that we need to stop people and do a better job on the boards and then we'll go from there."\nSophomore forward Jan Jagla is expected to be a big part of the aggressive mentality. He became a starter early last season and led all Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (5.8) and blocks (1.29).\nThe starting backcourt will consist of senior Brandon Watkins and junior Sharif Chambliss, who averaged 13.3 and 14.6 points per game, respectively.\nThe Nittany Lions have a difficult pre-conference schedule, which includes games against Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Temple. Dunn said the schedule will give him a chance to evaluate how far along his young team has come. \n"I certainly think we're going to find out very quickly where we are and what we need to do," he said. "I often think playing too many teams that are not of (high) caliber, you don't really get a good gauge as to where you are and the things you need to improve upon before you get to the Big Ten"
(11/05/02 8:14pm)
Iowa began last season as a favorite to win the Big Ten, and was ranked in the top five nationally. But the Hawkeyes fell flat on their face during the conference season, finishing 10th with an underachieving 5-11 record. They were not invited to the NCAA Tournament, and were beaten in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament by Louisiana State.\nThis may prove to be another tough year in Iowa City. \nThe Hawkeyes off-season has included junior center Sean Sonderleiter being charged with possession of marijuana, junior guard Brody Boyd being charged with underage alcohol possession, and sophomore point guard Pierre Pierce awaiting trial for sexual assault. \nPierce has pleaded not guilty but, if convicted, his career at Iowa will be in serious jeopardy.\nAnd that's not all.\nFour players transferred in the off-season, leaving a depleted nine-player roster for coach Steve Alford to work with.\nShooting guard Luke Recker and forward Reggie Evans both graduated and, with their departures, a total of 32.5 points and 14.5 rebounds was lost. Junior forward Glen Worley is now the team leader in both categories, with averages of 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.\nDespite a dismal outlook, Alford said his team's attitude must remain positive.\n"We still know what our expectation is in that locker room and that's to go out and compete every night, try to get the job done and try to become a better basketball team, weekly," he said. "So regardless of what's being said or written or viewed, I know what's in our locker room and I know what they're thinking about and they better be having high expectations within themselves"
(11/05/02 8:13pm)
Illini coach Bill Self does not agree with the Big Ten preseason media poll -- he said he thinks his team should be ranked lower. \n"I don't think there are many expectations for us this year," he said. "The media picking us third, that's a shock to me because I didn't think we'd be that high."\nWhether he believes that, or is merely trying to psyche up his young squad, is open to speculation. But the fact is that he has an incoming recruiting class ranked No. 5 in the nation by Athlon Sports and an All-America candidate in senior forward Brian Cook.\nCook has battled inconsistency during his career at Illinois, but his numbers have risen each season. Last year he averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection\nThe Illini will be without last year's point guard and undisputed team leader, Frank Williams, who was a first-round pick in the NBA draft last summer. The team also lost sharpshooter Corey Bradford and low-post workhorse Robert Archibald to graduation.\nBut highly touted freshman Dee Brown will have a chance to start at the point and explosive sophomore shooting guard Luther Head will see increased playing time. Freshman Deron Williams will also push for minutes in the backcourt. \nSelf also brought in a new crop of big men, headed by forward Aaron Spears who averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and three assists per game as a high school senior.
(11/05/02 8:12pm)
At the beginning of last season Wisconsin was working under a first-year head coach in Bo Ryan and had only nine scholarship players on its roster.\nThe Badgers were considered a program with a long rebuilding process ahead of them. \nBut instead of accepting their role as a second-tier team, the Badgers went 11-5 in the Big Ten, tying IU, Illinois and Ohio State for the conference crown.\nIllinois coach Bill Self said, this year, Wisconsin won't be considered underdogs.\n"I thought that Bo and his staff did a remarkable job last year," Self said. "And if (Wisconsin) did sneak up on anybody last year, it won't happen this year."\nAs for Ryan, he is approaching his second season the same way he approached his inaugural term.\n"Last year I was scared, and this year I'm gonna stay scared," he said. "But you keep looking at film and you keep doing things and you just say, 'alright, we can do this.' It would be nice to have 13 scholarships some day."\nShooting guard Kirk Penney, the sole Wisconsin senior, will pick up some of slack for the lacking depth on the squad this season. He averaged 15.1 points per game as a junior and is a major threat from the perimeter. \nSophomore guard Devin Harris will look to build on his solid freshmen campaign in which he averaged 12.3 points per game and set Wisconsin freshman records for minutes played, 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, free throws made, and free throw percentage.\nJunior center David Mader and sophomore forward Mike Wilkinson are the only experienced big men on the team and will be expected to make the largest contributions in the frontcourt.
(11/05/02 3:44pm)
Last season was a bit out of the ordinary for Michigan State. The Spartans did not win the Big Ten Championship for the first time in five years and then, in the NCAA Tournament, they suffered a first-round loss to North Carolina State. The early exit marked the first time they failed to reach the Final Four since the 1997-98 season. \nBut this season MSU is favored in both the Big Ten coaches and media pre-season polls to retain their position atop the conference. \nChris Hill will be expected to pick up the slack for the loss of All-Big Ten point guard Marcus Taylor, who bolted for the NBA last summer.\nAlthough Hill spent most of last year at shooting guard, coach Tom Izzo moved the sophomore to the point, at least for now. \nJunior college transfer Rashi Johnson is the heir apparent to Taylor, but until he adjusts to life in the Big Ten, the job will belong to Hill.\n"Right now Hill's going to play (point guard) a lot," Izzo said. "Rashi is coming but it's gonna take him a while to adapt to things. I hope to play Hill at both (guard positions) because I don't want to lose out on his incredible shooting ability."\nSophomores Kevin Torbert and Alan Anderson will also see significant minutes in the backcourt this season.\nMcDonalds All-American Paul Davis, a 6'10" freshman center, will join senior forwards Aloysius Anagonye and Adam Ballinger in the frontcourt. He averaged 29.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 3.8 steals per game as a high school senior, and is expected to make an immediate impact with the Spartans.
(11/05/02 3:43pm)
Coach Gene Keady had to change some aspects of the Purdue team if he wanted the 2002-2003 season to go differently than last year's disastrous showing.\nThe Boilermakers finished the season 13-18, and were tied for 8th place in the Big Ten. For Keady and his team, the losing record was unacceptable.\nSo Keady signed up his team for a 10-day tour of Europe, playing in London, Paris and Brussels. They played eight games during the trip.\n"I thought the Europe trip was good timing," Keady said. "It got our kids we had coming back on the right track. I thought our reunion was timing to get our fans back on track and let everybody understand this is about family, not individuals and that was something that we lost last year. I don't know why."\nPrior to the trip, the team had 10 days to prepare, and on the first day, Keady and his coaches took a different approach.\n"They walked in and acted like they didn't know any of us," senior guard Willie Deane said. "It was like completely starting from scratch. They acted like they didn't know anything about us."\nDeane is expected to be the leader for the team after experiencing individual success last season. Deane was named to the All-Big Ten second team, after leading the team with an average of 24.5 points per game.\nAlso expected to help the Boilermakers is junior guard Kenneth Lowe, who missed last season because of injury, and sophomore Brandon McKnight, who missed the second semester of last season. But the youngsters will also be contributors.\n"I couldn't be happier with our new people," Keady said. "They have shown up with the right attitude. They've shown up with the sense that they have to be in a stance. They know that they have to get back on defense"
(11/05/02 3:42pm)
The OSU men's team lost two key players, and all of sudden has dropped off everyone's radar. After winning a share of the Big Ten title and the Big Ten Tournament title, the Buckeyes aren't even expected to finish in the top three of the Big Ten this year.\nBut with the loss of Brian Brown and Boban Savovic, two important parts to the OSU team last year, the Buckeyes have gained experience in another area.\n"I think our best player is (senior) Brent Darby, and he's a guard but I think overall our strength is in our front court," OSU coach Jim O'Brien said. "It's a little bit of a change for how it's been the past couple of years, although we seemingly have had jumped around."\nWith Darby leading the youngsters in the backcourt, O'Brien named four players he expects to create depth for the Buckeyes.\nO'Brien said junior forward Zach Williams has become a large factor in the Buckeye offense. Williams started all but one game for OSU, where he contributed almost 10 points per game and just over five rebounds. \nAnother forward O'Brien expects to step up is junior center Velimir Radinovic, who will share playing time with sophomore Terence Dials, who came of age last year.\n"I do think our strength is in the front court even though our best player is Brent," O'Brien said. "But we need to have our other guards step up and make some significant contributions, because we need to replace the numbers Savovic and Brian Brown put up for us"
(11/05/02 3:42pm)
Last year, Minnesota played the upset kings and busted onto the Big Ten basketball scene. After consecutive wins against Ohio State, Penn State, Indiana and Iowa, the Golden Gophers had the attention of the media and their Big Ten opponents.\nThe attention hasn't ceased this year, as Minnesota was picked to finish the Big Ten tied for second place with IU.\n"I'm pretty excited, but I've been around for a while, so I know that's a lot of press work," senior guard Kevin Burleson said. "So we have to prove it. There's pressure on us, but it's a good pressure because before we were always fighting for a little respect and now we've got it."\nThe Golden Gophers lost two key players in Dusty Rychart and Travarus Bennett, but bring back three starters. One of the main reasons the Gophers are getting respect is the return of Big Ten Freshman of the Year Rick Rickert, who is a preseason All-American candidate. Rickert was the team's leading scorer, averaging 14.2 points per game while setting a record for most points scored by a freshman at Minnesota with 441 points.\n"Rick is obviously a valuable part of what we are trying to do," coach Dan Monson said. "He's so skilled offensively that he creates matchup situations for people because he's very good with his back to his basket. He can also face up out at the three. Our challenge is to get him good touches and quality catches in both areas and try to exploit people with his abilities"
(11/05/02 3:41pm)
The Michigan men's basketball team starts its season in style. By traveling to the Virgin Islands in a non-conference tournament, the Wolverines are kicking off their season the same way they hope to end. In style, with a winning record.\nThe Michigan team is past the first year awkwardness with second year coach Tommy Amaker. Amaker has settled into his position, and the Wolverines have grown accustomed to his coaching style and mannerisms.\n"We know what to expect now," senior LaVell Blanchard said. "Last year, everybody was new to the system, new to his scheme and his discipline, his ideas. Now the upperclassmen have a grasp on what he wants, I think we'll really improve."\nMichigan looks to rebuild on a season that had more losses than wins, with a few upsets thrown in the mix.\nBut in order to come up with a strong, resilient team, the Wolverines expect good plays and shots from Blanchard, who Amaker names their team leader.\n"We're looking at Blanchard being our best player," Amaker said. "His role for us is being our best worker and best player. We think our leadership is very important, and both Blanchard and (senior guard Gavin) Groninger have to bring different things to the table, specifically Blanchard being the things on the floor, and certainly with Gavin being an older guy." \nThe Wolverines are young experience-wise, after losing three of their starters to graduation. Blanchard and junior Bernard Robinson Jr. are the only two starters left, with six returning players and six newcomers.\nDespite the youth of the team, the Wolverines expect to make waves in the Big Ten this season.\n"This year, I would look at us as a team striving to become a competitive team in our league," Amaker said. "Striving to become a team that can put ourselves in a position to try to finish in the upper part of the conference"
(11/05/02 3:40pm)
Last season, the IU men's basketball team made an improbable run at the NCAA championship. This year, the Hoosiers aim to do the same.\nBut for a team that lost its best defender and best all-around force, the path to its second consecutive title game is not going to be easy. Especially when everyone but themselves is expecting the Hoosiers to flop.\n"That's good," said senior forward Jeff Newton, after finding IU was picked to finish tied for second in the Big Ten. "I wasn't expecting us to be rated that high, just judging from past years. It just gives us something to push for even more. We are up for the challenge."\nBeing picked to finish runner-up in the Big Ten tied with Minnesota isn't the only challenge the Hoosiers are facing. IU was picked by ESPN to start the season at No. 23, and in a variety of magazines, the Hoosiers aren't predicted any higher than No. 20.\nThe concern stems from the loss of All-American Jared Jeffries who opted for the NBA, and the graduation of guard Dane Fife and forward Jarrad Odle.\nIU expects the loss of these contributing players to be made up for by their guards, and most especially, their two big men, Newton and junior center George Leach.\n"Both are really big keys for us because if they don't play good post defense then we are not going to do anything," senior guard and preseason All-American candidate Tom Coverdale said. "They are probably our best two guys right now from an experience standpoint, and they know what they are doing. They are going to have to play really well this year if we are going to do anything."\nIU also expects Coverdale, senior guard Kyle Hornsby, junior guard A.J. Moye and freshman guard Bracey Wright to make large contributions.
(11/05/02 3:36pm)
One kicks the scorers table, slams a basketball and makes it clear to everyone in the stadium that he is frustrated. The other one silently drops and shakes his head, clenching his fist, berating himself, but not letting anyone else see it or hear it.\nOne has tattoos adorning his arms and legs and has gained a reputation for his emotionally-charged play. The other has a buzz cut, and a look of seriousness mixed with business on the court.\nMeet junior guard A.J. Moye and senior guard Kyle Hornsby. As different as they may seem, they are both working toward a common goal of improving themselves and the team for a shot at another NCAA title run.\n"A.J. is going to get more time this year, but whose time that is who knows," Hornsby said. "But A.J. is definitely going to his minutes up, and I hope mine would get up. Then again my minutes could go way down ,you just never know .But they're definitely not heading in that direction, but we'll see how it goes."\nThe two worked hard over the summer to assure maximum playing time. Moye stayed in Bloomington for the summer, losing weight like he concentrated on last summer. Moye also spent the break running sprints and stairs, and spending what he estimates to be over an hour on the stationary bike or the Stairmaster each day.\nHornsby worked on his quickness as well, and spent his summer running in preparation for the preseason conditioning.\n"I just wanted to stay in shape," Hornsby said. "I remember what it felt like to come in the first two years and really not have a solid foundation. It's extremely painful to come in, not have a foundation and not be at the weight you want to play at. A lot of people get hurt that way."\nBut Moye, free from the shoulder pain that plagued him last year, and Hornsby both have individual agendas they are working towards for the season. For the pair of guards who were played off each other last year, each has different goals.\nFor Moye, with the block over Duke's Carlos Boozer in the front court fresh in his mind, he would like to see more time in a position under the basket. With IU being as guard heavy as it is, Moye could see more playing minutes in the front court.\n"We'll probably play Moye inside some," IU coach Mike Davis said. "He made that suggestion to me, so that he could be on the court. So I'll listen to him. He's worked hard and he understands. He tasted success last year and he told me he wanted to go to the Final Four three years in a row."\nHornsby's goal is to prove that he's more than just a three-point shooter. Best known for his long-range shooting, Hornsby concentrated on his speed and different types of shots. One shot in particular he is working on is the "runner," where a player shoots the ball immediately after catching it.\n"I'm experimenting with that," Hornsby said. "If I make it, they'll let me shoot it, but if I start missing it they will cut me off. But I wanted to add something."\nHornsby also admits that his role as a defensive player will be increased.\n"I think more than last year," Hornsby said. "I think I did a pretty good job last year, but they really didn't need me to step into that role as a defensive stopper because we had Dane (Fife)."\nThis year, both Moye and Hornsby are thrown into the leadership roles. And despite being guard-heavy, the Hoosiers will rely on this duo's experience during the season, especially if IU wants to repeat last season.\nAnd that is exactly what Moye and Hornsby intend to do.\n"We are really focusing on us," Hornsby said. "Because if we do what we are supposed to do, then everything will work out. Everyone needs a little luck during the season, but some people say you make your own luck by just preparing. That's what we are doing"
(11/05/02 3:03pm)
Four years ago, senior guard Tom Coverdale arrived at IU to play basketball, and promptly found himself on the bench. For the 1998 Mr. Basketball of Indiana and a player who averaged 25 points per game in high school, warming the bench was not good enough.\nAnd ask Coverdale what is the most embarrassing moment he's experienced during his entire career, and it's his first year at IU that is brought up.\n"Every team I played on I had been a starter, and then my freshman year I didn't play at all," Coverdale said. "I think every freshman goes through it, but when you are in that situation you always think the worst things of what people are thinking of you because you are not playing. It's just a real hard time to go through, and I think it's like that for everyone."\nHow things have changed since those early days on the bench. Coverdale has transformed himself from a freshman that played in a mere 10 games and scored just 10 points to a First Team All-Big Ten preseason selection. \nAs for the 10 points total his first year, Coverdale has evolved into a shooter that averages more than that per game. His sophomore season was his first chance to show exactly what he could do once he got into the game, but it was his performances last year that thrust him into the national spotlight.\n"If he's 90 percent, it's a different game because he's able to hit shots and play," IU coach Mike Davis said. "In that (NCAA) Championship game he wasn't himself because of the injury. If we had him it would have opened things up."\nAs the Hoosiers made their Cinderella run to the NCAA Championship game against Maryland, Coverdale was battling two ankle injuries. But this time, he didn't sit on the bench.\nThe first ankle injury occurred in the first-round game against Utah, and despite the injury to his left ankle, Coverdale played and scored a team-high 19 points.\nHe rolled the ankle again against Kent State, and still managed to score 14 points. But with the questions surrounding his ability to play on the ankle, Coverdale played in the Final Four game against Oklahoma and in the title game, but his game was limited because of the heavily wrapped ankle.\nBut ankle worries now behind him, a healthy Coverdale looks to step up his role on the team, and lead by example. \n"(Coverdale) has a lot of strengths," freshman guard Marshall Strickland said. "He's a real smart player, and that's what he uses most. Coverdale is consistent all the time, he works hard all the time, and he's really business-like on the court."\nBut even as a senior, Coverdale still needs to work hard at practice because of a guard-heavy team. He will be fighting to keep his substantial playing minutes.\nAnd Coverdale, a John R. Wooden Preseason All-American candidate, doesn't have amnesty from Davis' critiques. Prior to Midnight Madness, Davis expressed his unhappiness at Coverdale's alleged 11-pound weight gain. And what did Coverdale have to say about this?\n"As soon as it happened I went into his locker room and he was just laughing already because he knew why I was going in there," Coverdale said. "I weighed myself, and I'm at 199, so I got one more pound to go. I never weighed 207, I don't know where he got that. He just likes to kid around, and you have to take it the right way and not take it personal."\nWith his weight in check, his ankle feeling normal and a successful 2001-2002 season, Coverdale is ready to build on the past season's accomplishments. And he believes that the Hoosiers can make it back again, even if none of the preseason polls show that they believe it.\n"Last year, a lot of people didn't think we were very good, and we had to prove a lot of people wrong," Coverdale said. "So we are going to have to do the same this year. It is frustrating but preseason doesn't mean anything and we've learned that"
(11/05/02 2:56pm)
The bad news is that the IU basketball team has zero agreements with any recruits. The good news is that two of the top high school players were in Bloomington during Homecoming weekend, and received a boisterous welcome from IU fans.\nThe pair, forwards Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva, both of Blair Academy in New Jersey, watched while the Hoosiers held a scrimmage against each other. With the fans touting signs, and cheering them on, the pair acknowledged the crowd as they walked out of the Hoosiers' second scrimmage.\nDeng is also considering Duke, Missouri and Virginia, while Villanueva has looked at Villanova, Illinois and Seton Hall. At this time, neither the recruits nor the Hoosiers can comment on the recruiting status.\nPolling the season\nIt's that time again. Let the poll explosion begin, as polls about the projected top 25 teams in the nation begin rolling in. The Hoosiers are projected to finish the Big Ten season tied with Minnesota for second place, and a short while ago, ESPN/USA Today named IU as No. 21.\nBut facing a doubtful press is nothing new for the Hoosiers.\n"When you put people up like that, it puts pressure on you," IU coach Mike Davis said. "I think Michigan State and Minnesota are definitively the teams to beat. Look at every team in this conference, all of them have five players that are really good basketball players. When you have five players that are really good, all you need is two-or-three players off your bench to step up and play well. That's why the conference is wide open."\nIndividual awards\nIU's Tom Coverdale is the lone Hoosier who has been recognized in the preseason. The senior guard is a candidate for two awards. The first award Coverdale is on the watch list for is the Senior CLASS award. This award is for a male and a female college basketball player that decides to stay in college rather than opt for a professional league.\nThe second award Coverdale is a candidate for is the John Wooden Preseason All-American Award. Coverdale is one of 50 candidates for the award.\n"I just want to be a leader," Coverdale said. "In the games when we aren't doing as well, I just have to pick up the slack and get everyone together."\nHere to stay, for now\nFollowing the Hoosiers' memorable run to the NCAA title run, Davis was given a six-year contract by the University. The contract extends through the 2007-2008 season, and gives Davis a base salary of $225,000 per year, plus $25,000 in deferred compensation and $550,000 in marketing and promotional income.\nThe contract also includes bonuses depending on Big Ten Championship performances, NCAA Tournament performance and the academic performance of the team.\n"My wife feels good," Davis joked about the contract. "It's really good to have one. It's nice to be able to focus on basketball. This is the first season that I can just focus on basketball and that's good."\nTurning pro\nFollowing the run to the NCAA title game, then IU forward Jared Jeffries opted out of his final two years of college to turn pro. In the June draft, Jeffries was taken as the Washington Wizards top pick, 11th overall. Jeffries was the leading scorer for IU during the 2001-2002 season, and was named the 2002 Big Ten Most Valuable Player.\nJeffries has seen a considerable amount of playing time for the Wizards as the NBA season gets underway. \nAnother Hoosier that is taking a shot at the professional level is former guard Dane Fife. Fife was drafted second overall in the CBA Draft by the Gary Steelheads.