WOMEN'S BIG TEN
Earlier this fall at Big Ten media day, IU coach Kathi Bennett proclaimed the Big Ten as the number one or two conference in the nation. Some coaches, namely Penn State's Rene Portland, didn't exactly agree with her statement.
Earlier this fall at Big Ten media day, IU coach Kathi Bennett proclaimed the Big Ten as the number one or two conference in the nation. Some coaches, namely Penn State's Rene Portland, didn't exactly agree with her statement.
It seems as if every year the predicted finish for the Big Ten season comes out, the Michigan State Spartans are near the top. This year is no different as the Spartans were picked by the coaches and the media to be champions this year.
Something is missing from the IU bench. Down the line of cream-and-crimson uniforms last season usually sat colorfully dressed, redshirted guard Roderick Wilmont.
For the first time in Mike Davis' coaching tenure, he will have someone other than Tom Coverdale at point guard. That leaves sophomore guard Marshall Strickland running the point full time this year, which is something he said he is ready for.
IU has something that most other big time men's basketball programs can't boast about -- a coach who is returning this season.
They were the stars of their high school teams, leading them to conference titles and state championships. One of them even grew up as the son of one of the NBA's most notable players in history.
There's one thing that won't be getting in the way of a good season for the men's basketball team: team chemistry. "Last year you could see it on the court," freshman guard Roderick Wilmont said. "Everybody wanted to be the superstar and shot the ball. This year everybody has to do their part."
They've been through it all. When former IU coach Bob Knight was fired, they were there. When coach Mike Davis took over as head coach, they were there.
Winning on the road in the Big Ten isn't easy. IU learned that lesson first hand last season. The Hoosiers lost seven of eight Big Ten road games last season to finish out the conference season 8-8.
I hope there is someone on campus with interest in putting a DeLorean up for sale, preferably one with a working flux capacitor. With the recruiting class that will be arriving in Bloomington next year, it would be much more convenient for me to skip over this year and watch the most highly touted IU team in a very long time.
JACKSON, Miss. -- A line of thunderstorms moving across the Deep South on Tuesday unleashed an apparent tornado in Mississippi and roared into Alabama with enough wind to topple trees and knock out power to 50,000 customers.
After a series of thefts from the IU School of Music, the school's exterior locks have been changed, but not all of the school's locks have been replaced. More than 300 at-risk interior locks are still on the agenda, according to the IU Physical Plant.
LOS ANGELES -- Southern California coach Pete Carroll has no complaint about his team's BCS ranking, although he would prefer a different system to determine college football's national champion. Despite beating Arizona 45-0 last weekend, the Trojans dropped to third in the BCS rankings and, for the moment, out of the national title picture.
TAMPA, Fla.-- Tampa Bay star receiver Keyshawn Johnson was deactivated for the rest of the season Tuesday, a team source said.
NEW YORK -- This one was for Dad. Barry Bonds won a record sixth National League MVP award Tuesday, becoming the first player to capture the honor for three consecutive years.
The No. 19 men's cross country team qualified for the 2003 NCAA National Championships late Tuesday through an at-large bid. Thirty-one teams were chosen to compete in the men's and women's championship.
Jeff Fanter, IU Assistant Athletic Director of Media Relations, resigned Monday. Fanter, who has been in the Media Relations department since 1999, said he resigned because of changes in philosophy that current Athletic Director Terry Clapacs brought to the position when he was hired last year.
Temple men's basketball coach John Chaney has long been overrated. If his matchup zone defense was so impenetrable, how come nobody else employs it?
No. 11. Not since 1987 have the Hoosiers been ranked this high. Heading into the Regional Championships last weekend, IU was able to say they were one of the top 15 teams in the nation.
With the Purdue Boilermakers coming to town, practices will be a little more intense this week. IU coach Gerry DiNardo and the Hoosiers (2-9, 1-6 Big Ten) have their eyes focused on the prize, or Bucket in this case, as they prepare for the 106th rendition of the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue.