Men's Basketball

Duo learns to crawl before they can walk

When they walk around campus, heads turn. Girls come up to talk to them at the bars. They've been to a Final Four and to Maui. And they're not even on scholarship.

Freshman center brings new height for Hoosiers

From afar, she looks like any other college woman, well proportioned with shoulder-length blonde hair. But when you stand next to her, it all becomes clear. This woman was built to be a NCAA Division I basketball center. Standing at a legitimate 6 feet 7 inches, freshman center Sarah McKay is set to make a splash on the IU women's basketball team.

No sophomore slump for Valentin

With only two active players on the latter half of their college careers, IU coach Kathi Bennett has a corral full of young guns to holster. One sharp shooter Bennett won't have to worry about is sophomore Cyndi Valentin. Valentin, at a mere 19 years old, is actually one of the most battle-tested Hoosiers, logging impressive minutes in all 28 of IU's games. However, minutes aren't the only statistic Valentin feasted upon last season.

Young team bolstered by ranked recruiting class

For the first time in the IU women's basketball program's history, the Hoosier coaching staff was able to recruit a nationally-ranked freshman class.

Associate head coach teaches commitment

The power of tradition within IU basketball extends far beyond the realm of the men's program. IU women's associate head coach Trish Betthauser is proof enough of that. Betthauser has forgone high-paying jobs -- a teaching career and several Division I coaching opportunities -- to remain a part of women's basketball at IU.

Five freshmen, five sophomores fuel optimism

The central theme of the 2003-2004 women's basketball team is youth. Senior Jamie Gathing is out of the lineup due to a season-ending ACL injury, leaving juniors LeeAnn Stephenson and Jenny DeMuth as the only players on the roster who were at IU the last time the Hoosiers made it into the NCAA Tournament just two years ago.

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.

MEN'S BIG TEN

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.

Wilmont ready to play after redshirt 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.

Weight of Hoosier's offense on Strickland's shoulders

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.

UConn looks to double dip

IU has something that most other big time men's basketball programs can't boast about -- a coach who is returning this season.

Scholarship or walk-on, IU freshmen expect to win

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.

Davis: Chemistry key difference from last year's team

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."

Seniors Moye, Leach look to lead team

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.

Road wins key to successful season

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.

Playing the waiting game -- 'til next year

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.

Been done before, but still scary

Sometimes, the scariest movies don't let you see the thing you are afraid of. Typically, our own fear-inducing imaginations scare us a lot more than what's revealed explicitly. Who hasn't been home alone at night and associated every little noise they heard with an intruder in the house? Well, Mark Pellington, director of "Mothman Prophecies," understands this philosophy. Seeing is sometimes not nearly as scary as imagining.

Do you know your Hoosier hysteria?

Summer work helps Hoosiers into better shape

Future doesn't faze interim coaches