Monday, Sept. 22,2003 2:41 a.m.
Before the season starts, IU's coaches scout their first four opponents. This year, Coach Gerry DiNardo circled the UConn and Kentucky games as 'big' since they promised to be closely contested.
The Hoosiers already lost to UConn, and Saturday, IU's offense couldn't capitalize on two first quarter possessions starting near the 50-yard line and saw a tight 13-10 halftime deficit fall apart in the third quarter into a 34-17 Kentucky run away in front of 34,829 fans at Memorial Stadium.
"We went into this week saying this was a big game, a big rivalry and an important game," DiNardo said. "We put a lot into it. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves as coaches and on the players. I think we played a little bit better than we did at Connecticut, and I would say that is the good news."