Region

Leader of the pack

The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fall into place. The stars are aligned at just the right time. And so on. In other words, as the second week of February in the Big Ten begins, the No. 22 Hoosiers are in first place, by themselves, and in control of their future. That future becomes the present starting tonight. After fighting past Louisville Saturday, IU begins its final six games of the regular season tonight when it faces Wisconsin at Assembly Hall at 8 p.m.

Around The Campus

IU's spring commencement ceremony will move inside to Assembly Hall this spring, protecting graduates and their guests from the elements. Spring commencement will also go from one to two ceremonies, because Assembly Hall is not large enough to accommodate all graduates and their families at once. About 34,000 people usually attend the May ceremony, according to a statement from the IU Office of Communications and Marketing.

Survey says: IU excels in all ways

Students at IU-Bloomington report the University has provided them with an ideal environment to grow academically and socially, according to a poll administered by the National Survey of Student Engagement. IUB excels at providing quality relationships for students with other students and faculty while providing a supportive campus environment, a University statement said.

Go out and get fit

We see it every day in the television and magazine advertisements that bombard us -- "Exercise! You should be exercising!" -- and it's not a bad idea in itself. The problem comes in the message that most often is attached: "Exercise! You should be exercising…so that you look better!"

Tickets ready for alcohol issue

Student representatives have been excluded from Bloomington's Campus-Community Commission on Alcohol Abuse -- until now. The commission, which released its "Factors and Recommendations" policy last summer regarding alcohol abuse, has agreed to open 10 seats on the commission for students. Four positions are still available.

Bryant should appreciate hometown

When Los Angeles Laker guard Kobe Bryant went to Philadelphia to participate in the All-Star game last weekend, he thought that he would be celebrating his accomplishments as an NBA basketball player. What he got was a rude awakening. During his 31 point performance, Bryant was consistently booed. It happened every time he touched the ball, and most noticeably, when he was awarded his Most Valuable Player trophy.

Junior runners dominate Big Ten

Rachelle Boone and Danielle Carruthers are more than just some of the best runners in their events at IU. They are also some of the best runners in the country. The two juniors have trained and raced together during the past three years here at IU. As members of the 2000 and 2001 Big Ten Championship 4x400-meter relay team, these women have proven that they not only are fine athletes, but devoted to their team as well.

Bennett's health improves; players enjoy bye week

The prayers continue. The hospital visits continue. And the waiting continues. Women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett's return to the sidelines after a car accident remains indefinite. Her team can only plan to have associate head coach Trish Betthauser at the helm for the near future.

The darker side of 'Vanilla Sky'

Children, weep for humanity

Cracker matures but keeps spirit

Break it down

Red hot

'J to Tha Blow'

Arnold picks bad time to 'be back'

A different beat

Iron Maiden: classic, thinking man's metal

'American Gladiators' gone to hell

Emotional thriller exposes criminals

The Moe Z Show