Sports

Gators wary of UCLA's tough defense

INDIANAPOLIS -- After spending several hours breaking down UCLA's defense Sunday, Florida's assistant coaches stepped out of the cramped video room for a short break. They were admittedly tired and maybe a little overwhelmed. The Gators haven't faced anyone like the Bruins, whose smothering, hounding, tempo-controlling defense could pose problems in the NCAA championship game Monday night.

4 Hoosiers notch personal bests in weekend invite

Four members of the IU women's track and field distance team competed in the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., notching two personal bests -- a regional qualifying mark and the second fastest 5K time in school history. Junior Jessica Gall made some gaudy predictions before the meet began and took it upon herself to follow through. "We would like to qualify as many people as possible for the regional meet and then get a lot of people through to nationals," Gall said.

IU wins Big Ten opener for 1st time since '97 season

IU recorded victories over Ohio State and Penn State for the first time since 2004 and won its Big Ten opener for the first time since 1997 this weekend, a successful beginning to what the Hoosiers hope will be a successful conference run. The Hoosiers started out the weekend with two games against Ohio State on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, IU took the victory 4-1.

IU splits weekend home matches

The IU men's tennis team felt the effects of gusty winds swirling around the Varsity Tennis Courts during its first outdoor match of the season. After fighting off the wind and some pesky opponents, the Hoosiers defeated Wisconsin Friday, thanks in part to a come-from-behind effort by junior David Bubenicek in the No. 2 singles slot. After Bubenicek anchored the 4-3 win, the Hoosiers lost a tough 4-3 affair with No. 59 Northwestern Sunday, ending IU's eight-match winning streak.

Hoosiers bear down on Cincinnati in 1-0 home win

Not even Mother Nature could stop two siblings from battling each other in IU's 1-0 win against Cincinnati Friday evening in front of about 300 people. Originally scheduled for an evening contest in Bill Armstrong Stadium as part of the Midwest Soccer Coaches Symposium, IU moved the contest to Memorial Stadium because of Friday morning's rain, which made Jerry Yeagley Field unplayable. But at the last minute, the game moved indoors to the John Mellencamp Pavilion because of lightning leading up to the game.

7 Hoosiers qualify for NCAA regionals in invite

The IU men's track and field team kicked off the outdoor season in fine form at this weekend's Diet Pepsi Invite in Gainesville, Fla., while three distance runners traveled cross-country to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Invitational. This year's performances were substantially checked by inclement weather.

Under pressure, IU takes 2 against Ohio opponents

Still sore from its loss dealt by Michigan State, the women's rowing team jumped right back into action to capture four out of five events during the weekend. Both novice 8 boats tested the waters first, completing each of their races with first-place honors. The mostly freshman second novice 8 shell, led by Allison Parman and Madison Spruell, darted quickly out of the gate to open a two-boat lead against the University of Dayton. The team's speed, which gradually grew to a four shell gap between the boats, earned it a time of seven minutes, 30.4 seconds at the finish line. Dayton concluded their race at 8:13.2.

Hoosiers drop 3 of 4 in first conference weekend series

The IU baseball team opened conference play this weekend by dropping three of four on the road against Michigan State. The Hoosiers lost two one-run decisions, falling to 8-14 overall and 1-3 in conference. "We're battling, we're just not getting over the hump," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "We just need to get that big hit or make that big play."

Brand: Violations could follow coach

INDIANAPOLIS -- Recent trends suggest new basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and IU could be more likely to receive NCAA sanctions than his former school, the University of Oklahoma, NCAA President Myles Brand said Thursday.

SEC's South Carolina crowned NIT champs

NEW YORK -- South Carolina certainly didn't begin the season hoping to repeat as NIT champions.

Pacer fans say last goodbye to Reggie

INDIANAPOLIS -- The chant of "Reg-gie! Reg-gie!" filled Conseco Fieldhouse one more time.

Hoosiers continue Big Ten quest after upset win

Topping their first nationally-ranked opponent of the season could not have come at a better time for IU men's tennis.

IU track teams begin outdoor seasons

IU women's track took a hiatus that separated the indoor and outdoor seasons, but the Hoosiers are now back to business, preparing for a long outdoor track season.

Miss-N-Out to offer 2nd pre-race competition

After taking the top place at the Individual Time Trials, Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen and Kappa Kappa Gamma rider Jess Sapp head into Saturday's Miss-N-Out among the favorites to win the second Little 500 series event of the season. Arnesen and Bella Veloce rider Abby Cooper both look to defend their title against a deep and strong field of riders.

Hoosiers continue road trip with conference series

The IU baseball team has worked toward one thing since the beginning of practice in February -- Big Ten play. All that work culminates today with the conference opener, the first contest of a four-game weekend series against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. The Hoosiers (7-11) begin conference play as part of 12 straight road games. IU has used its nonconference schedule as a sort of spring training in an attempt to iron out any problems before conference play begins.

George Mason looks to make history

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a small college gym about five minutes from where he grew up, backup guard Jordan Carter sweated through practice, the next step on the road to a place he never imagined he would reach.

Inside the press conference: new coach addresses past issues

IU men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson spoke at the press conference about recruiting violations at the University of Oklahoma and graduation rates.

Kelvin Sampson decided to come to IU less than 24 hours after being contacted, but he has long given the job thought. In theory, at least. The newly appointed IU coach was guided by the advice of an old Civil War hero -- General William "Tecumseh" Sherman, whom he often references. "He's always talking about, it's from war general Sherman: 'Life's not about security. It's about opportunity,'" said Kellen Sampson, his 20-year-old son. "He could have stayed at Oklahoma and finished a very nice career, but this is an opportunity to live every dream imaginable for him." Kelvin Sampson left the University of Oklahoma looking fairly secure. The winningest coach in Big 12 and school history, his 72 percent winning average took a backseat to OU's championship-caliber football teams. His Sooner squads made the NCAA Tournament in 11 of his 12 seasons with the team -- but that for him was part of the problem.

Arnesen captures ITT

After setting the record at Individual Time Trials last year, Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen failed to complete a quarter of a lap before his chain broke in the first spring series event of the season. Clearly disgusted with his bike, Arnesen slammed his Schwinn into the outer fence of Bill Armstrong Stadium as his fellow riders completed their trial. When Arnesen took the track two hours later, neither his chain nor the other riders would deny the senior his second ITT title in a row. Arnesen's time of 2 minutes, 17.7 seconds edged out Cutter rider Alex Bishop's time of 2:20.7 for first place.

Hoosiers drop final Big Ten tune up

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IU baseball team faltered in its final game before conference play, falling 6-5 to Butler after holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. The Bulldogs (9-12) used their home-field advantage and battled back late in the game for the win, dropping the Hoosiers to 7-11 overall. "To me there is no solace in one-run losses," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "Good teams win close games, and we have go to start winning them." The Hoosiers' hopes of winning began to dwindle away after the first two hitters in Butler's lineup reached base off IU reliever Tyler Tufts. With runners on first and third and no outs, Tufts induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Clayton Deeb, allowing a run in the process. Butler's Stephen Gill then followed with a single, and Josh Brown reached on an error from IU's Keith Haas. Butler's Tony Barnes continued the hitting spree with a single, tying the game at five. The Bulldogs' Joe Pauley ended the game with a shot to the right-center field gap, scoring Brown.