Sports

Hot bats don't help as season begins

Neither cold weather nor University of Oklahoma pitching could cool down the Hoosier bats as the IU women's softball team opened its season at the OU/Nike Classic on Friday.

Team competes with Olympian Saturday

The IU men's track and field team closed out its indoor season this weekend at the Hoosier Hills Invitational. The event signified the squad's final competitive preparation before postseason action begins next week at the Big Ten Championships. Posting nine top-five finishes and nine personal bests, the Hoosiers got a final tune-up before next week's larger stage.

Hoosiers set school record

The Hoosier contingent of juniors Annica Lofstedt, Clarissa Wentworth, Leila Vaziri and freshman Allison Kay set a school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay on the final day of the Big Ten Championships as the No. 16 IU women's swimming and diving team closed out the 2006 Big Ten Championships in fourth place in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

Hoosier Hills Invitational gives IU final Big Ten tune-up

In a meet primarily used as a warm-up for this weekend's Big Ten Championships, the IU women's track and field team had a solid performance at Gladstein Fieldhouse Friday at the Hoosier Hills Invitational.

Hoosiers upset No. 10 Purdue in overtime

WEST LAFAYETTE -- With less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday, Purdue had victory in its grasp. Seconds later, IU senior guard Cyndi Valentin yanked it away. Valentin knocked down a 3-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to force overtime. She rose to the occasion again in the extra session, connecting on a pair of free throws with three seconds to go to give IU (15-10, 9-5) a 63-61 upset of No. 10 Purdue at Mackey Arena.

Worriers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With Sunday's loss at Illinois, the Hoosiers are just two road games away from a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 1970. If IU loses in the remaining two road contests, it would be the first time since the 1969-70 season the Hoosiers have gone winless on the road in conference play. Against Illinois, the story of missed layups, lack of presence on the boards and poor shot selection was a familiar one as the Hoosiers dropped another game, 70-58.

End game

The IU basketball family needs to unite. And Mike Davis says he can't do it. At the end of a turbulent, rumor-filled week, IU coach Mike Davis made his resignation official Thursday, confirming reports that he had arranged a contract buyout with IU President Adam Herbert earlier in the week. Any speculation about Davis' status as IU's head basketball coach was settled at the press conference, as Herbert, IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan and the embattled but upbeat coach took to the podium in Assembly Hall's basketball press room. "I just felt like it was time for the former players, the fans, the alumni and anyone who loves Indiana basketball to be a part of Indiana basketball again," Davis said. "This is a great day for Indiana basketball. Trust me, it is."

White, Vaden to follow IU coach

Two Hoosier stars made it clear they would probably not return to the team after this season.

Community voices strong opinions on IU coach

Some Bloomington residents gathering at local watering holes for happy hour had strong opinions about the resignation of IU men's basketball coach Mike Davis. Most of them thought Davis -- following the legacy of former IU men's basketball coach Bobby Knight -- never had a chance at IU. Davis just didn't have the experience to live up to high expectations of the demanding IU fans, some said.

Open Opportunity

THE FAVORITE: STEVE ALFORD | IOWA Fueled by Davis' suggestion that IU fans need "one of their own" two days after the Hoosiers lost to Iowa, the Hawkeyes' basketball coach tops the growing list of potential replacements. Alford, a native of Franklin, Ind., and former Indiana Mr. Basketball, led IU to its last NCAA Championship in 1987. In his seventh season in Iowa City, Alford's team is currently in first place in the Big Ten. Though Alford's name has been widely mentioned, the coach said he is centered on this season with the Hawkeyes. "My complete focus and efforts are to help my team win a Big Ten Championship," Alford said in a statement. "That's my only concern."

Hoosiers set for rematch with rival Boilermakers

When the IU women's basketball team (14-10, 8-5 Big Ten) arrives in West Lafayette for Sunday's matchup with No. 10 Purdue, it will be looking for more than just an ordinary conference win. As the two rivals face off, bragging rights in the state of Indiana will be on the table. On Jan. 5, the Boilermakers escaped Assembly Hall with a narrow overtime victory. After losing a rivalry game on their home court, the Hoosiers are ready to return the favor.

coach Davis: 'Don't be sad'

IU coach Mike Davis said thursday was a 'great day for indiana basketball.'

Moving on despite davis' resignation, season not over yet

It would be an understatement to say the Hoosiers are traveling to Illinois with more than basketball on their minds.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

One goal for IU: Get backpacks

The IU softball team starts its season this weekend in McKinney, Texas, with one thing on its mind -- backpacks. The Hoosiers are not thinking about the run-of-the-mill North Face backpacks seen around campus, but special backpacks reserved for the participants of the Big Ten Tournament -- something the Cream and Crimson have not competed in since 1997.

Wrestling squad faces final tests

After an 11-0 start, the second best in Duane Goldman's 14 seasons as the Hoosiers head coach, the IU wrestling team hit a string of four top 10 opponents in a row. On all four of those occasions, the Hoosiers came away on the losing end, with their latest fall being last Friday's 27-8 loss to No. 8 Penn State.

'Other Miami coach' trying to resurrect baseball program

Across Indiana's eastern border, in the quaint college town of Oxford, Ohio, lies Miami University -- home to rich daddy's girls, birthplace of fraternities and former stomping grounds of mediocre Boston Celtics forward Wally Szczerbiak. It's a cute little place.

White, Vaden may both leave IU after Davis' resignation

Two Hoosier stars made it clear they would not return to the team during a press conference Thursday to announce IU basketball coach Mike Davis' retirement. Sophomore forward D.J. White and sophomore guard Robert Vaden both implied that wherever Davis ended up, they would follow.

Davis era to end

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ‑ A speculative week has seemingly climaxed as multiple media outlets reported Wednesday evening that IU men's basketball coach Mike Davis has resigned. According to the reports, Davis will remain with the team for the rest of the season, but an official resignation announcement could come from the University as early as today. A Sports Illustrated story cites an unnamed source within the athletic department. "If I say something, I'll say the wrong thing," Davis said after Wednesday night's game. "Trust me, I've been on TV the last three days, so I just need to keep my mouth quiet and focus on our basketball team."

function openWin(URL){ var theNewWindow = window.open(URL,"thewindow", "toolbars=no, width=750, height=530" );theNewWindow.focus();} Photos of the team arriving in Bloomington