INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 25-12; 11-5 in Big Ten (Tied 1st) Postseason: Lost to Maryland 64-52 in NCAA national title game. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Coverdale 11.9 Rebs: Newton 5.1 Assists: Coverdale 4.8 FG: Newton 49.6% 3pt: Hornsby 44.7% FT: Moye 80.5% 01-02 Stats: Indiana | Big Ten KEY LOSSES Dane Fife | 8.7 ppg Jarrad Odle | 8.8 ppg Jared Jeffries | 15.0 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Kyle Hornsby | Senior G | Bracey Wright | Fresh F | Tom Coverdale | Senior C | George Leach | Junior F | Jeff Newton | Senior Player to Watch Tom Coverdale Senior Guard Yes, he's the leading returning scorer, but his leadership is much more valuable. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 3 While Jared Jeffries, Dane Fife, Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter are gone, the rematch of last season's NCAA title game with Maryland should be a good one. .

 

INDIANA HOOSIERS

Thing have certainly changed for Mike Davis. For one, there are a lot more people who think Davis can coach. There were certainly plenty of questions in Indiana on whether Davis was the right guy to coach the much-beloved Hoosiers. First, he was replacing legendary and beloved IU coach Bob Knight. Second, his first head coaching job happened to come in a state that isn't exactly a model of tolerance. But guess what? When you take a team to the national title game like Davis did a year ago people suddenly think you're all right. Now the fans want him to do it again -- without multi-talented forward Jared Jeffries. While the Hoosiers are without Jeffries, who left college for the NBA, the Hoosiers are certainly one of the Big Ten's most talented teams. In addition to Tom Coverdale, Kyle Hornsby and A.J. Moye -- returning in the backcourt, the Hoosiers have a pair of talented freshmen in Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland. Up front, Jeff Newton -- one of the Big Ten's top shot-blockers -- and George Leach return after both having strong NCAA tournament performances.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Is there a tougher player in the Big Ten than Coverdale? He doesn't look like much of an athlete at first glance. He isn't the quickest or most athletic player, but he simply gets the job done. He constantly makes good decisions finding the open man, but can also bury the three-pointer.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
As good as Indiana's guards are, the Hoosiers are going to have to get some production out of Newton and Leach. They have to provide some offense to help give the guards open shots. And they're going to have to rebound the ball - especially with the Hoosiers requently playing three guards.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
Despite the questions about rebounding, college basketball is still a guard-oriented game. And the Hoosiers have lots of talented guards. Those guards should be able to lead the Hoosiers to a top three finish in the Big Ten and another NCAA tournament run. A repeat Final Four trip, however, might be too much to ask.