Hoosiers Picked Second in Big Ten

10/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

October 27, 2002

Bloomington, IN - Fresh off a share of the 20th Big Ten Conference title and the eighth NCAA Final Four appearance in school history, Indiana is picked second in the 2002-03 Big Ten Top Three Preseason Picks. In addition, senior guard Tom Coverdale, the heart and soul of last year's national runners-up, is a Preseason All-Conference selection. The top three picks and the preseason all-league team were announced Sunday at the annual Big Ten Basketball Media Day in Chicago.

In each of his first two seasons, head coach Mike Davis has led Indiana to six victories over nationally-ranked opponents. Included in this total are four triumphs over Top 4-ranked opponents, including two No. 1-ranked foes. His 46 victories are the most ever by an IU coach in his first two seasons.

Despite losing an All-Anerican (Jared Jeffries) to the NBA early for the second-straight season, not to mention veteran leaders Dane Fife and Jarrad Odle, Davis returns an experienced nucleus and welcomes one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Not only does Coverdale need 188 points to become the 37th member of the Hoosiers' 1,000-career point club, but forward Jeff Newton (70) and center George Leach (48) are the Big Ten's top two returning shot blockers. Senior guard Kyle Hornsby needs 26 more three-pointers to become the fifth player in school history with 150 career treys, and junior A.J. Moye is IU's emotional spark off the bench. McDonald's All-American guard Bracey Wright headlines a recruiting class ranked among the top 10 in the nation.

Top Three Preseason Picks-Coaches
1. Michigan State (19-12, 10-6 in 2001-02)
t-2. Indiana (25-12, 11-5)
t-2. Minnesota (18-13, 9-7)

Top Three Preseason Picks-Media
1. Michigan State (19-12, 10-6 in 2001-02)
2. Indiana (25-12, 11-5)
3. Illinois (26-9, 11-5)

2002-03 Preseason All-League Team - Coaches and Media
Brian Cook, F, Illinois
Tom Coverdale, G, Indiana
Brent Darby, G, Ohio State
Kirk Penney, F, Wisconsin
Rick Rickert, F, Minnesota