Indiana University Athletics
IU-Ball State Preview
12/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
December 27, 2004
Previewing Indiana-Ball State
Game Notes (.pdf)Updated Statistics (.pdf)
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Bloomington, Ind. - Indiana will play the Ball State Cardinals on Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. in Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Proliance Energy is the presenting sponsor for the game. The Circle City has proven to be the Hoosiers' home away from home, as IU owns a 66-11 all-time record in games played in Indianapolis. Indiana has won 15 of its last 17 regular season games played in Indianapolis.
Against the Cardinals, the Hoosiers own an all time record of 16-1, with their lone loss coming on Dec. 11, 1937 (38-42). This is also the third time the two teams will meet in Indianapolis, with the last meeting occurring exactly six years to the day on Dec. 28, 1998. IU prevailed in that game, 72-62.
• Indiana freshman D.J. White has established himself as one of the Big Ten's top newcomers. In addition to hitting .500 from the floor and .815 from the line this season, he is averaging 11 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his last five contests. Entering the Ball State game, he has hit 13 of his last 19 field goals (.684).
• Freshman Robert Vaden has been active on the Hoosier defense, as he leads the team with 13 steals. He recorded three steals at Missouri on Dec. 19 and followed that with four swipes against Charlotte on Dec. 22. At this pace, he could finish among the single-season top three freshmen in school history.
• Bracey Wright entered the Dec. 11 Kentucky game hitting .500 from the free throw line. Wright entered this season a career .778 free throw shooter, and he has regained his touch by hitting 18 of his last 22 attempts from the charity stripe.
• Junior forward Sean Kline turned in a season-high eight points (4-of-7 from the floor) and two rebounds against Charlotte. Kline suffered a torn ACL at Purdue on Feb. 14, 2004, and he has worked hard to regain his form.
Kline is vital to the Hoosiers' success. Last season, Kline averaged 7.2 points and 5.1 rebounds while hitting .576 (34-of-59) from the floor in Hoosier victories, compared to .424 field goal shooting in Hoosier losses.
