Indiana University Athletics
Nov. 15 Practice Report
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - After wrapping up the preseason with a pair of convincing wins, the Hoosiers continued preparation for the much-anticipated regular-season opener. The 2005 campaign officially gets underway against Nicholls State on Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., followed by Florida A&M at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21. Both games will be televised by ESPN-Plus and can be heard statewide on the IU Radio Network.
Following Tuesday's practice, coach Davis, seniors Marco Killingsworth and Marshall Strickland and junior Earl Calloway talked about the season opener and the team's preparations.
Forward Marco Killingsworth
"Today, we had a good practice. We are working really hard out here. We keep having good practices and are going to have a good game Friday. I'm excited and know it will feel really good to get in there and finally play. I am going to play really hard, try to defend as best as I can and listen to coach. It's important for any team to get off to a strong start, but it's especially important for us because we want to make the NCAA tournament. We have to focus on winning the games we are suppose to win, so losses don't come back to haunt you at the end of the season. "
Guard Earl Calloway
"Preparation has been really good so far this week. We are working hard. We've had to come in and learn a lot, and I think we've done that. I feel good about starting the season. The sky is the limit for this team. You can count on this team working hard. We are going to play together and pull off some wins. We've been concentrating on playing better defense and always playing hard. Boxing out, rebounding and executing our offense are going to be key in these first few games to get our rhythm down for the hard part of our season."
Guard Marshall Strickland
"I have split feelings on getting this season underway. On one hand, I am ready to go but on the other I know my last season is going to go by so fast. Preparation has been really good for the start of the season. We have been building on things that we have been working on all preseason. Step by step, we have been building up for the home opener, and we are definitely going to be ready to get this season underway Friday night. The exhibition schedule has been helpful. It's good to play against other people and define our weaknesses. We tightened up some things that were identified in the preseason games and we are excited to get this season underway at home on Friday."
Head coach Mike Davis
"We are ready to play the game on Friday night. There has been a lot of anticipating for this season, and we are prepared and excited to get this season rolling. We are not where I thought we would be because I thought D.J. (White) and A.J. (Ratliff) would be out here, but we went ahead and have been working hard. We are where we should be from the standpoint of moving the basketball. We've been working since September to change our style of play, and this team has done a great job of catching on to what we are trying to do. Defensively, we have to get better. We have to rebound the ball much better than we have and not fouling so much. I am pleased in the team ball we are playing. The way we are moving the ball and trying to get it to the open teammate is what I am really happy about."
