Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Men's Basketball Practice Report Nov. 23
11/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana men's basketball team held an open practice on Wednesday, Nov. 23, in preparation for its first road game of the season at Western Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 26. Below are quotes following practice.
Sophomore Guard A.J. Ratliff
On being back at practice:
AR: "It felt good to practice with the guys. Playing, shooting around and getting into some drills. I am a little winded, but I know it is going to come around."
On the injury effecting his shooting:
AR: "It feels natural to shoot. The break hasn't really affect my shot. It has affected having to get the ball and the rotation."
On how it will feel his first game out:
AR: "I think once I get out there, there will be a little rust and a little pregame jitters. Once I get into the groove, I think I will be alright."
Indiana Head Coach Mike Davis
On A.J. Ratliff:
MD: "I think he can play. I just think it is a matter of him taking a lick. He has been playing with the cast, and it will be different playing in a game with just a wrap. Today was his first day practicing in a long time. I thought he did a good job today. He made some shots. Tim (Garl) and those guys will make sure that when he comes out he is ready."
On Western Illinois:
MD: "They are a tough team defensively on the ball. Last year, they played us well. They really got into us last year, and we had a lot of turnovers in that game. They pressed and zoned. We are kind of use to that since we played against Florida A&M. We are going to have a game where it is probably going to be zone for 40 minutes."
On the importance of winning on the road:
MD: "I think anytime you go on the road and win, it is a break. That is what we are going to try and do, go in and play our style of basketball. It is important that we play our style, don't have any distractions and come out and do what we have been doing since day one, getting the basketball out of the rim and pushing it down the floor. We have to get better defensively. We are giving up too many points in the first half."
