Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Men's Basketball Practice Report Nov. 8
11/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana men's basketball team held an open practice on Tuesday, Nov. 8 in preparation for its exhibition game against Indianapolis on Thursday, Nov 10. Below are quotes following practice.
Indiana Head Coach Mike Davis
On being without D.J.:
MD: "It is disappointing because he was playing so well. But at the same time, Sean Kline is playing very well. He is a fifth-year senior. You are not replacing a sophomore with a freshman, you are replacing him with a fifth-year senior. If we started today, we would start with Marco Killingsworth, Sean Kline and Lewis Monroe, who are all fifth-year seniors. So we would start three guys that are fifth-year seniors along with Marshall Strickland, who is a senior, and Robert Vaden. So we have an experienced team. We are definitely going to miss D.J. He was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was playing well, and (A.J.) Ratliff is out. So, we are missing two guys that probably could have started for us if they were playing. We have a lot of depth. We are going to miss D.J. He broke it, and we aren't sure how much time."
On the guards crashing the boards:
MD: "We got outrebounded by Saint Joseph's, so everyone has got to rebound. That has been our problem for the last couple of years. We haven't been a very good rebounding team. Coach (Sidney) Green comes in, we are going to put him in charge of it and make sure he focuses on rebounding."
On the rebounding problem:
MD: "I think it is just a matter of not being aware. Now we have tough guys. Marco (Killingsworth), (Robert) Vaden, Earl (Calloway), (Lewis) Monroe are all tough guys. So, I think it is just a matter of us not doing it."
Sophomore Forward D.J. White
On the pain:
DW: "I don't have too much pain. It is off and on depending on how much I walk. I have to go to class and different stuff like that, but there really isn't too much pain."
On being surprised that his foot was broken:
DW: "I was kind of surprised. On the court, I knew there was something was wrong with it because of the pain and discomfort on Friday in the exhibition. When I heard the news, it surprised me, but it didn't surprise me that much because I knew something was wrong. I could just tell."
On knowing how it happened:
DW: "I have no clue how it happened. I fell a few times during the game. I think I fell like three times during the game, but I have no clue how it happened. It is just one of the things."
On being out an extended amount of time previously in his career:
DW: "I was out in high school for a while, but not this long. It is one of those things I will have to work with. I will be ok though."
On it being early in the season:
DW: "If I am going to be out, it is good to be out now. I know it is possible for me to miss some big games, but I know I have the Big Ten season and hopefully, the NCAA Tournament to look forward to. I am going to take my time, rehab and get back to full strength."
On the time frame of getting back:
DW: "You never know. I am going to do all the treatment that I can and let it heal. I want to get back as quick as possible, but we don't want to rush anything and risk further injury. I am going to take my time with it and get back when I can."
On being disappointed:
DW: "It hurts that I can't be out there with my teammates. I am a competitive person, and I love to play. Sitting on the sidelines watching is going to be difficult, but it is something I have to deal with."
Senior Guard Lewis Monroe
On getting to play a real game (exhibition against St. Joseph's Ind.):
LM: "It felt great. I think I got a little to anxious and excited at times, especially early on. Luckily it was an exhibition so maybe next time I will know what I need to do to stay on the court longer."
On benefit of starting season with two exhibition games:
LM: "It definitely helps. We have a chance to get everybody out there, and win or lose it doesn't count. It gives us a chance to work things out and try some new things and find out what works."
Senior Forward Marco Killingsworth
On the team's goals and expectations for the season:
MK: "We have been working hard, D.J (White) and I have been lifting weights and working out and have been looking forward to how good we are going to be. This is my senior year and I am expecting big things. We just can't wait to get A.J. (Ratliff) and D.J back."
On getting back into a real-game situation:
MK: "It felt real good. I was smiling when I made my first shot. I had some butterflies all day. I wasn't really nervous, just really excited to get out there and play a game. Once I got on the court and got into the flow of the game, everything went away."
Sophomore Forward Robert Vaden
On the opportunity for younger players with the injuries the team has so far:
RV: "It is a good chance for our freshmen, Joey (Shaw), Ben (Allen) and Cem (Dinc) to get out there and get some good playing time and good experience. We just need guys to set up and play well while people are out. I got some good experience last year and it really helped out and I think it can help these guys too."
On possibility of playing some in the post this season:
RV: "I don't care. I played some there last year if Ben, Cem or (Sean) Kline can't play I would be able to step in. I have some experience down there so I don't think it would be a problem. We have a lot of depth this year."
