Indiana University Athletics
Minnesota Games Notes
2/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 14, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana will return to the friendly confines of Assembly Hall, when the Hoosiers face Minnesota (16-6, 6-3 Big Ten) on Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. EST. The game will be played at Branch McCracken Court in Assembly Hall (17,456) in Bloomington, Ind. This marks the 146th meeting between Minnesota and Indiana, and the Hoosiers currently own an 84-61 advantage in the series. However, Minnesota has won two consecutive games in the series.
This game will mark the second meeting between the two teams this season. Most recently, the Golden Gophers defeated the Hoosiers, 70-65, on Jan. 26 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Hoosiers were led by freshman forward D.J. White's 23 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Junior guard Bracey Wright accounted for 19 points, while freshman forward Robert Vaden had 13 points. The Hoosiers lost the game from behind the arc, going 2-of-19 from three-point range in the contest.
Each Indiana basketball game can be heard live on the IU Radio Network. WHCC (105.1 FM in Bloomington) is the flagship station for the network that has more than 50 stations broadcasting Hoosier basketball all season long. Don Fischer (play-by-play), former Indiana guard Todd Leary (color commentary) and Joe Smith (pregame, halftime and postgame host) call all of the action.
The game will be locally-televised on ESPN Plus, and is the 14th of 15 games the Hoosiers will have on ESPN Plus. Wayne Larrivee will do play-by-play, while Greg Kelser will handle the color commentary.
Scouting Minnesota
Minnesota (16-6, 6-3 Big Ten) enters the Indiana game having won three of its last four contests, including a 60-50 victory over nationally-ranked Wisconsin. Junior guard Vincent Grier is coming off a career-high 32 points against the Badgers, earning him Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
Grier leads the Gophers with 17.0 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game and 34.5 minutes per contest. Senior center Jeff Hagen is the only other player on the team to average double figures, contributing 11.7 points, while also sharing the team lead with Grier in rebounds per game (5.4). Freshman Dan Coleman (9.0), senior Aaron Robinson (8.2), freshman Rico Tucker (7.9) and Rico Tucker (7.2) each contribute over seven points a game to the cause.
The Series vs. Minnesota
Wednesday's contest marks the 146th meeting between Minnesota and Indiana. The Hoosiers currently own an 84-61 advantage in the series. However, Minnesota has won two consecutive contests. The Gophers have not won three consecutive in the series since winning three straight in the late seventies. Minnesota began that three-game streak with a 79-60 victory in Bloomington on Jan. 27, 1977. Following that win, the Golden Gophers took two more consecutive games in Minneapolis, winning 65-61 on Feb. 15, 1977 and 75-62 on Jan. 12, 1978.
The Gophers won the last time they came to Assembly Hall, taking a 73-71 victory on two Kris Humphries free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining. The free throws capped off a 9-0 run to end the game. It was just the fifth win for Minnesota at Assembly Hall.
Below is a look at a few facts between the two rivals:
SERIES FACTS
Last Meeting: Minnesota 70, Indiana 65 (Minneapolis on 1/26/05)
Indiana at Home: 54-18
Indiana at Minnesota: 30-43
IU vs. UM on Neutral Court: 0-0
Last Indiana Win: 86-81 (OT) (1/24/04)
Last IU Win At Minnesota: 86-81 (OT) (1/24/04)
Last Minnesota Win: 70-66 (1/26/05)
Last Minnesota Win At Indiana: 73-71 (2/18/04)
Most Points IU Scored vs. Minnesota: 105 (W, 105-104 1/27/62)
Most Points Minnesota Scored vs. IU: 108 (W, 108-89 1/28/90)
Current Overall Streak: Minnesota W2 (W1 at IU)
Vaden Makes His Mark
Freshman Robert Vaden was a key player at No. 1/1 Illinois last Sunday. Against the Illini, the Indianapolis, Ind., native led the team with 12 points, five boards and three assists in 34 minutes of action. He is the first freshman to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in a single game since Jason Collier did so his freshman campaign against Michigan State on Jan. 2, 1997. In that game, Collier accounted for 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a 77-65 victory over the Spartans.
Freshmen Starts
Indiana's 53 freshmen starts not only lead the Big Ten, but this is the best single-season true freshman start total for the Hoosiers since the 1996-97 quartet of Luke Jimenez, Michael Lewis, A.J. Guyton and Jason Collier started 72 games between them. The 1989-90 group of Lawrence Funderburke, Calbert Cheaney, Greg Graham, Pat Graham, Todd Leary, Chris Reynolds and Chris Lawson had a school record 73 starts between them.
Free Throw Difference
It has been noted all season long that Indiana's success is dictated in part by the frequency of its free throw line appearances. In the first five games of the Big Ten season, Indiana went 4-1 by averaging 25 free throw attempts per game. In its last four games, the Hoosiers are 1-3 by averaging less than 16 free throw attempts per game.
3-Point Production
Indiana is looking to pick up its three-point field goal production in the next seven games. Indiana has just 102 treys in the first 20 games of the season, an average of five per game. Compare this total to the last three years, which have seen the Hoosiers compile the top three single-season three-point totals in school history
Threes Season Average
270 2001-02 7.3 per game
254 2002-03 7.5 per game
204 2003-04 7.03 per game
Vaden Hitting threes
Indiana freshman Robert Vaden is currently fifth on the Hoosiers' freshman single-season three-point field goal list.
Name Season Three's Made
Bracey Wright 2002-03 66
Jay Edwards 1987-88 59
A.J. Guyton 1996-97 56
Luke Recker 1997-98 34
Robert Vaden 2004-05 29
Shooting Wright
To gauge Indiana junior Bracey Wright's value to the Hoosiers, Minnesota is the only Big Ten opponent against which Wright has scored double figures every time out. He has averaged nearly 18 points per game in his career against the Golden Gophers.
Second Half Starts
In each of the last four games, the first five minutes of the second half have been critical to Indiana's success. Over these last four contests, Indiana has been outscored 33-13 in the first five minutes of the second half.
Game Hafltime Score First Five Minutes
Illinois 26-20, Ill. 12-2 Ill. run
PSU 34-32, IU 9-4 IU run
Iowa 35-28, Iowa 9-2 Iowa run
Minn. 31-30, Minn. 8-0, Minn. run
Defensive Pressure
Even though the Hoosiers dropped a 60-47 decision at Illinois on Feb. 6, they were able to hold the nation's top-ranked team in check. At that time, the 60 points the Illini scored was a season low, 20 points below their 80.5 ppg average. Additionally, the Hoosiers held the vaunted Illinois offense to season lows of 19 field goals, 44 field goal attempts and four made three pointers. After beginning the game in a 20-3 hole with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half, IU went on to outscore the Fighting Illini, 44-40, the rest of the way.
For the season, the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.409), while also ranking fifth in three-point field goal percentage defense (.339).
Tough Get Tougher
All season, the Hoosiers' 2004-05 schedule has been arguably one of the toughest in the nation. In the February, 2005 issue of Basketball Times, that stat is backed up. According to Gordon Wise of Basketball Times, Indiana has the toughest schedule in the Big Ten, while as a conference, the Big Ten is ranked third (113.1 rating) following the Atlantic 10 (120.6) and the MEAC (114.8). Wise also mentions Indiana's overall schedule is rated as the seventh-toughest in the nation this season. The schedule won't get any easier for IU has it plays two top-20 teams in No. 12/13 Michigan State (Feb. 27 in Bloomington) and No. 20/21 Wisconsin (March 1 in Madison, Wis.).
Strickland Streaking
Junior guard Marshall Strickland has been heating up during Big Ten play. In conference games alone, the Winfield, Md., native is averaging 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.63 (25 assists, 16 turnovers). In fact, in his last three games alone, Strickland has hit 11-of-22 shots (.500) from the floor and 4-of-11 shots (.363) from behind the arc. Over that span, Strickland is averaging 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Finding Ways To Score
Although freshman D.J. White has hit just 11-of-30 shots (.367) from the floor, he is still scoring an average of 13.7 points per game over Indiana's last three contests. During that span, the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native has connected on 19-of-22 free throws, or an average of making 6-of-7 free throws per game.
Inside-Outside
Junior guard Bracey Wright and freshman center D.J. White give Indiana one of the best inside-outside combinations in the Big Ten. However, the Hoosiers are looking for more balance in the offense. IU is hitting .291 (102-of-351) from beyond the arc, compared to .479 (326-of-680) from inside the arc.
Freshman Of The Year?
Several preseason newsstand publications tabbed Indiana's D.J. White as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and the 6-9 forward is certainly living up to expectations. Over the last nine contests, White has averaged 15.1 points and leads the team with 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Among Big Ten freshmen in all games, White is first in scoring (13.6), blocked shots (2.20) and in field goal percentage (.554), second in rebounding (5.3) and third in free throw percentage (.784).
70-The Magic Number
During the Mike Davis Era, Indiana is 61-10 when it scores at least 70 points in a game. However, the Hoosiers are looking for more productivity in their offense. Indiana has scored 70 or more points just four times this season, compared to an average of 16 times in the previous four seasons.
Double Figure Streak Snapped
Against Penn State, Indiana freshman D.J White had his double figure scoring streak snapped at 12 consecutive games dating back to the Missouri contest. Thus far on the season, White has reached double digits in 16 of 20 games. Below is a look at where the 12-game streak ranked in school history among freshmen:
Consecutive Games
Mike Woodson (1976-77) 18
Bracey Wright (2002-03) 14
Jay Edwards (1987-88) 14
Calbert Cheaney (1989-90) 13
D.J. White (2004-05) 12
Jared Jeffries (2000-01) 12
Three-Point Specialist
A.J. Ratliff currently leads Indiana in three-point field goal percentage (.389, 14-of-36). If he maintains this pace, he will become the first freshman to lead IU in three-point field goal percentage since Calbert Cheaney (.490 in 1989-90).
Role Reversal
Freshman forward D.J. White has been the go-to guy as of late, which is a change from the team relying on junior guard Bracey Wright as the Hoosiers have done for most of the season. Over his last six contests, White leads the team with 13.7 points, while also contributing team highs of 6.0 boards and six blocks. However, Wright is also contributing with second bests of 13.5 points and 5.0 boards. During the three-game stretch, the duo combines for 27.2 of the 57.3 points per game average (48 percent of total points).
Three Amigos
Over the course of the season, Bracey Wright (18.5 ppg), D.J. White (13.6 ppg) and Robert Vaden (10.0 ppg) have been proving a tough trio to stop. The trio combines for 42.1 of the team's 62.8 points per game average. That equates to 67 percent of the team's points per game average.
Home Sweet Home
With a victory over Penn State on Feb. 2, the Hoosiers are now 8-3 at Assembly Hall this season. Additionally, IU is shooting .419 from the floor and outscoring their opponents by an average margin of 3.8 points (64.5-60.7).
The win moves the Hoosiers to only three wins shy of reaching the program's 400th victory in the facility. IU, which is playing at Assembly Hall for the 33rd year, has an all-time record of 397-63, which averages out to 12 wins and just 1.7 losses annually.
The Wright Stuff
Junior guard Bracey Wright continues to show why he is considered one of the top players in not only the Big Ten, but in the country. Recently coming off his eighth 20-point performance this season and 30th of his career in the, 67-60, win over Ohio State on Jan. 22, Wright is second in the Big Ten in scoring with 18.5 points per game. The last Hoosier to lead the Big Ten in scoring was Kirk Haston who did so in 2001 (20.3 ppg). In fact, over his last seven contests, Wright has averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, while also leading the team in assists (3.6/game), steals (1.1/game), points and rebounds during that stretch.
Freshmen Fab Four
The freshmen class has lived up to its billing during the 2004-05 season. D.J. White, Robert Vaden, A.J. Ratliff and James Hardy are showing why they were each highly recruited coming out of high school. In nine Big Ten games, the foursome has averaged 34.6 of the Hoosiers' 63.0 points and 15.0 of the 30.1 rebounds per game. Those numbers account for 55 percent of the scoring and 50 percent of the rebounding.
They are also found among the freshmen leaders in the Big Ten stats. As of Feb. 7, D.J. White led all freshmen in scoring (13.6), blocked shots (2.20) and field goal percentage (.554) and ranks second in rebounds (5.3). Vaden ranks second in free throw percentage (.787) and steals (1.40) and third in scoring (10.0) and rebounding (4.7). Ratliff is also seen throughout the freshmen stats, ranking second in blocked shots (0.88) third in three-point percentage (.389), sixth in rebounding (3.1) and ninth in scoring (5.6). Overall, a Hoosier freshman is in the top three in every category except for assists.
Freshmen Taking Over
The Hoosiers have arguably one of the top freshmen classes in the nation. D.J. White, Robert Vaden and A.J. Ratliff are key reasons why Indiana has won eight of its last 12 contests. For the season, the Hoosiers lead all Big Ten teams with 53 freshmen starts this season. In comparison, Penn State is second in the league with 38 starts, while Minnesota ranks third in the conference with 23 rookie starts.
In fact, on five occasion this season all four of the heralded freshmen were on the court at the same time when James Hardy, A.J. Ratliff, Robert Vaden and D.J. White played at the same time against Oral Roberts, Furman, Purdue and Ohio State. The fab four also started the game against No. 1/1 Illinois on Feb. 6 in Champaign, Ill.
One, Two, Three...CHARGE!
For the season, Indiana has drawn 28 charges for an average of 1.5 per game. Sophomore forward Pat Ewing, Jr. leads the squad with six charges drawn. Freshman guard A.J. Ratliff ranks second with five drawn charges, while Ryan Tapak has four charges on the year. Below is a breakdown of which players have drawn offensive charges on the season:
Name Charges Drawn
Pat Ewing 6
Rod Wilmont 2
Robert Vaden 1
Totals 28
Block Party
Freshman D.J. White is showing why he is one of the top shot blockers in the Big Ten. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native raised his team-best total to 44 rejections on the campaign (2.20 per game) with two blocks at the nation's top-ranked team, Illinois. White has had at least two blocks in all but seven games this season, including a season-high of five against North Carolina (Dec. 1) and Notre Dame (Dec. 8). Currently, he ranks third among shot blockers in the Big Ten.
Late Game Leads
A good way in foretelling the outcome of an Indiana basketball game is if it is winning at the five minute mark. The Hoosiers are 10-2 when they are ahead or tied at that point of the contest. However, IU's chances of winning drop dramatically if it trails with five minutes remaining. The Cream and Crimson have yet to win a game in that scenario, going 0-8 thus far on the season.
Clutch Free Throws
Here is a player-by-player breakdown of how Indiana has fared at the foul line with five minutes or less remaining in the game and in overtimes:
Name FTs FT %
Robert Vaden 20-of-22 .909
D.J. White 19-of-22 .864
A.J. Ratliff 8-of-10 .800
Marshall Strickland 15-of-19 .789
Bracey Wright 33-of-42 .786
Errek Suhr 3-of-4 .750
Pat Ewing 5-of-7 .333
James Hardy 0-of-1 .000
Team Totals 103-of-127 .811
Did You Know...
Below is a few things to take into consideration over the last several games for Indiana:
• Indiana's defense has been stifling opponents throughout the campaign. For the season, the Hoosiers allow their opponents to average just .409 from the floor. That number leads the Big Ten and ranks 51st in the country according to the most recent NCAA stats (1/31).
• Junior guard Marshall Strickland has 25 assists to 16 turnovers in conference games, compared to 32 assists and 34 turnovers in 10 non-conference contests.
• In Big Ten play, Indiana is one of only two teams to have two players among the top 10 in scoring. Bracey Wright leads the team with 18.1 ppg in conference games which ranks fourth, while D.J. White's 15.1 ppg in Big Ten games is 10th. Iowa's Pierre Pierce (19.1), who has been suspended for the year, and Greg Brunner (16.0) rank tied for first and sixth, respectively.
• As a team, IU has averaged 64.5 points and allowed 60.7 points in its 11 home contests (8-3); however, in its seven road contests, the Hoosiers have scored just an average of 59.7 points, while allowing 68.3 points a game.
