Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Host Vanderbilt
3/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 14, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana (15-13, 10-6 Big Ten) will return to the National Invitation Tournament for the first time since 1985 when it squares off against Vanderbilt (18-13, 8-8 SEC) on Wednesday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET. In 1985, the Hoosiers finished 19-14 overall after falling to UCLA in the championship game.
Indiana owns a 6-2 advantage in its all-time series with Vanderbilt, including a 3-0 mark in Bloomington. This is the third consecutive year that the Hoosiers and Commodores will meet on the hardwood.
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 nationally-televised on ESPN2. Dave Barnett will do play-by-play, while Jimmy Dykes will handle the color commentary.
Scouting Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt (18-13, 8-8 SEC) enters its NIT game against Indiana having lost two consecutive and three of its last five contests. Most recently, the Commodores dropped a 77-73 decision to Auburn in the opening round of the SEC Tournament in Atlanta, Ga. on March 10.
Junior guard Mario Moore leads the team with 13.4 points and 3.8 assists per contest. Senior forward/guard Corey Smith, who is the only other Commodore to average double figures, ranks second on the team in scoring (12.0) and rebounds (4.3) per contest.
As a team, the Commodores average 71.6 points per contest, shooting .467 from the floor and .386 from behind the arc. Two Vandy players, Dawid Przybyszewski (.443) and Shan Foster (.437) average above 42-percent shooting from three-point range.
The Series vs. Vanderbilt
Wednesday's contest marks the ninth meeting between Vanderbilt and Indiana. The Hoosiers currently own a
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This will mark the third consecutive year the two teams have met, the longest such streak in the series' history. Below is a look at a few facts between the two rivals:
SERIES FACTS
Last Meeting: Vanderbilt 73, Indiana 60 (11/24/03 in Nashville)
Indiana at Home: 3-0
Indiana at Vanderbilt: 3-2
IU vs. VU on Neutral Court: 0-0
Last Indiana Win: 73-56 (12/9/02)
Last IU Win At Vanderbilt: 84-73 (12/4/90)
Last Vanderbilt Win: 73-60 (11/24/03)
Last Vanderbilt Win At Indiana: Never
Most Points IU Scored vs. Vanderbilt: 88 (W, 88-51 on 12/10/91)
Most Points Vanderbilt Scored vs. IU: 79 (W, 79-75 on 12/9/86)
Current Overall Streak: Vanderbilt W1 (L3 at IU)
IU In the NIT
Indiana has a rich history in its previous three appearances in the NIT. The Hoosiers own an 8-2 all-time record in the NIT, winning it all in 1979 and finishing runners-up in 1985. The Hoosiers were also in the Tournament in 1972, falling in the first round to Princeton. Two years after each of these appearances (1981 and 1987), the Hoosiers won the national title.
Wilmont Warms Up
Since getting the starting nod against Michigan on Feb. 20, sophomore guard Roderick Wilmont is showing why he belongs in the first five. Over that span, Wilmont has averaged 6.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, leading Indiana to four wins over that stretch. More impressively, he has connected on 9-of-16 (.563) shots from behind the arc, including hitting seven of his last eight three-point attempts.
In fact, over his last three contests, Wilmont is third on the team in points (10.3) and leads the team in rebounds (6.3) per contest.
Wright-ing The Ship
One of the primary reasons for Indiana's success in the last six games has been the steady play of All-American candidate Bracey Wright. Despite missing three games from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15 with an ankle injury, Wright has shot 31-of-35 (.886) from the line and 16-of-34 (.471) from three-point range since the Feb. 20 Michigan game. Entering the game against the Wolverines, Wright was hitting .288 from three-point range and .758 from the free throw line. Furthermore, IU has won the last nine games in which Wright has led the team in scoring.
Double-Double Trouble
Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White made a statement in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament against Minnesota. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native accounted for 21 points and 10 rebounds, seven of which were offensive, to record his second career double-double. White also tied his career high with five blocked shots against the Gophers.
White is leading the team in scoring over the last three contests, averaging 13.7 points per contest, while also collecting 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over that span.
HomeCourt Advantage
Entering the Feb. 12 game against visiting Minnesota, Indiana averaged 64.5 points per game at home on .419 shooting from the field. In the last four home games, the Hoosiers have averaged 76.2 points per game on .515 shooting from the floor (100-of-194) from the floor and .507 from three-point range (38-of-75). Even more impressively, IU has a plus 1.3 assist to turnover ratio (50 assists and 40 turnovers) and have outscored its opponents by an average of 14.5 points (76.2-61.8) during the stretch.
Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall provides one of the most distinct homecourt advantages in the nation. Since that dramatic, 94-82, double overtime victory over Marquette in the 1985 NIT quarterfinals (March 24, 1985), IU is 22-4 in March home games.
Will History Repeat?
Junior guard Bracey Wright will hope his trend will continue when he plays against the Commodores. Last season, Wright accounted for his second career double-double with 18 points and a career-high 11 boards in the 73-60 loss in Nashville. The previous year in Bloomington, Wright struck for 31 points, five boards and five assists in IU's 73-56 triumph.
In two games during his career against Vandy, Wright has averaged 23.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Home vs. Road
Indiana was happy to see it was hosting the first round of the NIT. In 15 home games during the 2004-05 campaign, the Hoosiers have shot .443 from the floor, .363 from beyond the three-point line and averaged 67.6 points, while holding opponents to .404 from the floor and .305 from three-point range and 61.0 points per contest. It has been the compete opposite on the road, where IU has shot just .414 from the floor and .295 from beyond the arc compared to hitting .438 of its opponents shots, including .361 from three-point land. The Hoosiers are being outscored by nearly seven points on the road as well (66.0-59.2).
Perhaps no other player has felt the effects worse than junior guard Bracey Wright. In home games this season, Wright has blistered the nets, averaging 19.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while hitting .418 of his threes and .802 from the foul line. However, Wright's numbers drop dramatically on the road where he has connected on only 5-of-44 threes (.114) and is averaging 14.9 points, while shooting only .333 from the floor.
Wright is not the only Hoosier player with a noticeable statistical difference between home games and road games. Freshman forrward Robert Vaden is hitting 30-of-34 (.882) from the free throw line at Branch McCracken Court, compared to .667 (14-of-21) away from Bloomington. Sophomore guard Roderick Wilmont is hitting 11-of-25 (.440) from beyond the three-point arc at Assembly Hall and just .273 (3-of-11) away from it.
Together Again
Indiana's opening round NIT game will have special meaning for Vanderbilt freshman forward Adam Metcalfe and Indiana freshman forward Lucas Steijn. The duo were teamates at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg, Tenn. The tandem, along with other Division I signees from the same team in Jason Killeen (Winthrop) and Joe Posey (James Madison), led the team to an 19-8 record and the 2004 Virginia Division II state title.
Hoosiers Honored
Junior guard Bracey Wright and freshman forward D.J. White were each honored by the Big Ten, the league office announced on March 8. Wright, the Big Ten's leading scorer, received first team accolades by the media and second team honors by the coaches. White was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, as well as earned an honorable mention selection by both the media and coaches.
Wright's first team selection marked the 53rd time in IU's history that a Hoosier has been named to the first team, which is the most honorees from any one school in league history.
Additionally, freshman Robert Vaden was named to the All-Freshman team along with White, while senior Mike Roberts was the Sportsmanship Award recipient for the Hoosiers.
In addition to White's league honors, he also was tabbed a freshman All-American by Rivals.com on March 7 and College Insiders.com on March 8. White becomes just the seventh Indiana player to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in the program's history, and the first since Jared Jeffries received the honor after his rookie year in 2001.
Wright was named to the Big Ten's top team for the first time in his three-year career, and is the first Hoosier to earn the honor since Jeffries did so in 2002. His second-team award from the coaches is his second in as many years. His six Big Ten Player of the Week honors are the most of any active player and rank among the top seven in league history. Wright was also named to the NABC First Team All-District earlier this season.
Sharing the Wealth
A good way in foretelling an outcome of an Indiana game is how many players reach double figures. Thus far on the season, the Hoosiers have a record of 14-6 when three or more players reach double digit scoring. However, IU has a 1-7 record when two or less players reach double figures in a contest. The only win this season when that has occured came on Jan. 22 in a 67-60 win over Ohio State in Assembly Hall. Bracey Wright had 23, while D.J. White scored 15 to account for the Hoosiers in double figures.
Dishing it Out
One of the reasons the Hoosiers have won four of their last six contests is due to playing team basketball. IU has worked on moving the ball around and it has shown, as the Hoosiers have dished out an average of almost 14 assists per game. Additionally, Indiana has accounted for 81 assists during the six-game stretch, compared to only 56 turnovers.
Three-Point Barrage
Perimeter offense and defense have also been instrumental to IU's four victories in its last six games. Entering the Feb. 20 Michigan game, IU was 114-of-378 (.302) from beyond the arc while allowing opponents to hit 125-of-378 (.331). Since that game against the Wolverines, IU is hitting 55-of-117 (.470) from beyond the arc compared to its opponents' 34-of-104 (.327).
In addition, Indiana has hit 10 or more three-pointers in three of their last six games, compared to two double digit trey performances in the previous 22 games.
Bench Play Improves
Increased bench points have also fueled Indiana's strong finish to the regular season. The Hoosiers have scored 20-plus points in three of the last six games and are averaging close to 17 bench points per game during this stretch. Leading the way for the reserves is freshman guard A.J. Ratliff. Since being relegated to the bench, the Indianapolis, Ind., native has improved his game. During the six-game stretch, Ratliff is averaging 6.8 points, which ranks fifth on the team, 2,3 rebounds and has hit 8-of-12 (.667) shots from three-point range.
Favorite Time of Year
Under head coach Mike Davis, the Hoosiers play some of their best basketball in March. During the third month of the calendar year, IU is 18-10 since 2001.
Perfection!
When Indiana defeated Northwestern, 77-55 on March 5, the Hoosiers earned Big Ten win number eight at Assembly Hall this season. The Hoosiers finished the season with a perfect 8-0 mark in conference games on Branch McCracken Court, leaving top-ranked Illinois as the only other team in the league not to have lost on its home floor.
The Hoosiers went 8-1 at home in 1995-96. IU's only home loss came to Purdue, 74-72, on Feb. 25, 1996 in Bloomington. However, Purdue was later forced to forfeit that game, along with 17 other league games, due to an ineligible player. Therefore, the last time that Indiana won all of its league home games without forfeit was 1993-94 (9-0).
Additionally, Indiana will enter the 2005-06 campaign with a 10-game homecourt winning streak. This is the best winning streak by a Hoosier team since a 10-game string from Feb. 20, 2002 (63-57 over then-No. 19 Ohio State) through Jan. 21, 2003 (69-51 over Ohio State).
Wright Way
To gauge Indiana All-American candidate Bracey Wright's impact on the Hoosier record books, consider that he is on pace to become just the fifth player in school history to score at least 490 points per season in each of his first three years.
Name Three-Year Stat Total
Calbert Cheaney 1989-92 1,828
Mike Woodson 1976-79 1,791
Steve Alford 1983-86 1,689
A.J, Guyton 1996-99 1,530
Bracey Wright 2003-present 1,481
Additionally, Wright is the third Indiana player since 1990 (A.J. Guyton in 2000 and Brian Evans in 1996) to take the Big Ten scoring title.
Hoosiers Regain Their Trademark
Three-point shooting prowess has long been a trademark for Mike Davis-coached teams, and that has certainly been evident the last seven games. Entering the Feb. 6 Illinois game, Indiana was 98-of-337 (.294) from three-point range. That has improved since, as Indiana has hit 71-of-156 (.455) over the last eight games.
The Wright Choice
Indiana junior guard Bracey Wright was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the first time this season and the sixth time of his career it was announced by the conference on Feb. 28.
The All-American candidate averaged 29.5 points to lead IU to a pair of key victories. He scored 19 of his game-high 27 in the second half to lead the Hoosiers past Purdue, 79-62, on Feb. 22 and then notched a season-high 32 in a 78-74 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Feb. 27. He was 18-of-33 from the floor and 10-of-16 from three-point range. His performance during that week moved him to the top of the Big Ten scoring standings (18.7 ppg), while he also ranks among the statistical leaders in free throw percentage (ninth, .775) and three-point field goals made (11th, 1.91). His 32-point effort against the No. 9 Spartans was his third 30-plus point effort of the season and the sixth of his career.
That 70's Show
Under head coach Mike Davis, Indiana is 66-10 when it scores 70 or more points, including 17-4 in road contests.
Sultan of Swat
Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White blocked five shots against Minnesota, raising his total to 62 blocks on the season, which are a school record for a freshman and are eighth-best in school history.
With his five-block performance against Minnesota, White joins Dean Garrett, George Leach and Jared Jeffries as the only players in school history to record at least five blocked shots three or more times in the same season.
Season - All Games
1. Dean Garrett 99 1987-88
2. Dean Garrett 93 1986-87
3. George Leach 79 2002-03
4. Uwe Blab 72 1984-85
5. Jeff Newton 70 2001-02
6. Uwe Blab 69 1983-84
7. Alan Henderson 64 1994-95
8. D.J. White 62 2004-05 T9. Jeff Newton 56 2000-01
T9. Alan Henderson 56 1993-94
In addition to his defensive exploits, White's .574 FG percentage is the best by a Hoosier since Alan Henderson shot .597 in 1994-95.
Class Records
Here is a look at where D.J. White and Robert Vaden rank among IU freshmen single-season records.
Field Goal Percentage (100 Att. Minimum)
Brian Sloan 1984-85 0.637
Steve Alford 1983-84 0.592
D.J. White 2004-05 0.574
Three Pointers Made
Bracey Wright 2002-03 66
Jay Edwards 1987-88 59
A.J. Guyton 1996-97 56
Robert Vaden 2004-05 44
Blocks
DJ. White 2004-05 62
Alan Henderson 1991-92 50
Jeff Newton 1999-00 49
Freshmen Starts
Indiana's 72 freshmen starts not only leads the Big Ten, but is also matches 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.
