Young talent, new scheme unveiled

In years past, the first practice of the season has been known simply as 'Midnight Practice.' But tonight it's 'Midnight Madness.' \nInterim men's basketball coach Mike Davis has decided to let the players have fun, as a reward for their hard work during grueling individual workouts. Tonight's practice is designed for the fans, and should provide a glimpse of the talent IU possesses.\nHere are three things to watch during tonight's Madness.\nThe dunk contest\nMost of the players and coaches are predicting freshman guard Andre Owens to win the competition. Even though he's only 6-foot-2, Owens has shown tremendous leaping ability during individual workouts.\n"If I was picking favorites, I'd go with Owens," said junior forward Kirk Haston, who has been mentally preparing for the competition, but would not divulge his secret dunk. "I'm going to show you some less than stellar jumping ability." \nA.J. Moye, a freshman guard, will also attempt to win the contest. But he admits he can't jump like Owens.\n"I've never been known as much of a dunker," Moye said. "But I'm going to go out there and try."\nRachael Honegger, a senior on the women's basketball team is predicting victory for red-freshman center George Leach, a 6-foot-11 leaper. She said he has a lot of style, but difficulty landing the dunks.\n"I'm going to put my arm in the rim," Leach said. "Andre can't do that."\nThe freshmen\nThis year's incoming class is the best IU has had in recent years. Jared Jeffries, Mike Roberts and A.J. Moye join Leach and Owens to form one of the nation's top-10 recruiting classes. They are all are expected to make significant contributions, especially offensively, as Moye and Owens are likely to share point guard duties. A front line of Jeffries, Leach and Haston could prove to be the best in the Big Ten. But time only time will tell. \n"There's been days we've all been on the same team and just gave it to them," Moye said. "This is a special class. We have some exceptional talent. We're a young team but don't let that fool you." Jeffries, a Bloomington North graduate, could have the biggest impact. As a McDonald's All-American selection — as was Owens —Jeffries will shoulder a lot of IU's scoring responsibilities.\n"When you walk into a gym and see this guy, you just know he can play basketball," Davis said. "He really stands out."\nDuring workouts, Jeffries has shown an ability to hit just about any shot from anywhere on the floor, including outside the 3-point line.\nThe new offense:\nThe days of the motion offense are in the past. Davis has implemented an up-tempo system that could push the Hoosiers over 100 points several times this season. When the Hoosiers scrimmage tonight, fans will notice the difference.\n"We're going to try and do a lot of things in transition, and run more set plays," said Davis, who is teaching the team a 1-4 set. "We're going to try and get the ball to guys who can do something with it."\nAnd he'll utilize each player's special ability.\n"Jared Jeffries really stands out. We have guys who can score inside in Kirk Haston and George Leach," Davis said. "And guards who can shoot the ball -- Dane Fife is playing better, Kyle Hornsby can shoot, Tom Coverdale can shoot, and Moye can get to the basket.\n"We have some guys who can play"