Another lead blown ... almost

Dane Fife, nice job. A career-high 15 points on six of nine shooting, including three of three from three-point range proves you can score.\nKirk Haston, well done. \nA career-high 29 points and a clutch three-pointer with 3.9 seconds to play to send the game into overtime. Sweet shot.\nJared Jeffries, way to go.\n15 points and 14 rebounds is a studly line for any freshman, let alone one in the Big Ten. \nTom Coverdale, good work.\nWhile playing all 45 minutes, you had 13 points, five boards and four assists, committing only four turnovers. \nBut Saturday's 85-78 win at Penn State was not a picture-perfect game. \nIU blew an 18-point halftime lead and proved it cannot put away teams in the second half of games.\nThe Hoosiers had Iowa down by 19 in Iowa City, Minnesota down by 13 in Minneapolis and Wisconsin down by nine in Madison. The Hawkeyes, Gophers and Badgers each came back and beat IU.\nAnyone see a trend?\nI can think of one thing that would contribute to the Hoosiers allowing these teams back into their respective games: halftime adjustments.\nThey make them. We don't. \nBut fear not, Hoosiers; redemption is ahead.\nTwo very winnable games against Michigan and Northwestern at home await IU. We can prove to everyone in the nation that Indiana can bury a weaker team.\nA challenge has been issued: Blow out the Wolverines and Wildcats.\nABOVE THE RIM\nAnyone seen Andre Owens lately?\nThe freshman guard hasn't seen action in two games. Why? Good question.\nI think I just saw Jeffrey Newton hustle. \nThe 6-foot-9 sophomore forward had just four points on 2-of-9 shooting in 38 minutes of play. Oh yeah, and six rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals. \nMike Roberts, how's that bench treating you? \nWhen IU is up by 20 points against Penn State, why can't we get this guy in the game? The frosh from Oregon gets no love.\nJulius Smith, where do you buy your bow ties?\nI have decided Smith, an assistant coach, is the best-dressed coach on the team. Davis has some pretty sharp suits and is a close second. The bow tie is coming back. It's all about style. \nWait: Haston just missed another free throw.\nKirk is our money guy and had a fantastic game against the Nittany Lions. But c'mon, three of nine from the foul line is worse than Shaq. \nWhat can't A.J. Moye do?\nIn five minutes against Penn State, my favorite freshman scored five points, grabbed a rebound and had one block. Talk about a spark off the bench. Get this guy some minutes.