Men's squad starts anew

It has been more than six months since the Hoosiers suffered their first round loss to Kent State in the NCAA Tournament. But Mike Davis has just gotten over the loss.\n"I'm over it now. It took a long time," he said. "We should have won that game. That was probably one of the poorest teams we played all season. \n"The Kent State (loss) was an embarrassment."\nBut now that the memory is in the past, Davis and his Hoosiers are ready to redeem themselves. And with the healing process over, the future begins tomorrow morning at 12:01 a.m. as the Hoosiers officially open practice with Midnight Madness at Assembly Hall.\nMidnight Madness is the first full practice for the Hoosiers. They will also have a slam dunk contest and a three-point shooting contest. The women's basketball team will be involved in the activities as well.\nSeveral things have changed since last season, when the Hoosiers had an interim coach and seemed to be figuring out their new leader as the season went along. \nBut indecision and uncertainty has turned into experience and confidence. In individual workouts yesterday, the players seemed relaxed and sure of themselves.\nAnd even though fun seems to be the goal of Midnight Madness, some players are looking to get things done.\n"We're not that excited, we're just ready to work," sophomore guard A.J. Moye said. "I think the excitement was last year when we were younger. This year's team is more focused. We're ready to work, we're ready to practice and we're ready to get it to the season.\n"We still have fun and have a good time, but when we get on the court, we're about getting better."\nThat serious attitude was cultivated during the summer. Since the end of last season, Davis has wanted his team to get into better physical condition. They have done so through running and a rigorous weightlifting program.\n"I just lifted everyday," a visibly thicker George Leach said. "Last year I got pushed around too much and I don't want to have that happen anymore. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. I can run all day."\nJunior Jeff Newton and sophomore Jared Jeffries also have added some bulk, something Davis has been glad to see.\nA year ago, fans, players and even Davis himself didn't know what to expect at Midnight Madness. Players didn't know the entire offense and were getting used to their new coach as Davis was getting to know his players.\nBut time has passed, Davis has settled in as IU's coach -- minus an interim label -- and the attitude of the team has changed.\n"Night and day," Davis said of how things have changed since last year. "We've had more time to prepare. Last year it was a circus everyday for a while. Now guys are really concentrating on basketball."\nLeach has noticed the difference.\n"I think it's been less stressful," Leach said. "This year (Davis) knows he has the team's respect. He's our coach."\nWhile the players have been beefing up and holding individual workouts with assistant coaches, Davis has been on the road, securing commitments for next year from guards Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland and looking at other players.\nNow that the team will begin regular practices that will include two scrimmages a week with officials, Davis will expand the offense.\n"Last year we learned the basics," Davis said. "I had to start from page one but now I can go a little faster."\nAs far as the games tonight are concerned, it's anybody's guess who will win the three-point contest. But some are confident in the slam dunk showdown.\n"I don't see why I wouldn't win," Leach said with a straight face.\nDavis said the mention of the Kent State loss was like a knife in the back when it was brought up for the first few months. But now, the Hoosiers said they are looking forward and are ready to show the fans they are ready for a fresh season.\n"I'm anxious," Jeffries said. "That's what I'm waiting on. I want to get this season going and show what I worked hard on all summer and the kind of player that I am"