Point guard dual turns into point guard duo

Donald Perry is learning how to become a solid point guard. Tom Coverdale is learning how not to sit the bench.\nCoach Mike Davis' no-nonsense approach -- either produce on the floor or make friends with the bench -- is working. \nThe two-man point guard system, which caught many off-guard and blends the talents of a freshman and a junior, has included healthy point production and demanding repercussions. \nFor instance: Coverdale didn't play satisfactory defense in IU's loss at Southern Illinois Saturday, so he began Tuesday night's home-opener victory against Notre Dame on the bench. Perry started in Coverdale's stead, played 21 minutes, scored four points and collected four assists. Coverdale came off the bench to play 26 minutes, score 11 points and hand out four assists. \nThat's been the status quo for the Hoosiers this season -- Perry then Coverdale, or Coverdale then Perry.\n"Overall, (Perry) is playing better right now," said Davis, IU's second-year coach. "We need Tom Coverdale playing harder for us to be good. He's had some great games for us."\nLike last season, when he dropped 30 points on Notre Dame or when he erupted for 24 points and eight assists against Wisconsin. Coverdale started 32 of 34 games last year, quarterbacked the IU offense and averaged 10.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. All that after spending nearly his entire freshman season watching from the bench, a place he has began three of IU's seven games this season. \nStill, he's carried over his success. It just doesn't start in the same place.\nAlready this season, the 6-foot-2 junior has been excluded from the starting lineup more times (three) than all of last season (two). \nIt hasn't mattered, on the court or in his head. \nHe's averaging 11.3 points and 4.4 assists per game in 30 minutes. The new view is something Coverdale has put in the back of his mind. \n"I can't worry about whether I start or come off the bench," Coverdale, the 1998 Indiana Mr. Basketball, said. "I just have to play as hard as I can, because that's what coach wants."\nDavis also wants hard-nosed play and tight defense, something that Davis said Coverdale hasn't consistently done. If Coverdale's efforts didn't satisfy Davis last season, Davis didn't have an option; he had no one to replace Coverdale at the point. \nThis season, things are different, thanks to Perry. \n"The only difference between now and last year, is now I have a guy I can put in," Davis said. "Last year I didn't."\nThe result has been the emergence of Perry, who has been in the middle of close games -- and IU victories -- against Charlotte, North Carolina and Notre Dame. In those three games, Perry committed only one turnover. He's turned the ball over just nine times this season. His 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio is the best on the team. Coverdale is right behind at 1.7. \n Perry said Coverdale's extensive experience is something the duo has used to foster their relationship and performance on the court. Coverdale has helped Perry learn the "little things and tricks," said Perry, who has left the scoring role to Coverdale. \n Perry has taken only 23 shots -- one every six minutes compared to Coverdale's one every 3.5 minutes and sophomore Jared Jeffries' one every 2.5 minutes -- but his ball-handling and ability to scoot the ball up the floor are characteristics that make him difficult to keep off the court.\nThe Tullalah, La., native said his game is slowly progressing, but he's content being quiet. Meanwhile, Davis has called Perry the Hoosiers' best on-the-ball defender and regularly praised the freshman. \nPerry maintains a ho-hum attitude and solemn demeanor.\n"I'm just trying to play defense and run the team," Perry said. "I expected to play. I'm ready for it. But, I'm not really looking for my shot. I have to do the little things."\nLike directing upperclassmen on what to do and where on the floor to be, something Perry has found a little rough. \n"Some of (the older players) are stubborn and think they're right all the time," Perry said, smiling. "It's always hard once you come into a new system and a new coach. But, everything will be alright. I think we play pretty good together."\nTogether, like Tuesday night in IU's 76-75 win over the Irish, when both Coverdale and Perry played down the stretch. The twosome began the season battling for the point guard spot, but lately, both have been in the lineup at the same time, forcing Perry to slide to the shooting guard slot. \nPerry is adjusting, as is Coverdale. And Davis exudes confidence concerning his guard tandem and the ability of both to start or come off the bench on any given night. \n"Perry is playing well. (Coverdale) has to play hard all the time," Davis said. "Coverdale is a good player, we need him, and when he plays well, we're a good basketball team."\nNo matter who runs the offense.