ATLANTA -- The question mark continues to loom over Tom Coverdale. \nCoverdale didn't practice during IU's 50-minute session in the Georgia Dome Friday, instead resting his twice-sprained left ankle by sitting on the bench and conversing with IU coach Mike Davis. He status is still listed as questionable for IU's Final Four battle with Oklahoma Saturday.\n"They want me to rest as much as possible and wait until (Saturday)," Coverdale said. "I feel I can do some stuff on it. I haven't tested it out yet. We'll found out (Saturday). If there's any way I can play, I'll play."\nCoverdale hasn't practiced all week, but did take some jump shots during IU's morning session. He continues vigilantly icing the ankle and receiving electrical stimulation and has erased both the crutches and limp that hampered him before the Hoosiers left for Atlanta Wednesday. \nSaturday's morning practice will likely enlighten both Coverdale and his teammates on his availability for IU's first Final Four game since 1992. It will mark the first time in one week that Coverdale will be cutting and sprinting on the tender ankle. \nCoverdale's absence would be uncanny. Coverdale has played less than 30 minutes only 10 times this season and his season low for minutes played is 22, which came against UNC-Wilmington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. \nCoverdale hasn't played more than 30 minutes since IU beat Utah in the first round, but he was injured in two of the three games. The Hoosier point guard played all but two minutes before re-spraining his left ankle against Kent State in the Regional Final with 9:35 left. \nCoverdale hasn't confirmed he will play, but others involved seem to be sure he will. \n"I think he'll definitely play," Davis said. "How much, it depends on him. He's a tough guy. To keep him out, I think it has to be broken."\nDavis has Coverdale-praising company from Oklahoma. \nEbi Ere: "I think Coverdale will play."\nHollis Price: "He's going to play. He's probably hurt, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."\nIf he can't contribute, the Hoosiers have said all week they have confidence in backup point guard Donald Perry. The freshman practiced with the first team Friday and looked loose. \nPerry has played at least 17 minutes in IU's last three games, but hasn't played more than 18 minutes since Dec. 22 against Kentucky. \n"He has no choice but to be ready," Davis said. "Will it cause some confusion and havoc? Probably will. But, it won't be anything that we haven't faced before Donald Perry."
KNIGHT TIME OVER\nThe Bob Knight Question Meter is at four. \nThrough the first four games of the NCAA Tournament and much of the end of IU's season, the Hoosiers have been forced to answer questions regarding the firing of former Hoosier coach Bob Knight and the confusion that followed. \nFour different reporters asked such questions Friday. Senior Dane Fife put that to rest Friday, and appeared a bit bitter in answering the question.\n"I don't care anything about it," Fife said. "Basically, this is coach Davis' team right now. People make the big question 'You're playing with coach Knight's players.' Then Phil Jackson is winning with Del Harris' players. Pitino is playing with Crum's players. This is coach Davis' team. We consider ourselves coach Davis' players."
LITTLE GUY\nDavis' three-year old son, Antoine, has followed the Hoosier all season, often appearing at practices and press conferences. Antoine is in Atlanta and people notice. \nFor Davis, it presents the chance to forget the stress surrounding coaching in the Final Four. \n"He's good for me," Davis said. "He doesn't really care if we win or lose. As a matter of fact, he picked Duke to beat us, Kent State, all the teams. He's good medication for me."
CALM AND COOL TERPS\nOf all the four teams in the Final Four, Maryland appears to be the most casual. \nThe Terrapins' practice session, the final of the afternoon, included what mirrored a dunk contest and a half-court shooting battle. \nSophomore forward Chris Wilcox grabbed the spotlight of the makeshift dunk display with a series of thunderous jams. Junior Steve Blake, the Maryland point guard, then one-upped Wilcox by draining a shot from about 75 feet from the hoop.
