With Jared Jeffries' ankle slowly on the mend and Tom Coverdale's back spasms gradually cooperating, IU prepared for the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday. \nThe nagging injuries to IU's top two scorers forced the Hoosiers to do so lightly. \nMRI results revealed nothing new in Jeffries' right ankle, allowing the sophomore to go through drills before riding a stationary bike for the remainder of practice. The ankle is still swollen and sore, Coach Mike Davis said, but Jeffries will be ready for IU's opening game in the tournament, an 11:30 a.m. contest with Michigan State Friday in Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse. \nDavis said should IU win its first two games and advance to the championship game, Jeffries should be able to play in all three games. \n"At some point, adrenaline and desire take over, and my desire to win this Big Ten Tournament is there," Jeffries said. "As long as my ankle will allow me, I'm going to play the best ball that I can."\nCoverdale will attempt to do the same while fighting off back soreness that began before IU played at Illinois Feb. 26. Coverdale, a junior, has worn a back brace during practices this week, but said he plans to play without it Friday. He wore it during warm-ups against Northwestern Saturday, then took it off for the game and scored a team-high 20 points. \n"If it starts hurting (Friday), I'm going to have to put it on," Coverdale said of the brace. "It's not that big of a deal; it's not real comfortable, though."\nDuring his junior season at Noblesville High School, Coverdale endured similar back spasms that forced him to wear a similar brace. \nCoverdale plans to practice lightly again Thursday before the team leaves for a bus ride to Indianapolis, where it will stay throughout its run in the Big Ten Tournament.
Sowing Seeds\nDavis had two words for reporters Wednesday when discussing possible NCAA Tournament seeds for the Hoosiers. \n"No. 1," he said before a long silence. "I was just joking," he then continued between laughs. \nDavis said he expects a seed similar to last season, when IU entered the NCAA Tournament with a 21-12 record and earned a No. 4 seed after advancing to the title game of the Big Ten Tournament. The NCAA Selection Committee shipped IU to the West Regional in San Diego last season, something Davis doesn't think should happen again, thanks to IU playing the nation's third-most difficult schedule and a new plan by the NCAA attempting to keep teams close to their home region for the first and second rounds. \n"We should be in the Midwest…" Davis said. "We had the third-toughest schedule in the country, and we have 19 wins. That's got to mean something."\nShould the Hoosiers repeat last year's Big Ten Tournament run, Davis said he anticipates a No. 4 seed or better. \nOn the Brink\nAt least one Hoosier plans to watch ESPN's film "A Season On the Brink," which chronicles former IU coach Bob Knight and will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on both ESPN and ESPN2. \nSenior guard Dane Fife, who played under Knight for two seasons before Knight was fired, said he will watch, but hasn't been impressed so far. \n"From watching the previews, it's not even close," said Fife, who thought actor Nick Nolte might portray a better Knight than Brian Dennehy, who plays the fiery coach in the film. \nBecause of the intense nature of the language, both ESPN and ESPN2 will air versions, with the one on ESPN containing more graphic language. \n"We've all read 'A Season on the Brink,'" Fife said, "so you can expect a lot of 'f-bombs' being thrown out"
