Hoosiers take low-key approach

ATLANTA -- IU will play in the national championship game tonight, but you couldn't tell Sunday. \nThe Hoosiers looked loose and laid back during nearly two hours of media poking and prodding and revealed that they didn't plan to practice the day before meeting Maryland for the NCAA title. \nThe Hoosiers did head toward the Georgia Dome floor around 1 p.m. for a closed practice, but it seemed to be more of a shoot-around atmosphere than that of a down-and-dirty practice. Davis said after Saturday's win over Oklahoma that the practice would be voluntary. \nInstead of bearing down on film and running through offensive and defensive schemes, the Hoosiers relaxed. Davis has given the team Sundays off all season and during both of his seasons as the Hoosier coach, and left that plan in tact this week. Compounding his decision was that yesterday was Easter Sunday. \n"Sunday is the day for guys to go to church if they want to," said Davis, who said he is "deeply religious" and thanks God after each game, win or lose. "If my guys come in and shoot, it's on them. Now, what can you do? We know our basketball team. I don't think it makes any difference about practicing today or not."\nIU's Jarrad Odle planned to eat with his family Sunday night and turn his attention away from the pressure and building hype of the championship game. Odle said the Sundays off are welcome and didn't see a problem with maintaining the same pattern with the national championship on the line.\nIU sophomore forward Jared Jeffries cleared up the issue with a laugh Sunday, informing anyone listening that IU has been practicing twice a day since the tournament began. \n"Don't get it twisted that we haven't been going hard," Jeffries joked. "Don't think it's a big time off." \nBefore Friday's open practice, IU spent two hours prepping for Oklahoma and is expected to spend some time this morning going over Maryland. \nMaryland coach Gary Williams said he planned to have his Terrapins practice for three hours, but was talked out of it by his players. Williams prepared for a "mental practice" and understood Davis' position and convictions. \n"We'll just walk through some things today," Williams said. "Each coach has to do what's best for his team."\nANKLE AND HAMSTRING UPDATE\nJunior guard Tom Coverdale, still battling his twice-sprained left ankle, rested his foot and ankle in a tub of ice and water after Saturday's win over Oklahoma and said he'll "definitely" play tonight. \nCoverdale said his ankle has been the focus of too much attention since he re-injured it March 23 against Kent State.\nTrainers wrapped Coverdale's ankle in tape, placed an ankle brace on it, then wrapped it with tape again before the game Saturday. Coverdale scored only three points and said the injury limited his mobility, but deemed that no excuse for his five turnovers. \n"It was pretty sore after the game, but I think it will be better Monday than it was Saturday."\nMaryland coach Gary Williams said his game plan won't hinge on Coverdale's health. So did Maryland point guard Steve Blake, who will match up with Coverdale. \n"(I'm) just going to play the way I always play," Blake said. "His ankle looked fine last game."\nSophomore guard A.J. Moye is expected to play after stretching his hamstring in the second half against Oklahoma. \n'HOOSIERS' II?\nWith the national media trying to pin down IU's unexpected NCAA Tournament run, attention has turned to the similarities between IU and the fictional Hickory High in the 1986 movie, "Hoosiers," which chronicles a small school in Indiana winning the state championship.\nJeffries admitted he has already thought about who would play him and a number of his teammates. \n"Will Smith," Jeffries said without skipping a beat. \nWho would play senior guard Dane Fife? \n"Probably Woody Harrelson," Jeffries continued. "Hopefully, if we win (tonight), they'll make a 'Hoosiers II.' I've already planned it out."\nJeffries said he didn't remember watching IU's 1987 championship game, the last IU national crown, but said he watched it on videotape. Jeffries said Louisiana native Kyle Hornsby didn't see the game because he "didn't have a TV back in Louisiana then." \nIndiana natives Coverdale and Odle have recollections. \n"I remember watching it with my parents," Coverdale said. "The only thing I really remember is the last shot. If that's what people want to compare us to, that's fine"