Schedule benefits IU

With the Hoosiers' next three games at Iowa, at Ohio State and at Penn State, coach Mike Davis pointed to Tuesday night's game against No. 25 Michigan State as a big one for the Hoosiers.\nAnd after fighting through a rugged pre-conference schedule that included trips to Charlotte, Alaska and Miami, the Hoosiers have enjoyed being at home before going on the road again. But those tough road games are appreciated now.\n"I think our preseason schedule has made all the difference for us, even though we went 7-5, it was the second toughest in the country," junior guard Tom Coverdale said. "It's prepared us for the Big Ten."\nA big part of playing in the Big Ten is being able to be consistent in a hectic schedule that strings together home and road games. The Hoosiers are now riding their longest winning streak of the season at three games.\nThe last two of those wins have come at home and, culminating in a perfect 4-0 at Assembly Hall. The presence of more than 17,000 fans never helped more than Tuesday night.\n"I just think this team loves playing at home," Coverdale said. "We knew that we had to come out with a lot of emotion."\nAfter the strong performance last night, and after all the miles the Hoosiers have already logged, Coverdale is confident IU can keep its play at a high level.\n"We know we're ready after one big game to step up at another," Coverdale said.\nIowa is next.\nBIG NUMBERS\nSophomore forward Jared Jeffries had 21 points Tuesday night. And eight rebounds. You can also throw in seven assists and six blocked shots all in 34 minutes. Jeffries came within shouting distance of a quadruple-double, needing only two rebounds, three assists and four blocks.\nWith a national television audience and against a ranked opponent in front of the home fans, Jeffries knew the Hoosiers had to come through and silence the doubters.\n"I think a lot of people have counted Indiana out because we were so up and down," Jeffries said. "They think we're going to be like the typical Indiana team has been the last five, six years, but it's not going to be like that this year."\nIZZO DISAPPOINTED\nThe Spartans have won at least a share of the Big Ten title for the last four seasons, and they've advanced to the Final Four the last three. Michigan State won the National Championship in Indianapolis in 2000 playing a physical style of basketball and mixing in good shooting and smart all-around play.\nMost of those things were missing Tuesday night, and Coach Tom Izzo wasn't afraid to admit it.\n"That was probably the most lackluster performance my team has ever played with," Izzo said. "I'm embarrassed"