Seniors hold high expectations

Seniors bring experience, expertise and excitement. Two seniors on this years men's golf team are full of these attributes. Ben Davidson and Mike Miller have been playing competitively for IU since they were freshmen. \nDavidson, a 1999 graduate of Southport High School in Indianapolis, came to the Hoosiers fresh off a stellar prep career, which included being named All-State and setting two school records with the low-18 hole score and the lowest single-season average. His freshman year was not what he had planned it to be. \n"I struggled the whole year," Davidson said. "One round I would shoot a 70, and the next round I would be in the 80's."\nPlaying in only nine rounds his first season, Davidson was looking to improve and not let himself shoot high.\nMiller was in the same boat as Davidson his first year. \nGraduating in 1998 from Farragut High School in Farragut, Tenn., Miller also came to IU fresh off a stellar high school career, which included being named the East Tennessee Player of the Year in 1997. \nMiller was red-shirted his freshman year, and did not have a chance to display his skill until his sophomore year. In his first year of playing, Miller played in 12 rounds, most of which came in the fall season. \n"I didn't play too well during some of the early rounds my freshman year," Miller said. "But I was given time to work on my game, and it has come around very nicely."\nAfter his freshman year, Miller went home and reconstructed his swing with a swing doctor. The adjustments took a year to become comfortable with and the results prove it was well worth it. \n"I made my swing into more of a body swing, instead of a wrist and arm swing," Miller said. "It was very hard to do, and it isn't usually done by college players. It's more of a professional change."\nOver the next two years the tandem worked on their game to put themselves in position this year for a run at the Big Ten and NCAA championships. \nTheir sophomore year Davidson played in nine rounds again, and Miller's rounds increased to 19. \nBut the similarities stop there. \nLast season Davidson exploded with 33 rounds, and played well the entire season except for the Big Red Shootout. He averaged a 74 throughout the season with a low 18-hole score of 71. His best finish last season was when he tied for 5th at the Emerald Coast Collegiate. The highlight of his season was when he tied for sixth at the 2001 Big Ten Championship.\n"The Big Ten tournament was by far the high point of my career," Davidson said. "It gave me a lot of confidence going into the summer."\nThe increase from nine rounds to thirty three rounds gave Davidson a little jolt. \n"I needed to stay on top of things more, and stay more organized," Davidson said. "But that just comes with playing a sport here at Indiana."\nMiller's junior year brought with it hardship and frustration. In the midst of gaining familiarity with his newly developed swing, his wrist was ridden with soreness. On Oct. 10, Miller underwent successful surgery on his right wrist to correct a dislocated tendon. \n"My wrist was a golf related injury," Miller said. "It was basically from practicing too much." \nHe was cleared to play in early February, but did not feel fully comfortable until early June. After being cleared he played in three tournaments. He tied for 72nd in the Big Red Classic. In the El Diablo Intercollegiate, he tied for 48th. And in the Marshall Invitational he tied for 84th.\n"The injury lasted until early June," Miller said. "In the beginning of the summer my game was showing the effects of the injury, but as I played more the better I got, and I feel very good coming into this season."\n"(Miller) has certainly had a very impressive summer, and I expect him to have a productive senior season," coach Mike Mayer said. \nThis season, their final year as Hoosiers has come with heavy expectations, both as a team and individually. Both men are aiming for the Big Ten Championship and to qualify for the NCAA tournament. On top of those expectations as a team, come the expectations of being named captain for Davidson.\n"There is no pressure with being captain," he said. "I just need to be more vocal and more of a leader. To be honest, I was a little surprised that I was named captain. I think this is the most talented team since I have been here. Our expectations are high. We want to win the Big Ten." \nPersonally, they both have their own goals without forgetting about the team. \n"I set my own expectations for myself. But I still keep the team in mind, and I am always trying to help the team. This year we are talented and there is a lot of potential," Miller said. "I want to play solid, consistent golf." \nDavidson's goals are not far behind.\n"I just want to play as well as I can," he said. "I also want to be named to the All-Big Ten team, and average 72-73 a round."\nThe two said there is a bright future for the Hoosier golf team. With four freshman, all of which will have an impact for Indiana, Davidson is looking forward to giving them advice on anything from traveling to shot placement.\n"I have seen most of the freshman play, and I have been very impressed with who I have seen. They will be tough," Miller said.\nOff the course, the teammates are as close as their careers have taken them. \n"We didn't get along at first, but now in the last two years are very good friends," Davidson said. "We are more than teammates"