Big men on campus

In the national semifinal against Oklahoma last season, senior forward Jeff Newton stepped onto the court amid cheers from the many hometown faithful who had shown up to support the Atlanta native. \nAs the night progressed, those cheers grew louder and louder.\nFormer Hoosier big man, and current Washington Wizard, Jared Jeffries struggled under the Sooners' defensive pressure that night, and mustered only eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot in 27 minutes.\nBut Newton, who had been relegated to the bench for much of the season, played aggressively on both ends of the court. He finished the game with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, six rebounds, four blocks and two assists, and did so in just 23 minutes. \nIt was the type of production that coach Mike Davis had always sworn was there but, before the Oklahoma game, had been displayed by Newton only in flashes.\n"That (game) was just the point where I knew what I was capable of doing, and my teammates knew what I was capable of doing," Newton said. "(Now) it's just about time I go out and show everyone else what I am capable of, and that's what I plan on doing this year."\nDavis said much of the team's success will hinge on whether Newton can step into a consistent starting role and become the team's go-to forward on offense and serve as an intimidating presence on defense.\n"I think (Newton) can be an NBA player," he said. "And in order for him to be an NBA player, I've got to do a real good job of coaching him and putting him in that position, because he has the talent. He's playing well right now, he's playing great, and he has to be good for us to be good this year."\nJunior center George Leach will also see his role increased on this year's squad. \nAs last season began the 6'11" Leach made his presence felt in the paint and worked his way into the starting rotation. \nIn the Hoosiers' first 12 games he averaged 4.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. Against Miami (Fla) he was three blocks shy of a triple-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.\nBut in IU's Big Ten opener at Northwestern, Leach went down with an ankle injury and Jarrad Odle stepped in for him, recording 16 points and 15 rebounds. Leach's injury sidelined him for three games and Davis moved Odle into the starting center role for the remainder of the season.\nBut Odle graduated last year, and Jeffries is playing in the NBA. Davis said a large portion of the Hoosiers' frontcourt minutes will now go to Newton and Leach.\n"Without Newton and Leach playing 25-30 minutes a game, it is going to be very difficult for us," Davis said.\nIn order to prepare for their promotions, both big men spent their summers in Bloomington instead of going home.\nNewton said he stuck to a strict workout regimen.\n"I'd get up and I'd go lift first around 9 or 10 (a.m.)," he said. "Then I'd shoot for probably about two hours. After that, I'd go grab something to eat, then I'd go back and lift again and then I'd work on my ball handling. I would be in (Assembly Hall) from 10 (a.m.) to like 4 or 5 (p.m.) everyday."\nLeach followed a similar schedule and said his game has developed significantly. He noted that working with guards A.J. Moye and Donald Perry, who also were in Bloomington all summer, also helped him improve.\n"My strength is a lot better," he said. "My hands are better. I'm catching the ball more solid now (and) I'm not dropping a lot of balls. I've gotten better with a lot of stuff by working with Donald and A.J. too-catching balls, post up stuff -- and then guarding Newt everyday (helped) because he's so quick."\nPutting on weight was another major goal for both Newton and Leach last summer. Leach has added 20 pounds of bulk to his frame and Newton said he has gained between 10 and 15.\nOn a team saturated with scoring guards, both said a major goal will be to lead the team's defensive attack.\n"We want to continue to block shots," Leach said. "Maybe me and (Newton) can average seven (combined blocks) a game, or more hopefully. We want to control the paint this year"