Hoosiers look to avoid early hole in Big Ten play

During the last two years, the Hoosiers have struggled on opponents' home courts, going 5-12 during that stretch. They have only one Big Ten win, coming against Iowa Feb. 19 of last year.\nThe Hoosiers will have to reverse that trend against Michigan Sunday if they hope to avoid doing something they haven't done since the 1997-98 season: start the Big Ten 0-2.\nThe Hoosiers (6-6, 0-1 Big Ten) are coming off a 34-point loss to No. 21 Wisconsin. It was the third loss by more than 30 points for IU this season. For the second time this season, the Hoosiers were held to 15 points in a half as the Badgers led 37-15 at halftime and never looked backed.\nIU sophomore guard Bracey Wright was held to a season low seven points, well below his average of 22.2 points entering the game. The Hoosiers only shot 29.1 percent from the field.\nOn the other hand, Michigan (10-2, 1-0) is off to a quick start. The Wolverines enter the game on a two-game winning streak, including a 78-54 win in their Big Ten opener over Northwestern. \nMichigan was led by sophomore forward Lester Abram, who scored 27 points. Senior forward Bernard Robinson Jr. added 18. The two combined to shoot 16-19 from the floor, and the team ended the game with a 65.1 field goal percentage.\nIU and Michigan have had similar results against the two common opponents. Both teams lost at Vanderbilt but beat Butler.\nIU received some good news as senior center George Leach may be nearing a return to the court. Leach has been out since Dec. 1 with a knee injury.\nTip-off is set for 4:30 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.