Leach's return equals defensive improvement; Wilmont provides offensive spark off the bench

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Hoosiers have senior George Leach back. The senior center made his return to the basketball court after injuring his knee in the Nov. 29 game against Xavier.\nLeach has spent the past month sitting out and rehabbing his knee in hopes of being able to play again this season. The return was needed, as he helped lead the Hoosiers to a 59-57 win over Michigan in Crisler Arena.\nLeach said he felt rusty and was tired within the first couple of minutes.\n"I thought all the running, the stair master and running the stadium would not make me feel that bad, but it killed me," Leach said. "But I felt good out there, just being on the court."\nLeach started the game and played ten minutes in the first half, 23 overall. IU coach Mike Davis said he started Leach and forward A. J. Moye because they are seniors and the team doesn't have a lot of experience in Big Ten play.\nLeach finished the game with six points and three rebounds. Davis and Leach both said that he was a presence in the paint as he had four blocks and altered several others.\n"All those guys love having me behind them," Leach said. "It gave them a little comfort and leeway to have me back there. I shot 3-10, which is more than I should have shot today. The rest of this week, I'll shoot and get my shot back."\nFreshman guard Roderick Wilmont also stepped up for the Hoosiers (7-6, 1-1 Big Ten). He scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, going 4-10 from the field and 2-6 behind the arc. He entered the game at 17:13, when sophomore guard Bracey Wright had to leave following a collision with the referee.\n"I knew it wasn't nothing serious cause he just got the wind knocked out of him," Wilmont said "I knew once he went down I had to come in and step up right away and fill that void… Once I'm in there, I have to step up and just play hard."\nWilmont was 5-12 on the day and had four rebounds. IU sophomore guard Marshall Strickland said Wilmont is an exciting player to watch. \n"He's real aggressive on offense, and then he plays great D," Strickland said. "I think once we get him to understand the system more and play in the rhythm, he'll be a great player for us."\nStrickland also said it was great to have Leach back because the team has been missing an inside threat. Now they can pound the ball inside and get some baskets, he said. \nWilmont added that the whole team is happy to see Leach back on the floor.\n"He does the little things," Wilmont said. "But him just standing there is great because people aren't going to just drive to the hole without being a little timid because he's a shot blocker." \n-- Contact staff writer Tyler V. Hoeppner at thoeppne@indiana.edu