With students taking a much-needed three-week break from the rigors of academe, the IU men's basketball team wasn't given that fortune. IU lost the final two games of their tough six-game stretch before picking up three much-needed wins against easier foes.
IU at Missouri Dec. 19\nIn the Hoosiers' fifth game of their tough six-game stretch, junior guard Bracey Wright couldn't be the hero after all.\nLeading 31-16 at the half, the Hoosiers were looking toward breaking their four-game losing streak. But shooting 83 percent in the second half, the Tigers chipped away at the IU lead by the minute. \nWith 31.2 seconds left and Missouri leading by one, Wright drove but had the ball knocked away, leading to the Hoosiers' fifth straight loss at the time, 56-53.\nFreshman D.J. White led IU with 13 points, Wright had 12 and freshman Robert Vaden added 10.
IU vs. charlotte Dec. 22\nIn the most heartbreaking loss of the season, Charlotte guard Brendan Plavich hit a game-winning half-court shot with 0.7 seconds left to give the 49-ers a 74-73 win at Assembly Hall. \nThe loss gave IU six consecutive losses, all against 2003-04 NCAA Tournament teams. \nInitially the shot was not allowed, but after an officials' discussion and consultation with a video replay monitor, the shot was added to the Charlotte's score. \nIU had four players in double figures, led by Wright's 19 points, and White's 18 points.\n"With all the bad luck we have had and as of now, there is always going to be sunshine after the rain," Wright said.
IU vs. ball state Dec. 28 \nAT Conseco Fieldhouse\nThe Hoosiers snapped their six-game losing streak in the state capitol, three days before the New Year against Ball State, 71-59.\nLed once again by Wright with 29 points, the Hoosiers shot 48 percent from the field in the first half to pace the win. Against Ball State was the first time that freshman A.J. Ratliff started for IU, and he added four points to the team's total.
IU vs. oral roberts Dec. 31\nThe Hoosiers ended 2004 on a high note, led by freshman D.J. White. \nIn an unsuspected struggle against Oral Roberts on the last day of the year, White capped off the 69-68 win with a last second jump hook to secure the win.\nThat basket gave White 23 points, to join his 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.
IU vs. furman Jan. 2\nWith just a day off to celebrate 2005, IU got right back to work and off on a good foot with a 68-52 win over Furman.\nIn the team's last non-conference game of the year, the Hoosiers' defense kept Furman's offense at bay, limiting them to only 31 percent shooting for the game. \n"We definitely needed one like this where we could come out and gain some confidence going into league play," Davis said.\nThe team's third straight win came with 25 points from Wright and 17 from White.
Davis firing rumors continue\nAt halftime of Sunday's Kansas-Kentucky game on CBS, CBS SportsLine reporter Seth Davis said that he does not think Mike Davis will be fired or let go during the season, but it would take a trip to the NCAA Tournament for him to keep his job. \nSeth Davis also said that next year at this time, current Iowa coach Steve Alford will be coaching the Hoosiers.\nMike Davis has been under constant scrutiny by IU fans for leading the Hoosiers to their first losing season in 34 years, and not taking them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time last season in 18 years.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.
