IU aims to beat Wolverines for 7th consecutive time

One six-game winning streak meets another Wednesday at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers have knocked off the Wolverines the last six times they've met and nine of the last 10 with the lone loss coming in January of 2001.\nCountering IU's dominance of Michigan is a Wolverines' streak of their own. Michigan has won six straight games and stands at 3-0 in the Big Ten -- including two of those wins on the road at Iowa and Penn State.\nOne team's streak will surely fall Wednesday with IU hoping its homecourt advantage will pull this tug of war in its advantage. The Hoosiers haven't lost to Michigan in Assembly Hall since Jan. 24, 1995.\nIU coach Mike Davis said the six straight wins can't be attributed to anything in particular.\n"I just think we've been fortunate to beat them," Davis said. "We've had a situation where we've made some plays down the stretch. We were just fortunate enough to win the game."\nThe game Wednesday is the first of two home games this week with Ohio State coming to town Saturday. Davis said the Hoosiers "have to take care of home." \nIf the Hoosiers win both contests, IU would stand at 4-1 in the Big Ten and 9-7 overall -- possibly positioning themselves for a stretch-run to get into the NCAA Tournament.\nFreshman Robert Vaden already knows how crucial it is for the Hoosiers to protect their home floor.\n"Anytime you play in Assembly Hall you've got to win. It's just tradition," Vaden said. "We haven't had too many home losses over the years. Anytime you come in here and see all the tradition and all the banners, then you've got to protect the home."\nTo do so, they'll have to first contend with a Michigan team that features four players averaging double figures led by guard Dion Harris' 13.8 points per game while fellow backcourt mate Daniel Horton puts up 12.2 ppg. \nThe other two Wolverines averaging double digits are a pair of 6-foot-11 forwards -- with Courtney Sims' 10.7 ppg as well as Chris Hunter's 11.2 ppg. The Hoosiers might catch a break Wednesday as Hunter is hobbling with an ankle injury and might not play. J.C. Mathis, who only averages 2.5 ppg, will likely take Hunter's place.\nVaden will be one Hoosier expected to battle the Wolverines inside. Vaden played against Michigan starting forward and freshman, Ronald Coleman, in Amateur Athletic Union play when they both attended high school.\n"It's going to be a tough game for us," Vaden said. "I think it will be a good game too because I think we match-up with them really well."\nThe two teams' respective six-game streaks match-up as well. And for the seventh straight game, IU is expected to start three freshmen. Vaden said the Hoosier youngsters understand IU's sense of urgency coming into Wednesday's game.\n"We know we have to win a lot of games to get into the tournament," Vaden said. "We just try to go out there and do everything we can to win."\n-- Contact Staff Writer John \nRodgers at jprodger@indiana.edu