No. 13 IU makes winning look easy

It would be difficult to find a team in the whole country who is having more fun than the No. 13-ranked IU men's swimming and diving team. And why shouldn't they be enjoying themselves? They've lost only twice all year, albeit to two ranked teams, and avenged their most recent loss to Kentucky with a win in the Indiana Invitational. \nIn addition to a 2-0 record in Big Ten competition, IU Coach Ray Looze has a team full of confidence with a 7-2 record and a sustaining national ranking. So, when the Hoosiers arrived at the Orange Bowl Classic in sunny Florida, they made sure to do one thing -- have fun.\n"We always swim better when we have fun, and we had a lot of fun then," senior Murph Halasz said. \nThe Hoosiers took first easily with La Salle University and Babson College coming in well behind. \n"We expected the win," Looze said. "When you have the 13th-ranked team in the country going against unranked teams, that's what is going to happen."\nAfter a second invitational victory and a long training trip in Key Largo, Fla., the Hoosiers felt ready for the stretch leading up to the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships. But going up against No. 11 Tennessee at noon today in the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, the Hoosiers will have to unload their entire arsenal. \nThe meet against Tennessee is crucial for the Hoosier squad. Last year in Knoxville, Tenn., the Hoosiers lost 93-141 while establishing four losses in a row, hurting their national prestige. This time they want revenge.\n"This meet bares the most pressure," said senior diver Marc Carlton. "For me personally, they have two divers that are very good. It is probably the toughest competition until I get to the NCAA (Championships)." \nThose two Vols are sophomore Jevon Tarantino and senior Phillip Jones, who took titles at the NCAA Championships last year. \n"We're all training hard for the conference and national championships. Everyone is getting psyched up," Carlton said.\nOne Hoosier who is bringing confidence, along with personal accolades, is Halasz. He grabbed Big Ten Swimmer of the Week honors for the week of Jan. 3, but even with this recognition, the senior seems focused on the task at hand. \n"As a team, it is a very important meet," Halasz said. "(Tennessee) is a team that we need to beat to get into the top 10. If we beat them, it proves our worth as a top team."\nThe meet against Tennessee is the last home meet of the year, and for the team's seniors, the last of their careers. \n"It hasn't occurred to me that it's my last home meet," Carlton said. "Tennessee is our toughest competition, and I'm just trying to get focused."\nThe Hoosiers travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State 1 p.m. Saturday for the first of four straight Big Ten meets, which lead up to the Big Ten Championships.\nThe only way for the Hoosiers to approach this weekend is how they've done it all year -- by having fun and being confident. \n"We'll do great," Carlton said. "I think we'll win."\n-- Contact staff writer Evan Harris at evharris@indiana.edu