Stats illustrate IU turnaround as team faces Minnesota

Entering Big Ten play, IU had a losing record at 5-6. Five games later, the Hoosiers stand at 4-1 in the Big Ten -- good for a tie for second in the conference to go along with resurrected NCAA tournament hopes.\nHow did the turnaround happen? \nThe difference can be explained in the numbers. In Big Ten play, IU is third in scoring defense and first in blocked shots, as opponents are only shooting 39 percent against the Hoosiers. On the offensive end in the 4-1 stretch, IU ranks fourth in field goal percentage. But the combination of their nonconference and conference play ranks them last.\n"We don't want to take all of those wild shots we were taking at the beginning of the year," IU coach Mike Davis said. "Hopefully, we've gotten away from that."\nDavis addressed the Hoosiers' improved aggressiveness and shot selection. IU leads the league in free throw attempts and is last in the Big Ten in three-point attempts.\nDavis noted junior guard Bracey Wright for being more aggressive in getting to the foul line. Wright has averaged nine attempts from the line in conference play -- a significant improvement in IU's four consecutive wins considering the Northwestern loss, when he only attempted four.\nThe Hoosiers hope the numbers game adds up to a victory tonight against Minnesota (13-5, 3-2 Big Ten). The Gophers are coming off a 14-point home loss to Michigan State, but they won their two previous Big Ten home games against Penn State and Purdue.\nAs always when traveling to Minneapolis, the Hoosiers will have to contend with the unusual elements of Williams Arena, also known as "The Barn."\nJunior guard Marshall Strickland said "The Barn" takes some adjusting given its raised floor and lowered benches.\n"Our freshmen will really have to adjust to it," Strickland said. "I remember the first time I went there, I had seen it on TV, but I didn't realize how different it was to play there. It's like you're up on a stage, and you're nervous going along the baseline."\nStrickland has grown accustomed to the stage in his second year as the starting point guard. But tonight, Strickland's stage presence will have to contend with a Golden Gopher defense forcing a Big Ten-leading 10 steals per game in conference play.\nTo make matters tougher for the Hoosiers, IU ranks last in the Big Ten in assists.\n"I think the reason we're not getting a lot of assists is because we're not screening very well," Strickland said. "We're having to do things off the dribble. We have really good players so we're able to get away with that."\nStrickland said the Hoosiers know they have to win every game they can to get into the NCAA tournament.\nFor Davis, getting into the tournament can be explained by the numbers as well. \n"You've just got to win 16 or 17 games," Davis said. "No matter how you do it."\n-- Contact Staff Writer John Rodgers at jprodger@indiana.edu.