Put Up Your Dukes

The numbers don't necessarily play in IU's favor.\nThe Hoosiers haven't played a game in nine days. Four years have passed since IU's last victory against Duke University. And the Blue Devils are 70-3 on their home court since that same year, 2002.\nBut IU coach Kelvin Sampson and the Hoosiers say they are looking forward to the experience of playing one of the top teams in the country inside of one of the most raucous arenas in all of college basketball.\nThe Hoosiers will head to Durham, N.C., to face the No. 11 Blue Devils at 9 p.m. tonight in Cameron Indoor Stadium.\n"Playing teams like Duke brings the best out in teams. They know that," Sampson said Wednesday during a press conference. "You have to be really careful when you play Duke not to get caught up in who they are and what they've been. You have to play the game."\nThe Hoosiers' most recent victory against Duke came during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2002, when IU upset the No. 1-seed Blue Devils 74-73 in Lexington, Ky. Last season in the first matchup between the two teams at a non-neutral site, the Blue Devils defeated IU 75-67 in Assembly Hall. This year the Hoosiers will leave Bloomington and head south to play in front of 9,314 screaming "Cameron Crazies."\nHowever, playing this year's matchup in the jam-packed Cameron Indoor Stadium will provide a unique opportunity for the IU players, including junior forward Lance Stemler, who is still getting used to playing in front of large, NCAA Division I crowds.\n"There were games last year where we had 20 people in stands," he said of the crowds for his junior college games. "Going to Duke, I've never really been in a situation like this. Playing with the opposing crowd going against you, that gives you a little motivation to play hard, too."\nSampson discussed the Hoosiers' game plan against the Blue Devils in an address to the media Wednesday. The first-year Hoosier coach said that the team's main focus in practice has been "execution on offense, guarding the ball better and sustaining concentration for longer periods of time." But in the end, he said there's only so much a team can do to get ready for tonight's game.\n"I don't know how you prepare for that," Sampson said. "It's like coming in here ... Great programs' home courts are supposed to be tough to win on. We've all seen hundreds of games at Duke. How many times have you seen the home team lose? That's why they have a great program."\nThe Hoosiers' tentative starting lineup includes juniors Stemler, D.J. White and A.J. Ratliff, along with freshmen Joey Shaw and Armon Bassett in the backcourt. Seniors Rod Wilmont and Earl Calloway, who were starters at the beginning of the season, will come off the bench for IU. White will draw the responsibility of defending Carmel, Ind., native Josh McRoberts, who has averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds so far this season for the Blue Devils. Junior guard DeMarcus Nelson also has helped pace the Blue Devils this season, averaging 13.5 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. \nSampson said that regardless of the outcome of the game, he hopes his team can continue to improve and use the matchup against Duke as a learning \nexperience.\n"I want our team to play confident and enjoy the moment. It's a great opportunity," Sampson said. "There's nothing to be afraid of"