Hoosiers’ focus remains on basketball

When IU men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson addressed the media Thursday, he wanted to shift the focus from the pending NCAA investigation to this year’s squad.\n“This manner that’s been discussed is still under review by the University and the NCAA,” he said. “Until it’s been completed, I will have no comment about it.”\nAlthough he made his intensions clear in the beginning, Sampson did comment on a few issues surrounding the situation.\nThere was a team meeting held Sunday to inform the players about the violations. According to Sampson, both he and assistant coach Rob Senderoff spoke to the team during that time.\n“I addressed the team about it early before it was reported,” he said. “After that was over, I said ‘This is what we are going to do. We are going to coach this basketball team. We have an exhibition game on Nov. 4. I expect us to play well. It’s important that we play well in that game.’”\nNow that the news is out, Sampson said he expects his team to work hard every day in practice and not allow outside news to hinder the team’s preparations for the upcoming season.\n“There are no distractions,” Sampson said. “We practice every day. Our practices, if anything, are probably a little tougher this year.”\nSenior forward D.J. White said nothing has changed around the team since the sanctions were announced.\n“I think it is still the same,” White said. “Whatever happens, happens. We need to focus on this team and get ready for the upcoming games in November. Our focus is fine. Coach is still the same at practice, he still gets on us.”\nHowever, White acknowledged that he has heard a lot about the situation from classmates and from the media.\n“I read the IDS every day; it’s just something I do,” he said. “I mean, I read it every day before class. I see what’s in there, but like I said, there is nothing I can do about that.”\nSampson said he does not think about the situation too much as he would rather focus on other things.\n“I have a great wife, I have two wonderful kids and I have a great team to coach,” he said. “That’s what I am doing.” \nBoth Sampson and White gave some insight into the first week of practice and how the team is developing in the early stages of the season. \nSampson said the main difference between this year and last year is that there are players with experience in his system, which makes demonstrating things in practice much easier. He is pleased with the progress so far, but said the players have a ways to go to become a successful team.\n“We are not a good team yet – we have a pretty good collection of talent,” Sampson said.\nFor White, he is excited for the different combinations of players who can play in the post with him. Having bigger bodies like freshman center Eli Holman and junior forward DeAndre Thomas gives the team flexibility.\n“If I am playing with DeAndre or Eli, I am more around the free throw area setting more ball screens, pick and roll type things. I like it a lot. I think it will be more difficult for teams to guard me when its not as easy to double me on the block.”