November 9, 2009

Mike Pegram
Peegs.com & Inside Indiana Staff Writer

Final tune-up time at 7 p.m. tonight as Saint Joseph College comes down to Assembly Hall from Rensselaer, Indiana for the second and last exhibition game for Indiana.

The Pumas took on IUPUI this past Saturday in Indianapolis and fell, 86-62. Andrew Helmer led them with 10 points and six boards. St. Joseph's turned it over 24 times and was outrebounded, 36-26. A year ago the Division II team went 15-13 overall and finished 8-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Here is the starting lineup fourth year head coach Richard Davis went with at IUPUI. Last season's stats are in parentheses:

G - Phillip Collins - 6'3, 195, So., Indianapolis (Pike), Ind., (10.3 ppg. 2.2 apg)
G - Austin Peebles - 6'3, 190, Sr., Forsyth (Maroa-Forsyth HS), Ill., (11.7 ppg, 2.5 apg)
G - Michael Horton - 5'10, 185, Louisville (Waggener), Ky., (5.2 ppg, 3.6 apg)
F - Andrew Helmer - 6'4, 215, Sr., Highland (HS), Ind., (8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
C - Jacob Hassler - 6'9, 245, So., Evansville (Mater Dei), Ind., (2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

Key guys Saturday off the bench were 6-foot-0 guard Mark Lake, a junior college transfer from Harlem, New York. He tallied nine points in his 22 minute debut as a Puma. Also former Indianapolis Ben Davis forward Marcus Jackson had six points and a pair of rebounds. He adds a bit of size at 6-foot-6 and 210-pounds and therefore is likely to be called upon often this evening.

"They have some key returnees back," said Crean. "They shoot the ball very well. They have a good mix of inside-outside They are very quick and play in as good a Division II league as there is in the country."

Several priorities stand out for Crean's young team as he looks ahead to the final tune-up.

"First and foremost (we need) to learn how not to lose," said Crean. "We don't have game experience yet. That is why games like tomorrow night are invaluable as you get ready to start the season."

Another priority is fixing the problem areas from last Wednesday's 96-73 exhibition over Grace College, an NAIA team. One item is really stopping a team, something the Hoosiers did not do a good job of until late against Grace.

"We have spent a lot of time (in practice) on transition defense, a ton of time in our half court defense, trying to understand how we want to play the ball, the activity of the hands, the help side on the ball, the weak side away, staying in stances....it is so easy to stand up after you are tired."

The Hoosiers may be again without senior guard Devan Dumes. He did return to practice play some yesterday but Crean wasn't sure if he would play this evening. Dumes has "tweaked a knee" according to the coach.

As is often the case for young teams, Crean mentioned yesterday that the team has not had much time to spend yet on half court offense, especially in learning his set plays. That should become a focal point with the season starting for real on Friday against Howard. That approaching date also has spiked up practice intensity.

"I think guys are starting to really awaken to the fact there is real competition for minutes and spots," said Crean. "It has been chippy this weekend.? There have been some good battles.''

Following the game

Game time is 7 p.m. ET tonight and while the game is again not being televised live, fans can catch it for $2.99 over the internet at BigTenNetwork.com or watch it on a tape delayed basis via the Student U show on the Big Ten Network. That first showing is Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Peegs.com will be opening up our chat room during the game and providing regular scoring and stats updates from inside Assembly Hall. Click here to login to our chat room. Check it out beforehand and send us an email if you need help getting in.