Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#43 Indiana Hoosiers

Big Ten

 2003-04: 14-15, 7-9, 8^th

2003-04 postseason: none

By Joel Welser

The Hoosiers showed flashes of brilliance last year, but also had streaks where it looked like they couldn’t beat anybody.  It’ll be a new team this year with a great class of recruits coming to Bloomington.  The frontcourt was shaky at best last season.  Junior Sean Kline will have to regain his form after having knee surgery, but he should be ready to go.  Pat Ewing, Jr. and Mike Roberts will see more minutes for the IU frontcourt.

Who’s Out: A.J. Moye, a 6-3 guard, led the team in rebounds last year with 6.4 per game.  That is a testament to the Hoosier’s frontcourt problems as much as it is to Moye’s hustle and abilities.  Moye scored a solid 10.0 points per game as well and was a passionate player.  George Leach has also run out of eligibility.  The 6-11 center averaged 9.1 points, 5.5 boards and 2.3 blocks in 20 games for the Hoosiers.    

Who’s In: D.J. White should be starting with Sean Kline up front from day one.  The 6-9 power forward is one of the best incoming freshmen in the nation.  After Robert Rothbart decided to play in Europe, the Hoosiers were in desperate need for another big body.  They found it in 6-10, 230-pound Lucas Steijn.  The Dutch native is a solid shot blocker and a hard worker.  He’ll get some minutes, especially if foul trouble or injuries continue to plague the Hoosiers.  Small forward James Hardy will join the hoops team after playing football for Gerry DiNardo, which should be in November barring Indiana’s first bowl trip since 1993.  The frontcourt improves even more with Robert Vaden and A.J. Ratliff.  Vaden may start from day one along side returning starters Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland.  Ratliff will have a lot of competition to see minutes, but he is a very talented player.  Donald Perry, Roderick Wilmont, Ryan Tapak and Mark Johnson all have experience in the IU backcourt.

Who to Watch: The backcourt shouldn’t have any problems led by Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland.  Sean Kline will take on more minutes this year.  The 6-8 power forward averaged 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 22 games last year.  If the injury bug hits him again, then the Hoosiers could be in trouble.  When given the opportunity, Kline has played quite well.  He only played over 30 minutes in five of those 22 appearances, so his per game averages are a little skewed and lower then they could be.  If healthy enough and able to stay out of foul trouble, Kline will make a big impact.  He’s a rough and tough player under the basket.  Kline will battle with anybody under the basket and usually win.

Projected Conference Rank: IU has one of the great young backcourts in the nation.  The upperclassmen are pretty good themselves.  As is the case at many schools, the frontcourt is slim.  On talent alone, this team can compete with anybody in the Big Ten.  After missing out on the big dance for the first time since 1985 last year, the Hoosiers will start their streak over again.  A 5^th place finish in the conference will put them on the bubble, yet the conference should be better this year and get five teams into the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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