BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Traditionally, Big Ten schools have shuddered at the thought of coming to Assembly Hall to face the mighty Indiana Hoosiers.
After six home losses this season -- including four in a row -- it's the Hoosiers who are scared to play there.
''When we're at home, it's like we have no idea about anything at this gym,'' Indiana guard Bracey Wright said after the Hoosiers lost to Ohio State 59-56 on Saturday. ''It seems like we're just lost out there.''
Wright is struggling more than anyone. In his last six home games, he is 23-for-76 from the floor (30 percent), including 1-for-12 against Ohio State.
Even more telling, Wright said those struggles were starting to get into his head.
''That's really frustrating for me, to be at home, you would think I would shoot well. You'd think that I'd have mastered the art of shooting in this gym,'' he said.
''When we start, and I shoot, the basket's regulation size. When I miss, it gets smaller and smaller. By the end of the game, it's like I'm shooting into a cup of water.''
That's not good news for a team that needs its leading scorer to be on his game every night. When he misses, Indiana loses, it's that simple.
Coach Mike Davis said the Hoosiers (12-12, 6-7 Big Ten) need 20 points a night from Wright because they are getting little production from their front line.
That weakness was exposed again by Ohio State, as Terence Dials and Velimir Radinovic combined for 39 points and 20 rebounds and the Buckeyes outscored Indiana 40-16 in the paint.
''It's all about effort,'' center George Leach said.
The effort wasn't there for the Hoosiers on Saturday, and the fans sensed it. When the buzzer sounded on another disappointing loss, boos rained down from the 17,093 in attendance.
Davis defended his team by pointing out that their four home losses in the Big Ten season have come by a total of nine points.
''The thing that really disappointed me is, you want people to understand that hey, it's that close,'' Davis said. ''What game are they watching? These guys need confidence. It's not like that. It's like we've lost every game by 30 and we've had no chance to win.''
Davis said he hopes the adversity galvanizes the team and forces players to work harder, to come together and right the ship.
''I like when the fans show who they really are,'' Davis said. ''It's a good thing, because now we have to stay together as a team, grow as a team and learn to work harder.''
They better do it fast, or the players will be watching college basketball's postseason on television from their couches. Indiana almost assuredly has to win the Big Ten tournament to gain a bid to the NCAA tournament and is coming dangerously close to missing the NIT.
Despite all the struggles, Wright said the Hoosiers would make the NCAA tournament.
''There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to make the NCAA tournament,'' Wright said. ''I wouldn't really even want to play in the NIT. I only want to play in the NCAA tournament."8824-¦^+â-Ç?*HomelessHoosiers (AP) 2.23DNEditorial882)*|r2AUDT
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