Q. Since taking over for Bob Knight on Sept. 12, 2000, you have led Indiana to 46 victories in two seasons, including a share of the Big Ten title and an appearance in the NCAA championship game last spring, where Indiana lost to Maryland 64-52. Have the expectations exceeded what you thought they would be when you first took this job?
A. When you’re at a school like Indiana, you want the best and you expect the best. What has happened here is that last year no one expected us to win. It was really like, wait till next year. But we had a great run last year. We [shared] the conference [title] and we had a chance for a national championship. This year no one thought much until we went to Maui and won there. I think our players now are not cocky, but they understand how important every game is. When we lose a game, it’s like we lost five.
Q. You were upset at Ohio State last weekend to fall to 11-3. Overall, are you pleased with your team’s progress?
A. Losing to Ohio State on the road was a big crush to us. The people of Indiana want you to win. I agree with it. I have no problem with what they expect out of us and what they expect us to accomplish. I am a competitor and I love being in this situation. Now, if I can just get my boys to understand that every single night you have to come and play. Everybody is trying to win the Big Ten. I love this situation. As a coach you can never relax.
Q. Northwestern hasn’t beaten Indiana in Bloomington in 35 years. What will your team have to do to keep that streak alive Wednesday night?
A. After watching their Purdue game on tape, it is going to be a very difficult game if we don’t play with more toughness and compete a lot harder than we have been competing over the last three weeks.
Q. Bracey Wright led your team in scoring at Ohio State with 20 points. What more can you expect from your outstanding freshman guard?
A. Bracey is a player we have to continue to develop. He can do things naturally. But to have a freshman lead you in your first road game in scoring, that tells you a lot about where the other guys are.
Q. In a nutshell, what has been your team’s problem of late?
A. I have no idea what’s going on in the players’ minds, but we are not playing with any toughness at all. I think Maryland had 22 offensive rebounds against us. Kentucky had 18 or 19. It’s not just conference play, it has been happening from Day 1. We talk about it, we go over things with them. They just refuse to change. We are a very good basketball team. We’re better than last year.
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