OliviaPope40

As a basketball player, I always grew up dreaming of playing on the biggest stages and in the loudest of environments. My first NBA playoff game was just that. I've always loved playing in those type of high-stakes situations. Every possession is so intense, the crowd is so loud and everyone on the floor is locked in at all times. The older guys on the team were telling me what it would be like to play in the playoffs for the first time, but it was even more intense than they described. Every detail of every play matters so much. If you blink and let a team go on a 6-0 run in the second quarter it could be the difference in the game. There's not much room for error when you're in a seven-game series. Particularly against the two-time defending champions.   Every second of Game 1 felt like it was in overtime to me. Every possession felt so big. You're always on the spot. The 82-game regular season is such a grind and sometimes you'll play four games in five nights and someone on your team won't have their best in one of those games. But everyone on your entire team needs to be playing at a high level to win a playoff game, especially against a team as talented as Miami. If you don't have all five guys on the floor fresh and playing hard, you're in trouble. Coach (Steve) Clifford and the staff have done a good job preparing us and Big Al (Jefferson), Kemba (Walker) and Gary Neal have played in big games and given us advice, too. It's not as shocking to be on the same floor as the Heat as it used to be when I first came into the league at the beginning of this year. We played them four times during the season and now once in the postseason and playoffs, so it feels pretty normal now. Once you get past the first few minutes of the first preseason game, the awe starts to wear off and you have to treat LeBron James just like just another player.   We were with Miami the whole game in Game 1, but just made a few too many mistakes to win. Leading into Game 2 on Wednesday, we've been trying to correct a couple of things that went wrong, particularly cutting down on turnovers. They scored off a lot of those turnovers and turned them into fast-break points and we can't afford those types of mistakes. Miami is so different because they will put four shooters on the floor, including at the four, which is where I usually play. They'll put LeBron James or Shane Battier or Rashard Lewis there and put Chris Bosh at the five. Other times, they'll switch it up and put Bosh at the four and bring in Chris 'Birdman' Andersen. That's a lot of different looks for me to prepare for. It's tough for bigs like me to play against those spot-up shooters because we're not used to running out to the perimeter and closing out. You don't have a lot of room for error against Miami.   Playing on the biggest stage this spring is an awesome experience. The two tournaments are different, but the NBA playoffs does have the some of the same kind of buzz as the NCAA tournament, which I played in last year with Indiana. I'll watch the other playoff games at night just like the fans. The end of Oklahoma City-Memphis on Monday was pretty crazy. We're hoping to cut down on our mistakes in Game 2 and make some adjustments. We're looking forward to bringing playoff basketball back to Charlotte for our fans. I was talking to some guys who were here the last time the Bobcats were in the playoffs (2009-10) and they said it was some of the best atmospheres they'd ever seen. I'm looking forward to playing in more big games like that. As told to Matt Dollinger of SI.com. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140423/cody-zeller-rookie-diary-nba-playoffs-bobcats-heat-lebron-james/#ixzz2zkTqep8V

No he's not entirely a bust which is why I believe the summer league is not a good indicator of how much players will contribute to their team.

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns Rookie Cody Zeller had 4 points, 2-3 FGs, 1 reb in 11 minutes for Charlotte in his first NBA playoff game. #iubb

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-04-17/cody-zeller-bobcats-playoffs-nba-draft-2013-indiana-hoosiers-tyler-zeller-luke-zeller I'd post the whole story but it is very long and lengthy but thanks SportingNews for telling me what I already knew.

Hoosiers in Pro Ball @ProBallHoosiers .@CodyZeller season stats: 82 games (3 starts), 17.3 min, 6.0 points, 42.6 FG%, 4.3 reb, 1.1 assts, 0.5 blocks, 0.5 steals. #iubb

Hoosiers in Pro Ball @ProBallHoosiers @CodyZeller, @dj_white3, and the @bobcats head to the playoffs for the 2nd time in franchise history as #7 seed to face @MiamiHEAT. #iubb

Charlotte Bobcats ‏@bobcats We're headed to overtime! #CHIvsCHA

• What’s the opposite of the rookie wall? Charlotte has played conservatively with Cody Zeller’s minutes and role all season — a decision that has paid off through both the unexpected utility of Josh McRoberts and Zeller’s gradual acclimation. Whereas the other members of this year’s rookie class are fading with fatigue, Zeller has actually picked up his production and efficiency over the past few months. His post-All-Star shooting percentage is up to 50 percent after shooting just 38 percent in the games prior. He’s drawing fouls more consistently and competently than before, stabilizing his scoring contributions. His total rebound rate is up a solid three percent — from an equivalent rate to Kendrick Perkins to that of Anthony Davis. In a matter of months Zeller has gone from an overwhelmed role player who excelled in nothing in particular to a prospect of emerging, recognizable strengths. It’s a shame that Bobcats coach Steve Clifford likely won’t get the credit for that transformation that he deserves. http://nba.si.com/2014/04/12/short-corner-cody-zeller-james-harden/

Hoosiers in Pro Ball @ProBallHoosiers @CodyZeller had 12 points (2-4 FG, 8-10 FT), 3 rebounds, a block, and a steal in @bobcats win last night. #iubb  

HOOSIERS RETURN HOME The Indiana softball team returns to Bloomington to host Michigan State for a midweek doubleheader at Andy Mohr Field on Wednesday, April 9. The 4 p.m. ET doubleheader will be featured on the Big Ten Netork with Lisa Byington and Jenne Ritter set to provide play-by-play and color commentary. A LOOK AT MICHIGAN STATE The Spartans head to Bloomington with an 8-24 record on the year and have posted a 1-8 mark in conference games under 21-year head coach Jackie Joseph.  Michigan State is hitting .222 as a team this spring and is paced by redshirt-junior Stephanie Sanders’ .295 average on the season.  In the circle, MSU pitchers have combined for a 4.74 staff ERA through 208.1 innings pitched. Freshman Valerie Kaff has tossed a team-high 92.0 innings, where she has struck out 50 batters and allowed opposing hitters to reach a .328 clip. THE ALL-TIME SERIES The Hoosiers and Spartans will meet for the 110th time in program history, with Indiana owning a 60-49 edge in the all-time series. The teams first met in 1974 in a 5-4 Michigan State win. From 1987 through 1995, the Hoosiers took 27 of 32 games from the Spartans before MSU won 19 of the next 27 matchups through the 2008 season.  In their most recent series, Indiana opened the 2013 slate in East Lansing, Mich. March 29-31, where the Hoosiers suffered a series sweep after dropping three straight games to the Spartans. COMEBACK KIDS The Indiana softball team put together one of the largest comebacks in program history in its 11-7 walk-off victory over Ohio State on March 28, 2014. The Hoosiers  plated 11 unswered runs to overcome a seven-run deficit, the largest comeback recorded in atleast 20 seasons, which was ultimately capped off by a walk-off, grand slam by sophomore Kelsey Dotson.  GRAND OLD TIME With Kelsey Dotson’s grand slam against Ohio State  on March 28, four active players on the IU roster have now connected on homeruns with the bases loaded in their respective careers, three of which hitting grand slams in 2014. The three grand slams this season are also the second-most by a Big Ten squad so far in 2014, trailing only Michigan who has hit six this spring. ACTIVE PLAYERS WITH A GRAND SLAM Kelsey Dotson vs. Ohio State (March 28, 2014) Natalie Lalich vs. UT-Arlington (Feb. 28, 2014) Kayla Mathewson vs. Portland State (Feb. 7, 2014) Jenna Abraham vs. Bradley (Feb. 2, 2013)  LAST TIME OUT After falling in its first two games in 4-1 finals with the Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind. last weekend, the Hoosiers bounced back from a one-run deficit in late innings to take the final meeting of the three-game series, 5-2.  The Hoosiers trailed Purdue in the top of the sixth by a 2-1 score before Brianna Meyer drove a no-doubter over the right-field fence to tie the game at two. The contest remained deadlocked at two into the top of the seventh inning with Shelby Gogreve due up at the plate. The senior blasted a solo shot to left, her first homerun of the season, to give Indiana a 3-2 lead over Purdue. Meyer continued to be clutch for the Indiana offense, this time driving in two runs on a single up the middle to push the Hoosiers ahead 5-2. Purdue would place a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but Meaghan Murphy closed the door with a strikeout to end the ballgame. TURNING THINGS AROUND After a slow start to the 2014 campaign, junior Brianna Meyer has turned things around at the plate, hitting .353 (23-for-65) in the last 22 games. During that span, Meyer has earned a hit in all but six contests, has reached base in 18-of-22 games and is currently riding a five-game hit streak dating back to the Hoosiers’ March 30 game with Ohio State. SAUCEDO SHINES After missing nearly all of the 2013 season due to injury, redshirt senior Breanna Saucedo has quickly made an impact in the Hoosiers’ lineup in her return this spring 10-game hit streak from March 14-30, where she hit .471 (16-for-34), surpassing her previous seven consecutive games with a hit (Feb. 8 through Feb. 21) Leads team in batting average (.336), runs scored (20), hits (42), triples (2) at bats (125) and plate appearances (131) Reached base in all but six games this season  Registered a hit in 29-of-36 games played Hitting .455 against ranked teams to boost her career average against Top 25 programs to .309. DOUBLE UP The Hoosiers’ defense turned five double plays against the Boilermakers last weekend. The five double plays doubled Indiana’s season total, as IU had previously turned five in its previous 34 games.   http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/040914aac.html

April 6, 2014 Box Score WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A pair of homeruns late in the contest helped lift the Indiana softball team over Purdue this afternoon, as the Hoosiers battled back from a 2-1 deficit in the sixth to close out the three-game series with a 5-2 win. A solo shot from Brianna Meyer in the sixth inning tied the ballgame at 2-2 before Shelby Gogreve drove in the eventual winning run with a solo homer to left in the top of the seventh. Indiana went on to plate two more insurance runs that inning to help IU to an eventual 5-2 victory. Those two homeruns added to the Hoosiers seven hits in the game, with Meyer leading the way in her eighth multiple-hit effort of the season and three RBI. Gogreve was 1-for-3 with a homerun, while Breanna Saucedoadded a pair of hits in the game. Kassi Farmer and Michelle Huber contributed with one base hit apiece. The entire Hoosiers pitching staff made an appearance this afternoon and each contributed with solid innings in the circle. Brooke Boetjer started the first 4.0 innings, including three shutout frames, and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out three. Lora Olson tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief before handing over duties to Meaghan Murphy. Murphy (3-10) closed the remaining 1.1 innings without allowing a single hit and recorded two strikeouts en route to her third win of the year.     Indiana capitalized with runners on in the top of the first. Meyer led off the game with a walk. She advanced to third on Saucedo’s bunt single that snuck between two charging Purdue infielders. Jenna Abraham followed with a line drive into centerfield, allowing plenty of time for Meyer to tag up and score on the play and give Indiana a 1-0 lead.   After a scoreless second inning, Purdue took the lead in the third on a two-out, two-run double from Danielle Fletcher to give the Boilermakers a 2-1 lead. Meyer picked an opportune moment to connect on her first homerun of the season. The junior belted a no-doubter over the right field fence to tie the ballgame at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. After Saucedo singled in the following at bat, the Hoosiers looked to extend a lead with a runner on a no outs, but the next three IU batters would be retired in order to keep the game tied at two. Down to their final at bat in the top of the seventh, the Hoosiers sent Gogreve to the plate to start off the inning. She did not disappoint, sending her first round tripper of the year over the left field fence to give the Hoosiers a 3-2 advantage. The Hoosiers capitalized on a Purdue miscue to add to its lead. With Huber on first, Lehman laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached safely when the throw to get her was dropped. Mathewson pushed the runners 60 feet on a sac bunt, placing runners on second and third for Meyer. Meyer sent a ball back up the middle just beyond the reach of a diving Purdue shortstop which sent both Huber and Lehman across to push Indiana ahead, 5-2. The Boilermakers would not go away quietly in the bottom of the seventh. Purdue runners reached second and third with two outs, but Murphy put away the final out on strikes to clinch a 5-2 win. The Hoosiers will return to action when they host Michigan State for a mid-week doubleheader at Andy Mohr Field on Wednesday, April 9 that will be featured on the Big Ten Network. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/040614aaa.html

I'm sorry I have been busy with work lately busy time of year for healthcare thank goodness it is done until next year.

My rookie basketball season in the NBA is almost over. I have to say, it’s definitely been a fun year for me. The rookie year is definitely a learning year, on and off the court. It’s been a big change for me, moving to a new city where you don’t know anyone, living a different lifestyle. I feel like I’ve been able to settle in pretty well. Charlotte is a nice city. On the court, it’s been about getting more comfortable and more confident. I’m getting there. I’ve been playing my best ball recently and I made improvements through the year. I can tell when I’ve started cheating on plays before they even happen. I’m just trying to improve every day. I know that rookies are supposed to break down toward the end of a 82-game season. But my body feels good. I’ve been playing about 20 minutes a game so my body still feels fresh. Honestly, I think the worst might be games 25 to 35. In the beginning of the year, you’re just excited to get the season going and so many things are happening. You’re learning a lot. But 25 games in, the end of the season just seems so far away. You’re not even talking about the playoffs yet but just play game after game. Then you run into the All-Star break and after that, that’s when you can see the playoffs coming. People tell you that the season goes really fast after the All-Star break and it does. It’s especially big for us because we’re in this playoff hunt and every game is important. The great part is in these games recently, everyone’s just been on the same page and we’re playing well. We’re winning so that always makes things more fun. There’s less than two weeks left in the regular season and we’re sitting in at the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference so there’s more basketball left for us. Since I have brothers that played basketball in this league, I thought I had a head start on what to expect my rookie season. But going through it on your own is a little bit different. But I am having fun and any time of night that I think I’m having a bad day, I just remind myself that I’m playing basketball for a living and playing in the NBA. I’ve always dreamed of being in this position. So there’s not much that I can complain about.   - See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/life/sports/nba-rookie-blog-cody-zeller-2#sthash.iw5In4Wg.dpuf

Thanks for the updates.

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns Rookie Cody Zeller had his first career double-double (12 points, 11 rebs) tonight to help Charlotte clinch a playoff spot. #iubb

Box Score (Game One) Box Score (Game Two)  WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Indiana softball team dropped the first two of its three-game series with Purdue this afternoon, falling 4-1 in both contests. The Hoosiers played well defensively in each game, but one big inning in both contests in the doubleheader from the Boilermakers hindered Indiana’s hopes of winning out the day. The two losses drops the Hoosiers to 1-7 in the Big Ten and 9-26-1 overall. Purdue improves to 20-17 (7-1 B1G). GAME ONE: PURDUE 4, INDIANA 1 Despite a four-run first inning, the Hoosiers did a solid job of shutting down the Purdue offense in game one this afternoon. Indiana blanked the Boilermakers through the final six innings after all four of Purdue’s runs came across on one swing of the bat, a grand slam in the first, which ultimately led to IU’s 4-1 loss in the first of two today. Lora Olson (4-11) surrendered just three unearned runs in 5.0 innings and held Purdue scoreless through four. The junior fanned three batters, walked three and allowed eight hits. Brooke Boetjer closed the final 1.0 innings, striking out the side in the sixth.   The Hoosiers touched Purdue’s Lilly Fecho (14-9) for four hits in the game with singles from Kelsey Dotson,Brianna Meyer and Breanna Saucedo and a double from Kassi Farmer. Shelby Gogreve drove in the Hoosiers’ lone run on a sacrifice fly in the second.       Purdue opened the contest with four runs in the first. An IU error, single and walk loaded the bases for the Boilermakers before Purdue’s Danielle Fletcher hit a grand slam to left to give the home team a 4-0 lead.   Indiana chipped away for a run in the second inning to cut Purdue’s lead to three. Dotson kicked off the frame with a single through the left side and made her way to third following walks by Kayla Mathewson and Katelyn Conenna. With bases loaded and one away, Gogreve attacked the first pitch of her at bat and sent it to center field. Dotson was able to tag on the play and score safely, bringing the score to 4-1. In the bottom of the third, Purdue appeared to extend its lead when Tori Chiodo hit one over the fence in left, but the runner on first was called for leaving early resulting in a dead ball and an out at first. That call erased the two-run homerun and sent Chiodo back to the plate to face Olson. She walked and moved to second on a single; however a ground ball to third would set up the Hoosiers’ second double-play of the game to end the inning. Neither squad was able to manufacture any runs through the final four innings of play, making the 4-1 score final in game one of today’s doubleheader. GAME TWO: PURDUE 4, INDIANA 1 Indiana’s offense would not go away in the early goings of game two. The Hoosiers put its leadoff batter on in each of the first three innings, including a big outing in the third that led to an IU run. Kayla Mathewson drew a leadoff walk before advancing to second on a Meyer single through the left side. Saucedo followed with a base hit of her own, a ground ball up the middle, to load the bases with no outs for Abraham. The senior sent a fly ball to centerfield deep enough to push Mathewson across and give Indiana its first lead of the day, 1-0. The Boilermakers responded with a three-run homer in the bottom of that same frame to take a 3-1 lead. Purdue added another run in the fourth on a Murphy wild pitch to set the Hoosiers back 4-1. Boetjer checked into the game to start the fifth, and shutout the Boilermakers through the final two innings. Huber doubled in the sixth to give Indiana a runner in scoring position, but Purdue managed to escape the inning without surrendering a run. The Hoosiers followed up with three straight outs in their final at bat in the seventh, falling in game two, 4-1. Meaghan Murphy tossed the first 4.0 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits while striking out one. Boetjer provided two shutout innings in relief and struck out a pair of batters while allowing just two hits. At the plate, Indiana matched Purdue’s seven hits in game and had six different Hoosiers register hits in the game. Brianna Meyer led the way with her 2-for-4 effort at the dish. Breanna Saucedo, Jenna Abraham,Kelsey Dotson and Kassi Farmer each provided base hits, while Michelle Huber doubled in a 1-for-3 performance. Indiana and Purdue will close out the three-game series tomorrow at Noon ET. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/040514aaa.html  

Hoosiers in Pro Ball ‏@ProBallHoosiers @CodyZeller (8 pts, 4 rebs, 2 blocks) and @bobcats beat @VicOladipo (21 pts, 6 rebounds, 2 steals) and @Orlando_Magic by 11 tonight. #iubb

IU CONTINUES B1G ACTION The Indiana softball team will continue play through its Big Ten conference schedule this weekend when the Hoosiers take on Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. for a three game series at the Boilermaker Softball Complex, April 4-6.  A LOOK AT PURDUE The Boilermakers are 18-17-1 this season under first year head coach, Kim Schuette. Purdue currently ranks fourth in the conference standings with a 5-1 mark in B1G contests after sweeping Penn State and taking 2-of-3 from Michigan State this spring.  The Boilermakers are hitting .312 as a team, with four players hitting above .300. Andie Varsho paces Purdue’s offense with a .486 average on the year, the second-highest average amonst B1G batters.  As a staff, Purdue pitchers have combined for a 2.76 earned run average through 233.0 innings pitched. Lilly Fecho has handled a majority of the work in the circle, tossing 134.2 innings with a 13-9 record on the year while striking out 135 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .241 clip. THE ALL-TIME SERIES The Hoosiers and Boilermakers will meet for the 62nd time in program history, with Purdue owning a 33-28 edge in the all-time series. The teams first met in 1974 in a 4-3 Purdue win. From 1978 through 1997, the Hoosiers took 17 of 18 games from the Boilermakers before Purdue won 10 of the next 11 matchups through the 2003 season.  In their most recent series, the Boilermakers stole three games from Indiana at Andy Mohr field in 2013, evening the two teams to 5-5 through their last 10 contests. COMEBACK KIDS The Indiana softball team put together one of the largest comebacks in program history in its 11-7 walk-off victory over Ohio State on March 28, 2014. The Hoosiers  plated 11 unswered runs to overcome a seven-run deficit, the largest comeback recorded in atleast 20 seasons, which was ultimately capped off by a walk-off, grand slam by sophomore Kelsey Dotson.  GRAND OLD TIME With Kelsey Dotson’s grand slam against Ohio State  on March 28, four active players on the IU roster have now connected on homeruns with the bases loaded in their respective careers, three of which hitting grand slams in 2014.  Kelsey Dotson vs. Ohio State (March 28, 2014) Natalie Lalich vs. UT-Arlington (Feb. 28, 2014) Kayla Mathewson vs. Portland State (Feb. 7, 2014) Jenna Abraham vs. Bradley (Feb. 2, 2013)  LAST TIME OUT The Hoosiers nearly repeated Friday’s comeback efforts in a 7-5 setback to visiting Indiana State on Tuesday, April 1. Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Jenna Abraham blasted a two-run homer to bring the Hoosiers within two and no outs, but the Sycamores would record three consective outs to leave Bloomington with the win. Indiana’s offense struck for at least a run or more in four of the seven innings played and tallied 10 hits against Indiana State pitchers, marking the sixth double-digit hit total from the Hoosiers this season. Abraham paced the Cream and Crimson at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort including a two-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh. Erin Lehman and Kassi Farmer notched multiple-hit performances against the Sycamores with Farmer driving in a run on an RBI-double in the fourth. Kelsey Dotson, Natalie Lalich, Brianna Meyer and Shelby Gogreve rounded out IU’s offense, each earning a hit in the contest. Brooke Boetjer (3-5) earned the start in the circle, throwing the first 3.0 innings for Indiana. She allowed five runs on six hits while striking out a pair of ISU batters. Lora Olson tossed 2.0 innings in relief where she surrendered two runs on five hits before handing over duties to Meaghan Murphy. Murphy provided 2.0 hitless innings to close out the contest, striking out two. SAUCEDO SHINES After missing nearly all of the 2013 season due to injury, redshirt senior Breanna Saucedo has quickly made an impact in the Hoosiers’ lineup in her return this spring. Saucedo put together a 10-game hit streak from March 14  through March 30, where she has hit .471 (16-for-34), surpassing her previous seven consecutive games with a hit (Feb. 8 through Feb. 21) Saucedo has reached base in all but seven games this season and has registered a hit in 26-of-33 games played. She has also been impressive against Top 25 squads in 2014, hitting .455 against ranked teams to boost her career average against Top 25 programs to .309. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/040314aab.html

April 1, 2014       Box Score |  Photo Gallery      BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A late comeback effort in the bottom of the seventh inning fell just short in the Indiana softball team’s 7-5 setback to visiting Indiana State this evening, dropping the Hoosiers to 9-24-1 on the year. Indiana’s offense struck for at least a run or more in four of the seven innings played and tallied 10 hits against Indiana State pitchers, marking the sixth double-digit hit total from the Hoosiers this season. Jenna Abraham paced the Cream and Crimson at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort including a two-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh. Erin Lehman and Kassi Farmer notched multiple-hit performances against the Sycamores with Farmer driving in a run on an RBI-double in the fourth. Kelsey Dotson, Natalie Lalich, Brianna Meyer and Shelby Gogreve rounded out IU’s offense, each earning a hit in the contest. Brooke Boetjer (3-5) earned the start in the circle, throwing the first 3.0 innings for Indiana. She allowed five runs on six hits while striking out a pair of ISU batters. Lora Olson tossed 2.0 innings in relief where she surrendered two runs on five hits before handing over duties to Meaghan Murphy. Murphy provided 2.0 hitless innings to close out the contest, striking out two. Indiana State plated a pair of runs in the first on an RBI-double and a one-run single. The Hoosiers answered back with a run in the bottom half of the inning on Dotson’s RBI-base knock to left that plated Meyer from second base. The Sycamores extended their lead to two with an infield single to shortstop, giving ISU a 3-1 lead. The Hoosiers again responded with a run in the second. After Farmer led off the frame with a hit to left, Gogreve drove her in on a double to the fence in right field, bringing Indiana within one at 3-2. Two Indiana State hits and an Indiana error in the top of the fourth increased the Sycamores’ lead to 5-2, but again Indiana’s offense would bounce back with a run of its own thanks to back-to-back doubles from Lalich and Farmer. ISU plated two runs in the sixth before being blanked in the top of the seventh, sending Indiana to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. The Hoosiers’ bats came alive in hopes of a late-rally in the seventh. Meyer kick started the inning with an infield single to second base and was driven in on a two-run shot down the left field line from Abraham that brought Indiana within striking distance at 7-5 and no outs; however, the Sycamores managed to retire the following three IU batters in order to deal Indiana the loss. Indiana will return to action this weekend when the Hoosiers head to Purdue for a three-game Big Ten series in West Lafayette, Ind. First pitch for Friday’s contest is set for 4 p.m. ET. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/040114aac.html

Rick Bonnell ‏@rick_bonnell With Josh McRoberts out tonight (ankle), Steve Clifford said he'll start rookie Cody Zeller.

It was something short of an explosion, but it certainly was progress for Charlotte Bobcats rookie Cody Zeller on Monday night. The 15 points he scored against the Washington Wizards were his NBA high. He also grabbed eight rebounds. He played plenty of meaningful minutes in a game that had stakes as far as the Bobcats’ playoff situation. Sure beats what happened during November and December, when he struggled to stay on the court without fouling. The fourth overall pick in June’s draft is finding his way in the NBA, and it shows up in recent numbers: In his first 55 games, Zeller averaged five points and four rebounds, shot 38 percent from the field. Over the past 19 games, he’s averaging eight points and 5.1 rebounds and shooting 52 percent. “You’ve got to make such quicker decisions,” Zeller said of the difference between college ball at Indiana and the NBA. “If there’s a play there, you’ve got to make it because of the shorter shot clock than college. If there’s a shot, you’ve got to take it. If there’s a gap you’ve got to drive it. “And you’ve got to stay confident in your skills.” Bobcats coach Steve Clifford always valued those skills. He liked Zeller as a shooter, ballhandler and most importantly decision-maker. But it didn’t particularly surprise Clifford it would take a while for Zeller to catch up to pro basketball nuances. Clifford thinks that difference – from the best conferences in college basketball to the starters in any NBA game – is wider than the public or most college players understand. “The two things that are so different are the pick-and-roll game and the great players,” said Clifford, a former college coach. “In college you don’t have to worry so much defensively about the 3 (from frontcourt players), so it’s a lot easier to (defend). “The great players in this league are phenomenal. The great players in college are still kids. They just don’t have the maturity of game, the understanding of what they can do. That’s what makes the defensive side of this much, much more difficult.” Zeller’s challenge initially was figuring out how defend these grown-men power forwards without getting into such quick foul trouble that he’d have to come out. That’s coming, both coach and player say, allowing Zeller more chance to express himself at the offensive end. “That’s a big thing,” Clifford noted. “He has to be able to contain the ball, contest shots, make it harder on the other guy to get to shots, and do all that without fouling.” Zeller said some of this is just the natural repetition of an NBA season. He now has seen each of the 29 other teams at least twice this season. That’s providing data so every new game doesn’t feel like a mystery. “We’ve played some of these teams three or four times,” Zeller said. “I know what’s coming with each individual matchup. I’m playing with more energy, and it’s a lot of fun with this playoff push.” Zeller certainly buys Clifford’s observation that the talent and skill level of the NBA can be a shock to any rookie’s perspective. “Everyone on the court is capable of having a really big game, and they’re waiting for you to make one little mistake,” Zeller said. “Then it’s a layup or an open 3. You’ve got to be really into the details. There was stuff I could get away with in college on athleticism or being stronger than the other guy. Here everybody is just that athletic and just that strong. So little margin for error.” Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/01/4810530/bobcats-rookie-cody-zeller-learning.html#.Uzt0cGePLug#storylink=cpy

Yes he has done well lately he has done better than I had originally thought.

He should have been this year they all said that in the beginning.

March 30, 2014 Box Score (Game One) Box Score (Game Two) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana softball team dropped both contests in a Sunday afternoon doubleheader with visiting Ohio State, falling in game one 12-2 in five innings before suffering a 10-2, five-inning setback in game two. The Hoosiers, who played in front of a capacity crowd and the largest attendance in Andy Mohr Field history, fall to 9-23-1 on the season and 1-5 in Big Ten Conference play. Ohio State moves to 17-15 on the year and 5-1 against B1G teams. OHIO STATE 12, INDIANA 2 (Five Innings) A nine-run opening inning for the Buckeyes hindered the Hoosiers hopes of a comeback in the opening game this afternoon as the Indiana softball team ultimately fell 12-2 in five innings at Andy Mohr Field. The Hoosiers tallied four hits to Ohio State’s 15 in the contest, with Natalie Lalich, Kelsey Dotson, Katelyn Conenna and Breanna Saucedo all reaching on hits against the Buckeyes. Saucedo would earn the team’s lone RBI on a single in the fourth, while Conenna earned her first career double after being called in to pinch hit in the fifth inning. Meaghan Murphy started the game but was replaced by Lora Olson after the Buckeyes touched for six runs on five hits in the first. Olson closed out the final 5.0 innings where she gave up four earned runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Nine of OSU’s 12 runs came across in the first inning, but IU managed to chip away with a run in the bottom half of the frame when Jenna Abraham scored from second on an OSU fielding error.     The Buckeyes posted three unanswered runs before the Hoosiers responded with a run in the fourth. Dotson led off the inning with a single to center field. Shelby Gogreve followed with a ground ball to second base; however, Dotson would be tagged out on the play for the first out of the inning. Alyssa Rosati entered to pinch run for Gogreve on first and made her way to second on a wild pitch. A single to center field from Saucedo allowed Rosati to hustle around from second and come across home plate, pushing the score to 12-2.   Neither team managed to generate any offense in the fifth, resulting in a 12-2 loss for the Hoosiers in five innings. OHIO STATE 10, INDIANA 2 (Five Innings) The Hoosiers gave up 10 runs before answering with a pair in the bottom of the fifth and nearly plated another to extend the game, but the Buckeyes would get by with another five-inning win and take the game, 10-2. Indiana touched Ohio State’s Shelby Hursh (3-5) for four hits in the contest with Saucedo leading the way at the plate on a 2-for-3 day with one run scored. Saucedo also swiped her 12th stolen base of the season and extended her hit-streak to 10 games, the longest by any Hoosier this year. Brianna Meyer drove in both runs for the Hoosiers on a two-run double in the fifth, while Katelyn Conenna reached on an infield single. Brooke Boetjer (3-4) got the start and lasted 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out two. Lora Olson finished the last 1.1 innings where she surrendered three runs on two hits. OSU jumped to a 4-0 lead in the second inning before adding three in both the fourth and fifth. Facing a 10-0 deficit, the Cream and Crimson made some noise offensively in the bottom of the fifth. With one away, Conenna reached on a high-hopping infield single to shortstop, sending Rosati in to run for the sophomore at first. Saucedo sent a single back up the middle, setting runners on first and second for Meyer. Meyer followed with a towering double into the left-center field gap that allowed both Saucedo and Rosati to come across and cut the Buckeyes lead to eight. Abraham poked a fly ball into centerfield to push Meyer to third, but a fly ball out would end the threat and close the game at 10-2. The Hoosiers will return to action on Tuesday, April 1 when they host Indiana State at Andy Mohr Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/033014aaa.html

March 28, 2014 Box Score |  Photo Gallery  | Highlights BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After trailing 7-0 to start this evening’s game with Ohio State, the Indiana softball team chipped away with five runs in the sixth before adding another five to tie the ballgame in the bottom of the seventh. Kelsey Dotsondug in at the plate with two outs, the bases loaded and the winning run standing 60 feet away from home plate. The sophomore fouled off five straight pitches before sending the ninth offering of her at bat over the left field fence for a walk-off grand slam to cap off momentous come-from-behind, walk-off victory at Andy Mohr Field and defeat the Buckeyes 11-7. The seven-run setback is the largest deficit a Hoosiers squad has overcome in the last 20 seasons. The win also pushes Indiana to 9-21-1 on the season and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Ohio State falls to 15-15 and 3-1 in conference games. The Hoosiers were held hitless through the first four innings of play until the IU offense exploded for 11 runs on 10 hits through the final three frames. Dotson’s four RBI in the seventh added to her one-run double in the sixth, leaving her with a career-high five runs driven in on a 3-for-4 effort at the plate. Dotson is also now one of four current IU players to have hit a grand slam in their respective careers, joining teammates Natalie Lalich, Jenna Abraham and Kayla Mathewson. Brianna Meyer and Kassi Farmer also notched multi-hit efforts, with Farmer going 2-for-3 with a bases clearing triple in the sixth inning. Breanna Saucedo, Jenna Abraham and Kayla Mathewson also tallied hits against the Buckeyes. Saucedo’s 1-for-4 outing extended her hit streak to eight games and has now reached base via a hit in 24 of her 30 games played this season. Lora Olson got the start and allowed just two earned runs on five OSU hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Brooke Boetjer entered the game in the third where the Buckeyes struck for two unearned, but the sophomore settled in and shutout OSU through the final four innings of play. She finished the day with 4.2 innings pitched and struck out four to improve to 3-3 on the year. Indiana was blanked through the first four innings of play while the Buckeyes held on to a 7-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Farmed singled to start the fifth, stole second and advanced to third on a single by Dotson. With two away, Mathewson entered the game and put a ball in play to the left side of the infield, driving in Farmer from third to put Indiana on the board. Momentum shifted heavily in the bottom of the sixth inning with five Hoosier runs that helped cut the Buckeyes lead to one. Meyer started the five-run rally with a single to second base and moved to third on a base hit from Abraham. After a walk loaded the bases, Farmer blasted a bases-clearing triple to right and pushed the Hoosiers within three. Dotson connected on her second hit of the day, a double to left-center field, to plate Farmer and set the score to 7-5. Alyssa Rosati entered the game to pinch run and second base with two outs. She would not be left stranded, as Mathewson drove her in with a single to left for the Hoosiers fifth run of the inning. Boetjer retired the Buckeyes in order in the top of the seventh, bringing Indiana to its final at bat with the score sitting at 7-6. Back-to-back singles by Saucedo and Meyer set up a sacrifice bunt by Abraham that pushed both runners into scoring position with one out. Natalie Lalich pulled a ground ball to Ohio State shortstop Keelia Nester. Nester fired home in an attempt to get Saucedo breaking on the play, but Saucedo slid under the tag at home to tie the game at seven. Huber’s ground ball out to first put two away and pushed runners over to second and third. An intentional walk of Farmer loaded the bases and sent Dotson to the plate, who blasted the game-winner over the left field fence to help Indiana to its first conference win this season. Indiana and Ohio State will meet for game two of the B1G series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. ET. http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/032814aaa.html