Embattled Indiana basketball coach Mike Davis described Iowa’s Steve Alford as the kind of coach the Hoosiers need even though he still has the job. The bizarre incident took place on the Big Ten teleconference when Davis was asked why Indiana fans have been so negative towards him.
The Hoosiers are 5-5 in the Big Ten and 13-8 overall. Davis said, “I just think that Indiana needs to have one of their own. They need to have someone that has played here…so they can embrace him.” Davis says he’s not upset about it,”I think they need that, they really do, because these players deserve better.”
Just a few hours later in Iowa City Alford said those kinds of comments will not affect his team. The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten at 8-3 and host 16th ranked Michigan State. Alford says if he had freshmen and sophomores it might be a problem, but he says he has a very experienced group. Alford says this group has heard everything from him being fired to going to Indiana, and he says it’s just part of college basketball.
Alford says the Hawkeyes have a lot of experience and something like this will not be a distraction. He says the team and staff is very focused and they’re having a lot of fun in the first 25 games. Alford says they’re exciting to see where this is going to go.