Christian Watford News

Christian Watford and Maurice Creek scored 17 points each Saturday to lead Indiana past Northwestern State 90-72. Jeremiah Rivers dished out 10 assists, and reserves Derek Elston and Devan Dumes also contributed for the Hoosiers , who never trailed in the contest.

The Hoosiers host Northwestern State, La. at 2:30 p.m. today at Assembly Hall and on the Big Ten Network.

For Indiana's youthful Hoosiers, it's about listening. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Tom Crean tells his guys he wants the ball to end up at, say, Point B. Only it isn't simple.

INDIANA vs. NORTHWESTERN STATE Saturday, Nov. 28 * 3:30 p.m. ET Bloomington, Ind.

It doesn't take long to come to the conclusion that Indiana coach Tom Crean isn't a patient man.

In two games back in Bloomington, Christian Watford clearly had the attention of Indiana basketball fans.

Cam Long scored 18 points and hit a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left to lift George Mason to a 69-66 victory over Indiana on Sunday in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Mike Morrison added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Patriots , who trailed 31-30 after a first half in which neither team led by more than five points.

Mississippi had too much athleticism, too much physicality and too much speed and quickness for Indiana on Thursday night in the opening round of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off. And in the second half, it was clearly too much Murphy Holloway.

John Holland scored 21 points, Jake O'Brien had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Boston University rallied to beat Indiana 71-67 on Friday night in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Tyler Morris added 13 points and five assists for the Terriers, who rebounded from a narrow loss to Kansas State in the opening round.

Ole Miss breezed through its first two games of the season, winning by a combined 65 points over Arkansas-Little Rock and Alabama State at Tad Smith Coliseum.

It's time for a reality check. A year ago, Indiana won its first two games and headed to Maui for three games.

Christian Watford and Tom Crean are on the same page. This is good. Neither are satisfied with his double-double season average of 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Christian Watford finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Maurice Creek added 14 points and Verdell Jones scored 13 to lead Indiana past South Carolina-Upstate 69-61 on Monday night.

We know the direction Indiana basketball is traveling in its second year out from the program's implosion: forward.

Tonight, the Indiana Hoosiers play their first official game of the 2009-2010 season.

Indiana freshmen Maurice Creek, Christian Watford and Derek Elston all scored in double figures Friday night, leading the Hoosiers to an 83-60 rout of Howard.

Most of the time, though, simple is best, Crean says: Just look at the scoreboard.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Reasonable expectations. That term probably haunts Indiana basketball fans who hope this year's team is considerably better than the 6-25 group Tom Crean put on the floor a year ago.

INDIANA vs. HOWARD Friday, November 13 * 8:00 p.m. ET Assembly Hall- 17,357 Series Record: First Meeting TV: Big Ten Network RADIO: IU Radio Network THE OPENING TIP Indiana begins its 110th season of college basketball when it hosts the Bison of Howard University.

Freshman Maurice Creek would be the first to tell you his play in the exhibition opener last week against Grace College left a lot to be desired.