IU looks to overcome experience factor

OMAHA, Ne. (WISH) — Indiana heads into the NCAA tournament as the youngest team in the field. Facing a veteran Wichita State squad that’s won 93 games over the last three years and reached the 2013 Final Four is a tall mountain to climb.

“They’ll get a feel for it,” said IU coach Tom Crean. “The thing that really helps is we played in a great, physical league and we’ve been going at each other in practice. It may not be enough to beat Wichita, but we love the chance.”

The players also know experience means a lot in this setting.

“They’ve played in a lot of tourney games,” said freshman James Blackmon, Jr. “We only have two guys, but if we play our game, it won’t make a big difference.”

What did Yogi Ferrell tell the team?

“It’s a big stage, there’s no way around it,” said sophomore Collin Hartman. “You can’t let it get to you, don’t get too high or too low, and stay persistent.”

Indiana tips against Wichita State at 2:45 p.m. Friday in Omaha.