Rude Return Home for Recker

Indiana didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for former Hoosiers Luke Recker and Steve Alford Tuesday night in Bloomington, Ind.

Kyle Hornsby scored 15 points--all on three-point baskets--to lift the Hoosiers (15-7, 8-2 in the Big Ten) past Iowa, 79-51.

Recker, who transferred from Indiana to Arizona and then to Iowa in 1999, made his first visit to Assembly Hall since playing for the Hoosiers and was three of 10 from the field, finishing with eight points. He was booed every time he touched the ball--even during warmups.

Recker got his harshest treatment from the Indiana student section.

One sign said “Traitor.” Another had a picture of Recker next to Osama bin Laden with the words, “Indiana’s Most Hated.”

Alford led the Hoosiers to the 1987 national championship and became coach of Iowa (15-9, 4-6) three years ago.

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No. 8 Florida 72, South Carolina 63--Brett Nelson scored 16 points to lift the Gators (17-4, 6-3 in the Southeastern Conference) past the Gamecocks (13-9, 3-6) at Columbia, S.C.

No. 12 Miami 65, Villanova 56--James Jones scored 16 points at Villanova, Pa., as the Hurricanes (20-3, 7-3 in the Big East) beat the Wildcats (12-8, 4-6).

Connecticut 67, Providence 56--Caron Butler scored 16 points to lead the Huskies (15-5, 7-2 in the Big East) past the Friars (13-11, 4-6) at Hartford, Conn.

Saint Louis 67, Louisville 64--Kenny Brown scored 13 points as the Billikens (10-13, 4-6 in Conference USA) beat the Cardinals (13-8, 4-6) at Louisville, Ky.

New Mexico 84, Nevada Las Vegas 81--Ruben Douglas scored 29 points as the Lobos (14-7, 4-3 in the Mountain West) beat the Rebels (11-8, 3-4) at Albuquerque.

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North Carolina State’s Julius Hodge was suspended for tonight’s home game against No. 10 Virginia after throwing an elbow to the back of the head of Maryland’s Steve Blake on Sunday.