BLOOMINGTON – Don't put the pressure on Christian Watford. For one thing, Indiana's heralded freshman forward doesn't want it. For another, it's not necessary. He's not a messiah set to lead the Hoosiers out of a 6-25 basketball wasteland. He's just a 6-8 standout from a top-15 recruiting class looking to play his part in a turnaround season.

“I wouldn't say there's pressure on me,” he said. “There's pressure on all of us. We want to prove everybody wrong who picked us to finish last in the Big Ten.”

Watford's double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds) in Wednesday's Grace College victory showed his potential, although he missed enough layups in his 5-for-13 shooting to keep him humble.

That humbleness, and the team chemistry it represents, is among the reasons why coach Tom Crean is high on this group entering Monday night's final exhibition game against NCAA Division II St. Joseph's.

“I thought they were unselfish,” Crean said about the Hoosiers' performance against Grace. “They moved the ball well. I don't think we took any real arrogant shots. I don't call them selfish shots. Arrogant means my challenged shot is better than your open shot. I don't want that mentality here.”

What Crean does want is lots of free- throw opportunities.

“We have to be anal about getting into the bonus and then how we play once we're there,” he said.

The reward for those who listen will come in playing time.

“What gets you on the floor is your ability to defend,” Crean said. “What keeps you on the floor is your ability to defend and make good decisions. What gives you great minutes is when you can get easy baskets for yourself and your teammates.”

Crean also pushes quality free-throw shooting, especially at the end of games. The Hoosiers were 22-for-29 (75.9 percent) against Grace.

“The more competitive we are, you're not going to play at the end of games if you're not 65 percent or better,” he said. “And, really, we get down to icing a game and 65 percent isn't going to cut it, either. You're going to have to be in the mid-70s.”

IU will have 6-11 freshman center Bawa Muniru for Monday's exhibition. Muniru was finally cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Muniru averaged 16.6 points and 8.9 rebounds as a senior at Madison (Ala.) Academy.

“Bawa can now move forward with his energies completely focused on his academic and athletic career,” Crean said.