The Hoosiers other notable non-conference game comes on Dec. 17 when they face

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are shifting their arena naming rights from Consol Energy Center to PPG Paints Arena.The move comes as Pittsburgh-based PPG increases its efforts in the retail paint business and Consol, based in suburban Cecil Township, has struggled with financial losses while transitioning from a coal-based firm to one fueled by the future of natural gas.Its a great opportunity for PPG and its a great opportunity for the Penguins, team president David Morehouse said at a news conference Tuesday. Its not going to be just a name on the building.Morehouse and Bryan Iams, PPGs vice president of corporate and government affairs, said the team and worldwide coatings company plan cross-promotions to boost both brands, as well as the profile of both in the community.What you may see is a little more of a fan interaction because of the retail component of their business, Morehouse said.Iams said the company sees a significant opportunity from a growth standpoint. A great opportunity to increase sales in all our stores. The naming rights deal also boosts the companys profile in the Pittsburgh region where 2,500 of its 46,000 worldwide employees are based.Consol became a major Penguins sponsor before they won the Stanley Cup in 2009, while still playing in the since-razed Civic Arena across the street. The energy company signed on as the new arenas title sponsor before it opened in 2010. The 21-year deal was estimated to be worth about $105 million, though the terms were never formally disclosed, nor were those of the new deal.Consol wasnt represented at the news conference, but its president and CEO, Nick DeIuliis, issued a statement, saying the companys mission back then was to catapult the region to new heights by catalyzing the creation of a venue to benefit the entire tristate community. We also wanted to keep a hockey team in our region, he said, referring to the public-private partnership that funded the arena and prevented the Penguins from moving.Ron Dick, an associate professor of sports marketing at nearby Duquesne University, said the deal makes sense for all involved.There are 14 years or so left on this deal, and compared to other buildings nationally, the $100 million or so price tag is pretty low, Dick said. Pittsburgh is pretty price-sensitive. The (New York) Mets get $400 million for the same 20-year period to have Citibanks name on their field.But it all comes back to the current state of the gas and coal industries, Dick said.Consol reported a net loss of $603 million for the quarter that ended June 30, and its latest earnings have yet to be published.Consol has been cutting costs -- it wont renew a 10-year naming rights deal that expires in 2017 for the ballpark of the minor-league Washington Wild Things about 20 miles away -- and earlier this year announced plans to resume gas drilling in the Utica and Marcellus shale formations.Meanwhile, PPG has sold its flat glass business for $750 million to a Mexican firm in July, and the company founded at Pittsburgh Plate Glass in 1883 now realizes most of its income from paints and other coatings.Signage and other changes are expected to be in place by the time the Penguins open the season at home Oct. 13. JJ Redick Jersey . 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In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- When Indiana tipped off its regular season home opener, it looked like the sixth-ranked Hoosiers returned from Honolulu empty-handed.Just five days removed from defeating then-No. 3 Kansas in the Armed Forces Classic, Indiana started Wednesday nights game flat on offense, slow on defense, and for much of the first 10 minutes, played mediocre basketball. The Hoosiers looked tired, searching for the momentum that carried them past Kansas.When youre coming off a great win like we had, you think the (next) game is going to be easier, but its not, Indiana coach Tom Crean said, adding that it felt like his team hit a wall.James Blackmon Jr. got Indiana (2-0) over that wall. Blackmon Jr. made five 3-pointers, scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 100-78 victory over UMass Lowell.The River Hawks led three times during the first 10 minutes and by as many as five points. But with 8:24 remaining, Indiana found its niche behind the savvy scoring of Blackmon, who had 20 points in the first half.Indiana outscored UMass Lowell (1-2) 32-15 during the final 8 minutes of the first half. The Hoosiers went into halftime having shot 60 percent from the field (21 of 35). Once Indiana returned true to form, resembling the same team that kicked off the season with a big win in Hawaii, the Hoosiers dominated for the remainder of the game. The Hoosiers had an assists on 23 field goals.Big men OG Anunoby and Thomas Bryant contributed to Indianas onslaught. Anunoby scored 15 points and Bryant added nine and the two combined for nine rebounds. The Hoosiers outrebounded UMass Lowell 46-24. Of the 46 rebounds, 19 were on the offensive end, leading to 15 second-chance points.Crean praised his squad for establishing physicality and speed, rather than attempting to establish their jump shots, or an offensive presence. And in doing so, it led to a defensive effort that contributed largely to the turning point of the game. Robert Johnson echoed his coachs sentiments.I think it all starts on defense, Johnson said. Once wwe get stops, defensive rebounds, we can get out in transition and play.ddddddddddddJohnson scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five assists for Indiana. The Hoosiers led by as many as 29 points half way through the second half.Jahad Thomas finished with 16 points and Tyler Livingston had 14 for the River Hawks.Despite the 22-point loss, UMass Lowell coach Pat Duquette found very little to be disappointed about.I dont think we were too affected by the atmosphere. We dont play in arenas like this. We dont play in front of a crowd like this. I was happy that our guys didnt get distracted by that and stuck to the game plan, Duquette said. For us to score 78 points against a really talented Indiana team on their home court, thats a great sign. I think they are a legitimate top five team.BIG PICTURE: Indiana will have three more games to build on the big win over Kansas. The Hoosiers next three games are against mid-majors before they host North Carolina on Nov. 30. The Hoosiers other notable non-conference game comes on Dec. 17 when they face Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before kicking off Big Ten Conference play against Nebraska on Dec. 28. Indianas final non-conference game is a showdown with No. 12 Louisville at Bankers Life on New Years Eve.CENTURY CLUB: With Indianas 103-99 win over Kansas and its 100-78 beat down of UMass Lowell, the Hoosiers scored 100 points in consecutive games for the first time since 2005. Wednesdays game marked the first time Indiana opened the season with back-to-back games with at least 100 points since 1992-93.TURNING POINTS: With 8:24 to play in the first half, Indiana opened a 14-2 run that would give the Hoosiers a comfortable halftime lead. And with 17 minutes left in the second half, the Hoosiers ignited an 18-2 run that ultimately put the game out of reach.UP NEXT:UMass Lowell travels to IPFW on Saturday.Indiana hosts Liberty on Saturday. ' ' '