Ratliff Out With Bum Thumb: Indiana sophomore guard A.J. Ratliff had surgery on his injured right thumb Tuesday and will be out indefinitely. Ratliff last season averaged 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest, and started 14 games as a freshman. Also injured in the same practice was freshman Ben Allen, who was hit by an errant elbow, breaking his nose. He is expected to be ready for the start of the season November 18th against Nicholls State. [10/25/05]