Pointing the finger isn't usually the way to solve problems.
The stigma associated with zeroing on mistakes rarely makes it into the film room. The idea wasn't left at the door of the IU video session, either.
IU coach Tom Crean and his players went through tape in preparation for Sunday's 6 p.m. game against Iowa. Judging from the results of IU's past nine games, you could guess it wasn't pretty.
One of IU's largest problems was revealed on tape, placing the many streaks teams go on to end the first half against IU was on display.
"The bottom line with us is we've got to stop these little streaks and we saw that on film as well," Crean said. "That's a mental toughness, that's a lack of leadership, that's understanding, 'Hey, that ball is going in a certain spot right now.'"
Few had ever been forced to take ownership of mistakes the way Crean had them in film session. Crean said the key was for players to point out their mistake before the coaches did, showing that they wanted to improve.
Freshman forward Christian Watford said he hadn't experienced the bluntness offered in the gathering.
"I've never done it that way," Watford said. "It just makes you take ownership of what you did as a player."
Freshman guard Jordan Hulls also said the tape session was one he thought would positively affect the team's psyche moving forward.
"I thought it was really good for us to see what mistakes we're making, for us to see it ourselves and call it out to the team," Hulls said. "I think we're taking a lot out of it"
