Ahead of Big Ten Media Day in Chicago, IU Coach Curt Miller continued to push his squad in practice Wednesday to learn the new offensive system. Here are some observations from that practice and other news on the team.
Miller uses fiery coaching style to teach sets
The team used a good portion of practice yesterday to work on installing set plays named after states, including Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Oregon, to name a few. Miller at times lit into his players for being out of position or rythym, but they seem to embrace Miller's coaching style.
"We know he's fiery, we knew that when he was coming in," sophomore center Quaneisha McCurty said. "I think it gets all of us pumped up. It gets me pumped up. If he's yelling at you, you have to take the message and not the tone."
Miller is installing a detailed ball-screen offense, which relies heavily on the pick-and-roll and players off the ball constantly moving, either by cuts to the basket or movement around the perimeter.
"It's important that we pick up on everything," McCurty said. "Everybody has different jobs. If we're in the right spot then obviously it's gonna work. If we cut hard and set the ball screens right...it's gonna work. It's all about spacing and doing everything full speed.
"It's a good offense though."
Divided into two teams (red for projected starters and white for subs), players were also working on ball reversal and generating open perimeter shots against the 2-3 zone.
Miller admitted, though, that it will take time to install the system.
"We probably are a high C, B- right now," Miller said. "It's little by little. One of the strengths of our system through the years is the amount we had in and that we were a very smart team. I'm still learning the basketball IQ of this team and what they can handle and not.
"I would call it an abbreviated playbook, to say the least at this point. We hope to keep expanding that playbook throughout the year and counter a lot of things that teams are doing."
Injury update
- Redshirt-freshman guard Kaila Hulls: Out for season with a torn right ACL suffered during preseason conditioning. Hulls was seen wearing a walking boot while riding a stationary bike at Wednesday's practice. She previously tore her right ACL in October 2011 while at Bowling Green and missed the entire 2011-12 season.
- Junior guard Andrea Newbauer: Continues to rehab from ankle surgery she had during the summer and has yet to practice with the team, according to Miller. More on Newbauer's status:
Miller said her status is "week-by-week" and the team hopes to have her practicing on Nov. 1. "We hope that she's ready but we certainly have concerns about her conditioning and how close to full strength she is. She will have to play with some pain when she gets back. But we've gotta manage what's in the best interest for her and then also our program."
Bell taking reps with starters while Newbauer rehabs
While Newbauer recovers from ankle surgery and fellow guard Candyce Ussery battles several injuries, freshman guard Nicole Bell has been running the point with the starters during practice, gaining valuable experience ahead of schedule.
"Nicole Bell is a godsend for us right now -- a player that we didn't pick up until June and were very fortunate to have that happen," Miller said. "She has really stepped up and led well for a freshman point guard, demanded upperclassmen to be certain places. It's really fun to see her leadership and she's just all guts and determination.
"Is she ultimately a great Big Ten Player? I don't know. But I know one thing: she's a great leader and she's a great person, and we're fortunate to have her."
For her part, Bell credits the upperclassman she is directing on the floor to her evolution in practice.
"It is a little different having 16 'freshman,' just because of the whole new system, because you don't have anyone experienced in the system," Bell said. "Everyone is still doing a really good job, especially the seniors picking us up when we get down or make a bad play and just really keeping us in practice mode."
Quote of the Day
"I think they're scared to death that we have games coming up because we have so much more to do...It's not so much of trying to get them not to look ahead, I got to get them to calm down and not panic, that we still have time to get things in, and that trust us: if they keep working we'll be a much better team in January and February."
-- IU Coach Curt Miller on keeping his players from looking ahead to the Nov. 9 opener at Valparaiso.
