The Paper Boys IUBB Podcast
Men's basketball staff writers Evan Hoopfer, Alden Woods and John Bauernfeind discuss IU's up-and-down week on the hardwood and Tuesday's clash with Michigan State.
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Men's basketball staff writers Evan Hoopfer, Alden Woods and John Bauernfeind discuss IU's up-and-down week on the hardwood and Tuesday's clash with Michigan State.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>What a dramatic difference four days makes.Roughly 92 hours after IU basketball was at the top of the mountain after taking down No. 3 Wisconsin, an avalanche of missed jump shots and poor perimeter defense drug the Hoosiers back down to where they started.One giant step forward. One equally giant step backward.IU (12-6, 2-3) may have had its most disappointing outing of the season when they lost to Northwestern (9-10, 2-4).The Hoosiers scored 47 points while shooting 25 percent from the field.Let me reiterate: 47 points.I could throw statistics at you to manifest the poor shooting, but the simple fact is IU was miserable on offense.Actually I changed my mind.These statistics are so alarming I’m going to throw them at you anyway.IU was 15-60 from the field. Counting free throws, the Hoosiers missed 49 total shots.Sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell was 2-14 from the field for nine points.Graduate student guard Evan Gordon was 3-12 from the field for seven points. One of his misses came with IU down four with 22 seconds left.Gordon opted not to drive the lane, and instead took a contested step-back three, which he air-balled.“Terrible shot,” IU Coach Tom Crean said of Gordon’s attempt. “No question about it … There’s no excuse for that.”Freshman forward Noah Vonleh was the lone bright spot for IU. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds.He made five field goals, which accounted one-third of the team’s total field goals.IU’s offense was putrid.But that wasn’t the most discouraging part for me. Sometimes you have days where the ball just doesn’t want to go in the hoop. It happens to every team.The lack of offense production wasn’t due to a lack of effort.But the defense? That’s another question.The Wildcats were equally inept from the offensive end in the first half, shooting 28 percent.But the Wildcats shot 50 percent in the second half.That is ridiculous and not acceptable if you’re an IU fan.It’s not like Northwestern was lighting the world on fire coming into today. They had averaged a woeful 51 points per game in conference play.And they hung 32 points in the second half against a team that statistically had one of the country’s best defenses.The lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball was abysmal. Northwestern’s Tre Demps scored 12 straight points at one point.He was getting clean look after clean look. Sure, he was hot. But if you’re an IU defender you have at least try and disrupt his rhythm.When your offensive is game is struggling that’s when the defense needs to step up.And the Hoosiers lied down.Demps finished with 15 points. Drew Crawford hung 17 against the Hoosier defense.Like I said, the offense can be excused to an extent. Sometimes it isn’t your day with the whole getting the ball into the basket thing.But a team has complete control over two things that aren’t tied to the opponent: attitude and effort.On the defensive end of the ball, the effort wasn’t there.And that’s how you lose to a sub .500 team four days after beating the No. 3 team in the nation.All the trekking the Hoosiers did against Wisconsin was negated with this loss.IU has to start over now.And the Big Ten sure is a big mountain to climb.-ehoopfer@indiana.edu
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Now comes the interesting part.When IU upset No. 3 Wisconsin on Tuesday night, they played like world-beaters.The Hoosiers broke a 12-game losing streak to the Badgers, and Assembly Hall was at its finest, coming alive as a definite sixth man.So we’ve seen the good side of IU. But this team has been inconsistent this year. Can IU sustain the same intensity it exhibited Tuesday night for the entirety of the season?The first test comes when IU (12-5, 2-2 conference) will play Northwestern (8-10, 1-4 conference) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Assembly Hall.This game’s simple explanation: IU is better than Northwestern.IU has more talent. The Wildcats have struggled this season, losing to DePaul and Illinois State and beating IU-Purdue University Indianapolis by only two points — all at home.In five Big Ten games, Northwestern’s woeful offense is averaging 51.2 points per game. This is by far the worst in the conference (No. 11 Nebraska averages 61 points per game).The Wildcats have no player who shoots more than 37 percent from behind the arc. As a team, they are shooting a downright abysmal 24 percent in three-pointers in conference games.The Wildcats have been outscored by an average of 17 points a game in the Big Ten — the worst figure in the conference.Overall, college basketball statistical analysis website kenpom.com ranks the Wildcats as the 313th-best offense in college basketball (out of 351 teams).I don’t see IU losing this game even if they tried.The Hoosiers like to push the ball. If the game becomes a track meet like IU wants, it won’t be close. Northwestern doesn’t have the horses to hang with the Bloomington boys.Northwestern plays at a slow pace. They are the 329th slowest team in America.Even if Northwestern is able to slow the game, it won’t matter. IU isn’t the greatest half-court team, but their defense should be able to shut down the Wildcats’ offense with ease.If IU gets to 60 points, it’s pretty much over.But even though the Hoosiers have every statistical advantage on Northwestern, it will always a question whether the Hooisers can respond with the same intensity they exhibited in the Wisconsin victory.Yes, the Hoosiers have more talent than Northwestern.But Northwestern, playing only one freshman in their primary lineup, might come out and jump on the sleepy Hoosiers to get an early lead.If IU forces too many jumpers and forgets that it is unstoppable when it gets to the basket, the Hoosiers could be in trouble.I see IU notching the victory to push them past the .500 mark in the conference. Northwestern simply isn’t good enough.Prediction: IU 68, NW 55Evan Hoopfer is 5-3 in predictions this year.— ehoopfer@indiana.edu
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>To storm, or not to storm?That is the question for which people thought it was their responsibility to voice their opinion after IU upset No. 3 Wisconsin on Tuesday night.Consider me one of those people.Should the storming of the court be chalked up as a cathartic release of joy?Or should IU remember its place in the college basketball pantheon and not subjugate itself to behavior fitting lesser, desperate teams?My answer: storm, baby, storm.I loved the court storming, and I was shocked at the vitriol in response on the Twittersphere.One of my favorites came from ESPN radio host Doug Gottlieb. He tweeted at 2:46 a.m. after the IU win, “IU rushed the floor versus Wisconsin … seriously IU you got 5 banners up there, get a hold of yourselves”You’re not going to believe this, but I have some opinions.First, how can we expect 18-, 19-, 20- and 21-year-old students to make the snap decision of whether this would be considered ‘proper etiquette’?I remember when I was 21. Well, because I am 21. I can’t make a rational decision about what to eat for dinner.I cannot blame my peers for being shortsighted, since that is the only vision college students have.Secondly, a practice as chaotic as storming the court shouldn’t have such strict rules and regulations.I must have missed the press release on that. There are no rules on when to storm the court. That is the point. It is a practice of pure pandemonium.The argument my friend brought up was, “You’d never see a Duke, Kentucky or Kansas do that.”My response is it shouldn’t matter in the slightest what Duke does when it wins a basketball game.A program should not look to other programs to determine what is best. I guarantee none of the students were thinking, “Wait wait wait, guys. What would Lawrence, Kan., do?”And they shouldn’t. They are different programs with a different set of fan practices.The argument could be made it hurts the reputation of a basketball institution with such prestige as IU.I say the contrary.IU Coach Tom Crean admitted after the game the fans were instrumental in taking down Wisconsin.“I never take them for granted,” Crean said of the crowd after the game.The atmosphere Hoosier nation created added more prestige to the program than the so-called “faux pas” of running onto Branch McCracken Court and Snapchatting their buddies.Seriously, if you were watching that game on ESPN as a prospective college student, I’m sure the thought: “Wow, that Bloomington place sure looks fun,” would go through your mind.IU fans, you were extremely important in willing your team to victory.The players will get their quotes in the paper, have their picture plastered all over the city and become household names.So have your day. Celebrate.And don’t let people take away what separates college athletics from the professional ranks — pure, unbridled, irrational passion.Storm the court, order Mother Bears and have a picnic on the hardwood for all I care.You earned it.— ehoopfer@indiana.edu
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Coach Kevin Wilson announced today via the team Twitter account that junior quarterback Cam Coffman will transfer from IU. Coffman was the third-string quarterback this year, sitting behind redshirt sophomore Tre Roberson and sophomore Nate Sudfeld on the depth chart.“Nate and Tre have come...and he’s the odd man out,” Wilson said in the video. “I want him to stay, but he’s wanting to leave.”It was not announced what school Coffman will transfer to. He has one year left of eligibility, so he can play his senior year at the new school.“We’re going to hopefully find a good spot (for Coffman),” Wilson said. “For him to have some on-field success.”Coffman came to IU after transferring from Arizona Western Community College. He was the backup heading into the 2012 season before Roberson broke his leg in the second game of the season against Massachusetts. Roberson was sidelined for the rest of the year with the injury.Coffman took over at quarterback and averaged 249 passing yards per game, throwing 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had a 60.7 percent completion rate in 10 starts.His 2,734 passing yards were the fourth most in the program’s 129-year history.However, Coffman was buried in the team’s depth chart this year. He threw only 29 total passing yards and played in just three games during the 2013 campaign.“He’s had some success here,” Wilson said. “But we want him to finish strong.”--Evan Hoopfer
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>That is the beauty of being inconsistent.At times this year, IU has looked stagnant on the court. They’ve settled for far too many jump shots and looked lost on defense.They lost to Notre Dame, got blown out by Syracuse and beat LIU Brooklyn by one.Inconsistency is the mantra of young teams like the Hoosiers, whether they like it or not.Tuesday night, IU fans saw the benefit of being inconsistent.Sometimes you play out of your freaking mind.That was true when IU took down No. 3 Wisconsin 75-72. The Assembly Hall crowd was so raucous it felt more like a rock concert than a basketball game.The Hoosier faithful fought and believed. This IU team was so desperate for energy to play off of.And the crowd fed them.Assembly Hall was a true sixth man, rattling the usually steady Badgers as IU put together a 40-minute performance worthy of an encore. There were plenty of chances for IU to fold.But they didn’t.Even after Wisconsin came out shooting 7-7 from the field, the Hoosiers fought.Even though senior forward Will Sheehey was 0-3 from behind the arc, he heaved up a three with 7:06 remaining in the game.He believed. And the ball went in.Even after Wisconsin built a 49-40 lead in the second half, IU fought.Even after sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell started 0-7 from three, he threw up the 3-point attempt with 2:53 remaining.He believed. And boom, IU had a 3-point lead.This game was a manifestation of the benefits of youth. The Badger program had a hex against IU, beating the Hoosiers 12 straight times.This current Hoosier squad didn’t know any better. They didn’t know they weren’t supposed to beat Wisconsin.But IU and Assembly Hall didn’t care.IU fought, they believed and they oozed confidence.“It’s amazing what happens when real confidence starts to come,” IU Coach Tom Crean said.The confidence Crean showed in freshman guard Stanford Robinson was evident, and paid off.Robinson had 13 points in just 24 minutes. He was slashing to the bucket and making plays happen. Even after he was stuffed at the rim a couple times, Robinson kept clawing and fighting to get to the hole.The same can be said about Ferrell. Although he was not efficient, going 10-24 from the field, he had confidence in his shot.The two free throws he hit with 18 seconds left to push the Hoosier lead to three were so ice-cold, I got a shiver as the ball went through the net.Now comes the tough part.Can IU sustain this intensity? Because if the Hoosiers play with the same intensity and confidence they played with against the Badgers, the sky is the limit.Or this team could hit rock bottom. Nobody knows. Not the players, coaches or fans.The uncertainty is exciting if you’re an IU fan. Because you’ve seen both sides of this Jekyll and Hyde team.Sometimes you barely escape with a one-point win against LIU Brooklyn. And sometimes last night happens.This is the beauty of being inconsistent.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This is not a joke. The curse Wisconsin athletics has over IU athletics is legitimate.No. 3 Wisconsin (16-0, 3-0) has the advantage of just being a better basketball team when they play IU (11-5, 1-2) at 7 p.m. on ESPN.But they also have the advantage of Wisconsin having IU’s number in several sports.In IU’s last 12 games against Wisconsin, the men’s basketball team is 0-12.But the curse extends to more than men’s basketball.In the last nine football games IU and Wisconsin have played, IU is 0-9.IU is on a losing trend in several sports against Wisconsin. 0-8 in wrestling, 7-27 volleyball, 1-5 in women’s basketball, 1-5 in women’s soccer and 4-10 in softball.IU has dominated in women’s tennis (9-1) and men’s soccer (17-2-2). Wisconsin doesn’t have a baseball program. Probably because IU would actually have success against them.But none of the contests between the two schools has drawn more attention than the men’s basketball series.For whatever reason, IU just can’t get over the hump. Even last year’s team went 0-2 against the Badgers, failing to reach 60 points in either game.The Badgers’ 16-0 start is the best in program history. As usual, they have one of the best defenses in the country, ranking 12th in the nation according to kenpom.com.Wisconsin still plays at a snail’s pace. Out of 351 teams Wisconsin is ranked No. 304 in adjusted tempo.But they are incredible offensive efficiency.In three conference games the Badgers have averaged 82 points and just 6.7 turnovers a game. They have the fourth-best offense in the country, according to kenpom.com.To pull off the major upset, IU will need to control the pace. This game needs to be fast-paced for IU, not allowing Wisconsin to set up their lethal half-court offense. Or defense, for that matter.IU should have an advantage on the glass.In the last five games, Wisconsin’s featured includes playing Traevon Jackson (6-foot-2), Ben Brust (6-foot-1), Josh Gasser (6-foot-3) nearly 30 percent of the time together. This is by far their most-used lineup, meaning the Badgers feature three players 6-foot-3 or shorter. The Hoosiers, one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, should have an advantage on the boards.The Hoosiers need to use their length to disrupt the Badger passing lanes, push the pace so Wisconsin doesn’t set up their half-court offense or defense and dominate the glass to get second chance points for an upset.However, I don’t see the Hoosiers winning this game. Wisconsin will be able to control the pace and make this game a half-court affair. The Hoosiers don’t have the discipline to beat one of the country’s best teams playing their own game.Prediction — Wisconsin 73, IU 61.Evan Hoopfer is 5-2 in predictions this season.— ehoopfer@indiana.eduFollow columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer
IU men's basketball reporters John Bauernfeind and Alden Woods and columnist Evan Hoopfer discuss IU's past five games, Jeremy Hollowell's benching and Luke Fischer's departure
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Well, that was discouraging.Sure, IU (11-5, 1-2) got off the Big Ten schneid with a 79-76 victory against Penn State (9-8, 0-4) on Saturday.But IU fans should not be in jubilation.The narrow victory cemented that IU, in my opinion, will not make the NCAA tournament.Coming into the season, the general belief was the Hoosiers would not win a national championship, but they would be competitive and a mid-tier Big Ten team.Nope.The Hoosiers have beaten only one top-100 team all season: a 102-84 victory over Washington in November. The best game IU played could arguably be the three-point loss at Illinois on New Year’s Eve.This team has incredible talent and an excess of breathtaking athleticism, which makes their lack of results frustrating.Freshman forward Noah Vonleh has lived up to the hype. He’s shown flashes of becoming the third Hoosier in two years to be selected in the NBA lottery.Sophomore guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell has been outstanding and is actually underrated.Beyond Ferrell and Vonleh, this Hoosier squad is a giant heap of mediocrity and inconsistency.IU will not go dancing in March because of a lack of shooting, no viable big man to spell Vonleh and a refusal to attack the basket.Who is the Hoosiers’ third best player?Sophomore forward Jeremy Hollowell has not developed in his sophomore season. The former starter sat the entirety of the Penn State game not because he was hurt, but because he “lacks focus,” IU Coach Tom Crean said.Senior forward Will Sheehey has not flourished in his starting role.No longer is he the spark plug off the bench used for instant offense. His role this year was supposed to an offensive cornerstone.But even though he’s taken the second most shots on the team, Sheehey is averaging only 10.8 points a game.Sheehey has lost his touch from three. The last two years he’s shot 38 and 35 percent from three-land. Not great, but respectable numbers.This year he’s shooting a woeful 29.5 percent from behind the arc.Freshmen Stan Robinson and Troy Williams have shown potential that makes fans drool. But they are freshmen. They lack consistency and they turn the ball over a little too much.So after watching the Hoosiers defeat a team that will be one of the Big Ten’s worst by three points, their future was sold for me.This team is a year away from being a top five Big Ten team. And that’s only the case if Vonleh forgoes the NBA and stays for his sophomore year at IU.Programs go through ups and downs.IU is in the middle of a lull.Losing four of its five starters from that powerhouse last year is nearly impossible to replace while maintaining the same success.Still, this is IU.The Bloomington faithful expect to be playing meaningful basketball in March every season.That won’t happen this year.— ehoopfer@indiana.eduFollow men’s basketball columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Hoosiers’ next game could go either way.IU (10-5, 0-2 conference) plays at Penn State (9-7, 0-3 conference) Saturday.The Nittany Lions have struggled this year and there are several reasons why IU should win in the end.Penn State lost to Bucknell and Princeton, and dropped their first two conference games (against Michigan State and Illinois) by a combined 36 points.They don’t have much talent beside guards D.J. Newbill and Tim Frazier.Against Minnesota on Wednesday, both Newbill and Frazier fouled out. In the last 58 seconds, Penn State was without their two premier players and looked inept offensively.IU has beaten Penn State five straight times by an average of 19 points, and own the all-time series lead 33-9.The Nittany Lions went 2-17 last year against Big Ten teams.The Hoosiers are coming off two straight losses to open up the Big Ten season. They’ll be eager and focused to get their first conference win.All those are reasons why the Hoosiers should win.But in my opinion, those aren’t enough.Though Penn State has little outside of Frazier and Newbill, those two are spectacular players.Newbill has struggled lately. He had seven points in 25 minutes against Illinois and his stat line against Minnesota — zero points and five fouls — was less than impressive.But he’s still averaging fewer than 17 points a game and shooting more than 40 percent from behind the arc. Expect him to break out of his recent slump.And then there’s Frazier.The wily senior always seems to be making plays and seeing things other players don’t. He’s a heady player who your grandpa would say, ‘plays the game the right way.’“Tim Frazier’s a magician out there,” a BTN announcer said during the Penn State-Minnesota broadcast.Newcomer transfer John Johnson from Pitt has played in four games this year, with mixed results.His point totals have been Jekyll and Hyde this year. He’s had 20, 2, 18 and 4 points in his games this year. But he gives the Nittany Lions a viable guard to spell Frazier and Newbill.Against Minnesota, Penn State broke out a 1-3-1 half court trap at times. Sometimes they stayed in the zone, and sometimes they switched back to a man defense.If the Nittany Lions are smart, they’ll play almost the entire game in a zone defense and force the Hoosiers to make perimeter shots.Minus sophomore guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell, who has been stellar from behind the arc, the Hoosiers have shot 26 percent from three.That figure is abhorrent.Expect the Nittany Lions to swarm Ferrell, and make the other Hoosiers on the court beat them with jump shots by packing the paint and not allowing penetration.The Hoosiers are best when they run up and down the court at a lighting pace. That allows the Hoosiers to use their athleticism in the most efficient manner.Expect Penn State to do the opposite. They’ll walk the ball up the court and make this a half-court, slow-tempo affair.IU has more talent than Penn State.It should win.But with young teams, they are consistent only in being inconsistent.I think Frazier will win this game for Penn State, and the lack of outside shooting will lose this game for IU.And with Wisconsin on the schedule for the next game, it could be a nightmare Big Ten start for the Hoosier faithful.Prediction- Penn State 68, IU 64Evan Hoopfer is 5-1 in predictions this season.— ehoopfer@indiana.edu
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU's offense looked stagnant against Michigan State. And stagnant is putting it nicely.IU scored just 56 points, the second lowest output of the season. Without a consistent shooter, the offense is doubtful to see improvement.Sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell has been a lights-out shooter this season.He’s hit 46 percent from behind the arc. Which is just stupid good.That number is impressive because as the Hoosiers main (and sometimes only) offensive option, he has the ball in his hands much of the time and draws consistent attention from the opposing defense.What’s even more impressive about Ferrell’s figure is the amount he’s taken. He has shot 92 threes this season, which is 52 more than any other Hoosier.But after Ferrell, the pickings get slim in terms of outside shooting.Very, very slim.Senior forward Will Sheehey is shooting 30 percent from three. This number was bolstered by a 3-for-3 performance against the Spartans.Coming into the game against MSU, the senior was struggling, hitting just 24 percent of his threes.Sophomore forward Jeremy Hollowell has shot an abysmal 21 percent from three. He’s hit only six threes this year despite hoisting the fourth most attempts.Freshmen Troy Williams and Stan Robinson bring much to the table, but not shooting. They are a combined 14 percent from three.So, it's unclear who besides Ferrell can be a consistent shooter.Sophomore forward Austin Etherington was billed a pure shooter when he came to IU, but he has seen limited playing time, averaging less than seven minutes a game.And when he’s been on the floor, he’s gone 2-for-9 from behind the arc.Sophomore guard Jonny Marlin saw three minutes of playing time against Michigan State, but he can’t be relied upon to be the team’s sharpshooter.Marlin looked visibly flustered when Spartan guards pressured him. He has shot exactly one three point shot this year, which he missed.The only other consistent shooter besides Ferrell has been graduate student Evan Gordon. Gordon has hit 38 percent of his threes.But even his numbers are inflated.Gordon went off against Oakland on Dec. 10, going 4-for-5 from behind the arc. Take away that game, and he’s hitting 29 percent of his threes.What this IU squad needs is an off-ball sharpshooter.They need a Matt Roth 2.0; a cold-blooded shooter who can work off the ball and make the opponent’s defense respect him.This would not allow defenders to sag off and clog the paint when Ferrell, Robinson or Gordon attack the rim.The lack of a consistent off-ball shooter makes the offense looked clogged down. This is also why zones have been extremely effective against the Hoosier offense.IU shot a respectable 50 percent from behind the arc against Michigan State, but that’s not the issue.The issue is the number of threes IU is taking.The Hoosiers took only 10 threes, compared to 24 attempts from Michigan State.So although the Spartans shot 41 percent from three, their sheer volume of threes made the Hoosier defense respect the Spartan outside shot.This opened up the lane for driving Spartan guards. In the second half it looked like Michigan State was running a layup line for an offense.The two-point shooting percentage was the most telling in the game.Michigan State shot 51 percent on its two-point shots, while IU shot 37 percent on two-point shots.That’s because the Spartans had space to operate inside the arc.Meanwhile, IU had to deal with Michigan State defenders packing the paint because Michigan State had no respect for the Hoosier outside shot.Offensive success isn’t always how you shoot the ball, it’s how your opponent thinks you’ll shoot the ball.On Saturday, the Spartans knew the Hoosiers couldn’t shoot from outside.And they were right.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s hard to have an encouraging loss.But that’s exactly what IU’s 83-80 loss to Illinois in Champaign was, an encouraging loss.Illinois and Indiana will likely end up with a very similar record. In a lot of instances, Illinois is IU’s basketball doppelganger.Coming into today, kenpom.com had IU ranked No. 49 in the nation. Illinois was ranked No. 50.The all-time series between these two teams is now 85-85.Both teams have a go-to scorer. IU has sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell (who had a career-high 30 points) and Illinois has guard Rayvonte Rice (who had 29 points).Until recently, both teams played in an Assembly Hall.Indiana has seven letters, Illinois has eight letters.I’ll stop with the comparisons. But the fact remains—Illinois is almost exactly as good at basketball as IU. Both teams have different strengths and weaknesses, but both will finish around the same mark.So IU losing by one possession on the road is an eye-opening loss, in a good way. The loss demonstrated IU’s potential when they make jump shots, something they were doing before they fell apart in the second half.The small-ball lineup featuring freshmen forward Devin Davis at power forward was killing Illinois.This unit built a 59-52 lead with over 11 minutes left in the game because they were playing to their strength: running.They were getting out in transition, and running the Illini defenders to death. Illinois, a very slow-paced team, couldn’t handle the Hoosiers’ team speed.Even though the Hoosiers were shooting below 45 percent and had a bevy of turnovers, they were still scoring at a high rate.That’s because they pushed the pace to create more possessions, which cancelled out their otherwise inefficient offense.Their running created more possessions, and thus created more scoring opportunities.But IU stopped running.And that’s when the Hoosiers lost the game.IU started walking the ball up the court. The sense of urgency was gone, as IU let Illinois play their game. It was a snail’s pace, just what the Illini wanted.Coming into the game, Illinois was the 329th slowest team in college basketball (out of 351 teams), according to kenpom.com.The half-court game is Illinois’s preference, not the Hoosiers.Adding to the offensive carnage was Vonleh coming out of the lineup. The Hoosiers didn’t have the ability to execute in the half court.Yes, the loss always stings. Players didn’t step up. Robinson, whom I have praised highly this year, was dreadful. He was apprehensive early in the game, not getting the basket.Then when he was able to get to the basket, he would throw up wild shots. He finished with one point, four fouls and two turnovers in 19 minutes.When the Hoosiers were pushing the pace and making their jump shots, they looked capable of beating any of the conference’s elite.But with a young team, inconsistency is expected. The Hoosiers played to their strengths in shorts bursts. If they can maintain the attacking mindset the whole game, the Big Ten should watch out.That’s why this loss was encouraging. This team will grow, develop and mature. They have the talent to compete at a high level.But do they have the mindset?Follow columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter at @EvanHoopfer.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Run.This three-letter word must become the Hoosiers’ dogma after freshman center Luke Fischer left the program yesterday.To put on their dancing shoes come March, IU must first put on their track shoes.Fischer, 6-foot-10, was the only viable backup for freshman forward Noah Vonleh at center.Sophomore center Peter Jurkin has not shown he can contribute. Sophomore Hanner Mosquera-Perea is 6-foot-9. These two players, along with Vonleh, are the only Hoosiers 6-foot-9 or taller with Fischer’s departure.This lack of size will force IU to play to its strength: running.Vonleh has been terrific this season. He is an athletic specimen, and a menace on the boards and defense. He even looks a little Anthony Davis-esque at times.But he gets in foul trouble at times. He commits 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes.So when Vonleh has to ride the bench, who is the backup center now?Nobody.No other Hoosier player can play with the other centers in the Big Ten. Mosquera-Perea is a great athlete, but he’s far from a polished post player. And his interior defense isn’t stellar.So why not go a completely different route?The Hoosiers should transform into VCU and run their opponents to death. Use the natural slashers on the team (sophomore guard Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, freshman guard Stan Robinson and graduate student guard Evan Gordon) to send the opponents looking for oxygen masks and never let their foot off the gas pedal.Use the full-court IU experimented with during non-conference to push the game to a dizzying speed.IU has run this season. A lot.They are 11th in the country in adjusted tempo, averaging 73.2 possessions a game (the national average is 68.1 a game), according to kenpom.com.So IU Coach Tom Crean understands running is the key to Hoosier success. It’s no coincidence the three Hoosier losses this year were also the three slowest games IU has played this season.The Connecticut loss was 68 possessions, Notre Dame was 71 and the Syracuse contest was an incredibly slow 58 total possessions.So whenever Vonleh exits, the running should become sprinting.Put freshman forwards Devin Davis and Troy Williams, sophomore forward Jeremy Hollowell or Mosquera-Perea at the center position and go off to the races.This small-ball lineup would allow IU to press full court and provide incredible team speed.This would mean any player on the floor could get to the basket at any given time.Without a pure shooter or a viable post presence, executing a half-court offense will prove fatal to the IU offense.The first test comes in Champaign, Ill. against the Illinois Fighting Illini.Illinois (11-2) plays slow. Very slow. Their adjusted tempo is 325th in the nation.Incredibly, Illinois has registered more than 67 possessions in just one game this year.In comparison, IU has had more than 67 possessions in a game 12 times this season.This will be a clashing of styles. IU will try to run up and down the court, as the Fighting Illini will fight to keep it a half-court, low scoring affair.This will be the first true measuring stick of the year for IU. This is a winnable game, as IU and Illinois are projected to finish with a similar record in the Big Ten.But the Champaign crowd will prove too much. IU won’t be able to control the pace. IU’s lack of interior presence will rear its ugly head when Vonleh comes out.Illinois wins 67-59.Evan Hoopfer is 3-1 in predictions this season.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When freshman center Luke Fischer made a free throw to put IU up 26 with 3:35 to play, he was subbed out for freshman forward Noah Vonleh.Chants of ‘Luuuuuuuuke’ echoed throughout Assembly Hall.“Luke is knocking on the door, right now, of being a really productive player for us,” IU Coach Tom Crean said.And the praise was deservedly so.In the final tune-up game before Big Ten play begins nine days from now at Illinois, IU beat Kennesaw State 90-66. The Hoosiers improved to 10-3.With conference play ahead, the rotation needs to be solidified. IU will need their best from the big men, specifically –Fischer.He finished with a career-high 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 blocks and countless intangible plays in 19 minutes.Although you would like to see a 6-foot-10 center grab more then 2 rebounds in 19 minutes, Fischer shined today.When Vonleh, who has primarily played center this year, gets into foul trouble, Fischer needs to respond. Sophomore forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea is only 6-foot-9. While he can be a good change-of-pace at the power forward, I don’t believe he can play center because of his lack of size.That leaves Fischer as the only viable option when Vonleh comes out.And Fischer can flourish in the role. If you were in a coma last spring and awoke today, you’d do a double take on Fischer, thinking Cody Zeller is still on the team.While he has similar physical characteristics, his game is different from that of Zeller’s.Fischer isn’t as talented as Zeller. But the Wisconsin native is bigger and more solid then Zeller.During the first half, Fischer had as good a half he’s had all season.With just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Fischer recorded dunks on back-to-back possessions. The second dunk happened because Fischer ran out ahead on the Owl defense in transition. A little later, Fischer had a great block on a Kennesaw State that led to a sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell three-pointer in transition.In the half he also drew a charge, and dished out a beautiful assist to a cutting Troy Williams, which led to an easy layup. Fischer brings in nice intangibles to a front line that is lacking depth.If Fischer is so good, why not play both Vonleh and Fischer at the same time?I don’t think this can be done. I haven’t seen enough from either Vonleh or Fischer to suggest either one has a reliable jump shot.Both belong on the block, and taking one out and stationing them on the elbow would prove ineffective. Defenders wouldn’t respect the jump shot.Thus horrible spacing issues would ensue, leaving the IU offense, which has struggled to generate points at time this year, even more hard pressed.However, that doesn’t mean Fischer is a scrub. He just can’t play on the floor with Vonleh. Vonleh’s incredible length can bother opponents on defense. Plus he has the tools to become a legitimate threat on the post. Therefore Vonleh should get the bulk of the minutes. But when Vonleh comes out, the drop off won’t be dramatic.Fischer finished his high school career going 56-0 in his final two seasons for a reason.The big man can play.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The pressure was getting to the Colonels.With just more than 11 minutes left in the first half, graduate student guard Evan Gordon stole an errant pass. An errant pass forced by IU’s full court press.Gordon gave the ball to freshmen guard Stan Robinson, who lobbed it to senior forward Will Sheehey. Sheehey pump faked, drawing his defender into the air and got fouled, earning two shots at the line.Facing one of college basketball’s worst teams in Nicholls State, IU had 40 minutes to try several different strategies on the court.In an effort to control the pace, 18 different Hoosiers played in Friday night’s 79-66 win against Nicholls State.During the win, IU unveiled a full court press that proved effective. For a team that has struggled to produce efficient offense this year, a full court press could be just what it needs.But everything comes with the disclaimer: IU played Nicholls State. The Colonels have defeated only three teams on the year — Mobile, Loyola and IUPUI.Still, what I saw was interesting. With the length this team has, a full court press might wreak havoc on opposing teams.The Hoosiers ran a zone press, with some of their lengthiest and most athletic players spearheading it. At different points in the game, sophomore forward Jeremy Hollowell (6-foot-8), freshman forward Troy Williams (6-foot-7) and Robinson (6-foot-4) played out front in the press.They used their wingspans to get into passing lanes, and helped the IU defense force 17 Nicholls State turnovers. “The bottom line is we wanted to bring tempo and pace to the game,” IU Coach Tom Crean said.And IU certainly did that in impressive points during the game.However, IU has’t practiced the press much. After the game, Crean said they pressed more in this game than in practice and other games combined.Since IU is a poor jump shooting team, they have to generate points in any manner possible. That means pushing the pace, and forcing a hectic tempo.Featuring several good slashers, getting a turnover and running out on the break could be key when the shots aren’t falling.Like I said earlier, this was Nicholls State.Everything that happened should be taken with a grain of salt. And the fact IU had 20 turnovers in a game against one of college basketball’s worst defenses is alarming.But IU must utilize its athletes.“This is the most athletic team I’ve played on,” Sheehey said.Utilizing their athletes in a full court press will give this Hoosiers team another valuable dimension come Big Ten play.And that’s why games like this one against inferior competition are useful.Instead of a basketball arena, Assembly Hall feels like a laboratory.“They’re lightning quick,” Nicholls State Coach J.P. Piper said. “If they can make shots from the perimeter, they are going to be a heck of a team. I love how fast they get up the floor. I’m glad we don’t have to play them again.”
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>They lost to Auburn by 22. They lost to North Texas by 14. Troy by 15, Memphis by 39 and San Francisco by 29.As thousands of IU students drive out of Bloomington for winter break, Nicholls State (3-5) comes into Assembly Hall for a bout with IU (8-3).The Nicholls State Colonels have had a tough season, losing to several teams by double digits. This may be IU’s easiest game of the year.Ken Pomeroy, a college basketball analyst, gives IU a 98 percent chance of winning, and predicts IU will win by 25 points. Out of 351 college basketball teams, the Colonels are ranked 326 by Pomeroy. The only team worse on the IU schedule is Kennesaw State (338), who the Hoosiers play Sunday. Colonels to WatchSenior guard Dantrell Thomas (No. 1) plays the second-most minutes on the team and is used on many Colonel possessions. Thomas is used on 25.9 percent of the possessions when he’s in the game.That number is only topped by sophomore guard Amin Torries (No. 5).Torres gets the majority of the shots when he’s on the floor. Even though he gets the eighth-most minutes of any Colonel, he jacks up the ball at an extreme rate.He’s used on an astonishing 28.1 percent of the possessions when he’s in the game.For comparison, IU freshman guard Stanford Robinson is used in 25.1 percent of the possessions when he’s in the game. His usage rate is the highest on the team.Torres is what pundits call a ‘volume shooter,’ meaning he shoots a lot, but it doesn’t go in a lot. Torres is shooting a dreadful 35 percent from the field. If Torres wants to shoot the ball, the Hoosiers should let him.Shocking StatisticTorres, sophomore forward Sam McBeath and freshman forward Luke Doyle shoot a combined 19 percent from three-point land.All three average well over a three point attempt a game. And yet they keep on shooting.Area to WatchExpect to see a disparity unlike any you’ve seen at the free throw line.Not only does Nicholls State allow their opponents to get to the line at an incredible rate, they are horrible free throw shooters themselves.Out of 351 teams, they rank dead last in opponents’ free throw rate. Also, 35.7 percent of their points given up come from the free throw line, the highest figure in the country.This means they like to foul. A lot. Opponents have basically lived at the line this season.The Colonels themselves shoot 57.7 as a team from the line, 347th in the country.The free throw line is where the Colonels struggle this year, both on offense and defense. Expect to see IU, getting to the line at the 25th-best rate in the nation, to live at the charity stripe.PredictionConsidering Nicholls State has one of the worst offenses and defenses in the country, IU shouldn’t have any trouble here.A loss should cast legitimate fear in the hearts of Hoosier fans, but I don’t see that happening.IU- 102, Nicholls State- 68
IU men's basketball reporters John Bauernfeind, Evan Hoopfer, Alden Woods and Andy Wittry break down Thursday's announced renovations to Assembly Hall.
Men's basketball reporters Evan Hoopfer, Andy Wittry, John Bauernfeind and Alden Woods talk about IU's loss to Notre Dame and its prospects for Big Ten play.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>INDIANAPOLIS — Stanford Robinson isn’t the first freshman you think of when naming IU’s newest additions.But he will be.At point guard, Robinson’s ability to drive the ball kept IU in the game, though it wasn’t enough to prevent a 79-72 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.Down eight with fewer than 13 minutes left, IU’s hopes of victory looked bleak.The Irish zone had been giving the Hoosiers fits. Notre Dame was shooting the lights out. And IU’s normally stout defense was lackluster. During one offensive set, sophomore forward Austin Etherington, billed as a pure shooter when he came to Bloomington, had an open midrange shot.The whole IU fan base yelled, “Shoot it,” in an eerie harmony.Etherington didn’t shoot it, and dribbled around until the ball ended up in the hands of freshman guard Troy Williams, who missed a jump shot.Graduate student Evan Gordon secured the offensive board, shot and missed.Freshman center Luke Fischer tipped the ball and missed.Three shots, three misses.After a timeout, Robinson came in. I think “Eye of the Tiger” was playing over the loud speaker, or maybe it was just in my head.I knew Robinson was just what this IU team needed. Robinson does one thing well.Getting to the basket.What happened next didn’t disappoint.Sophomore guard Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell hit a three to cut the Irish lead to five.Then it was Robinson’s time.On IU’s next possession, Fischer missed a jump shot. Robinson nabbed the offensive board and got fouled on his way up.He knocked down the two free throws. Three-point game.The IU faithful in the stands got riled up. They were standing, yelling, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse became a pseudo-Assembly Hall.When Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant brought up the ball on the ensuing Irish possession, Robinson was guarding him. The energy he gained from the crowd was evident.He was low in his defensive stance, alert and ready to move on a dime. He was grinning, too. A wide grin that kind of seemed crazy.Notre Dame missed its next jump shot, and Robinson found himself with the ball again on IU’s next possession.He cut to his right and went up for a lay-up. He jumped straight up and hung in the air, allowing the Irish defender to go barreling past him. The lefty banked in the lay-up.Boom. One-point game.The arena, almost entirely filled with IU fans, was the loudest it had been all game.Going through my notes after the game, I had written “I love him,” when referencing Robinson.Though I think this was a slight overreaction, the point remains valid.Robinson kept IU in this game.He’s a freshman, and he had three turnovers. But after the game, IU Coach Tom Crean said “the lights were too bright,” for some of his younger players.Robinson wasn’t one of them.Troy Williams was. He was 0-for-3 from the field in 12 minutes and struggled.That was why when Williams came in for Robinson with 2:27 left — in just a two-point game — I was shocked.I love what Williams brings to the table. He is an athletic player who can stay in front of people defensively. But it just wasn’t his night. Robinson had scored six of IU’s last 14 points. His activity on defense had led to a few Irish turnovers. He could handle the bright lights.Notre Dame went on a 8-0 run when Robinson came out. The IU offense looked stagnant. They didn’t have that slasher who was confident enough to take the ball right at the Irish zone.Crean told Robinson to get in the game around the one minute mark of the game, but he couldn’t get in until there was a dead ball.He didn’t enter the game until there was 27 seconds left, and the game was too far out of reach by then.During the time Robinson was sent to the bench with two minutes and 27 seconds remaining and came back in with 27 seconds left, IU didn’t score a point in that span.A late three by Ferrell with eight seconds left wasn’t enough, and the Hoosiers lost.If Robinson had stayed in the game, there is no guarantee IU would have won. But I think they would have had a better chance.No other Hoosier was driving to the hoop with any success. With Robinson out, Ferrell had to pick up the slack, but it wasn’t his night either. He couldn’t handle the Irish big men.Yes, Robinson is young. But this freshman didn’t play like a freshman Saturday. Stan was the man.Was he the man to win the game?We’ll never know.— ehoopfer@indiana.eduFollow columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Why are they wearing green jerseys at home?That was the question I asked during the Notre Dame and North Dakota State game Wednesday night.Notre Dame was playing in South Bend, and it looked as though they were playing well.They were aggressive on loose balls and killing the opposition in the paint.But why were they wearing green?I was deceived. The “legal” stream I was watching online wasn’t clear enough. Notre Dame was in fact wearing its home whites, and getting run up and down the court.After a home loss to a mid-major program, I was not impressed with the Irish.When IU (8-2) plays Notre Dame (7-3) in the Crossroads Classic at 3:15 p.m. tomorrow, the game is supposed to be a measuring stick of where the current Hoosier team stands.If IU loses to Notre Dame, I believe the result will be considered a “bad loss” when Joe Lunardi examines which teams will put on their dancing shoes come March.Consider Notre Dame’s seven wins this year: Miami (Ohio), Stetson, Santa Clara, Army, Cornell, Delaware and Bryant.According to Pomeroy rankings, an advanced analytics system that ranks every college basketball team, the quality of Notre Dame’s opponents is suspect.Delaware, ranked 77th of 351 teams, earned the highest placement of Notre Dame’s defeated opponents this season. Of Notre Dame’s seven wins, four teams were ranked 243rd or lower in the Pomeroy rankings.Notre Dame’s three losses this year were against Indiana State (67), Iowa (16) and North Dakota State (76).There is no shame in losing by five points to Iowa in Iowa City. But isn’t it a red flag if the most impressive outing Notre Dame has had this year is a loss? Against North Dakota State, the Irish couldn’t handle 6-foot-8 forward Marshall Bjorklund.Bjorklund lit up the Irish for 26 points and capitalized on their lack of interior defense. Notre Dame center Garrick Sherman, 6-foot-11, couldn’t handle Bjorklund’s impeccable footwork.Who on IU could exploit Notre Dame’s interior defense?Oh, yeah — three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week winner Noah Vonleh.Now, Bjorklund and Vonleh are different players. Vonleh hasn’t developed consistent post moves yet, but his natural athleticism has been breathtaking at times this year and should be able to take advantage of Notre Dame’s interior defense.The Irish could have had a bad night. Every team does. If you watched IU in the second half against Syracuse, you’d have questions about the Hoosiers, too.And the Irish, as they always have, love to heave the ball from behind the arc. Notre Dame is second in the ACC in total threes made, averaging 8.0 a game, and the Irish shoot more than 40 percent as a team. They also lead the ACC in assists per game.Teams like Notre Dame can be dangerous if they have a hot shooting night.Aside from a three-point bonanza from the Irish, I don’t see them hanging with the Hoosiers.Fans will get excited because Notre Dame is a household name, and they are in the ACC. But, come March, this win won’t look as impressive.Prediction: IU 73, Notre Dame 60.Follow columnist Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.