My Way Too Early Opinion on this Season/Team

[CrossboneIU22 1,161]

November 13, 2017

So after watching 2 games plus 1 exhibition game and Hoosier Hysteria, here is the scoop on how I see the team.

Coach Miller:  I was wrong.  I was not high on this hire from the beginning.  But after watching a team (with a lot of freshman help and with only 2-3 weeks of real practice with this new team) absolutely pick a part a zone, something we haven't seen in 9 years, was refreshing.  Seeing the substitutions make sense for a change and not scripted was a breath of fresh air.  The fact that he uses the bench as punishment and motivation, the fact that he's not afraid to ride a hot hand, and the fact that he doesn't just pace the sideline and clap excessively is wonderful change of direction.  No more stupid Big Heads that make no sense.  No more Hollywood!  Although, unless I missed it, we need to bring back Martha!  Excited for our future.  I do think with out talent though, we need to play a little faster than Archie wants to play but again, it's great to see a half court offense.......and one that works!

Team:  We need to shoot free throws until the cows come home.  That free throw shooting exhibition was absolutely terrible.  Defense needs to get better but looks much more promising than in the past 9 years.  Half court offense actually looks like an offense and that is a good thing!  We need to play a little more up tempo and get some more transition baskets but be smart about it.  We need more enthusiasm from the bench.  We were winning last night and completely looked like we were getting blown out.  Have fun out there and let it show.  Loosen up a bit.

Scholarship Players:

• Newkirk: Not sure whats up with him, seems to have regressed.  Hope he regains what he was at the end of last year because we need it.  Needs to work on his post feeds though.  We are terrible (except for Green) feeding the post.  Needs to play fast but under control.
• Johnson:  Needs to get his stroke back or he is absolutely worthless. Crean ruined him.  The question is can Archie fix him.  Does Archie even have the time to do that with every thing else he needs to teach this team.
• McSwain:  He is what he is, a bruiser, rebounder but just not that good of a player.  On an ideal average IU team, he wouldn't see much, if at all, playing time but at this point we need him to be what he is for now because we are lacking depth under the basket.
• Hartman:  Needs to get and stay healthy.  We need his leadership and shooting ability on that court.  He can spread the floor and help down low.  We are sorely missing him.  Hope is back for the Seton Hall game.
• Priller:  Mop Up duty or desperation foul trouble.  Hasn't shown the ability to assist this team in any meaningful way.
• Morgan:  Not playing with the same level of ability he has shown the past 2 years.  Unlucky that he rolled his ankle but it was a terrible close out to begin with so part of it is on him unfortunately.  He has to, like Hartman, find a way to stay healthy because we are going to need his presence out their 20+ minutes a game.
• Jones:  Not sure where he disappeared to, but he needs to find himself because we certainly can use his shooting and scoring ability.  If he is unable to pull it together, he may not have a spot on this team next year.
• Green:  He needs to play smarter as far as situations go.  He can not get into foul trouble with silly charging fouls and reaching fouls.  We need him out there 30+ minutes a game because he is the only one who can feed the interior whether it be the post or the high post.  And he makes it look easy.  He knows how to set up the entry pass and execute it.  If he was a little more mature, he would be the definite leader of this team as he should be.  He can't be on fire and disappear.  He scored the first 7 points for us against Howard and not sure if he even scored the rest of the game.
• Davis:  He is a beast.  Has done a decent job of staying out of foul trouble.  He should be close to our scoring leader night it and night out.  I'd like to see us play more through him as we started to do in the 2nd half of the Howard game.  He has the skill to pass back out and unselfishness to do so.  
• Durham:  Was really impressed by him in the Howard game.  Still a freshman and will make freshman mistakes but we can live with that.  If Johnson or Newkirk, don't get it figure out soon, Durham could and should take their place in the starting lineup.
• Smith:  Was really impressed with his poise on the court.  A lot like Green last year, he seems to get and is ready for this stage.  He didn't look scared or timid, he looked ready.  If Morgan doesn't figure it out or can't stay healthy, Smith will firmly plant himself in the starting lineup if he continues to play the way he did the first 2 games.
• Moore:  Looks timed and scared.  He needs playing time to settle down but can't be trusted in pressure situations yet.  His length will be a great asset to this team, especially to spell Davis for a few minutes here and there.  Hoping he learns quickly and "gets it" sooner rather than later because he could be of great use to this team at 6'10.
• Thompson:  Based on what I saw in preseason and Hoosier Hysteria, I wish he was playing and wasn't being red-shirted.  Switching the red-shirt from Thompson to Moore might have been more useful this year.

Walkon Players:  Not much to say here but not sure why Vijay Blackmon wasn't even dressed for the game.  Based on what I saw from him at HH, he can really shoot.  McRoberts was in uniform but wasn't used (that I saw) in either of the first 2 games so not sure if he will have a role with this team other than practice player.  Taylor, Jager, and Lasko are typical walkons who will only see the floor in blowouts and are really only practice players.

Overall Feel:  Excited for what the future holds. 

Updated Win/Loss Record: 

• Preseason Prediction = 24-6     (13-5)
• Updated Prediction after 2 Games = 18-12     (10-8)

Bold Prediction:  If we play with passion, I feel an upset coming @Seton Hall.  GO HOOSIERS!

[Uspshoosier 44,310]

They still show Martha


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Hoosierfan2017 19,903]

Wait Archie made them get rid of the big heads? I was wondering what happened to them. 

[iuswingman 1,940]

Based on only seeing the Howard game and knowing this season is more of a rebuilding year of growing pains, I'd like to see the following start

PG: Green

SG: Newkirk

SF: Durham

PF: Smith

C: Davis

When Hartman returns, I'd take out Newkirk

PG: Green

SG: Durham

SF: Smith

PF: Hartman

C: Davis

[iuswingman 1,940]

1 minute ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Wait Archie made them get rid of the big heads? I was wondering what happened to them. 

It was a Crean thing.  Not sure if Archie had to do anything.

When Crean was fired, I think he said "Fine, I'm taking my big heads and going home"

[bigrod 2,786]

As bad as they have looked, I really feel like you can see the groundwork is being laid. The timid and tentative play should go away once they get comfortable playing this new way. I don't think it's a surprise that the players who have been here the longest seem to be having the most trouble adapting. Once it "clicks," there will be no looking back. I guess it's just a matter of how long that takes.

[HoosierCoop 3,816]

Quick hits:

• I was actually pleased with our half court offense.  We haven't seen that in years.
• Entry passes still looked rough.  When they fine tune it though, I believe everything can run through Davis or Smith (and that's when good things happen).
• I thought Green's attitude got the better of him last night.  When things were going well for the team, his flashy, selfish play came out.  Thankfully we have a coach that recognizes it and reminded him of where he can go.
• It's been a rough start (and quite possibly a rough year with injuries) but I like what I see from the new players.
• Unless something drastic happens, I don't see Cujo as Hoosier much longer.  Not seeing the player or the commitment.

[Miller'sTheMan 1,652]

My starting 5 would be Green/Johnson/Durham/Smith/Davis

 

Really just don't think Newkirk is starting material, didn't think he was last year either. Hoping we can get this season going down the right path with a win @Seton Hall.

[mdn82 25,461]

Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[Hoosierfan2017 19,903]

Just now, mdn82 said:

Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Not gonna lie, I kind of agree with him. We have a few players who play with heart and pride but they're in the minority, imo. 

[southsidehoosier 4,799]

1 minute ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Not gonna lie, I kind of agree with him. We have a few players who play with heart and pride but they're in the minority, imo. 

And they seem to be underclassmen 

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

How ironic that "Pride" is the close to their huddles.

[Hoosierfan2017 19,903]

Just now, southsidehoosier said:

And they seem to be underclassmen 

Absolutely. It's why I'm not so down on our near future. The underclassmen seem to be buying in and I'm excited to see how they improve throughout the season. 

[Trish 11,414]

Maybe the players don't like playing for a new coach? I mean.. I wasn't too pleased when my coach got the can. (back in my playing days)

[Ajwhitis 705]

The one thing I'm really worried about is the idea that these players are overworked, or they just don't like playing for CAM, I hope I'm wrong but that is something that scares me. I've heard things saying that he runs practices like RMK and players now might be intimidated by that... It's just really worrying to me to see a team look so dejected following a win, despite it being a really underwhelming one.

Edited November 13, 2017 by Ajwhitis

[HoosierAloha 29,897]

Maybe the players don't like playing for a new coach? I mean.. I wasn't too pleased when my coach got the can. (back in my playing days)

Especially when your previous coach didn't hold you accountable. You could throw and kick the ball all over, take any shot, and play zero defense. I can see why some are struggling..


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[HoosierX 1,448]

Unless this team improves dramatically, our win total will likely be closer to 12 than 18.

[Trish 11,414]

9 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

Especially when your previous coach didn't hold you accountable. You could throw and kick the ball all over, take any shot, and play zero defense. I can see why some are struggling..


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Exactly. I think it's hard to blame the coaching side this year. 

All of these players came to Indiana to play for Crean. I imagine some of them were not too happy to hear the news their coach got fired back in March. Plus, we all know how close Crean was to the team. He was tremendous caring about individuals and families. 

[Hoosierfan2017 19,903]

15 minutes ago, Ajwhitis said:

The one thing I'm really worried about is the idea that these players are overworked, or they just don't like playing for CAM, I hope I'm wrong but that is something that scares me. I've heard things saying that he runs practices like RMK and players now might be intimidated by that... It's just really worrying to me to see a team look so dejected following a win, despite it being a really underwhelming one.

They probably looked dejected because they know Archie and the staff are going to rip into them about shooting 41% from the free throw line. I'm actually glad that they looked dejected. They shouldn't be happy about beating Howard by 9 at home.

If players can't handle his practices then those are players we probably don't want on the team anyway. I don't think coaches like Izzo, Calipari or Coach K are worried about hurting their players' feelings. The upperclassmen are used to being coddled after making mistakes so we'll see if Archie can change them. Maybe it's too late for some of them.

[HoosierX 1,448]

15 minutes ago, Ajwhitis said:

The one thing I'm really worried about is the idea that these players are overworked, or they just don't like playing for CAM, I hope I'm wrong but that is something that scares me. I've heard things saying that he runs practices like RMK and players now might be intimidated by that... It's just really worrying to me to see a team look so dejected following a win, despite it being a really underwhelming one.

I would point you to what Mark Titus said about Miller. 

More or less that he is going to get on you, but in a way that lets you know he's looking out for your best interests.