Prior to Saturday's matchup, Crean outlined several things for the team to focus on including getting to the free throw line and moving the ball inside and out on offense.
The kids aren't listening.
Free Throw Failure:
Free throws should have been huge for the Hoosiers. It should have been a godsend when the Spartans put the Hoosiers in the double bonus early in the first half. However, because of Indiana's immaturity and lack of situational awareness, the opportunity was wasted. Instead of getting the ball inside or driving to the basket in order to take advantage of the foul situation, the offense slowed to a halt and settled for jump shots.
Crean couldn't hide his frustration: "It's getting me downright angry...when you find something you've got which is important to get to the foul line, then it can't become jump shooting time."
Even when the Hoosiers did find themselves on the foul line, they only converted 65 percent of their attempts.
Not Enough Noah:
(photo credit: rivals.com)
Virtually every NBA draft expert agrees that Noah Vonleh will be a lottery pick in next year's draft. He also has the highest FG percentage on the team (54.6 percent). So the question on everyone's mind is, "WHY ISN'T HE SHOOTING THE BALL?!"
Tom Crean has repeatedly stressed the importance of getting Noah more touches, but the kids (including Noah) aren't getting the message. In losses, Vonleh is only putting up 4.2 shots per game, and he has yet to attempt a field goal in the second half of a Big Ten game. After the MSU game Crean placed some of that blame on Noah himself for not demanding the ball saying that Vonleh has to become "downright selfish" moving forward.
Time to Grow Up:
Indiana has to grow up. Plain and simple. They can't afford to sit around and wait for experience if they want a shot at the NCAA tournament this year. Daddy Crean is clearly crossing over from a forgiving father to one who is about to bring out the belt. The players have been given instruction and game plans, but seem to throw everything out the window when the lights turn on.
"You never let the speed and the pressure of the game override what is really, really important, like the scouting report. Travis Trice was shooting 74 percent from 3 in the away games. We probably said that 37,0000 times in the last three days. You don't leave him. You don't do that."
- IU Coach Tom Crean
Yet the young Hoosiers did. In fact they left MSU shooters open all afternoon as they looked hopelessly lost on defense.
Everyone expected growing pains from the freshmen, but Crean singled out the sophomore class (eh-hem Hollowell) in particular, "Our sophomores have to pick it up. No question about that. And all the way around."
Opposing Coach Tom Izzo went beyond the first and second year players in his assessment of the Hoosiers. He went all the way to the top:
"This is where Sheehey and Yogi have to be men and stand up...[Tom Crean] has rebuilt programs. He's done it and he knows. He'll be fine. With those young freshmen, he'll have to stand up and explain how it is."
-MSU Coach Tom Izzo
While Sheehey and Crean have both taken heat this year, it was a bit unexpected to see Yogi called out. Yogi's scoring has been essential, but his overall play leaves something to be desired. Averaging 4 assists, 3 turnovers and less than 1 steal per game isn't a stat line that is going to grab any pro scouts attention.
It's not the freshmen that need to grow up.
It's not the sophomores.
It's Indiana.
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