Sota Hoosier

We are currently #219 on defense. Despite the improvements on defense (which there have been), there is a long way to go on D. Duke can beat you in so many ways it's almost not fair but I thought we had solid stretches of good defense last night. If you look at the box score, the overall stats are very similar between the two teams. We just missed free throws and couldn't convert on a couple threes. Very proud of how the guys competed and how well Archie had them prepared. How would a Crean team perform while only going 5/21 from three??? I think there is a lot this team can accomplish this season and I'm excited to see how they progress.

I think we'll pack the middle and put Rojo on Allen to try and slow him down. I could see us throwing bodies at Bagley and Carter and trying to make them beat us from the free throw line. We have to be relentless on the defensive glass to limit second chances and we must take care of the ball. Against MSU, Duvall lacked complete confidence shooting threes so we can give him space. He's very dangerous penetrating and getting out on the break.

I watched almost all of the Duke/MSU game and the only reason MSU was in it was because Bridges and Jackson made some long threes (side note: both of their shooting forms are atrocious). Duke has incredible size, talent, and experience but the Hall can be a daunting place for anyone. Just fight, show some grit, do not stand down, and play smart. I can accept any score as long as we leave it all out there.

Love Archie's fire. Such a breath of fresh air.

As the announcers noted, Jackson can't shoot from the outside so we do we insist on guarding him so closely on the perimeter?

This defense is laughable

Awfui close out by Morgan....again.

Excellent cut by Durham

I think we simply don't make the opponent uncomfortable enough on threes. If nearly every team hits against us there's a reason for it. I have faith Archie is laying into them at the half. Let's hope that pays off and we have a strong start to the second.

Make him beat you a different way. You could see how peeved Arch was after he hit the last one.

That's 4 threes hit over Juwan. Unacceptable.

Yep. We had a real shot there to extend this lead. DG's quick three, Juwan's missed FT, and the foul on three took that right away.

Even when we "contest" threes we don't really "contest"....we just have our hand up but we're not good at actually closing out to make shooters uncomfortable

Agreed. Arch knows exactly what it takes; we just need the team to fully buy-in and keep learning. It'll come down to getting good looks inside against the zone and stops on D. I'd like to see the Hoosiers come out with some fire to start the game and a sense of urgency.

Archie clearly very frustrated with pick and roll D, transition D, lack of communication, and hustle in the post-game presser. Mentioned "mind-boggling" plays a couple times.

Why on earth did Davis fall for that shot fake???

It feels like we're playing with four guys on defense at all times

I think we make him look much, much better than he actually is. He's a nice player, though.

Wow...the defensive ineptness is so hard to watch sometimes

GOAL: Keep them under 20 points in the second half. Did it against USF so we can certainly do it against the Red Wolves.

Coming out for the second half we should find ways to feed Davis in the post and let him go to work. He would score at will every time on the ASU "big guys."

I think Freddie throws the ball at the basket and thinks it should just go in

One concern I have is how many years will Archie take off his life watching this type of basketball.

The thing is though, Crean's teams won with threes, offense, and a stud PG. This team doesn't have the shooting or PG and struggles with offense in general. Regardless, let's forget the hypotheticals! I'm optimistic about Archie and the way he conducts business. I think he can mold this team into something much better than what we have seen thus far.

Arkansas St. is #209 in KenPom compared USF at #274