Game Thread: IU vs FGCU - 11/7 @ 6:30 on BTN

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,600]

16 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

Look at the +\-  below and FG% below of bottoms 3. Certainly not shocked. I plead for Banks to prove me wrong. I just don’t see it with him. Don’t think he’s going to be the player we want him to be. And the Walker transfer…
We needed a guard/scorer…he doesn’t bring either except for length which we already have. Offense looked awful last night against a team missing their best player but that’s a product of our personnel. Hope it gets better and Banks and Gunn would certainly be the ones to make a difference but nothing I’ve seen in these first 3 games leads me to believe a significant sophomore leap is in the cards…if ever. I fear scoring droughts/3 point shooting will be a constant theme more often than not…against quality opponents…much like we’ve seen for the last several years. Rinse and repeat….and cut the mass substitutions. Banks/Gunn/Walker on the court together screams scoring drought much like we saw yesterday. Mgbako gives me hope though. 
 

The funny thing is Cupps and Mgbako put up nearly identical statlines, including on;y a 5 point difference in +/-.  One is being heralded as the greatest thing and the other is being whatever you want to call it.  

Cupps closed because he was accountable and moved the ball, played active smart defense and the COACH trusted him to do the things necessary to win.  We need Mgbako to be better and he will be.  He's really good.  He LOOKS like a pro.  Once these guys figure out how to work together that is when the magic will happen.  The ball sticks too much right now and guys are trying to get theirs a little bit.  Galloway made plays by moving off the ball.  We need the team to be making instict plays and looking for each other.  Don't pass the ball because you are stuck or because the coach wants you to.  Pass the ball to attack the defense and score the rock.  

[Hoosier987 1,288]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

The funny thing is Cupps and Mgbako put up nearly identical statlines, including on;y a 5 point difference in +/-.  One is being heralded as the greatest thing and the other is being whatever you want to call it.  

Cupps closed because he was accountable and moved the ball, played active smart defense and the COACH trusted him to do the things necessary to win.  We need Mgbako to be better and he will be.  He's really good.  He LOOKS like a pro.  Once these guys figure out how to work together that is when the magic will happen.  The ball sticks too much right now and guys are trying to get theirs a little bit.  Galloway made plays by moving off the ball.  We need the team to be making instict plays and looking for each other.  Don't pass the ball because you are stuck or because the coach wants you to.  Pass the ball to attack the defense and score the rock.  

Agreed. Mgbako really holds the key. He has the potential to win games single handily for us and I suspect he will at some point here.

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

1 hour ago, Hoosier987 said:

Look at the +\-  below and FG% below of bottom 3. Certainly not shocked. I plead for Banks or anyone of these 3 to prove me wrong. I just don’t see it. Don’t think he’s going to be the player we want him to be. And the Walker transfer…
We needed a guard/scorer…he doesn’t bring either except for length which we already have. Offense looked awful last night against a team missing their best player but that’s a product of our personnel. Hope it gets better and Banks and Gunn would certainly be the ones to make a difference but nothing I’ve seen in these first 3 games leads me to believe a significant sophomore leap is in the cards…if ever. I fear scoring droughts/3 point shooting will be a constant theme more often than not…against quality opponents…much like we’ve seen for the last several years. Rinse and repeat….and cut the mass substitutions. Banks/Gunn/Walker on the court together screams scoring drought much like we saw yesterday. Mgbako gives me hope though. 
 

I have some faith Walker will figure it out. I'm really worried about CJ and Kaleb. Kaleb looked lost out there. CJ and his jumpshot...

[Hoosier987 1,288]

23 minutes ago, HoosierFan1994 said:

I have some faith Walker will figure it out. I'm really worried about CJ and Kaleb. Kaleb looked lost out there. CJ and his jumpshot...

Completely lost….and he’s not a freshman or walk-on. 

Regarding CJ’s jump shot…not sure we’ve ever seen him knock down two in a row. They’re typically magnificent bricks. 
 

last point…Reneau had 1 rebound yesterday. That has to improve along with the fouls 50’ away from the basket…and his decision making in the last couple minutes led to an almost Reggie Miller-esque type sequence from FGCU. His sophomore leap is pivotal. From all accounts, everyone is projecting a significant leap…decision making must approve these next couple of games. 

[go iu bb 6,299]

2 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

Completely lost. Regarding CJ’s jump shot…not sure we’ve ever seen him knock down two in a row. They’re typically magnificent bricks. 

Not surprising since he only hit 2 3-pointers and 15 2-pointers (which obviously include layups and dunks) all last season. That's not very many makes in which to hit 2 in a row.

[RaceToTheTop 26,221]

27 minutes ago, HoosierFan1994 said:

I have some faith Walker will figure it out. I'm really worried about CJ and Kaleb. Kaleb looked lost out there. CJ and his jumpshot...

In terms of Kaleb, he looked really bad....but he was only on the court for less than 2 minutes.   I think the reason that Gunn got more time than Banks was simply positional -- there was stretches where X, Galloway, and Cupps were all on the court so that made Gunn the long guard off of the bench to come in.

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

10 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

Completely lost….and he’s not a freshman or walk-on. 

Regarding CJ’s jump shot…not sure we’ve ever seen him knock down two in a row. They’re typically magnificent bricks. 
 

last point…Reneau had 1 rebound yesterday. That has to improve along with the fouls 50’ away from the basket…and his decision making in the last couple minutes led to an almost Reggie Miller-esque type sequence from FGCU. His sophomore leap is pivotal. From all accounts, everyone is projecting a significant leap…decision making must approve these next couple of games. 

With Banks I can kind of see the potential. Gunn..I am sorry I just don't see it. Good news, it's one game. But they look like the same players a year ago. 

Agree on Reneau. He is awesome on offense but outside of that...Woodson said those three guys really needed to step up. Outside Malik on offense it was a dud performance from the 3 sophomores. 

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

Just now, RaceToTheTop said:

In terms of Kaleb, he looked really bad....but he was only on the court for less than 2 minutes.   I think the reason that Gunn got more time than Banks was simply positional -- there was stretches where X, Galloway, and Cupps were all on the court so that made Gunn the long guard off of the bench to come in.

He just doesn't look comfortable at all. Again, I see some potential with his game. I know in big games I don't think these two will see big minutes but my goodness they couldn't contribute against FGCU last night...The start of the year is really when you need to be playing 10 guys. We have one player using a redshirt year. Leal is Leal. That leaves 10 guys, well 9 with Sparks out. It is looking like the staff really needed to target another guard in the portal...

[Hoosier987 1,288]

12 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

Not surprising since he only hit 2 3-pointers and 15 2-pointers (which obviously include layups and dunks) all last season. That's not very many makes in which to hit 2 in a row.

Yup because he missed mostly all his jump shots plus hasn’t earned more time. I suspect he’ll be thrown more into the rotation…but it’s still TBD if it’s because he’s actually earned it or if it’s out of necessity due to depth. 

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

Just now, Hoosier987 said:

Yup because he hasn’t earned more time. I suspect he’ll be thrown more into the rotation…but it’s still TBD if it’s because he’s actually earned it or if it’s out of necessity due to depth. 

I think it is out of depth. If Jakai was healthy I don't think he would see the floor. Hope I am wrong. I am cool with X, Trey, and Gabe taking the bulk of the guard minutes...as long as everyone stays healthy. 

[IU - Kaulie 1,891]

6 hours ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Not surprisingly, I couldn't disagree with you more. This is one game, Bako is an elite 5-star scorer, he'll get the D figured out. Gallo had a horrible opening game, you of course don't judge a guy on one game, and we know what Gallo can do, and that Gallo showed up in this game. Bako will start, and he should.

I will be happy to be wrong and I didn’t say he shouldn’t start.  He should start.  But against a lot of opponents, at winning time to close out games, I would rather roll with the guys we had out there last night.  He can’t defend the 3 spot and would prefer Malik in the game at the 4.

[Home Jersey 8,417]

It is pretty apparent to all of us that we really needed to pick up another guard in the portal. 

Again, it's game 1 with a mostly new roster. We all pretty much expected a bumpy start as chemistry gets built etc. But most of us also believed the roster has potential to be very good. Yesterday's game (against a pretty good basketball team by the way) doesn't change that belief for me at all. Woodson has been saying there's a ton of work still to do, and there is. We don't have a perfect roster by any stretch of the imagination but you'll have a pretty tough time finding a team without any weaknesses in college basketball. 

What I feel confident about at this point: 

• Ware may struggle at times or not be everyone's ideal archetype of a big, but he has shown he is coachable and uber talented. I will be enjoying like hell the one season we'll likely have him. Hope he has the opportunity to take and make plenty of 3s before he goes in the first round, if he keeps on playing like this. 
• Cupps is a going to be tough to keep off the court, not only because of our lack of guard depth, but because he is ready to play at this level. I think his length could make it pretty challenging vs UConn/B10 but I have zero doubt that he will put in the work and be a big time net positive contributor this year. We've got a bona fide workhorse in him for 4 years. So smart with the ball and dare I say... "sneakily quick" 
• Mgbako did mention in the pre season that learning the defense has been the biggest challenge for him. It's been pretty obvious even throughout the exhibitions... Let's be honest. The difference in complexity of schemes between D1 basketball and HS/AAU (even at the highest of levels, which he excelled in) is MASSIVE. Hell, Banks and Gunn are still struggling to get it right it in year 2. Mack is allegedly laser focused on being 1 and done, has all the physical tools, and was clearly demonstrating to Woodson that he understood the message Woodson was sending, while he was on the bench. Yes he will have plenty of lapses as he learns... But he will improve a ton over the course of the year. He's also shown a lot of potential on this side of the ball IMO. I will say - having watched him several times in HS/AAU, we've not seen him remotely near the top of his game yet. On either side of the ball. I am sure he is acutely aware of his draft stock and putting in the work, so not at all worried. Maybe I have a longer leash than some. 

What I am uncertain about at this point: 

• Gunn has not impressed and as the 4th guard, that is tough to swallow. The opportunity is ripe for the taking. I find his body language troubling/frustrating at times. I've not seen much reason for optimism yet, but I really hope he proves me wrong. 
• Banks ... is coming off injury so I'm a bit more forgiving. That said, also has not looked much different from last year. I see more potential from him than Gunn. But, will he be able to stay in the rotation with Walker, Sparks, Reneau, and Mack all playing the same minutes basically? I hope we keep him engaged.
• Walker..... I'm hopeful he plays more like the exhibitions than last night. If he is not going to be rock solid on defense and smart with the ball on offense when he has it, I'd rather see Banks get the minutes and try to develop. 

I also think Payton Sparks was an absolute homerun pick up. When Reneau gets in foul trouble (which will unfortunately happen quite a bit still, it seems) we will be in great hands. He is going to push Reneau for minutes the whole way... again, going to be tough to keep off the court. We'll probably never see it with Woody, but I'd love to see us run a few 4 out 1 in sets with X, Cupps/Gallo, Mack/Reneau, Ware on the perimeter and Sparks in the middle. I could see a lineup of X, Cupps, Gallo, Sparks, Ware being very effective against smaller lineups. 

I really like what Gallo did overall. Not a perfect game, but he showed he can score for sure. Hope he steps up and is comfortable being a vocal leader this year, we need every bit of leadership from him and XJ...

I'm excited to watch how this team comes together, we are going to learn so much about the players and the direction of the program.  

[HoosierHoopster 7,194]

53 minutes ago, IU - Kaulie said:

I will be happy to be wrong and I didn’t say he shouldn’t start.  He should start.  But against a lot of opponents, at winning time to close out games, I would rather roll with the guys we had out there last night.  He can’t defend the 3 spot and would prefer Malik in the game at the 4.

Don’t worry, be happy. :)

it’s one game, Bako is a legit 5-star killer shooter/scorer, he’ll get the college  D figured out. You just can’t draw these kind of sweeping conclusions from 1 game, not to mention the very 1st actual D1 game.5-7 or so games in we’ll see how the lineups and players are shaping up, and that will still be early development. I can’t wait to see this team in mid January 

[OliviaPope40 6,598]

4 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Gabe Cupps is what you get when you try to clone Ryan Arcidiacono and Collin Gillespie.

Oh my god can't unsee that one.

[JSHoosier 20,380]

I like that we were able to dial up the defense and close it out with that 2 guard lineup, and it'd give opposing teams another look they'd have to prepare for. With a possible Newton RS and if Gunn keeps struggling in actual game competition then we don't have the guard depth to do it much even if the staff wanted to.

Reneau so far looks like he's taken a step forward, be interesting to see how much. I do really like having a long athletic 7 footer on the roster though.

Cupps will have growing pains, but while he hasn't stood out in terms of stats has looked like he belongs more than Banks or Gunn. If he can knock down open looks and FTs it'd help. 

Gunn showed potential in exhibitions, but a high major caliber player should look good against Marion. He needs to step up and show it in live game action, shot selection is questionable but he did have a mid range that just rattled out.

[Rico 3,099]

I predict some of our "gripes" will go away after we play Army.  I am also not discounting that new ones might arise.

[J34 1,490]

4 hours ago, JSHoosier said:

 if Cupps keeps struggling in actual game competition 

 

?

[JSHoosier 20,380]

2 minutes ago, J34 said:

?

Oops, meant Gunn

[fwgreenway 499]

12 hours ago, Ngw7183 said:

fans seem to forget JHS sure struggled at times. The guy couldn’t shoot at all some games and would have 5 or 6 turnovers to go with it.  I honestly believe MM will have a greater impact. 

This is an important observation about JHS that relates to now so very early/beginning of the season. The improvement is there for the taking by nearly all of the players. It's only 2 exhibition & 1 official game, but as of now I think Cupps is already just oozing with take-over leadership quality.

[IU - Kaulie 1,891]

13 hours ago, Ngw7183 said:

I also think it is funny, well maybe not funny, that so many fans seem to forget JHS sure struggled at times. The guy couldn’t shoot at all some games and would have 5 or 6 turnovers to go with it.  I honestly believe MM will have a greater impact. 
 

and yes, as many keep saying, CJ needs to figure it out. Where I differ is those saying they can’t see potential. I do see that. To be a great scorer and defender. Honestly, he looks like Bates did. Only one game but look at Bates now. Hope CJ doesn’t take another year to step forward. 

Big difference.  JHS was a pro before he set foot on campus.