Best backcourt in the B1G?

[Dalton26 16,909]

I was reading this article comparing Michigan's backcourt to the rest of the B1G and this is what was said about IU.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2216630-michigan-basketball-how-wolverines-backcourt-stacks-up-vs-rest-of-b1g/page/3

Indiana

As of October, it's safe to say that the Hoosiers have the best backcourt, at least on paper, in the Big Ten.

Yogi Ferrell is a star, and his 17.8 points per conference game ranked No. 3 in the league this past season. The 6'0", 178-pound junior should be an early favorite for Big Ten POTY honors. He recently dominated during Indiana's summer trip to Canada.

Now a sophomore, Stanford Robinson should be a better version of what he was as a freshman. That's the goal, right? He didn't quite dazzle in 2013-14, but he started nine times for coach Tom Crean and averaged 7.6 points per conference game.

Look for Robinson to be a consistent double-digit threat this year. The Hoosiers are going to need a lot from their guards if they hope to compete in the Big Ten.

James Blackmon enters Indiana as a true Hoosier State prep legend. The former Marion star scored 2,387 points, the eighth-most in state history. He averaged 33.4 points per outing. High school or not, that's an impressive stat that suggests even better things are around the corner for the 6'4", 190-pound freshman.

The Hoosiers are serious. And they have more to back up their big three. But for comparison's sake, let's call it Indiana over Michigan.

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[drewheck 749]

I believe it but the front court might be the opposite

[mdn82 25,747]

I believe it but the front court might be the opposite

This might be the difference between a decent seed and not making the tournament.


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[drewheck 749]

This might be the difference between a decent seed and not making the tournament.


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true buy hopefully our back court will make the front courts job easier by moving the ball so the paint will open up

[WayneFleekHoosier 49,608]

Having said all that and I agree, they didn't even mention Rob Johnson, who will be solid or better as a Freshman!

And Zman-3man!


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[mdn82 25,747]

true buy hopefully our back court will make the front courts job easier by moving the ball so the paint will open up

Our offense hasn't been one that traditionally moves the ball effectively. Hopefully that is different because one that dribbles constantly won't be good with this makeup. IMO


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[drewheck 749]

Our offense hasn't been one that traditionally moves the ball effectively. Hopefully that is different because one that dribbles constantly won't be good with this makeup. IMO


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I'll take just moving over last year

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

With you on that Drewheck----expect to see much better ball handling and movement this year!

 

Good find Dalton26---love the article and agree with it!

[GloryDays 6,030]

I'll take just moving over last year

I watched the Canadian games  and  saw several instance's where the break wasn't there and they actually made several passes till they got the open look.That to me was very encouraging.

I just wish they would loose the play where the lead guard penetrates, flies thru the air and passes to someone in the corner who may or may not  be there.It drives me insane.

[drewheck 749]

I watched the Canadian games and saw several instance's where the break wasn't there and they actually made several passes till they got the open look.That to me was very encouraging.
I just wish they would loose the play where the lead guard penetrates, flies thru the air and passes to someone in the corner who may or may not be there.It drives me insane.

you and me both

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Agree with both of you.  That jumping in the air and then trying to find someone to pass to was a turnover waiting to happen and killed many of our offensive possessions!

[shortspacequickness 1,034]

Ferrell and Blackmon is a big time backcourt. In the Big Ten, in the country.

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Yogi and JBJ should be a special backcourt we are talking about years from now!

[coachmayhew 1,414]

Yogi and JBJ should be a special backcourt we are talking about years from now!

I hope you are right my friend, I have high expectations.

[LazOffTheBench 3,638]

Man, I can't wait for this season to start!

 

Looking forward to seeing how Yogi and JBJ mesh in the backcourt among other things. There are so many unknown factors this year. That alone will make the team exciting to watch.

[HoosierRob 1,042]

Don't sleep on zeisloft either.. Dude can shoot lights out


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[BGleas 8,101]

I hope they play more than one season together. I think they should, but you never know in this era of college basketball.

Yogi and JBJ should be a special backcourt we are talking about years from now!

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

BGleas---I am worried about that too----especially with all the 2015 players we are recruiting with no apparent spots available!

[Hutch89 2,946]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/eight-key-questions-as-the-first-day-of-practice-rings-in-the-new-season-134212577.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

 

7. Will anyone emerge as a solution for Indiana's frontcourt woes? 

Indiana boasts one of the Big Ten's premier point guards in Yogi Ferrell and a wealth of options at wing, so why aren't the Hoosiers appearing in most preseason Top 25 polls? Well, it probably has something to do with a frontcourt so unproven that Tom Crean worked feverishly to try to find a late addition this summer before ultimately 6-foot-7 Emmit Holt in late August.

 

Holt joins a frontcourt that also includes fellow freshman Jeremiah April and returners Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Devin Davis, a duo that combined to average all of 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in limited minutes last season. Indiana will be thrilled if the 6-foot-9 Mosquera-Perea develops into a tough interior defender and rebounder who sets solid screens and consistently finishes around the rim. Davis also is in line for increased playing time if he can cut down on his turnovers and fouls and emerge as a force on the glass. 

 

One other potential solution for Indiana is to go small in an effort to maximize the impact of its plethora of wings and diminish the role of a frontcourt lacking talent. That would probably mean Troy Williamswould see a lot of time at the four, a potentially successful strategy if the 6-foot-7 sophomore can defend opposing power forwards a la Glenn Robinson III at Michigan. Indiana would also have to rebound collectively as a unit to make up for only having one true big man on the floor. 

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/eight-key-questions-as-the-first-day-of-practice-rings-in-the-new-season-134212577.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

 

7. Will anyone emerge as a solution for Indiana's frontcourt woes? 

Indiana boasts one of the Big Ten's premier point guards in Yogi Ferrell and a wealth of options at wing, so why aren't the Hoosiers appearing in most preseason Top 25 polls? Well, it probably has something to do with a frontcourt so unproven that Tom Crean worked feverishly to try to find a late addition this summer before ultimately 6-foot-7 Emmit Holt in late August.

 

Holt joins a frontcourt that also includes fellow freshman Jeremiah April and returners Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Devin Davis, a duo that combined to average all of 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in limited minutes last season. Indiana will be thrilled if the 6-foot-9 Mosquera-Perea develops into a tough interior defender and rebounder who sets solid screens and consistently finishes around the rim. Davis also is in line for increased playing time if he can cut down on his turnovers and fouls and emerge as a force on the glass. 

 

One other potential solution for Indiana is to go small in an effort to maximize the impact of its plethora of wings and diminish the role of a frontcourt lacking talent. That would probably mean Troy Williamswould see a lot of time at the four, a potentially successful strategy if the 6-foot-7 sophomore can defend opposing power forwards a la Glenn Robinson III at Michigan. Indiana would also have to rebound collectively as a unit to make up for only having one true big man on the floor. 

 

This is something that has not been a concern for any guard under Crean. His teams at IU have always seemed to have a team rebounding mentality. Troy could be the linchpin to our defense. If he can use his athleticism to help protect the rim from the 4 spot, HMP/DD/EH may be a little less critical. I'm hoping he plays like an Aaron Gordon. Obviously AG is an elite talent, but his rebounding and defense as a forward is exactly what we need from Troy. Athleticism is comparable to AG at least.