Q&A: 17 games in, Let's talk IU hoops

[IndyHutch]

IU is 14-3 overall and 4-0 in conference following Sunday's 85-60 victory over Ohio State. What concerns you about this team? What do you like? What would you like to see from certain players? What do you think of coach Crean specifically related to the job he has done with this particular team? Ask questions, make comments, answer other people's questions, let's just open it up today and talk some IU hoop. I only ask that you make it specific to this team. Recruiting is not my area of specialty but 20 years covering the Hoosiers has given me a decent perspective on IU basketball in general.

 

So what's on your mind?

[IndyHutch]

Let's start with Robert Johnson.

 

I thought he had really been struggling lately but played really well on Sunday against Ohio State. Crean mentioned yesterday that Johnson has been battling through some nagging injuries. Myself, I just thought he has been trying to do too much. It's a cliche but I just felt like Rojo needed to let the game come to him. He just seemed a lot more in the flow Sunday. What do you think?

[IndyHutch]

Here's another thought: What is up with Zeisloft?

 

He has been so steady for an extended period of time that his recent slump has been hard to watch. Someone said in a post in the postgame thread for Ohio State that Crean needs to sit him down and take away his minutes. I'm not in the camp. I think he's one of those streak shooters that when he gets into the flow he can knock shots down at a steady rate. As with any shooter, he just needs to hit a couple and get back in rhythm. But this is a funk that has lasted a while. What are your thoughts there?

[AKHoosier]

Here's another thought: What is up with Zeisloft?

 

He has been so steady for an extended period of time that his recent slump has been hard to watch. Someone said in a post in the postgame thread for Ohio State that Crean needs to sit him down and take away his minutes. I'm not in the camp. I think he's one of those streak shooters that when he gets into the flow he can knock shots down at a steady rate. As with any shooter, he just needs to hit a couple and get back in rhythm. But this is a funk that has lasted a while. What are your thoughts there?

 

I want Zeisloft to keep shooting until he finds his way out of the slump.  It's important he regains his touch before the schedule gets tougher, because we'll need his scoring eventually with Blackmon out of the lineup.

 

I'm sure he just needs to see the ball go through the hoop to get back into form.

[IndyHutch]

If you had a most surprising player and a most disappointing player 17 games into the season who would they be?

 

I think O.G. Anunoby would have to be my most surprising because I really didn't see it coming. In the limited minutes he got in the non-conference season I just didn't think he was ready to erupt the way that he has. But he has been confident, scrappy and just seems to be in the right place at the right time. And he plays defense, too. Somebody asked him in the postgame after Wisconsin what his strengths were or what area of his game that he really liked. He said, "I just like to play basketball.'' Indiana fans like the way he's playing basketball right now, too.

 

Most disappointing?  For me it's Troy Williams from a consistency standpoint. He has big games like he did on Sunday and then he has games where he disappears like was the case against Wisconsin. When we're seeing Good Troy, he can take over a game. But when he gets sped up and starts getting careless with the ball or simply doesn't get into the flow of the game then that can be tough, too from the other point of view.

 

Who would you put in those two categories?

[IndyHutch]

I want Zeisloft to keep shooting until he finds his way out of the slump.  It's important he regains his touch before the schedule gets tougher, because we'll need his scoring eventually with Blackmon out of the lineup.

 

I'm sure he just needs to see the ball go through the hoop to get back into form.

 

I'm with you that I think he needs to shoot his way out of the slump. The good news for IU is that he has really struggled in Big Ten play and yet it hasn't hurt the ultimate outcome. In four Big Ten games this season, he is 4 for 24 from 3-point range. That's 0 for 7 against Ohio State, 1 for 5 against Wisconsin (but it was a big one), 2 for 6 against Nebraska and 1 for 6 against Rutgers. 

 

Now maybe he's just a slow starter. Last year in the first four games of the Big Ten he was 2 of 14. But later he would have six conference games where he made three or more including three where he hit 5 3-pointers. IU fans can only hope he can get it going this season, too.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

If you had a most surprising player and a most disappointing player 17 games into the season who would they be?

 

I think O.G. Anunoby would have to be my most surprising because I really didn't see it coming. In the limited minutes he got in the non-conference season I just didn't think he was ready to erupt the way that he has. But he has been confident, scrappy and just seems to be in the right place at the right time. And he plays defense, too. Somebody asked him in the postgame after Wisconsin what his strengths were or what area of his game that he really liked. He said, "I just like to play basketball.'' Indiana fans like the way he's playing basketball right now, too.

 

Most disappointing?  For me it's Troy Williams from a consistency standpoint. He has big games like he did on Sunday and then he has games where he disappears like was the case against Wisconsin. When we're seeing Good Troy, he can take over a game. But when he gets sped up and starts getting careless with the ball or simply doesn't get into the flow of the game then that can be tough, too from the other point of view.

 

Who would you put in those two categories?

Pretty hard to make any other argument.  I think you hit the nail on the head with both analyses.

[Alford Bailey]

Here's another thought: What is up with Zeisloft?

 

He has been so steady for an extended period of time that his recent slump has been hard to watch. Someone said in a post in the postgame thread for Ohio State that Crean needs to sit him down and take away his minutes. I'm not in the camp. I think he's one of those streak shooters that when he gets into the flow he can knock shots down at a steady rate. As with any shooter, he just needs to hit a couple and get back in rhythm. But this is a funk that has lasted a while. What are your thoughts there?

We need guys who can play both ends. Z is a huge liability on D. No reason to be on the floor if he can't hit that open three.

[Alford Bailey]

If you had a most surprising player and a most disappointing player 17 games into the season who would they be?

 

I think O.G. Anunoby would have to be my most surprising because I really didn't see it coming. In the limited minutes he got in the non-conference season I just didn't think he was ready to erupt the way that he has. But he has been confident, scrappy and just seems to be in the right place at the right time. And he plays defense, too. Somebody asked him in the postgame after Wisconsin what his strengths were or what area of his game that he really liked. He said, "I just like to play basketball.'' Indiana fans like the way he's playing basketball right now, too.

 

Most disappointing?  For me it's Troy Williams from a consistency standpoint. He has big games like he did on Sunday and then he has games where he disappears like was the case against Wisconsin. When we're seeing Good Troy, he can take over a game. But when he gets sped up and starts getting careless with the ball or simply doesn't get into the flow of the game then that can be tough, too from the other point of view.

 

Who would you put in those two categories?

 

If you had a most surprising player and a most disappointing player 17 games into the season who would they be?

 

I think O.G. Anunoby would have to be my most surprising because I really didn't see it coming. In the limited minutes he got in the non-conference season I just didn't think he was ready to erupt the way that he has. But he has been confident, scrappy and just seems to be in the right place at the right time. And he plays defense, too. Somebody asked him in the postgame after Wisconsin what his strengths were or what area of his game that he really liked. He said, "I just like to play basketball.'' Indiana fans like the way he's playing basketball right now, too.

 

Most disappointing?  For me it's Troy Williams from a consistency standpoint. He has big games like he did on Sunday and then he has games where he disappears like was the case against Wisconsin. When we're seeing Good Troy, he can take over a game. But when he gets sped up and starts getting careless with the ball or simply doesn't get into the flow of the game then that can be tough, too from the other point of view.

 

Who would you put in those two categories?

Most surprising would be OG for me. Seems to have adjusted to the college game pretty well. Troy is what I expected as I have never really been impressed with his game. My most disappointing player would be JBJ (before the injury). Really thought he would be a much more complete player for us and it just hasn't materialized. Appears to be very selfish on offense at times as well. Hope he comes back better than ever.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

We need guys who can play both ends. Z is a huge liability on D. No reason to be on the floor if he can't hit that open three.

So then you're happy JBJ can't play because he too is a liability on defense?    I'm not being a wise ass or picking on you, but it does seem that the same arguments apply to both players -- liability on defense but both can shoot.  At the very least, in JBJ's absence, Z forces teams to spread their defense.  He's in a big time slump but he'll find his stroke and when he does, some team will pay dearly if they let him roam.

[Alford Bailey]

So then you're happy JBJ can't play because he too is a liability on defense?    I'm not being a wise ass or picking on you, but it does seem that the same arguments apply to both players -- liability on defense but both can shoot.  At the very least, in JBJ's absence, Z forces teams to spread their defense.  He's in a big time slump but he'll find his stroke and when he does, some team will pay dearly if they let him roam.

Is it a coincidence we've looked much better on the defensive end since JBJ went down? I'm old school. I want guys who play at both ends. I don't jump for joy when we hit a three then give up an easy layin 10 seconds later. Jordan Hulls was much smaller than either Z3 or JBJ yet he held his own on the defensive end more often than not. Thats the kind of effort I want.

[IndyHutch]

We need guys who can play both ends. Z is a huge liability on D. No reason to be on the floor if he can't hit that open three.

 

What I like about Zeisloft is that he can provide instant offense. He's Matt Roth in my opinion. Roth wasn't a great defender either. But I still think you can put Z in there in certain situations to give you a lift and hit a bucket or two. I'm not talking about him playing great stretches but I do think he can help you in short spurts.

[IndyHutch]

Is it a coincidence we've looked much better on the defensive end since JBJ went down? I'm old school. I want guys who play at both ends. I don't jump for joy when we hit a three then give up an easy layin 10 seconds later. Jordan Hulls was much smaller than either Z3 or JBJ yet he held his own on the defensive end more often than not. Thats the kind of effort I want.

 

I can't argue with that kind of thinking. I think the defense has improved since JBJ went down, too. Like I said before I like the fact that all three of our primary freshmen players all seem to bought in on the defensive end. It has to start somewhere. That can be contagious as the program grows.

[jhoosier]

I want Zeisloft to keep shooting until he finds his way out of the slump. It's important he regains his touch before the schedule gets tougher, because we'll need his scoring eventually with Blackmon out of the lineup.

I'm sure he just needs to see the ball go through the hoop to get back into form.

I agree. And he plays hard and competes when he's out there even if his shots aren't falling like they normally do. Defenses are still reacting to him as deep threat so it's not like he's a waste of space out there. He will regain his form in time. Every great shooter goes through slumps from time to time.

[IndyHutch]

I agree. And he plays hard and competes when he's out there even if his shots aren't falling like they normally do. Defenses are still reacting to him as deep threat so it's not like he's a waste of space out there. He will regain his form in time. Every great shooter goes through slumps from time to time.

 

And that's the thing, I think we all realize he'll regain his form again and when he does he becomes an instant weapon.

[HoosierAloha]

Here's another thought: What is up with Zeisloft?

 

He has been so steady for an extended period of time that his recent slump has been hard to watch. Someone said in a post in the postgame thread for Ohio State that Crean needs to sit him down and take away his minutes. I'm not in the camp. I think he's one of those streak shooters that when he gets into the flow he can knock shots down at a steady rate. As with any shooter, he just needs to hit a couple and get back in rhythm. But this is a funk that has lasted a while. What are your thoughts there?

 

I agree that shooters need to shoot their way out of a slump.  A lot of shooters who are struggling need to go to the rim and get fouled to see that free throw fall.  I'm not sure that Z is one of those players who can get into the lane and get fouled.  It seems to be all mental at this point.  If we have a comfortable lead at Minny I would like to see more plays ran for him to knock one down.  Find his favorite spot on the floor and make sure he gets a good, clean look at it.

[HoosierAloha]

We need guys who can play both ends. Z is a huge liability on D. No reason to be on the floor if he can't hit that open three.

 

I kept a close eye on Zeisloft's defense against O$U in the first half.  He hustled his backside off chasing Williams through screens.  Z will never be the defender who can take on an opposing PG and stay in front of him.  However, I think he is adequate chasing shooters and with help defense. 

[IUsafety]

Do you think that Crean may be carving a new identity for this team with the absence of JBJ? The new identity being defense. I think with JBJ, Crean figured we could just out score any team no matter how bad our defense was. After the OSU game, a few of the players and Yogi in particular made comments about how they were beginning to realize how important the defensive end of the game was. Is this something Crean is now focusing on?

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Biggest surprise: OG. Although I had suspicions all along he had the tools.
Biggest Disappointment: Blackmon. No defensive intensity whatsoever. Never expanded his game. Feel bad for the injury.

What's on my mind?

I've been lulled back into a sense of security believing we are better than we likely actually are. I have been enjoying watching them more as of late as they appear to be playing defense. The active hands against O$U were excellent. OG has been a pure pleasure to watch. That putback dunk yesterday was so athletic. Ball movement has been better. Driving and kicking improved. Post feeds better.

I feel fairly good about 2016 recruiting although I'd like one big fish. That big fish may be DeRon Davis. If so, I look forward to seeing OG, DD, and TB on court at one time.

I hope Yogi can show out and finish his career on a high note!

[yogisballin]

I think one of the biggest things on the defensive end that has helped since JBJ has been out is our length at multiple positions. Originally we had went back to that 3 guard lineup and that killed us defensively, IMO.
Now we never play more than 2 guards at once and there are times, see O$U game. That we played RoJo, Morgan or OG, Troy, Hartman and Bryant for some stretches. Multiple 6'6 to 6'8 or taller guys on the floor at once!