Official 2016-17 IUBB Preseason Thread

[Brass Cannon]

MSU is now down to one player over 6' 7. Can't see them winning the big ten that small. 

[HoosierAloha]

Does anyone see JMo starting by the B1G season..? I know Crean likes having multiple ball handlers on the court at one time and JMo would do just that. Could we see JMo in more of a Troy type stretch 4 wing role this season?

[Brass Cannon]

11 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

Does anyone see JMo starting by the B1G season..? I know Crean likes having multiple ball handlers on the court at one time and JMo would do just that. Could we see JMo in more of a Troy type stretch 4 wing role this season?

Almost think he's going to have to be starting with Davis being out of shape and Rojo looking like the best ball handler. 

Rojo/JBJ/OG/Morgan/Bryant. 

With Newkirk, Cujo and Davis off the Bench. 

[Miller'sTheMan]

19 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

Does anyone see JMo starting by the B1G season..? I know Crean likes having multiple ball handlers on the court at one time and JMo would do just that. Could we see JMo in more of a Troy type stretch 4 wing role this season?

I think Crean will probably go with Newkirk/RoJo/Blackmon/OG/Bryant, but I think putting Morgan in for Newkirk would be our best line-up, it gives us more size and as you said Morgan is a capable ball handler as well.

 

[Miller'sTheMan]

1 hour ago, Brass Cannon said:

MSU is now down to one player over 6' 7. Can't see them winning the big ten that small. 

Not only that, but their only player over 6'7 averaged 3/3 last season... Not exactly great numbers, and he's a SR this rather than a freshmen you'd expect to make a big leap.

Now on the positive side for MSU, I do think Nick Ward will be a nice player and his size should be enough to help out vs most 5's that MSU will face. However, lucky for us, Thomas Bryant is a lot better than your average center! 

[Brass Cannon]

32 minutes ago, Crean'sTheMan said:

Not only that, but their only player over 6'7 averaged 3/3 last season... Not exactly great numbers, and he's a SR this rather than a freshmen you'd expect to make a big leap.

Now on the positive side for MSU, I do think Nick Ward will be a nice player and his size should be enough to help out vs most 5's that MSU will face. However, lucky for us, Thomas Bryant is a lot better than your average center! 

Nick Ward is their only guy over that height. Their senior got hurt today. So they have a Freshmen PF now as their starting Center and Miles Bridges will be their PF. 

[Brass Cannon]

Just now, Hardwood83 said:

What happened? I know their grad transfer was hurt, what now?

Gavin Schilling hurt his knee apparently. 

[HoosierAloha]

I guess some of that will depend on who is ready to contribute. I can't see both CuJo and Green being able to give a lot of minutes early. McSwain and Davis will play a part of that too. If neither are ready we'll be limited in the front court.

[Stuhoo]

Gavin Schilling hurt his knee apparently. 

Hope he's okay. He is the only Spartan capable of some level of real interior defense. Without him they are in deep doodoo.

[Stuhoo]

Gavin Schilling hurt his knee apparently. 

Link?

I don't see anything in the news about a Schilling injury; just Carter.

[Brass Cannon]

12 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

 

Link?

I don't see anything in the news about a Schilling injury; just Carter.

 

MSU fans on the Rivals board are reporting it 

[IU Hoosier41]

Didn't see a thread for the practice, although I'm sure there is one. Couldn't believe how high intensity and efficient that practice was. There was no wasted movements for anyone. Loved seeing them run the offense and Result in everyone shooting it at the end vs just one guy shooting it.

Maybe that's nothing new in high major practices, but I couldn't believe he level of detail and planning that goes in to making it that efficient.


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[Hoosier Roots]

Almost think he's going to have to be starting with Davis being out of shape and Rojo looking like the best ball handler. 

Rojo/JBJ/OG/Morgan/Bryant. 

With Newkirk, Cujo and Davis off the Bench. 

That could be a monster defensive lineup, assuming we can hide JBJ of course


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[Brass Cannon]

17 minutes ago, Hoosier Roots said:

That could be a monster defensive lineup, assuming we can hide JBJ of course


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I'm a firm believer you can hide 1 person. 

[Parakeet Jones]

Does anyone see JMo starting by the B1G season..? I know Crean likes having multiple ball handlers on the court at one time and JMo would do just that. Could we see JMo in more of a Troy type stretch 4 wing role this season?

I wouldn't be surprised if he starts from day one. I thought Rono, JBJ, TB, OG and Hartman was a likely possibility. I could easily see Morgan sliding into Hartman's spot. Of course CTC could always go with a three guard lineup with Newkirk.

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[Uspshoosier]

I'm fine everyone just a sprained ankle will be back getting after it with the team very very soon no worries at all [emoji817]
@nolittb31
Bryant has a sprained ankle


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[FortWayneHoosier]

I'm fine everyone just a sprained ankle will be back getting after it with the team very very soon no worries at all [emoji817]
@nolittb31
Bryant has a sprained ankle


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Just what we need


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[HoosierAloha]

Hopefully we are getting the injuries out of the way early this season. Is there anyone that is not limited in practice?

[Brass Cannon]

3 minutes ago, HoosierAloha said:

Hopefully we are getting the injuries out of the way early this season. Is there anyone that is not limited in practice?

I think Tom Crean is okay. Rumor is Martin is suffering from Jet Lag though 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

2016-2017 Player Profile: Curtis Jones

IU could take a committee approach to its point guard position this year and that might give freshman combo guard Curtis Jones a chance to contribute right away.

Robert Johnson, Josh Newkirk and James Blackmon Jr. are expected to split a majority of the responsibilities, but with Yogi Ferrell and Nick Zeisloft gone, IU will turn to Jones and freshman Devonte Green to round out the backcourt rotation.

Jones already has familiarity with two of his IU teammates as he’s Johnson since he was nine years old and also played at Huntington Prep alongside Thomas Bryant. That has likely made his adjustment easier both on and off the court.

As the No. 84 recruit in the final 247Composite rankings for the class of 2016, Jones has a strong national profile. But with what IU returns in its backcourt, he could be flying under the radar. His ability to penetrate, knock down outside shots and generate opportunities for others could earn him a rotation spot right away.

If Jones can score and prove to be an offensive threat right off the bat, the rest of his game will develop as the season progresses. He excels in an uptempo, transition style of play that fits right in with IU’s sometimes position-less offense. A challenge for him will be bringing other factors of his game up to the same speed as his sharp shooting. Ball handling should be part of his improvement.

The Richmond, Va. native was one of the three freshmen who spent the summer on campus at IU going through workouts, getting acclimated with the team and learning from the older guys. You can tell it made a difference.

“I’m impressed with his speed and athleticism,” Crean said of Jones after signing him last winter. “I’m impressed with his quickness. He gets to the glass. He really changes speeds.”

Bottom Line: It’s worthy to note Blackmon is returning from a season ending injury, Newkirk had to sit out last season after transferring and Johnson also missed some time at the end of the year with an ankle injury. Jones might not come in with the most experience, but he’s fresh and is buying into what Crean emphasizes. He can easily crack into rotation among IU’s guard-heavy roster with his ability on offense

Quotable: “Last year they [the Hoosiers] played an exciting style of basketball and I feel I fit into their system where I can play either on or off the ball,” Jones said. “The tradition of Indiana, along with Coach Crean’s plan for me to develop over time…The fan base is also definitely one of the best in the country.”