Growing Game By Game

We are five games into the 2021-2022 season for the Indiana University (IU) men’s basketball team and I recently sat back and asked myself what we have learned thus far. I think the thing that jumps out at me first and foremost is the defensive effort this team is putting forth. Mike Woodson has said that the attention early on in his tenure had to be about establishing an identity and that identity would be on the defensive end of the floor.

Not only has the defense been a collective effort from every player seeing time on the court, they also genuinely seem to be taking pride in being a solid, if not very good, defensive unit. Five games is a small sample size, and I know some naysayers will point to the level of competition to date, but my counter to that argument would be that in the recent past we have watched IU time and time again play down to the level of their competition. That hasn’t been the case through the first five games. In fact, I feel as though they have actually improved each and every game.

They are communicating, They are switching at the right times, as well as fighting through screens at the right times. Their positioning is so much better, and they are not so far out of place and unaware that they are unable to provide help defense when needed. Trayce Jackson-Davis (TJD) has been put in, or better yet kept in position, to be a rim protecter. The guys out front can pressure the ball even more knowing that even if they do get beat the front court guys cn help and challenge shots. Closing out on shooters on kick-outs after help comes has vastly improved as well.

Now, the overall defense needs to continue the progression every game just has it has done this far, and the rebounding on the defensive end needs some attention paid to also. Or maybe a better way to word that is the rebounding out a players area needs some attention. At the rim they are holding their own in the rebounding department, but the second and third levels of rebounding (longer rebounds) need to be corralled a little more frequently in my opinion. The blocking out doesn’t seem to be the real issue with that, it seems to be more of the pursuit of the ball that caroms a little out of arms reach of where the blockout occurred. But all and all, on that side of the ball IU seems to be heading in the right direction to be an above average defensive unit.

On the offensive end of the court I think we are seeing the same type of progress. With each passing game IU appears to become more comfortable in their roles and their trust in each other. When you have so any new players, a new coach, and a new system, it only stands to reason that the offensive end will take the most time to settle into. The movement. The screens. The cutting. They all seem to be done with a purpose. Coach Woodson has eluded to the fact the offense would be behind the defense and take more time to start flowing as freely as he hopes it eventually will, and I think we’re seeing that. But even so, the offense is creating open looks, they are attacking the basket, they are sharing the ball, and they are playing hard.

I think we all felt as though shooting would be the biggest question mark going into the season, and I’m not sure the first couple of games eased anyones concerns. But guys have seemed to settle down and aren’t rushing shots. They are getting their feet under them, they’re getting squared up, they are ready to shoot, drive, or pass, and the ball is being delivered in an ideal spot for them to do so. Therefore I think the offense has looked better each time out.

Having a Pre-Season All-American in the lineup like TJD certainly opens things up for a lot of other positives to happen, as well as having a go to guy when you need a bucket. And he has definitely improved his ability to read the double team coming, as well as showing the ability to hit a 15-16FT. shot often enough to keep defensives honest. His passing has improved also. He and Race Thompson have become very good at playing together having fed each other for quite a few easy buckets already this year.

My biggest concern is more than likely the biggest concern of most Hoosier fans…free throw shooting. I feel as though our inconsistent free throw shooting is going to cost us a game or two this year if it doesn’t start progressing like the rest of the areas seem to be from game to game. I’m sure it’s as frustrating for them as it is for us as fans, but it has to become better and more consistent…PERIOD. Made free throws late in a game can be just as demoralizing for an opponent trying to make a run, as missed ones can give them momentum and fuel their late game push. They may not get you on Sports Center, but they will win you basketball games.

Having two regular rotation players, Trey Galloway & Rob Phinisee, out with injuries has allowed Mike Woodson to utilize the next man up mentality early in the season and I think it’s not only proven to be invaluable now, I think it will definitely pay dividends later on. The biggest benefactor in that has been Khristian Lander. The entire second unit has shown that IU will have depth at each position, but Lander, who’s confidence was what I would call shattered last year, is slowly but surely getting back game by game. I think that shows toughness, an awareness of what it takes to compete at this level, a willingness to put in the work to get better, and a direct reflection of Mike Woodson having confidence in him. Ball handlers and decision makers win ballgames for you. Having more than one to run out there that can get the job done wins you a lot of ballgames.

Every player that has seen the floor for the Hoosiers through the first five games has contributed something positive. A lot of coaches in college basketball would like to have one or two of Rob Phinisee, Trey Galloway, Tamar Bates, Jordan Geronimo, Khristian Lander, Anthony Leal, Michael Durr coming off of their bench, and Mike Woodson has them all. IU should have some very interchangeable parts as we move deeper into the season, and when you consider the ups and downs young players can have from game to game, that bench is a very good thing to have.

Next up is the 4-1 Marshall Thundering Herd tomorrow evening in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It will be Marshall’s first game away from home this year. They are coming off a 93-79 win against Louisiana. A game that saw them create 28 turnovers in running away with the win. Forcing 28 turnovers against anyone proves you can play defense. Scoring 93 points shows you can be pretty proficient on the offensive end as well, so it could be a decent test for the Hoosiers as they look to go 6-0 on the season.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving, and I also hope to see you in “The Hall” tomorrow evening.

GO HOOSIERS!!!