I’m sure they were “buying in” on the idea and the importance of defense.  And I think they probably thought they were doing their best, but I think several of the players didn’t really internalized the importance of defense.  I saw far too many attempts that lacked effort that were supposed to pass as defense — looked like defense with all the motions but there was no intensity or follow-through (Aceman aptly called it “matador defense”).  We had far too many games where a player or two on the opposing team had career nights. I agree with you about foot speed and some guys just not having quickness and others still learning footwork, but there also was not enough effort. CTC has depth this year and can (and hopefully will) sit players who don’t show effort.

I agree, defense is always top priority. I think that is why Crean is so excited about Remy. We just lack foot speed defensively. So I believe the players were “buying in” but Jones and Watford just don’t have quickness whereas Oladipo and Sheehey were still learning footwork and technique.

I really believe with Abell, Sheehey and Oladipo we will have much improved perimeter defense. Also, don’t sleep on Etherington. He is tenacious. Saw a high school game of his where he had several blocks as a weak side defender.

Keep in mind how much we had to play Roth and Moore last season.

Your bigs are gonna foul more often when the opposing team’s guards blow past your perimeter defense. Either that, or they’re gonna give up the easy points and be down by 40 at half-time. I prefer TPs tough play and his fouls so we can be in a position to win games when we’re not down and out early.

Say what you want, but a kid at 6’11” and extremely coordinated is a far superior defender of the basket than a 6’9″ guy who plays average post defense.  TP may be in good helpside or in good post denial position, but can he alter shots?  Does he have a nose to rebound at all costs?  No, that is what CZ is and what he brings to this team.

Pay attention to what VO said, they are going to run more this year.  That doesn’t bode well for TP.  I think we see more of the same from him this season.

In my opinion, IU will run WS out to play the 4 and we will see some 4 guard offense this season from IU.  In a 4 guard offense that gives guys like CW at 6’8″ and WS and AE, both about 6’6″, the ability to out quick their defenders, create separation and open up shots or passing lanes. 

I think the starting line up looks like this:

PG Hulls
SG VO
SF Watford
PF Sheehey
C  Zeller

Verdell is the 6th man.

In a 4 guard line up I see:

PG  Hulls
SG  VJIII
SF  VO/Sheehey
PF  Watford
C  Zeller

We cannot keep Sheehey and VO off the floor.  both are extremely athletic and solid defenders who are “TEAM” first players.  I have heard that both have improved, but Sheehey is ready to explode onto the scene this year and make a statement.  I am talking about a role where VJIII and Creek if healthy will see diminished minutes.

When was he good on defense?  Almost every single game.  I doubt that there is a post player on any opposing team who is looking forward to seeing Tom.  See IUball’s post above for a more complete answer.

I think you are too hard on Prit.  He has confidence issues that hurt him on the offensive end.  But defensively he is solid and the only guy on our roster that can truly bang with Big Ten Centers.  I think Tom is going to have a great season (7 points/6 boards) as our interior defensive pressence.  IMO the biggest stat category for TP is minutes played…the more he stays in the game the better off we are.

All the same, I really, really hope Elston wasn’t blowing smoke this summer when he said Pritchard’s foul shooting is no longer a problem.

Did you watch any game last yr! When? was he a good defender??? He fouled out almost every time he played, So I guess having 6-7 fouls per 40 mins of play is called good Defense! Elston should start bc he can score and spread it out for Cody and Watford. TP coming off bench is Ideal bc he can come in through his weight around and use his fouls then leave ha! Just like the past two season!

Very well put.

Pritchard deserves high praise for his season last year. As Kelin said, he was far and away our best post defender and trust me, Cody wants Tom in the starting line-up as much as anybody because Tom is excellent defensively. 

He shut down Jon Leuer completely both games against Wisconsin and kept Jordan Taylor in front of him on switches. He kept J. Johnson for Purdue out of the paint, making him take tough shots. Purdue pulled away from us with Pritchard on the bench.

Also MSU beat us in overtime after Pritchard fouled out and nobody could guard Draymond Green.

Pritchard didn’t pull down many boards because he was doing his job – boxing out the opponents biggest guy.

I say thank you Tom. I can’t wait to watch him and Cody working together, could easily lead the Big Ten in offensive rebounds.

Rgd213, watch the first half of our home game vs. Minnesota. That is what you will see from Tom on a regular basis this season.

Not in the least bit upset, this has been debated tons…..we don’t have a post defender that is as good as Pritchard.

The dribble drive can start three guys over 6’8 if one of the three (watford) can score off the dribble. For that matter if you look ahead…Zeller, Watford, and Perea can’t play together based on your theory. If we start with three guards and use their speed…we don’t have three guards with speed. We have good guards but not where we want to be.

If Watford is to every play his best position at the 3, now is the time to do it and that means someone has to play the 4 (Pritchard, Elston, or Howard) Elston played the 3 in high school!

I would have to agree with this line up. but ctc will have to start TP or Elston in games that the other teams have more height. Watford has showed he can’t gaurd guys that are bigger then him or have girth. But man is it nice to have zeller listed in the line up! this season could be very exciting like 18-21wins or around 15-17 that I think is the lowest this team could fall to. Hoosier Nation Pride!!!!

Rarely do you see a team as you say with a dribble and drive offense that starts 3 players over 6’8. Just about everyone Ive seen starts  3 guards and uses there speed. With the addition of Zeller ( who runs the court as well as any big man in the country) and CWat this is the best time to take advantage of IUs strenght at the 2/3 positions. I’m sorry I upset you with the comments about TP. But fact is he has got worst every year….Check the stats or tape as you say. I have been an IU fan for 40 years and don’t ever remember a player that started with less basketball IQ

Definitely agree with that HoosierPat. Having those three inter-changable in a line-up is very valuable cause it allows to play our best match-up is so true.

CTC needs to play the line-up that is most advantageous to exploit our opponents weakness and no more playing back and letting the other team force their game/will on us. Its time we bring our game to the other team no matter who or where it is…this is a mentality that has been missing in previous CTC teams and from VO’s comments i can tell they are starting to feel this way…

Go Hoosiers…  

I could see a rotation of Jones, Vic, and Sheehey in the starting lineup.  In these three guys you have players that can help the team in different ways.  Jones has a deadly pull up jumper and is crafty at getting to the rim. He has also shown some signs of leadership. Oladipo is pure energy and is a great defender.  Sheehey also provides energy but also showed the ability to guard bigger guys.  I think a rotation could be a good idea based on match-ups, who’s playing well, and who’s not.  I would be okay with any three of these guys in the starting five.

I agree Kelin, I believe having VO in that starting line up would produce the strongest from an overall offensive and defensive perspective. Having VJ as the first off the bench and the 2 guard in the second line up (no particular order, just position) of Remy – 1 VJ – 2 Creek – 3 Will – 4 Derek – 5. Those two line ups would provide us a 10 man rotation that would be arguable as deep as any team in the B1G.

I can’t wait to watch VO mature over the year. Just think as good as he will be in the beginning of this year, by the end he will improved that much more with a 2nd season under his belt. And remember, VO is the one who shot the winning shot against, I think Ferris St., that he hit a 3 late to tie it and then in the next play blocked a guys shot, which was one of his first games. So I think he’s got alot big moments that we have yet to see from him…

Go Hoosiers…