I tried to tell you people long ago that this Indiana basketball team is the real deal, but no, you couldn’t listen. Now, even for the strongest of cynics, it’s getting too hard not to believe in this team.
There are too many reasons to believe at this point. You can argue that Indiana’s schedule has been too easy to read into things, but Indiana hasn’t just snuck by its opponents, it has demolished them. It has been doing what good teams do, and that means winning games that you’re supposed to, and never lowering your play to your opponent.
Indiana just beat a Northwestern team that took Maryland to overtime, and they beat them by 31 points. That’s three straight home wins by more than 25 points! There’s a reason this team is 7-0 in the Big Ten, and those reasons are not the ones you would have expected coming into this season.
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Mentality
Indiana has grown more mentally than it has on the court physically, and that was beyond evident in today’s affair.
Something that has been extremely crucial to IU’s success lately has been Tom Crean’s ability to make in-game adjustments. With Northwestern’s Alex Olah really using his senior experience to overwhelm Thomas Bryant early on, Crean was able to bring in Max Bielfeldt and Juwan Morgan to guard Olah and shut him down.
Then, with Tre Demps rolling out a breakout game in the first half, Crean moved Yogi onto Demps and he held Demps to only three second half points.
Tom Crean has been pivotal with these kinds of adjustments. Adjustments that good coaches make.
Tom Crean has also successfully gotten his team to buy in. Players are more dedicated to winning than they ever have been before, forgoing selfish success, for team success.
“I feel like on the court we have a lot of confidence, especially we have a lot of confidence defensively. So for us to play loose out there, it’s us getting down and getting stops. I think even as a team we probably don’t even think this is our best defensive game. Probably one of our worst — not one of our worst, but we definitely had stretches in there where we know we can be better. I feel like we’re going to get to the film and watch it and we can be better.”
When discussing the team’s new mentality, Colin Hartman was adamant in mentioning how well the freshman are adapting, saying, “Along with mentality is also experience. The young guys are stepping up and being like sponges and absorbing our concepts and really studying extra film. So if you learn concepts and people’s tendencies, it’s easier to get stops because you know what they’re doing before they do it. So, I mean, that’s the biggest thing is just getting extra film.”
That new mentality has grown into something else even more important, and that is confidence–confidence on both sides of the ball.
Yogi Ferrell discussed this after the game stating, “I feel like on the court we have a lot of confidence, especially we have a lot of confidence defensively. So for us to play loose out there, it’s us getting down and getting stops. I think even as a team we probably don’t even think this is our best defensive game. Probably one of our worst — not one of our worst, but we definitely had stretches in there where we know we can be better. I feel like we’re going to get to the film and watch it and we can be better.”
BETTER?!?! The thought of this defense getting better is scary. Scary good.
Balance
This team has found an exceptional amount of balance on the offensive side of the ball and it was on display today. This team is moving the ball all around and that means even when some players have off nights, others can still make it work. No one is the star (except maybe Yogi), it’s all about the team.
11 different players scored for IU and that’s because of how well this offense has progressed had moving the ball. Coach Crean has been preaching that sentiment, “The more simple we can make our passing and the more active we can be in our cutting, the better we are. We’re moving the ball, there is no question about that. Sometimes we move it at the wrong time, wrong spot. But really the last week we’ve been really good about being on time, on target, and that’s so crucial. It’s one thing to have a passing mindset”
Inversely, Northwestern struggled today because they couldn’t find balance. Only six players found the scorer’s sheet in today’s affair, and only two broke double-digits.
This more balanced attack from IU has meant more contributions from role players like Collin Hartman, Max Bielfeldt, Juwan Morgan, and OG Anunoby. Everyone is doing something to make this team go.
Coach Crean was especially giving praise to OG, stating, “You know what’s happening with OG, we’re starting to expect a lot more out of him. He may not have had the numbers, but we’re looking at him not as a freshman. So I guess that’s the greatest compliment I could give to him, even though that he is. We’re as nit-picky with him as we are with the older guys because he’s capable. He’s smart.”
Leadership
Indiana has an undeniable star and leader. Everyone knows that, but today was another example of Yogi Ferrell’s abilities.
He started the game as more of a facilitator, with only five points in the first half. Then he went off in the second with 12 points and he just carried this squad. No matter if IU is up by 20, his effort is unrelenting, and his intelligence is noticeable.
“I think he’s sharing his knowledge. He’s sharing what he sees on film. He spends a lot of extra time in film. He’s way more vocal. Again today, I called a timeout and gave him the huddle, because we needed to get our pick-and-roll defense fixed. I’m very comfortable doing that with him. He just takes a seat, and I stand behind him or stand on the side.That’s the kind of ownership you want from a guy like that, but it’s got to be his idea, right? Because it can be a coach’s idea all you want, but until the player makes it his idea, you’re never going to get the full effect. He’s made it his idea. If he keeps that up, he’s going to have a really good hear. He can’t revert back. He’s a very smart player. One of the smartest players I’ve ever had the privilege to coach.”-Tom Crean
Defense
I keep preaching it, but Indiana’s defense has been incredible. Holding Northwestern to only 57 points and holding their best player, Bryant McIntosh, to only four points. Let’s just say, he wasn’t a fan.
This team is good for a multitude of reasons, and today proved it once again. Indiana basketball is going places, so start believing.