Keys to watch for against IU

[Bocephys]

I know! A Scooper saying something irrelevant and/or making light of something!

The nerve!! And so outside the norm of behavior 'round these parts!!!

Followed by a completely disproportional reaction that assumed a personal slight which never existed! 

Honestly, Scoop should be commended for being in mid-season form so quickly.  All that hand wringing over paper tickets was like an overseas trip to help the team bond.

[MU82]

Scoop should be commended for being in mid-season form so quickly.

Won't really be in mid-season form until we lose a game, especially if the loss is to a team "we should have beaten."

[DCHoopster]

Won't really be in mid-season form until we lose a game, especially if the loss is to a team "we should have beaten."

MU is expected to lose on Wednesday, but they can go in there and have fun, and just maybe they can win.  This is a good test to see how Wojo uses Joey, Cain
and Bailey.  Key to the game is trying to keep Theo out of foul trouble.  Markus has to stay hot from the outside.

[Windyplayer]

MU is expected to lose on Wednesday, but they can go in there and have fun, and just maybe they can win.  This is a good test to see how Wojo uses Joey, Cain
and Bailey.  Key to the game is trying to keep Theo out of foul trouble.  Markus has to stay hot from the outside.

They can get ice cream after, win or lose!

[Windyplayer]

REMOVED

[MU82]

MU is expected to lose on Wednesday, but they can go in there and have fun, and just maybe they can win.  This is a good test to see how Wojo uses Joey, Cain
and Bailey.  Key to the game is trying to keep Theo out of foul trouble.  Markus has to stay hot from the outside.

Gotta hit 3s, protect the ball, and defend decently without committing too many fouls.

Am guessing the recipe for success will be similar in most games, but especially so in the games against good teams.

Throw in that our lads must keep their poise in their first road test as a ranked team.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Won't really be in mid-season form until we lose a game, especially if the loss is to a team "we should have beaten."

Gonna need a refresher on the Marquette/scoop checklist.

[Herman Cain]

Markus and Sam both need to be hitting their threes. We need that to take the Assembly Hall crowd out of the game.

We have plenty of fouls to work with against Juwan Morgan, if possible it would be great to work the ball in to our big men and get Morgan in foul trouble.

Sacar will have to work hard guarding Langford.

[fjm]

Agree Herman. If we can get Ed or Theo to atleast get an early 2 fouls on Morgan that would be great. Dump it in to Theo and let him try a hook shot or two or initiate contact to get some fouls going against Indiana.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Agree Herman. If we can get Ed or Theo to atleast get an early 2 fouls on Morgan that would be great. Dump it in to Theo and let him try a hook shot or two or initiate contact to get some fouls going against Indiana.

That seems to have been Wojo's MO since he's been here. I remember the first play almost always going to Matt last year, Luke two years ago, and Theo in the last game.

Scripted plays but it works. Or maybe I'm just imagining things.

[Stretchdeltsig]

MU is expected to lose on Wednesday, but they can go in there and have fun, and just maybe they can win.  This is a good test to see how Wojo uses Joey, Cain
and Bailey.  Key to the game is trying to keep Theo out of foul trouble.  Markus has to stay hot from the outside.

Who said "Marquette is expected to lose?"  We expect them to win by 7-10 points.  Go Marquette!

[T-Bone]

Mid-Season Meltdown Checklist:
- Hiroshima mentions
- Ron Paul Blimp "It's Happening"
- Chico's ban.
- A scooper goes missing, is found on Dodds
- Several self-imposed bans.
- The mods keep muttering about Arby's while locking threads (they're in mid-season form)
- How you feel in GIF threads - then a political fight about the G/J in pronunciation.
- A thread or two lamenting Singleton
- 5 threads about what the Greek Freak's brother could have done. 
- NM thread grows exponentially.
- Hoopaloop rises from the ashes.

[Marcus92]

- Return of the pointless but seemingly irresistible argument about which head coach came to Marquette with a more empty cupboard

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Mid-Season Meltdown Checklist:
- Hiroshima mentions
- Ron Paul Blimp "It's Happening"
- Chico's ban.
- A scooper goes missing, is found on Dodds
- Several self-imposed bans.
- The mods keep muttering about Arby's while locking threads (they're in mid-season form)
- How you feel in GIF threads - then a political fight about the G/J in pronunciation.
- A thread or two lamenting Singleton
- 5 threads about what the Greek Freak's brother could have done. 
- NM thread grows exponentially.
- Hoopaloop rises from the ashes.

Well done

[brewcity77]

IU wants to force us into turnovers and get points in transition. Their average possession length of 14.3 is because they are forcing turnovers and getting easy points. I think the key is to slow it down on offense. We are the better shooting team and the more efficient team. I could definitely see some zone in this game. Slow it down and make every possession that much more valuable. Hopefully that will help us limit turnovers and easy chances for them, while also increasing the impact of 3-point shots on the game. This will be a great game to try some small-ball shooting lineups.

I think this one will come down to possessions. If we hold it under 70 possessions, I think we win. 75 or more and Indiana has the advantage. One of those rare times when I want a Wojo offense to play slow.

[GoldenEagle323]

Besides Sacar who could we see matched up with langford? i hope we shut him down

[MU82]

- 5 threads about what the Greek Freak's brother could have done. 

If only we didn't have Kostas.

[brewcity77]

Besides Sacar who could we see matched up with langford? i hope we shut him down

1. Sacar
2. Chartouny
3. Cain or Bailey, hoping to use length to stifle him
4. Zone

[Marcus92]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Jamal or Brendan guarding Langford for at least some of the game.

[GoldenEagle323]

1. Sacar
2. Chartouny
3. Cain or Bailey, hoping to use length to stifle him
4. Zone

I was think chartouny but so far he looks a little slow

[Silkk the Shaka]

Besides Sacar who could we see matched up with langford? i hope we shut him down

Guessing Sam/Jamal/Brendan

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Besides Sacar who could we see matched up with langford? i hope we shut him down

Nice thing about the roster this year. We have options.

I would guess Sacar is the first choice, but I think Bailey, Cain, and Chartouny could all match up with him pretty well. I think Sam and Morrow would be a touch too slow but I think they could be effective.

Zone could be an option tomorrow. I wrote this about Indiana for Paint Touches over the summer:

The other concern is 3P shooting. Last year, the Hooisers ranked second to last in the conference for both 3PM and 3P%, beating out only Rutgers in both categories. They also lose their only consistent 3P threat in Johnson in addition to Newkirk who was third on the team in 3PM. Green can make threes but wasn't particularly accurate at 33.7%. McRoberts was accurate but only attempted 33 on the season. Morgan was neither accurate (30.5%) nor prolific (16 3PM). There will need to be significant improvement from these three or the newcomers. If there isn't, Juwan Morgan could see constant doubles in the post and Langford will be driving into a crowded lane.

So far Indiana is 13/42 (31%) from three against a sub 250 type team and a sub 350 type team (yes, I'm aware there only 353 teams, Chicago State is that bad). True freshman Rob Phinisee is the only player with more than 2 3PM, going 3/5. Walk on Zach McRoberts is 2/2. True freshman Damezi Anderson is 2/7. The other two members of their starting backcourt Langford and Devonte Green are a combined 2/15.

Given all that....and the fact that we are suddenly blessed with a roster full of length, I would not be shocked to see us bust out a zone for a significant part of the game. Imagine for a moment the beauty of a 2-3 zone with Chartouny and Sacar on top, Cain and Bailey on the wings, and John anchoring the center waiting to demolish anyone who dares approach. Nevermind that this particular lineup would be a mess on offense....but think of how devastating that zone could be!

Obviously you would have to fit some offensive minded guys like Howard and Sam in there somewhere, but like I said, we have options.

[wadesworld]

If we do go zone I'm hoping we can be comfortable with where we stand up to halftime and save it so they don't have a halftime to make adjustments for it. Save it for the second half.

[real chili 83]

Mid-Season Meltdown Checklist:
- Hiroshima mentions
- Ron Paul Blimp "It's Happening"
- Chico's ban.
- A scooper goes missing, is found on Dodds
- Several self-imposed bans.
- The mods keep muttering about Arby's while locking threads (they're in mid-season form)
- How you feel in GIF threads - then a political fight about the G/J in pronunciation.
- A thread or two lamenting Singleton
- 5 threads about what the Greek Freak's brother could have done. 
- NM thread grows exponentially.
- Hoopaloop rises from the ashes.

Throw in some smoked meats and you've got this nailed.

[real chili 83]

Tomorrow might be a good day for folks to stock up on Sonoran Salsa. Get enough for IU and Kansas.

That sh1t is powerful stuff. Warrior salsa.  Dunks, can you handle the demand???