I think our entire team got better with Jones making the most visible improvement. Pritchard is better with the right hand and learned to shot fake, Story and Williams became less afraid to try to score, Roth showed some mid range , ..............the problem is our improvement could not overcome the improvement other teams made during the year.

This brings me to the off season. What do we know are the activities of the team/coaches from now until next fall ?

Jerry, you seem like an educated basketball fan, as do all of the posters here. I have a question for you guys.What ever happened to the shot fake? I know that when I played ball, it was taught as a primary fundamental of the game. I know I used it a lot...especially when I was guarded by a taller, more athletic player. It was easy for me to draw fouls...many times leading to 3 point plays. Am i remiss in that this years team didn't use it much? Pritchard, Dumes and Moore come to mind. I surmise that we should have/could have garnered many more trips to the line...gotten more key players in foul trouble...and scored a few more points per game. Not that it matters now, but I can see this helping us next year.

MikeyD, I agree with you. I wonder why shooting and point guards don't develop the fake to create some open space. Hulls would benefit a lot because if people bite he will have a great open lane or be able to easily dish it out to one of our future big men.

Speaking of Hulls, any word on the Bloomington South/New Albany game this morning?

South won by double digits......
Haven't heard anything about tipton yet....

I watched the game, Tipton had a large early lead, but Luers came back to beat them.

Bloomington South won 61-50.

Hulls will most likely display the most well rounded fundamentals next year. Hopefully the team will learn from him. Am watching games this afternoon and just don't see players using the fake. It's a great tool. Well put...it not only gives you more foul opps, but as you point out, it opens up space...either for an uncontested shot or a better view of the lane/court. I am really excited about next year...just hope Coach has the moxey to utilize what he gots and gets a little more mileage out of fundamentals...i.e. shot fake...blocking out...bounce passing, etc. How bout some back doors off of failed picks?

looks like OSU could make some serious noise in the big dance

MikeyD-
Good question....I think from my experience in playing and coaching, the emphasis now is to get open off the dribble more than with non dribble moves...for example...have you noticed you haven't seen a strong jab step since MJ left? Guys like Dumes who has some quickness could benefit from a solid jab step but instead the 'crossover' dribble has taken its place.....Shooters like Roth, Dumes etc....could add more to their game with a shot fake...especially Roth who could use some more mid range game....

Excellent point Blabster! Another basic that can be so beneficial to a quick player...one certain way to gain respect in the open/back court. How about a jab step then a shot fake? OMG the ramifications are boundless. lol

MikeyD. Watch DUke. They will shot fake all game long . I agree that we donot do it so much

Folks get ready to road trip it...I think LN and South are headed for collision course next weekend...Thanks to Class Basketball we have the state finals in the semi-state....

Dion Fergunson, get ready to back up your "beating south would be easier' words....

I think you still see shot faking in the post, but other than that, not so much. One of the reasons you don't see it on jump shots is that the mid-range jumper has almost vanished from the game. It used to be that a player could take one or two dribbles, shot fake, and get a good look from 12 to 15 feet. Now, everything is from 3 point land, or dribble drive to the rim. Just my humble opinion as I wait for Baylor and Mizzou to tip off. Go Drew!

Why I love Tom Crean.....

He has found a way to duplicate himself.....
on the sidelines watching South v New Albany in Seymor
on the sidelines watching Pike v. FC in Indianapolis

Don't quote me on this but I believe both games started at the same time.....

Franklin central beat lawrence north 49-36. We will get to see hulls vs. bade. iu vs. purdue. Go south!

I want to thank insidethehall. This blog has provided good stories and analysis all year. I also appreciate the comments from the fan base. I look forward to checking in throughout the off season to keep up on what is going on and especially an eager to see what happens next season.

They say a player makes the most improvement from the freshman to sophmore season. Well we have a lot of freshman. To me that means a great potential for improvement. Did everyone notice the the all big ten team is all sophmores?