Comments on: Hoosiers cruise past St. Joe’s in final tune-up, 95-67

By: ronb

ronb — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:29:34 +0000

Some of you point out that Hulls struggled last night and had 5 turnovers. Some of those happened because his team mates did not talk or move to get open. He will get that fixed. Mark it down. Now my problem is with Jones. He has a season of play to improve in the turnover area. Last year he had 100 assists and 99 turnovers. Last night he had 5 turnovers. The first game he let the game come to him. He did not force it. His team mates got him open shots and he had 7 assist. Last night he was back to the old Jones trying to dribble through 4 players. He is not a point guard and neither is Dumas. These 2 guys could have great years if they allow Rivers and Hulls to run the team. They will get it to them if they are open setting them up to shoot,pass or drive. Last night Jones was the old Jones trying to do to much,forcing the action and turning over the ball. I am sure coach will remind him that this year he has a lot of talented players helping him. This team will beat some good teams if coach can get them to play team ball not I ball.
I thought Creek and Bawa played very well. Creek showed why coach is so high on him. He can be a stat stuffer.

By: Hoosier_Hound

Hoosier_Hound — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:50:35 +0000

My favorite statistic so far, after they shot below 65% of FTs last year, the team has shot 72% in the two exhibitions, and 79% if you discard the combined 1-8 FT shooting of Moore, Gambles, and Finkelmeier. That's big and hopefully other aspects of the team are on that same type of improvement curve (ahem, turnovers).

By: jaywiz

jaywiz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:28:03 +0000

Thanks, I was not concerned since it did not really matter. Just a learning experience for me.

By: CreamandCrimson

CreamandCrimson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:59 +0000

I think you guys have hit on the highlights. This team is clearly more talented and versatile than last year. I am not surprised Creek's bounce back. This is still a very one squad that will probably struggle with some inconsistency. However, as Kelin said, there are a lot of pieces and the odds are good that a couple of guys will be off and a couple of guys will be on every night.

The program is being assembled and it doesn't take a big leap to think about this team winning 10-15 games more than they did a year ago. I still believe that Mo Creek is going to unseat Dumes in the starting lineup by the time the Big Ten rolls around.

By: GFDave

GFDave — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:40:13 +0000

The one thing that sticks out to me more than anything else was the play of Bawa. I was really surprised. He had an immediate positive impact on the game when he came in and was a net positive for the team the whole night. What really sold me was the two handed catch he made on the baseline where he scored. That pass was zipped into him and he caught it clean and went straight up to score. Big guys with good hands are gold and he's got 'em. We'll see how he handles the big bodies from the big schools, but so far so good.

By: Wish

Wish — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:02 +0000

As Hulls begins playing Division I players who are stronger, bigger and faster his effectiveness will be limited. Mark it down. He plays well against DII foes and should do well against lower DI schools, too.

Don't jack up the expectations for this kid as a freshman, he's going to make a lot of mistakes.

By: Matt_J

Matt_J — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:09:11 +0000

Oh, my poor Pumas.

Oh well, time to get back to rooting for the Hoosiers!!!

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:59:49 +0000

Alot of things to be happy about last night. Our defense is still not good enough however to get alot of stops against good teams. I think we will be better if and when Dumes can play and play hard.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:49:19 +0000

I do not believe he will sign with Indiana.

By: BFowler

BFowler — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:40:23 +0000

I have not watched this game (yet, it is on my DVR scedule for 1pm), but I will comment from the radio broadcast some things.
1st, Fisch kept saying, "Rivers {storming, racing, galloping, running} up the court." It was good to hear that Rivers kept pushing and pushing. At one point Leary commented on how when (Indiana) Jones brought the ball up there was a different pace. Rivers is a very strong lead guard and he showed some things we lacked last year in attacking the defense.
2nd, Creek was much more comfortable on the floor. That is great for the future prospects of this team. If he starts going and Watford keeps it up, that is a one-two punch in long wings that are hard to defend.
3rd, Hulls turnovers. I picked him to "click" because I thought he was steady and would not turn it over. He was struggling to get the ball in bounds at one point. I still think he is becoming one of my favorites on this team.
4th, Welcome Bawa! I am excited about his future and I think he will be solid before he departs Bloomington. The post game interview was even fun for me to watch. The kid seems genuinely excited to be part of this team and it is exciting to have him on board.
5th, Lack of 3s shot. It seemed like at one point Fisch and leary were saying we had shot like 5 or 6 3s at one point in the 2nd half. That is good that this team recognized they out-sized St. Joseph's and used their size to their advantage.
6th, so, with that in mind, what the heck was 21 offensive rebounds? to St. Joseph's? What is Purdue or Wisconsin or Michigan State going to get? 100? I know those teams are better on the front line than St. Joseph's. (no offense Matt J.)
7th, The future's bright!