Comments on: Moving on without Maurice Creek

By: trailrunner

trailrunner — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:01:05 +0000

It is obvious that size and free throw shooting are major areas of weakness. The Big Ten is a rugged physical rebounding and defensive conference. Against most squads I would go with Pritchard at 5, Elston at 4, Watford at 3, Jones at 2, and Rivers. Hulls and Dumes rotate for Rivers and Jones. Capo, Bawa, and Jobe for the front line. Press after scoring and play zone to cut down on fouls against the big guys. Block out on every shot and run a controlled break. If a shot is not there pass at least 5 times before taking an open shot. These young players need to learn the importance of passing, free throws, ball handling, boxing out, position, and Pritchard needs to run agility drills.

By: GFDave

GFDave — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:22:38 +0000

No question that Dumes plays out of control. But he might just be the best defender on the team. Its between him and Rivers.

By: IU DOCTORAL

IU DOCTORAL — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:06:49 +0000

Now we'll see how good of a coach Crean is.

By: generalrmk

generalrmk — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:58:08 +0000

Almost got it right. “Daniel Moore should be … a … guy off the bench.” Period.

The best option here is to get the most out of Capo-Elston-Jobe-Muniru next to Pritchard. Pritchard has proven he can get over these sophomore blues and play hard – he just needs to quit cheap fouling on breakaways to stay out of trouble. Going with the four-headed four lets Watford blossom at the 3.

By: cooper

cooper — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:46:28 +0000

Creek isn't going to stay for four more years anyway. I'd like him to have the option but I doubt he'd take it

By: trailrunner

trailrunner — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:37:50 +0000

Thank you for pointing out the obvious. But Dumes does not play like a Hoosier. He plays alley ball. Either he was not well coached or he ignored the coach. Either way on my team he sits until he changes his style. Dumes will not help these young players improve. They will learn bad habits. The goal is to build a foundation now that will bring championships in the future. Play the young guys as much as possible. Recruit Indiana kids that are sound fundamentally. IU has given away scholarships and now with a plethora of homegrown talent in the next few classes will find it difficult to attract many of them. If Crean just recruits Indiana in the next few years he will win championships.

By: CutterInChicago

CutterInChicago — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:09:29 +0000

A couple of things, I agree that Dumes in the starting line-up seems like the best next starting line-up to me – but do not be afraid to shuffle it as needed. I think the only set-in-stone starter is Watford, the others can be moved around as the situation requires.
I also echo Nathan above, in that I never thought the loss of Matt Roth was going to be a huge issue, now with Maurice out, we could use an outside shooter…

By: LTTelamon

LTTelamon — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:59:45 +0000

I believe the benchmark is having played in less than 30% of all games, with post-season games counting as one game collectively, to receive a medical hardship. I don't think Creek would qualify.

Matt Roth, whom others have discussed, certainly would… and he's the sort of player a redshirt might be useful for.

By: West Coast Hoosier

West Coast Hoosier — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:25:09 +0000

Several people have asked about Matt Roth. I had the same question.

I have no new information, but I did go back and check the stories at the time, including in that outstanding blog, "Inside the Hall" (November 23, 2009).

As you'll recall, Roth broke a bone in his foot at practice in Puerto Rico. No one saw it happen or even knew how it happened.

The thought at the time was that recovery could take him anywhere from January to February or beyond.

Crean was quoted as saying that, if it was January, it might make sense to bring him back - he'd catch most of the Big Ten season. But after that, Crean said that it might make more sense for him to take a medical redshirt. He would be eligible for the redshirt because he hasn't played much if at all this year (unlike Creek who has played close to 40% of the season at this point).

Creek's injury might change some of that calculus. e.g., one might guess that Roth might be needed more, if he is available.

My guess, if I had to make one, would be that the lack of information on Roth for all this time means that the healing isn't coming along on the shorter end of the time frames. I wouldn't count on seeing him play this year.

But I'd join everyone in requesting a more recently informed report if anyone has one.

By: dphattybrown

dphattybrown — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:00:51 +0000

I don't think the Starting lineup matters. I would like to see Watford move to 3 and Elston start at 4, but the fact of the matter is they will be rotating early and often so the starting 5 isnt likely to be on the floor for more than 3-4 minutes to start the game.

Mo Creek is a HUGE loss, having said that i dont think we lose “more” games without him than we do with him at this point. He is a huge talent, but with this team being so young and the issues at hand i dont think it affects our season tally tremendously. If we can get better on the boards and not turn the ball over we can compete with anyone on any given night (i didnt say WIN, i said compete). I still think we notch 6 wins in the Big Ten.

By: silkyslimforiu

silkyslimforiu — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:48:12 +0000

Dumes & Hulls must step up, but with disciplined shot-selection & confidence.

By: hoosierodi

hoosierodi — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:47:18 +0000

Any updates on Roth? We could really use him.

By: tberry

tberry — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:27:38 +0000

DON'T KNOW WHO WILL STEP-UP BUT THIS MAY BE WATFORD WILL BE THE PLAYER WE HAVE ALL BEEN EXPECTING TO SEE!!!

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:44 +0000

Sometimes adversity brings out the best in people ………….eg Shackelford's 2 year survival in the antarctic , Bligh's 4500 mile open boat voyage with just a sextant………

IU vs Michigan w/o Creek …………..

By: redinthehead

redinthehead — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:49:32 +0000

Around the basket…exactly. Pritchard is the real key for the rest of the season IMHO. We still have more talent and a deeper bench than last year. We didn't have Mo last year when UM came to town. We CAN get it done. Will we? Fixin to find out.

By: GFDave

GFDave — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:33:16 +0000

I think Dumes is the guy. His D is better than Creek's, so maybe he can help replace Creek's scoring by holding the other team down a little bit. I like the idea of Hulls and Elston coming off the bench because it gives us better balance.

I'd like to point out to trailrunner that Dumes is from Indiana.

By: marcusgresham

marcusgresham — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:18:53 +0000

Daniel Moore wouldn't have to be the first guy off the bench to spell either ballhandler. Whomever stays in the game would go to point and Dumes would be your first guy in. I'm not saying this is the best lineup, but if you do see Hulls & Rivers together I'd assume this is the best substitution pattern. My guess is there won't be one set lineup and it will vary depending on what looks to be the best matchup against the competition.
As for a medical redshirt, I don't think that's possible given that a player can play in “no more than 20% of his school's contests” before a season-ending injury. 20% of 30 would only be 6 games.

By: HoosierCrabbe

HoosierCrabbe — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:03:36 +0000

I think we're screwed

By: HoosierDavey

HoosierDavey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:56:53 +0000

This might be a good scenario for Dumes. Maybe being back in the starting lineup would give him confidence and he could get back to scoring like he did last year. If he does, we'll make up most of Creek's offense anyway. Watford has not been scoring as much with the emergence of Creek, too, so hopefully he can make up for the lack of O, as well. I was hoping for 12 wins before the season…10 would be nice now.

By: trailrunner

trailrunner — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:56:01 +0000

Forget Dumes. This season is for learning now. Dumes is a gun and has no concept of team basketball. Play Elston, Hulls, and Bawa as many minutes as possible. Have Capobianco play tight end for Lynch and free up his scholarship. Shoot 500 free thows each day. There are too many talented high school kids in Indiana that we need to attract. Quit wasting scholarships and get those Hoosier kids. They are fundamentally sound and know how to spell team.