While Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer was able to pop in nine points against Indiana in the first half Thursday night (and 20 for the game), the Hoosiers did a pretty solid defensive job on one of the better players in the conference.
In the latest edition of Film Session, here’s a look at how the Hoosiers D’ed him up in the first half on all nine of his shots, as well as some possessions in which strong defense forced the ball out of his hands.
Enjoy with audio accompaniment:
The coaches finally agree with Inside the Hall: Ohio State is the unanimous No. 1 in both of our polls. More people really should pay attention to those coaches.
The other real competition, as it has been for much of the conference season, was at the bottom of the poll, with Michigan, Indiana and Iowa slugging it out. So let’s get to it, shall we?
Inside the Hall Big Ten power rankings: Week 5
11. Indiana – NR; 10-10, 1-6; 31 total points
The complaints about Indiana’s transition defense (16-2 deficit against the Hawkeyes in transition baskets Sunday) have been exhaustive. What should be concerning to Indiana fans under the surface of the loss is the “indefinite” nature of Verdell Jones’ knee injury. His presence was clearly and sorely missed against Iowa, both as a scorer and as a leader.
10. Iowa – NR; 8-11, 1-6; 30 total points
Slot the Hawkeyes in between Indiana and Michigan in a vote that came down to a single vote between each team. You’ve probably had a good night when freshman who has scored 22 points in his first six Big Ten games puts up 18 in his seventh.
9. Michigan – NR; 11-9, 1-6; 29 total points
The Wolverines slide up to ninth despite not having won a game in more than three weeks. Playing Minnesota tough at home was nice enough, but the losses are mounting quickly for what was once the Big Ten’s purported surprise team. Michigan is averaging less than 60 points per game during its losing streak.
(Photo credit: Jamie Owens)
Zach flies solo this week, touching on Iowa and Wisconsin, and briefly on the Maurice Creek injury. He’ll talk about Verdell Jones’ potential value, the Hoosiers’ struggles defensively against Iowa and what we can expect, if anything, from this team moving forward.
Listen in the embedded media player below:
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Here’s a direct link to listen or you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Throughout the season, Inside the Hall will keep you posted on how 2011 signees Austin Etherington and Cody Zeller, IU’s eight verbal commitments and other notable prospects with interest in the Hoosiers, are performing at their respective schools.
You can send us stats or results for this report at insidethehall@gmail.com. Here’s our latest update:
2011 SIGNEES
+ Austin Etherington (Hamilton Heights): Nineteen points in a 88-32 win over Eastern (Greentown) on Jan. 21. Twenty-nine points and 12 rebounds in a 95-57 win over Sheridan in the Wigwam Classic at Anderson on Jan. 22.
+ Cody Zeller (Washington): Twenty-eight points in a 84-31 rout at Pike Central on Jan. 22. (Game that was scheduled on Jan. 21 against Princeton was moved to Feb. 5 due to inclement weather.)
2012 COMMITMENTS
+ Hanner Perea (La Porte La Lumiere): Did not play. La Lumiere returns to action on Jan. 29 against Traders Point Christian.
+ Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (Park Tudor): Twenty-two points in a 77-43 win over Indianapolis Speedway on Jan. 18.
+ Peter Jurkin (United Faith Christian Academy, NC): Out until February with a stress fracture, according to The Charlotte Observer.
+ Ron Patterson (Broad Ripple): Eighteen points in a 64-46 win at Indianapolis Chatard in the City Tournament on Jan. 18. Seven points in a 50-37 quarterfinal win over Indianapolis Washington in the City Tournament on Jan. 22. Twenty-two points, including four 3-pointers, in a 66-50 semifinal win over Indianapolis Manual in the City Tournament on Jan. 22.
Thoughts on a 91-77 loss at Iowa:
Indiana, coming off a hard-fought loss Thursday night at Wisconsion, walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday afternoon without the services of both Maurice Creek and Verdell Jones.
Creek, who suffered a season-ending knee injury eight days ago in IU’s only Big Ten win over Michigan, didn’t make the trip to Iowa City. And Jones, who is out indefinitely with inflammation in his left knee, could only watch in a gray sweatsuit from the sidelines. (The Jones injury was news to everybody until roughly 40 minutes before tip-off.)
And yet, even without both guys, this was a contest that should have been competitive for a Hoosier team that had played well in its last two games and appeared to be heading in the right direction.
Listen to the postgame comments of Indiana head coach Tom Crean following the Hoosiers’ 91-77 loss at Iowa on Sunday afternoon in the embedded media player below. (Audio courtesy of Dustin Dopirak of The Herald-Times/Hoosier Scoop.)
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