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What to Expect: Gardner-Webb

by in Opponents | November 21st, 2011

Indiana will look to open the season 5-0 for the second straight season tonight in Assembly Hall against Gardner-Webb. It’s the first meeting between the schools.

Here’s a look at what to expect out of the Bulldogs, who finished last season 11-21 and are projected to finish last in the Big South by Basketball Prospectus:

The “guarantee game” portion of the Indiana schedule rolls along this evening as the Hoosiers welcome Gardner-Webb for the Hoosier Invitational. And if the numbers bear out as expected, this one could be over quickly.

Gardner-Webb is likely the third weakest opponent on the schedule and their top player from a season ago, Jonathan Moore, graduated. A pair of newcomers, Wofford transfer Jason Dawson and freshman Max Landis, are the only two Bulldogs averaging in double figures through four games. Landis, a 6-foot-1 guard, is an Indianapolis native.

Laron Buggs, a senior guard, will likely start in the backcourt with Dawson and Landis. Buggs shot just 31.5 percent from 3-point range last season.

Up front, junior Stefon Johnson is one of the best in the Big South on the defensive glass, but doesn’t offer much offensively. Mike Byron, a 6-foot-11 sophomore, will likely draw the assignment of checking Cody Zeller.

POMEROY PREVIEW

It’s tough to glean much from such a small sample size, but this graphic gives a pretty good indication of how both teams have performed thus far.

The Hoosiers have one of the country’s best and most efficient offenses through four games and Gardner-Webb’s defense, a strong suit last season, isn’t so strong early on this season (with the exception of the defensive turnover percentage).

Two things to keep an eye on: Can Indiana continue getting to the line at such a high rate? And if the Hoosiers fail to continue their hot shooting start, will they break through on the offensive glass against a team that prides itself on defensive rebounding?

QUICK FACTS ON GARDNER-WEBB

Student Enrollment: 4,300
Established: 1905
Notable Sports Alumni: Artis Gilmore (former NBA All-Star)

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  • Anonymous

    Keep it rollin’ Hoosiers…the schedule gets to show what time of team we really are after this game. 

    So far, our Hoosiers look great.  Any complaints are nearly being picky right now, especially this early in the season. 

  • HoosierDadE

    I agree Keep it…

    Enjoy the schedule and wins.  The only complaints are trivial…

    “Did you see Zeller give a hi five w/ his left hand, he should have went right”

    “Oh man, VJII shot his gum at the trash can and missed”

    “CTC only clapped three times before he got in his defensive stance, he needs to go five before BigTen play”

  • http://twitter.com/redandyz Andy Z.

    These tune up games are good, but I am really looking forward to seeing how IU fares against Butler and NC State Sunday and next week.   Those will be a better measuring stick of how this team will fare against the likes of UK and ND, who will be the toughest non-conference tests for sure.  Enjoying the early season successes though… GO IU! 

  • Anonymous

    To save look-up time for others who remembered Artis Gilmore as having been from Jacksonville, apparently Gardner-Webb used to be a junior college, and he went there before Jacksonville.  Thoughts on why IU is not a better rebounding team, besides the obvious one that they need to block out better?

  • Bobby

    Seriously?  How quickly people have forgotten the past 3 years.  We’ve been the “cupcake” for other teams and all of a sudden you want us playing ranked opponents week in and week out?

  • Hoosiers1111

    I’d have to watch the replays, but I would guess that one possibility is that on the defensive side we are sending guys on the break before we have secured the rebound.  Makes sense considering how much of a transition game we have been playing.  Not sure if its accurate or not, but would make sense.  On the offensive glass, many times we have 3 or 4 guys on the perimeter with only 1 or 2 inside.  I don’t know that anyone can ever be top notch at rebounding and also top notch at transition offense and defense.  They are kind of opposites.  You either send guys to crash the boards or you tell them to get to the other side of the court to defend or get transition buckets.

  • Anonymous

    Okay….let’s compare IU’s schedule to a top ten, elite team (which we are not).  Since you mentioned Kentucky, let’s go with them.
    -UK opened with Marist (cupcake)
    -Played Kansas on a neutral floor
    -A tournament with Penn State and Old Dominion
    -Hosts Radford and Portland (cupcakes)
    -Plays in the SEC-Big East challenge against St.Johns.
    -Hosts North Carolina (that’s an elite game)
    -Plays at IU
    -Hosts Chattanooga, Lamar, Loyola (MD) and Samford before closing their non-conference with a rivalry game against Louisville.
    -Kentucky plays two top-25 teams and one true road game (at IU). 

    -Indiana will play against one top-25 team and play two true road games (at Evansville and at NC State).  I really hope you don’t believe the intramural complex comment you made, our opponents are on scholarship, the kids playing intramurals are paying for school.  They aren’t D1 players.  Almost every single major conference team schedules the same way IU does.  6 or 7 guarantee games, a couple of road tests, a couple of neutral site games and a ranked team or two.  

  • Anonymous

    My opinion, no one that plays on the interior besides Zeller is an above average rebounder.  Verdell can be a good rebounder at times and I think Victor and Will are both pretty good rebounding guards.  Elston and Watford don’t rebound well. 

    I also think Indiana’s desire to get out and run is causing a little bit of a lack of rebounding.  Guys are a tad bit anxious to get out on the wings and run and are leaving their defensive/rebounding assignments a bit early.  For me, the fast break baskets and potential foul trouble the fast break creates for our opponents is well worth it.

  • MillaRed

    If we did not schedule these games, we would have no chance to make the dance. A team like Indiana needs 20 wins right now to move on. And if you don’t think the dance is achievable, keep in mind #20 Cincinnati lost to Presbyterian at home. I think college hoops overall is down this year and we have a chance.

    Although Stony Brook and Chattanooga are not looking good right now, I appreciate the fact we are demolishing these opponents. The schedule is what it is. We can no longer control it this season. But what else are we supposed to do on the floor? These are impressive victories.

    If we can split the 4 games vs. Butler, KY, NC ST and ND, pull out even in the Big Ten we have an outside shot. If we do better, we are in the tournament. Should be fun to watch.

    Zeller is better and stronger than I thought he would be. It’s amazing to see what a player like this can do for the team whether the ball is in his hands or not. He can win a national championship with the right people around him.

  • http://www.insidethehall.com/ Alex Bozich

    I said before the season that IU needed to win three of the five games against Evansville, Butler, Kentucky, NC State and Notre Dame. So I agree with you on needing a split of the remaining four to be in solid position heading into Big Ten play.

  • MillaRed

    Seems like we should handle Butler OK. KY seems like a reach. So that leaves the other two. If we could possibly grab those two games wow. We actually look very good. I would be happy with one of them for sure.

    Keep up the good work Alex. The site keeps getting better and better.

  • Anonymous

    I think we’re all a little tired of the cupcakes, fun though they are to watch. As mentioned above, they are a necessary and important part of the schedule, but I, for one, am ready to see how we measure up against a good team in a close game. Yeah, if you want better competition, stay tuned. And remember: you asked for it.

  • Anonymous

    IU has always played cupcakes. Dont remember all them Classics years ago? In the later Knight years, thats how they’d get 20 wins and have trouble in Big 10 and Tourney

  • Anonymous

    Our non-conference schedule is ranked 3rd in the Big Ten. That is all.

  • Anonymous

    I completely disagree. I like this schedule a lot, I think it has the right mix of soft, medium and tough games. Mostly, I like the wins it’s produced. IU has lost most of their games the last few yrs simply because they were not good, not because they weren’t ‘prepared’ adequately.

  • MillaRed

    I am not worried about our rebounding until Big Ten play. We have little on the interior because we haven’t played one team that dumps it inside. Furthermore, our defense is forcing clankers left and right. Half the time those are offensive boards.

    If we are not rebounding in Big Ten play, our record will be indicative of that.

  • stonaroni

    I would love to see us limit the cupcakes in a year or two, but not right now.

    This program needs wins and frankly CTC still needs to get a handle on what offense and defensive scheme he is going to run.  He also needs to evaluate personnel.  This team is still in transition.  I think CTC is trying to see if Remy and AE can be counted on over Roth and Moore.  CTC is still trying to trust DE, especially when VO and WS get in foul trouble and TP comes in and plays more than DE.  Playing these teams early help him with these issues.

    Also, at the game Sat night, after about 5 minutes of running and gunning, CTC pulled the offense back and tried to set up some new sets.  It looked like a Chinese fire drill out there because the guys didn’t know where to set up.  Several different trips down on offense, CTC was screaming pout plays and trying to direct traffic. Though I think this is a coaching issue since it wasn’t repititious enough in practice for the players to memorize it, CTC still needs these games to implement plays.

    Evansville should have been a stronger test, but Butler will be, NC St, ND and UK will be like conference games.  The great thing about this early schedule is this team is learning how to win.  There is a greater sense of pride and self with this team.  They are holding the opponent down while they beat them down and win by 25 to 30 points.  The team needs these wins and once we become established as a tournament team again, we will lose a couple cup cakes and pick up some solid games again.

    Personally I would love to see Louisville and UC back on the schedule again in the future.

  • MillaRed

    I sure wouldn’t want Michigan State’s schedule. Will it help them down the road? Maybe. That’s not always guaranteed. Regardless, if they are a bubble team it may be due to a lack of a few cupcakes. No thanks.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Keep in mind that many of these games are scheduled last year and fill in’s late.  CTC is preparing his team to win like he did the past few years.  These games in years to come will change rapidly in the next two years.  You will always see cupcake teams on everyone’s roster to help promote 20 wins but we will see CTC start scheduling better competition next year.  I agree we need a tougher schedule to prepare for the B1G but we do need to capture 20 wins if we want to dance.

  • stonaroni

    I disagree with you here.  I feel our D needs to shape up but our rebounding is horrific right now.

    Outside of CZ who boxes out probably 50% of the time, no one on this team has been consitently boxing out.  There is a lot of standing and jumping for the ball, no one is creating angles by physically making contact with their man and getting them on their hip.

    How many over the back fouls have been called against the opponent when we are rebounding right now?  0, nada!

    Wisc, MSU and OSU will eat us alive if we do not box out.

    CZ has been blocking out the most, but frequently he is too deep under the basket when boxing out and missing many chances for rebounds.

    This is all something that has to be addressed by CTC as soon as possible in my opinion.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Totally agree and it’s not like it going to change all of a sudden this year so get off the schedule and wait until next year to complain.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Totally agree about the fast break baskets will lower our rebounding but one thing that gets my goat is that CW should be our 2nd best rebounder.   IMO he is just a little lazy on chasing down his or other shots.  He needs to be a beast on the block and get every rebound possible.

  • Anonymous

    It was once known as “Boiling Springs Junior College” which Alex’s father, Rick, mentioned MANY times after they beat UK a couple of years ago–one of the losses that ultimately cost Gillispie his job (they lost to VMI the same year.)

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Yeah, keep up the great work Alex.
    Question…what is your daytime job?
    I think we COULD BE 9-3 before B1G and then if we can win 11 instead of 9 as expected we are in.
    This is the main reason for the cupcakes.

  • Anonymous

    I found it mildly ironic that a school with a name like “Presbyterian” was led by a player named Khalid Mutakabbir.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Agreed, I also have to add that if we keep up the FT record we will beat many teams on the road and home that maybe we think we previously thought…the likes of Mich St, Purdue, Mich and Nebraska on the road.  I think we steal more games on the road this year just on that stat.
    And what the Heck are we doing playing NC Central in the Middle of Feb?

  • http://www.prinsportsblog.com BGleas

    Agree Milla. We’re going to learn a lot about this team during the Butler-NC St.-UK-ND stretch. 3-1 and I’m really encouraged for what this season might hold, 2-2 and I’m cautiously optimistic, 1-3 and I’m really worried. 

    For the record, I don’t think we’ll go 1-3. I’m really hoping we can go 3-1 during those four, to me that could really signify a turning of the corner for this program. 

  • IUJeff

    Elston can be the difference maker here IMO. If he becomes a beast on the boards and gives us a few baskets on offense like he has been doing, we can be good. Someone has to step up when Cody is on the bench.

  • stonaroni

    That will never happen with CW which is a shame because we need this from him.

  • MillaRed

    “Wisc, MSU and OSU will eat us alive if we do not box out.”

    “If we are not rebounding in Big Ten play, our record will be indicative of that.”

    Seems like we are on the same page to me.

  • MillaRed

    Beginning to wonder if he shouldn’t be starting. Make VJ and Will the 6th and 7th guys. Always keep one of CZ, CW or DE on the floor when Pritch comes in. I think it makes us better rebounders if we give Derek more PT.

  • MillaRed

    Sounds like a split between UK and NC St is the key. I think we can take Butler and ND.

  • MillaRed

    That’s funny, I bet Cincy will remember that kid for a while.

  • MillaRed

    Welcome to ITH. It’s quite simple really. All of MillaRed’s posts are awesome. Make sure you “like” all of them.

    Many others are terrible. Here’s just a few to remember.

    IUfanPurduePhD
    BGleas
    Kelin Blab
    Outoftheloop
    stonaroni
    Bleeding Crimson
    marcusgresham
    Aceman
    IUMike
    eph521
    jpniles
    iubase
    millzy32
    11th and Done

    Please do not “like” any of their comments. You will only encourage them,

    And Oregon, under no circumstances, never, ever “like” a JerryCT comment. He is Tom Pritchard’s illegitimate father. I have been looking for an “unlike” button for 3 years.

  • InTheMtns

    Hey, oregoniu, you’re an idiot if you haven’t notice that folks here are nice.  No, wait . . . you did notice.  So you’re not an idiot and we like you.  Here’s hoping that is the only time anyone ever calls you an idiot here, even if it was in jest.  Welcome aboard.  And as you said, go IU!!

  • Anonymous

    We always have a tough time with the ACC/B1G Challenge…so i think we lose to NC State, but i guess i’m the only person who thinks we’ll eeek out a win against that team one state south of us. Won’t be pretty, but Assembly Hall is gonna be INSANE when it happens.

  • http://www.insidethehall.com/ Alex Bozich

    Two years at Gardner-Webb and two years at Jacksonville.

  • stonaroni

    We are, but I am worried about us rebounding now.  If we do not now, we won’t in conference play.

  • Anonymous

    I noticed this site around the time Cody Zeller announced last year and have been literally obsessed ever since. The content, speedy delivery of anticipated information, and overall classiness from ALL It’s unofficial members has kept me coming back every morning, noon, and night. Thanks Alex! GO HOOSIERS!!!

  • stonaroni

    A lot more civility here.  There is probably 50% agreeing with you and 50% disagreeing but we all want to see the Hoosiers have success, maybe just some different ideas on how to get to it.

    There is some good debating that goes on here and 99% of the time it is mutually respectful.

    Welcome to ITH

  • Anonymous

    I forgot to mention Jaquan Lyle’s high top fade as part of my reasoning for visiting this site so often. Whoops! Sorry Jaquan.

  • stonaroni

    I really want to see more DE, Remy and AE tonight.

    I also would like to see solid D for 40 minutes and continued high # of assists.

  • Aceman_Mujezinovic_07

    I’m expecting this to be a much better effort from the Hoo Hoo Hoosiers tonight!  I think they’ll come out sharper after a somewhat ugly game 2 nights ago.  This needs to be a tuneup game because even though Butler is somewhat down, you know they’ll come out fired up against IU trying to establish themselves as the premier program in the state.  I think the season begins next Monday with the game against Butler followed by the stretch of games that include NC State, pUKe, and ND!!!

    I would like to see a bit more of Hulls/Oladipo/Sheehey together with some combination of Watford, Zeller, and Elston.  I think that’s the most athletic lineup we have and I still question whether putting Hulls, VJ3, and Watford on the floor together will work against good athletic teams???

  • Aceman_Mujezinovic_07

    Stonaroni, I think IU may be trying to get out on the break so much that
    they’re not getting to all their assignments.  I expect CTC to iron
    that out before we start playing some tougher contests.  I think the
    ‘run-em off the court thing’ is tempo practice because I can’t see IU
    wanting to run so much against a pUKe or OSU, although I could see them
    running against MSU and Wisc.

    Anyway, I think the running is one thing and I also think the quick
    substitution patterns is another cause because guys aren’t used to where
    they’re supposed to be.  I hope it’s just a temporary issue because,
    you’re right, teams like this will kill us if we rebound like we did
    Saturday!

  • Aceman_Mujezinovic_07

    I noticed he had like 2 rebounds or something like that last game or the game before in several minutes.  That’s not good because he’s not really active and tipping balls either.  At least DE had several tips and kept balls alive the past couple games to where even the announcers noticed it.  He didn’t even foul on the FT rebound he got called for so you can credit him with a few team rebounds.  We can’t rely on a freshman to do all the fighting down low and pull down every rebound.  He’ll wear down too fast as the season progresses!

  • Aceman_Mujezinovic_07

    You’re hatred runs deep Milla.  I think it may be time for you to head back to the convent!!! 

  • TheStillman

    Give me a break.  If you could’ve beaten Evansville and Savannah St. 4 on 5 I’m sure you and your friends would’ve gone to D1 schools on full rides.

    After tonight’s game we play Butler, @NC State, Stetson, Kentucky, and Notre Dame.  Definitely a nice run for our team that will test them.  Our team will be well tested going into the B1G, where every night is a battle.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    I don’t understand why CTC doesn’t lit a fire under his @$$.  Please explain that to me.  He can exploded to the rim at any given time but only does it when it feels good.  Not that I’m getting on him…I love CW and he is a great player but he can be so much better.

  • Bleeding Crimson

    Oregon, you can’t listen to a word he says.  He has an opinion on anything and everything….just ask him.
    Welcome…this is by far the most professional college basketball site you will ever visit and you need to give Thanks to our great host….Alex.
    Alex, one thing that I do miss is that guy from last year who used to do video’s with some great tunes.   Who was that guy?

  • Bleeding Crimson

    OK,
    I can’t remember who made the comment but I seconded it.   I would love to see the line up sometime tonight with CZ, CW and Elston.   Can we place bets?

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