What to Expect: Stetson

  • 12/03/2011 11:12 am in

After a stern test in Raleigh, the Hoosiers return to Assembly Hall for a Sunday matinee with the Stetson Hatters out of the Atlantic Sun conference. The game will be shown on BTN.com and broadcast on the IU radio network (Sirius 135/XM 192):

Here’s a look at what to expect from the Hatters, who are 4-3 with losses to Florida State and Florida:

The task to lift Stetson to respectability in the Atlantic Sun won’t be easy for first-year coach Casey Alexander. The former Belmont assistant inherited what appeared to be a solid nucleus of young talent, but that quickly went awry just weeks after accepting the job.

The Hatters top three scorers (a freshman and two sophomores) opted to leave the program, leaving Alexander with a tall task to climb out of the conference cellar.

WHAT’S LEFT

Tyshawn Patterson, a 6-foot junior guard, is the top returnee, but his role has declined significantly through seven games. A pair of transfers, 6-foot-9 junior Adam Pegg and 6-foot-3 sophomore Chris Perez, are shouldering important offensive roles.

Pegg, who can step outside and hit the 3-pointer, is averaging 13.4 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Perez, who is logging a team high 31.1 minutes per games, is shooting over 50 percent on 2’s, but just 28.6 percent on 3’s.

Aaron Graham (15-of-37) and Joel Naburgs (17-of-46) are a big reason that 34.6 percent of Stetson’s points come from behind the 3-point line. The Hatters are shooting well from outside (38.1 percent), but just 48.3 percent inside the arc. They’ve also struggled at the foul line (64.5 percent).

POMEROY PREVIEW

Stetson will struggle to keep this close as they’re simply outclassed by a constantly improving Indiana team. Three things to keep an eye on: IU’s free throw rate, Stetson’s outside shooting and turnover percentage.

The Hoosiers have been getting to the line at a blistering pace and it’s a point of emphasis by Tom Crean to score 25 percent of IU’s points from the line. For Stetson to have any shot of staying in the game, knocking down 3’s and taking care of the ball are two areas of emphasis.

PUSHING THE PACE

Alexander talked about pushing the tempo when he accepted the job last April. “We’re going to play as fast as we can play without being reckless,” he said at his introductory press conference.

So far, he’s been true to his words. Stetson’s adjusted tempo according to KenPom.com has been the 29th fastest in the country.

QUICK FACTS ON STETSON

Location: DeLand, Florida
Student Enrollment: 2,200
Established: 1883
Notable Sports Alumni: Richard McKay (President and GM of the Atlanta Falcons)

(Photo credit: John Raoux/AP)

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