Film Session: Noah Vonleh’s touches
As noted in Monday’s Five Takeaways, both Tom Crean and Will Sheehey spoke on Noah Vonleh’s role in IU’s offense after Saturday’s loss to Michigan State. Crean called for him to become more demanding, while Sheehey said he needs to work to get easier touches while the team needs to work harder to get him open.
Crean and Sheehey’s comments are valid. But IU’s first half certainly showed a team working to get him looks and the freshman getting opportunities in several ways. The second half, though, spoke more to Crean and Sheehey’s words.
A look at Vonleh’s game in the latest edition of Film Session:
From the opening tip, the Hoosiers were looking for Vonleh.
He first tries a post on the right block with Sheehey trying to enter the ball. Next, Troy Williams attempts to enter the ball to him off the top of the key and it’s kicked. (Williams had a similar kick result when trying to enter the ball during Indiana’s loss to Illinois on New Year’s Eve.) On the inbounds, Vonleh is able to seal Adreian Payne and calls for the ball from Williams off the right wing. Williams dribbles into the paint and passes to Vonleh, who now has Payne in front of him.
From there Vonleh makes a move on Payne and narrowly avoids getting the ball swiped by Gary Harris — who has come to double — and scores with his left hand:
One minute later, Vonleh gets his first of two opportunities driving the ball off the top of the key. It’s something Cody Zeller did on occasion last season, as he used his quickness and ball skills to try and get by bigger, slower defenders. Vonleh draws a non-shooting foul on Payne:
Vonleh was subbed out at the 14:49 for Hanner Mosquera-Perea. Indiana’s other possessions during the first five minutes and change that didn’t end in Vonleh’s hands but ended in scores were pretty good. Yogi Ferrell hit a layup and a 3-pointer, Sheehey got to the line and sunk two free throws. The other offensive possessions during this stretch were an ill-advised, early jumper from Williams and two turnovers.
Filed to: Noah Vonleh