Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog » Film Session

Film Session: Gordon’s ridiculous range

Alex Bozich — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:00:07 +0000

For most players, the distance on the shots I am about to show you would not be acceptable. Eric Gordon, however, doesn’t fit into that category. He’s shooting 44.6 percent from behind the arc this season and nearly 50 percent from the field. In other words, if he’s open, he should shoot. Case closed. Here’s a look at where Gordon was set up for his four made three’s in Tuesday’s 78-64 win at Michigan:

1. 18:48 mark of the first half; Estimated distance: 24 feet

2. 17:12 mark of the first half; Estimated distance: 25 feet

3. 8:39 mark of the first half; Estimated distance: 28 feet

4. 18:36 mark of the second half; Estimated distance: 25 feet

For your reference, the three-point line is 19-9 and the NBA line is 23-9. Indiana’s had its fair share of shooters: Calbert Cheaney, Brian Evans, A.J. Guyton, Roderick Wilmont and Kyle Hornsby immediately come to mind from my days of watching the Hoosiers. My question to you, ITH faithful: Is Gordon the best shooter you’ve seen in the Cream and Crimson? If not, who is? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments.

Film Session: Transition Defense (or lack thereof)

Alex Bozich — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:14:12 +0000

Now that I’ve had 36 hours to regroup from the loss to Xavier on Saturday evening, I found it appropriate this morning to take a look at the film. There were plenty of pivotal moments to choose from, but the fastbreak dunk by Derrick Brown that resulted in a broken net took the cake.

1. A somewhat wild shot by Armon Bassett is tipped unsuccessfully by D.J. White.

2. After the tip by White, Derrick Brown tips the ball and then grabs the rebound. Brown immediately looks for Stanley Burrell.

3. Burrell moves the ball to the center of the court to force Eric Gordon to stop the ball. You will notice four white jerseys and only two red jerseys. Which begs the question: Where’s the help?

4. Still no sign of help for Gordon or Jamarcus Ellis, but Brown is ready to fill the lane. I can understand Big Dre and D.J. maybe being a little late getting back, but where is Armon?

5. As Gordon tries to stop the ball, Burrell dishes off to Brown.

6. Ellis tries to step in to take a charge, but it’s too late. Brown is ready to take off.

7. Ellis tries (unsuccessfully) to take a charge and Brown gets the dunk plus a free throw. (Fans are also treated to the longest delay in college basketball history for a broken net.)

Film Session: Defending the back door cut

Alex Bozich — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:19:40 +0000

If you noticed the smoke coming out of Coach Sampson’s ears just before halftime of today’s game against Longwood, it was a direct result of the play I’m about to dissect. (The easy layup on the play directly after this one didn’t help, either.)

1. Dana Smith has the ball for the Lancers and everyone on the Hoosiers is in good position defensively.

2. Lamar Barrett, guarded by D.J. White, comes to set a pick for Smith.

3. Nothing materializes for Smith on the pick from Barrett, so he heads towards the baseline.

4. Cut off in the corner by Eric Gordon, Smith picks up his dribble and looks for an open man. White is cheating a bit as he’s looking to possibly deflect a pass.

5. Barrett realizes White is looking for the pass on the perimeter and sees an opportunity for a back door cut.

6. With no one to help below the basket, Smith’s bounce pass is received by Barrett who converts an easy two.

Film Session: The fast break

Alex Bozich — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 14:51:37 +0000

One thing you can expect a lot from the Hoosiers this season: points in transition. In Monday’s game against Chattanooga, I thought one of the pivotal moments in terms of momentum was a fast break that resulted in Eric Gordon bringing down the house. Here’s a closer look at that sequence:

1. The break is started with defense. D.J. White, Eric Gordon and Jamarcus Ellis all contest the shot.

2. The ball comes off the glass and Armon Bassett gets it and goes. You’ll notice Gordon at the bottom of the screen starting to make his move down the court.

3. Bassett continues to push the ball and has every Chattanooga defender beat besides Kevin Bridgewaters.

4. Bassett realizes that in order to free up Gordon, he has to make Bridgewaters commit to stopping the ball.

5. Bassett continues toward the free throw line and Bridgewaters is forced to make a decision: Stop the ball or give up an easy bucket to Bassett.

6. With Bridgewaters committed to stopping the ball and nobody else to help, Bassett dishes to Gordon who has positioned himself perfectly for an uncontested dunk.

7. With the ball in hand and nobody else to beat, Gordon is ready to bring down the house.

8. The play of the game, a dunk with a little flare by Gordon, gives the Hoosiers the momentum they need to start the second half.