It is early, so take it with a grain of salt. Just some discussion.
Fitzner - he is better than advertised/expected. Some of you may have predicted it. I see a guy who will be valuable all year on offense and defense. He was really active, intuitive, has a good stroke, and has good positioning in close on defense. I don't know that he will be in double figures all year, but it appears that he may indeed be as good or better than Beilfelt was for the Hoosiers in '16.
McRoberts - much improved. He is now comfortable as a leader and he isn't hesitating to knock down open looks. Really really going to help if he can continue defending at a high level.
Team defense - better than November/December last year. They are better on the ball and getting out on shooters so far. The rebounding will need to get better and I am still hoping Davis can get back to form in time to guard the beasts in the paint, but so far, they are buying in and playing hard. They will improve.
Team offense - I think they are more comfortable playing the attacking offense than last season. It certainly suits the new personnel. Last year I thought Johnson really had to relearn how to get himself open with the ball in his hands. This year, baseline, back door cuts, and give and goes are all going to be utility/the norm. The key will be knocking down shots at the charity stripe. It is a really big deal. They have to get better there.
Freshmen - I was pleasantly surprised with how Anderson did in terms of not forcing too much on offense. Several times he has made the easy pass instead of taking the shot, and other times he has launched at a trigger's notice. Good to see he can come in and help. Jake is right where I expected. Phinisee is too- he is good. Race looks to be a likely candidate to play some post defense that IU will sorely need. I see no problems with any of the forwards blending together.
Morgan - He is going to keep this team on track and that is what is needed.
Durham and Green - both look much better/stronger physically. I think Durham is growing comfortable and will really help as a ball handler who can drive and occasionally get a decent 3. Green has the right mind set- he is aware of what he needs to do. Doing it is easier said than done, but at least he is no joke to guard. Other teams will be worried about him.
Romeo - so far so good. I like that steal he does wrapping his arm around the outside on the wing guard. He seems like a rhythm scorer and IU may need to make sure the offense goes through him a lot to keep him going. By all accounts he can carry the burden of no.1 scorer. He will need to improve his explossiveness for the pros, but for now, I just want to see him really run his defenders around a bit more, hit the freebees, and pick up his outside shooting off of movement without the ball.
Archie - the double double screen play that ends in an in bounds oop to Smith? Brilliant! Also, I see lots of good signs already, from the ball movement to the on ball defense, to the recruiting strategy to the team chemistry and use of senior leaders. He is doing well so far.
I can't wait to see Hunter and his exceptional left-handed finishes on the fly.
Best line up based on what we've seen thus far? Morgan, Smith, Romeo, Fitzner, Phinisee.
McRoberts, Green, Durham, Race, De'Ron, Hunter and Anderson are all going to play some. And there is no harm in putting Forester or Moore in for a couple minutes if needed. Very deep team.
Fitzner - he is better than advertised/expected. Some of you may have predicted it. I see a guy who will be valuable all year on offense and defense. He was really active, intuitive, has a good stroke, and has good positioning in close on defense. I don't know that he will be in double figures all year, but it appears that he may indeed be as good or better than Beilfelt was for the Hoosiers in '16.
McRoberts - much improved. He is now comfortable as a leader and he isn't hesitating to knock down open looks. Really really going to help if he can continue defending at a high level.
Team defense - better than November/December last year. They are better on the ball and getting out on shooters so far. The rebounding will need to get better and I am still hoping Davis can get back to form in time to guard the beasts in the paint, but so far, they are buying in and playing hard. They will improve.
Team offense - I think they are more comfortable playing the attacking offense than last season. It certainly suits the new personnel. Last year I thought Johnson really had to relearn how to get himself open with the ball in his hands. This year, baseline, back door cuts, and give and goes are all going to be utility/the norm. The key will be knocking down shots at the charity stripe. It is a really big deal. They have to get better there.
Freshmen - I was pleasantly surprised with how Anderson did in terms of not forcing too much on offense. Several times he has made the easy pass instead of taking the shot, and other times he has launched at a trigger's notice. Good to see he can come in and help. Jake is right where I expected. Phinisee is too- he is good. Race looks to be a likely candidate to play some post defense that IU will sorely need. I see no problems with any of the forwards blending together.
Morgan - He is going to keep this team on track and that is what is needed.
Durham and Green - both look much better/stronger physically. I think Durham is growing comfortable and will really help as a ball handler who can drive and occasionally get a decent 3. Green has the right mind set- he is aware of what he needs to do. Doing it is easier said than done, but at least he is no joke to guard. Other teams will be worried about him.
Romeo - so far so good. I like that steal he does wrapping his arm around the outside on the wing guard. He seems like a rhythm scorer and IU may need to make sure the offense goes through him a lot to keep him going. By all accounts he can carry the burden of no.1 scorer. He will need to improve his explossiveness for the pros, but for now, I just want to see him really run his defenders around a bit more, hit the freebees, and pick up his outside shooting off of movement without the ball.
Archie - the double double screen play that ends in an in bounds oop to Smith? Brilliant! Also, I see lots of good signs already, from the ball movement to the on ball defense, to the recruiting strategy to the team chemistry and use of senior leaders. He is doing well so far.
I can't wait to see Hunter and his exceptional left-handed finishes on the fly.
Best line up based on what we've seen thus far? Morgan, Smith, Romeo, Fitzner, Phinisee.
McRoberts, Green, Durham, Race, De'Ron, Hunter and Anderson are all going to play some. And there is no harm in putting Forester or Moore in for a couple minutes if needed. Very deep team.
