Pace: 71 possessions. The Hoosiers average 71.5 possessions per game, so this is right around where they've been all year. Still, with their struggles in the half court, it wouldn't hurt to push the pace a little bit more.
Efficiency (points per 100 possessions):
Indiana -- 91
Penn State -- 89
This game was even slower and more defense-heavy than the Northwestern game was. Both teams played well defensively and forced the other team into difficult shots.
The crowd, or lack thereof, clearly impacted the Hoosiers. They were sluggish and sloppy on both ends of the floor to begin the game. I would count this game as one the Hoosiers were lucky to win, but that's a good thing. The best teams in the Big Ten can grind their way to a victory when they haven't played their best. Let's take a look at why.
The main issue on Tuesday night was that Romeo Langford wasn't utilized nearly enough in the second half, and that played a role in the Hoosiers losing their lead. When Penn State started to close the gap, Indiana should have deferred to their best player to generate some offense. Some simple pick and rolls and pick and pops with a motion offense around it worked effectively against Northwestern. Against Penn State, they were used in the first half to get Langford going, but once he started to hit shots, he was isolating and taking his man off the dribble. Langford hit several difficult shots to build his point total in the first 20 minutes of action.
In the second half, the Hoosiers started forcing passes that weren't available instead of letting Langford go to work. The offensive set that begins with a pass to a big on the wing, usually Evan Fitzner, has resulted in an unusual amount of turnovers. The defender is usually leaning on the high side of the big, making it difficult to execute, but the pass is forced on a high number of possessions anyways, resulting in too many turnovers. I had previously suggested taking advantage of this by simply cutting backdoor into an open lane to keep the defense honest, and the Hoosiers should still take advantage of this. However, if they're determined to run the set as is, a dribble handoff instead of the pass would likely eliminate some of the turnovers.
The insistence on running a set that has resulted in a substantial number of turnovers, instead of deferring to their best player, almost cost the Hoosiers. If Langford had been allowed to attack the rim, it could have put the Nittany Lions in early foul trouble, forcing them to play more conservatively defensively. That could have opened the floor up to run the sets that Indiana wanted to run with less risk for turnovers. Regardless of what they're trying to run, the Hoosiers have to be more protective of their possessions.
Indiana Identity Stats:
1) Defensive Effective Field Goal Percentage (Normal FG%, but gives 50 percent more credit for made threes) -- 41.1 percent.
Great job by the Hoosiers here. They forced Penn State into difficult looks all night long and it shows. The Nittany Lions average an eFG% of 47.7%, so holding them almost seven percentage points below that is impressive.
2) Turnover rate (turnovers/possessions) -- 22.5 percent.
This is going to be a huge problem for the Hoosiers if they can't get it under control. After this performance they now rank 282nd in turnover rate. Yes. 282nd. No excuses. They have to learn to maintain possession.
3) Offensive Rebounding Rate Allowed (how well you protected the defensive glass): 34.9 percent.
Another bad one. The Nittany Lions crashed the glass all night long and were rewarded with extra possessions and free throw opportunities. Fortunately for Indiana, it didn't matter, but they still need to do a better job limiting teams to one shot.
Summary/Looking Ahead:
It's reasonable to say that if Penn State were even below average from the free throw line, the Hoosiers lose this game. However, they weren't and Indiana benefitted by taking home the victory. There will be plenty of things to work on in the coming days for the Hoosiers. They need to continue to work on keeping possession and now need to make sure they're limitings second chance opportunities. Fortunately, their defense has stepped up as of late.
The Hoosiers will take on Louisville in non-conference action this Saturday. They share one common opponent, with both teams facing Marquette. Of course, Indiana dominated Marquette, while Louisville lost to the Golden Eagles in overtime. The Cardinals do have an impressive win over Michigan State, but this is a winnable game for the Hoosiers. It will be interesting to see how Indiana shifts gears back to non-conference play, but they have a good chance to head to Indianapolis for the Crossroads Classicwith an 8-2 record.
Efficiency (points per 100 possessions):
Indiana -- 91
Penn State -- 89
This game was even slower and more defense-heavy than the Northwestern game was. Both teams played well defensively and forced the other team into difficult shots.
The crowd, or lack thereof, clearly impacted the Hoosiers. They were sluggish and sloppy on both ends of the floor to begin the game. I would count this game as one the Hoosiers were lucky to win, but that's a good thing. The best teams in the Big Ten can grind their way to a victory when they haven't played their best. Let's take a look at why.
The main issue on Tuesday night was that Romeo Langford wasn't utilized nearly enough in the second half, and that played a role in the Hoosiers losing their lead. When Penn State started to close the gap, Indiana should have deferred to their best player to generate some offense. Some simple pick and rolls and pick and pops with a motion offense around it worked effectively against Northwestern. Against Penn State, they were used in the first half to get Langford going, but once he started to hit shots, he was isolating and taking his man off the dribble. Langford hit several difficult shots to build his point total in the first 20 minutes of action.
In the second half, the Hoosiers started forcing passes that weren't available instead of letting Langford go to work. The offensive set that begins with a pass to a big on the wing, usually Evan Fitzner, has resulted in an unusual amount of turnovers. The defender is usually leaning on the high side of the big, making it difficult to execute, but the pass is forced on a high number of possessions anyways, resulting in too many turnovers. I had previously suggested taking advantage of this by simply cutting backdoor into an open lane to keep the defense honest, and the Hoosiers should still take advantage of this. However, if they're determined to run the set as is, a dribble handoff instead of the pass would likely eliminate some of the turnovers.
The insistence on running a set that has resulted in a substantial number of turnovers, instead of deferring to their best player, almost cost the Hoosiers. If Langford had been allowed to attack the rim, it could have put the Nittany Lions in early foul trouble, forcing them to play more conservatively defensively. That could have opened the floor up to run the sets that Indiana wanted to run with less risk for turnovers. Regardless of what they're trying to run, the Hoosiers have to be more protective of their possessions.
Indiana Identity Stats:
1) Defensive Effective Field Goal Percentage (Normal FG%, but gives 50 percent more credit for made threes) -- 41.1 percent.
Great job by the Hoosiers here. They forced Penn State into difficult looks all night long and it shows. The Nittany Lions average an eFG% of 47.7%, so holding them almost seven percentage points below that is impressive.
2) Turnover rate (turnovers/possessions) -- 22.5 percent.
This is going to be a huge problem for the Hoosiers if they can't get it under control. After this performance they now rank 282nd in turnover rate. Yes. 282nd. No excuses. They have to learn to maintain possession.
3) Offensive Rebounding Rate Allowed (how well you protected the defensive glass): 34.9 percent.
Another bad one. The Nittany Lions crashed the glass all night long and were rewarded with extra possessions and free throw opportunities. Fortunately for Indiana, it didn't matter, but they still need to do a better job limiting teams to one shot.
Summary/Looking Ahead:
It's reasonable to say that if Penn State were even below average from the free throw line, the Hoosiers lose this game. However, they weren't and Indiana benefitted by taking home the victory. There will be plenty of things to work on in the coming days for the Hoosiers. They need to continue to work on keeping possession and now need to make sure they're limitings second chance opportunities. Fortunately, their defense has stepped up as of late.
The Hoosiers will take on Louisville in non-conference action this Saturday. They share one common opponent, with both teams facing Marquette. Of course, Indiana dominated Marquette, while Louisville lost to the Golden Eagles in overtime. The Cardinals do have an impressive win over Michigan State, but this is a winnable game for the Hoosiers. It will be interesting to see how Indiana shifts gears back to non-conference play, but they have a good chance to head to Indianapolis for the Crossroads Classicwith an 8-2 record.
