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We were very high on the D efficiency side with Xavier in the lineup. His loss is very much felt defensively. I would say offensively though, an argument could be made we're better without him. The ball stopped in his hands a lot. He had a tendency to dribble into trouble a lot. And our possessions weren't nearly as dynamic. Xavier dribbled, then dumped it down to TJD...is what it often devolved in to as games wore on.Offensive efficiency tracking at 27th up from 74th. Defense has tumbled from 16th to 52nd but hopefully coming around. Shows how much IU misses Xavier (and Phinisee's) presence in the backcourt. Or so I imagine...
If you take that 4 game stretch of losses out I bet the defense is pretty darn good.We were very high on the D efficiency side with Xavier in the lineup. His loss is very much felt defensively. I would say offensively though, an argument could be made we're better without him. The ball stopped in his hands a lot. He had a tendency to dribble into trouble a lot. And our possessions weren't nearly as dynamic. Xavier dribbled, then dumped it down to TJD...is what it often devolved in to as games wore on.
Taken in total, we need Xavier back to reach our full potential. Hope it happens as soon as possible, so he's as back into form as he can be by March. But I hope he's been taking notes, and the staff as too, at how the ball and people are moving better offensively without him in the lineup.
We need you to push the pace early in possiesions Xavier, but when nothing is there, we need you to pass it off and help promote movement.
Defensively, be the demon you were made to be!
Yeah, the TJD Bad Back games.If you take that 4 game stretch of losses out I bet the defense is pretty darn good.
Probably...but his ball pressure and "disruptiveness" can't be discounted. Wisconsin and Illinois are games we proved we can still be really good defensively without him. And he played against Arizona, where we were crap defensively for long stretches.If you take that 4 game stretch of losses out I bet the defense is pretty darn good.
You can make the argument, but you're not offering anything tangible to support it. No idea how you imagine IU's possessions to not be "nearly as dynamic" with X in the lineup - he's the only member of IU's backcourt that has shown the ability to penetrate defenses at will, is far better at pushing tempo than anyone on the roster, and at the end of last Season he and TJD were regularly executing a lethal two-man pick-and-roll from the top of the key. X had some crap games last year, and sure hadn't found his groove at the beginning of this one, but when he's on like he was in the B10 Tournament, IU's offense is the very definition of "dynamic" and far more difficult to defend against than when he's not on the Floor.We were very high on the D efficiency side with Xavier in the lineup. His loss is very much felt defensively. I would say offensively though, an argument could be made we're better without him. The ball stopped in his hands a lot. He had a tendency to dribble into trouble a lot. And our possessions weren't nearly as dynamic. Xavier dribbled, then dumped it down to TJD...is what it often devolved in to as games wore on.
I thought I remembered when X got hurt that they were estimating 6-8 weeks and at the time, I thought that might bring him back around the first PU game. Still is in a boot and the one workout video i saw if him, it looked like he was just doing stuff in the weight room, maybe even in the boot, but no drills while moving. Doesn't seem to me he's still very close; I would guess 2-3 weeks minimum? Hope he's not as rusty as Race has looked since he's come back.Probably...but his ball pressure and "disruptiveness" can't be discounted. Wisconsin and Illinois are games we proved we can still be really good defensively without him. And he played against Arizona, where we were crap defensively for long stretches.
I just think back to the UNC game...that team would have locked down any team in the nation that day defensively, and Xavier was a huge part of that. THAT team, with the adjustments we've made offensively to still get the ball to TJD, but to do it with more movement and creativity...that team can make a Final Four. I think its possible we could string together 4 games without X, that could get us there. But X widens the margin for error quite a bit. (If he's good X, and if he is on board with the new offense).
Surgery was December 21st so just shy of 6 weeks - could be anytime. Sort of exciting...I thought I remembered when X got hurt that they were estimating 6-8 weeks and at the time, I thought that might bring him back around the first PU game. Still is in a boot and the one workout video i saw if him, it looked like he was just doing stuff in the weight room, maybe even in the boot, but no drills while moving. Doesn't seem to me he's still very close; I would guess 2-3 weeks minimum? Hope he's not as rusty as Race has looked since he's come back.
He was shooting (not jumping) before OSU with no boot. Good sign.I thought I remembered when X got hurt that they were estimating 6-8 weeks and at the time, I thought that might bring him back around the first PU game. Still is in a boot and the one workout video i saw if him, it looked like he was just doing stuff in the weight room, maybe even in the boot, but no drills while moving. Doesn't seem to me he's still very close; I would guess 2-3 weeks minimum? Hope he's not as rusty as Race has looked since he's come back.
Easy to imagine that all his time watching from the bench with Woodson & Co. will have given him a greater understanding of the game and in particular the tendencies, strengths and abilities of his Teammates. Always thought that a significant part of his struggle was trying to do too much himself - hopefully the down time will put him in mind of emphasizing his own strength as a facilitator and lead to a greater offensive efficiency both for the Team and himself.
It's both. High perimeter efficiency discourages opponents from sagging off which leads to more penetration and/or freedom of movement underneath which equals more points/higher efficiency in the paint. Becomes something of a 'pick your poison' proposition for defenders.It's not the percentage; it's the volume. Shooting 40% on 4-10 isn't really a game-changer. But 10-20 like the other night against OSU certainly is.
People also discount how much better the shooting is overall. Mainly midrange shots.It's both. High perimeter efficiency discourages opponents from sagging off which leads to more penetration and/or freedom of movement underneath which equals more points/higher efficiency in the paint. Becomes something of a 'pick your poison' proposition for defenders.
Main point is that even with Stewart, Kopp and Xavier, IU wasn't the threat from outside last year that they are now. Back in September were any number of posters bewailing the fact that IU's 3-pt. shoting was going to suck this year - lo and behold, it does not.
JHS has had a huge impact on the team's shooting. He has shown a great deal of shooting ability himself (both midrange and a surprisingly good 3-pt shot) and he's very good at setting up others.People also discount how much better the shooting is overall. Mainly midrange shots.
You are correct: IU has jumped 100 spots in 2-pt.% from 50.9% (124th) to 55.2% (24th). Now if they can just bring down the TO rate and ramp up the defense to something approaching last year...People also discount how much better the shooting is overall. Mainly midrange shots.
3pt % ranking is good considering how crappy we shot 3s to start the season. Or did it just seem like we couldn’t hit shit?Offensive efficiency tracking at 27th up from 74th. Defense has tumbled from 16th to 52nd but hopefully coming around. Shows how much IU misses Xavier (and Phinisee's) presence in the backcourt. Or so I imagine...
No this team has shot well overall. Steadily improving. This team only needs 7-8 makes on 18-19 tries. Would certainly take more.3pt % ranking is good considering how crappy we shot 3s to start the season. Or did it just seem like we couldn’t hit shit?
You're right...I would need to find stats to support it.You can make the argument, but you're not offering anything tangible to support it. No idea how you imagine IU's possessions to not be "nearly as dynamic" with X in the lineup - he's the only member of IU's backcourt that has shown the ability to penetrate defenses at will, is far better at pushing tempo than anyone on the roster, and at the end of last Season he and TJD were regularly executing a lethal two-man pick-and-roll from the top of the key. X had some crap games last year, and sure hadn't found his groove at the beginning of this one, but when he's on like he was in the B10 Tournament, IU's offense is the very definition of "dynamic" and far more difficult to defend against than when he's not on the Floor.
JHS was forced to do more with X being out. His work in the off-season has really shown.JHS has had a huge impact on the team's shooting. He has shown a great deal of shooting ability himself (both midrange and a surprisingly good 3-pt shot) and he's very good at setting up others.
I think(lately) they have hit plenty. It depends on the game. If people play TJD straight up you don’t need a bunch. Just pound it in.Now just imagine if IU shot and made more 3FG. The Hoosiers are 259th in 3FG made per game. The percentage is great, but, in today's game, the lack of makes will come back to haunt IU.
As TMP has pointed out, recent NCAA champs have all succeeded with modest reliance on shooting from deep. Kansas for example won last year averaging 20 attempts/game, only a bit higher than IU's 17.3. As long as they maintain high overall offensive productivity/efficiency, 3-pt. volume doesn't matter that much if they're able to prevent opponents from lighting it up themselves.Now just imagine if IU shot and made more 3FG. The Hoosiers are 259th in 3FG made per game. The percentage is great, but, in today's game, the lack of makes will come back to haunt IU.
fwiw - that was Victor ..As TMP has pointed out
Yep. If you look at the last few years efficiency not dynamic 3 point shooting wins. Doesn’t matter where the points come from ratio wise. If you average 8-9 makes at an above 37% clip wins a lot of games.As TMP has pointed out, recent NCAA champs have all succeeded with modest reliance on shooting from deep. Kansas for example won last year averaging 20 attempts/game, only a bit higher than IU's 17.3. As long as they maintain high overall offensive productivity/efficiency, 3-pt. volume doesn't matter that much if they're able to prevent opponents from lighting it up themselves.
Find me those stats and you would be shocked at how few teams hit that many. Usually teams that take a lot have to and they usually flame out. There are no teams in the top 25 averaging that. Only 11 teams actually average 10 -11 made a game. None are close to great teams or sniffing the top 25. 3 teams average 30 attempts.Yes, that strategy has worked often, but I'm thinking bigger picture. If IU meets a team that hits, say, 13-30 in the NCAAT, they better come close to matching that output or it's curtains ... no matter how effective TJD is.
But 10-20, like IU hit vs. OSU, would work damn-near every game. That said, IU can't count of JHS going nuclear and hitting 6 of 7 threes in a half every game.
An educated guess is mid February. For sure no PU or Rutgers.Surgery was December 21st so just shy of 6 weeks - could be anytime. Sort of exciting...
Offensive efficiency tracking at 27th up from 74th. Defense has tumbled from 16th to 52nd but hopefully coming around. Shows how much IU misses Xavier (and Phinisee's) presence in the backcourt. Or so I imagine...
Oops. Apologies Victor. Not much excuse for getting confused given the dearth of reputable sources.fwiw - that was Victor ..
An educated guess is mid February. For sure no PU or Rutgers.
It’s been pretty clear most of the year that the coaches have delivered on improving team shooting. Especially beyond the arc. D has also been good, though not as consistent this year (maybe that is an X factor). Regardless, plenty to be positive about, but still a ways to go as a team.Offensive efficiency tracking at 27th up from 74th. Defense has tumbled from 16th to 52nd but hopefully coming around. Shows how much IU misses Xavier (and Phinisee's) presence in the backcourt. Or so I imagine...
Rob hardly played last season, from what I recall. He most certainly did not help our three point shooting. Kudos to Woody in making us a better shooting team. Entire team is better. Our 3P team FG % is 500 basis points higher. Overall FG % is the same. RP shot 25% from three and 41% from ft line. Woof!Offensive efficiency tracking at 27th up from 74th. Defense has tumbled from 16th to 52nd but hopefully coming around. Shows how much IU misses Xavier (and Phinisee's) presence in the backcourt. Or so I imagine...
C'mon. The bit about Rob was in reference to his defense, not his prowess from deep, and he was on the floor plenty at the end of tight games as part of Woodon''s 'guts' line-up utilized to lock-down opposing offenses. Apart from a late game-winning shot against pU, no one will remember Rob for his marksmanship - his defense is another story.Rob hardly played last season, from what I recall. He most certainly did not help our three point shooting. Kudos to Woody in making us a better shooting team. Entire team is better. Our 3P team FG % is 500 basis points higher. Overall FG % is the same. RP shot 25% from three and 41% from ft line. Woof!
Great find but then you always bring the very best stuff. Would be nice to see rankings weighted more toward recent play than the Season as a whole. Pretty sure T-rank doesn't do it (although he does have very nice analytic charts), not sure about KP, Sagarin, et al.
Exactly. We are better offensively with this current group for sure, but I would love to have X and Phin defending PUke's freshman guards this Saturday.C'mon. The bit about Rob was in reference to his defense, not his prowess from deep, and he was on the floor plenty at the end of tight games as part of Woodon''s 'guts' line-up utilized to lock-down opposing offenses. Apart from a late game-winning shot against pU, no one will remember Rob for his marksmanship - his defense is another story.
I don't believe the 3 pt efficiency ranking/improvement. It has to be due to some sort of dork sitting around in mom's basement, looking for ways to exalt us, for why, who knows. Eye test it, is this a good 3 point shooting team? No!! You want to see an eye test, go back to us and UNLV in 87. Those teams could shoot and pass eye test as dangerous. This is not thatWe were very high on the D efficiency side with Xavier in the lineup. His loss is very much felt defensively. I would say offensively though, an argument could be made we're better without him. The ball stopped in his hands a lot. He had a tendency to dribble into trouble a lot. And our possessions weren't nearly as dynamic. Xavier dribbled, then dumped it down to TJD...is what it often devolved in to as games wore on.
Taken in total, we need Xavier back to reach our full potential. Hope it happens as soon as possible, so he's as back into form as he can be by March. But I hope he's been taking notes, and the staff as too, at how the ball and people are moving better offensively without him in the lineup.
We need you to push the pace early in possiesions Xavier, but when nothing is there, we need you to pass it off and help promote movement.
Defensively, be the demon you were made to be!
2 for 4?I don't believe the 3 pt efficiency ranking/improvement. It has to be due to some sort of dork sitting around in mom's basement, looking for ways to exalt us, for why, who knows. Eye test it, is this a good 3 point shooting team? No!! You want to see an eye test, go back to us and UNLV in 87. Those teams could shoot and pass eye test as dangerous. This is not that
Im actuslly terrified of this.We need you to push the pace early in possiesions Xavier,
Agree. He was a great defender. The problem is it was offset by his woeful offensive production and made us all the more easy to defend.C'mon. The bit about Rob was in reference to his defense, not his prowess from deep, and he was on the floor plenty at the end of tight games as part of Woodon''s 'guts' line-up utilized to lock-down opposing offenses. Apart from a late game-winning shot against pU, no one will remember Rob for his marksmanship - his defense is another story.
Yeah, I was really looking forward to seeing XJ on Smith. Guess it will wait for WL.Exactly. We are better offensively with this current group for sure, but I would love to have X and Phin defending PUke's freshman guards this Saturday.