Six weeks out from tip-off against @ Providence. Could/should be a really good year for IU, so a thread for musing about what may come.
Like IU's backcourt even without Lander. May be the first chance Rob gets to play without some sort of injury, Armaan seemed to start coming into his own late last Season, and despite a lot of folks being down on Aljami expect him to bring solid and occasionally brilliant play. Can't speak to what Leal, Galloway or the walk-ons bring to the rotation but as robust a guard contingent as IU had in some time.
Trayce likely a monster this year on both ends. Brunk should be pretty much the same guy as last year, marginally better but don't expect him to show up with anything new like a 3-pt. shot (he, De'Ron and Trayce combined for a total of zero attempts from deep last year). Race 3.0 on the other hand should be much improved, and am probably not alone in wondering what Jerome's ceiling looks like or in imagining that he may emerge as IU's most improved Player. Just have to wait and see on Geronimo. If there's any knock on this Team it's that they're short at least one big in the rotation though speed, athleticism and coherent defense could compensate for lack of size. Would have been really nice to have Justin and his 10+ pts. a game for his senior year, but he never could seem to put the ball on the Floor and drive or scare many with his range despite his athleticismm and defensive prowess.
Offensively this ought to be a year that IU shines. Experienced backcourt that's a threat from deep with ability to drive - better open up the inside game, too early to know if Jerome and Geronimo (and perhaps Race) can similarly augment that either with their shooting and/or penetration. Some talk of a heightened emphasis on ball screens to loosen up the offense, be entertaining to watch IU play with 3 or 4 on the Floor at the same time (instead of 1 or 2) able to drive to the rim in any given set. Also be interesting to see how Trayce's game evolves from last year, both individually and in the context of a revamped Hoosier offense. Expect to see him add a 3-pt. shot to his repertoire, Race and Jerome have already shown they're able and willing. Expect IU to demonstrate much better offensive efficiency this Season.
Defense. Starts with the guards. Rob and Armaan are solid, Aljami shows flashes and has steadily improved, too early to say about Lander, et al. Jerome, Race and Trayce could be elite. Joey's size makes him an asset that is largely neutralized by his flat-footedness, fair to say that the newcomers are going to take some time adjusting to the speed and level of competition in Conference. Perhaps more importantly, as modern defense is largely a collective effort, mostly just have to wait and see what sort of chemistry develops among the Players.
Unless the B10 is better than I imagine, hard to see IU finishing out of the top five in Conference regardless of what the 'experts' say and could vie for the title. Would expect a starting five of Rob, Aljami, Armaan, Trayce and Race to be a very solid on both ends. As likely to see Armaan & Race trade spots with Joey & Jerome or some such and be just as strong. Add Khristian into that mix with Leal, Gernimo and Galloway off the bench and IU's looking at another deep and athletic Team. Like it.
Footnote: Am as ever intrigued by the unheralded walk-ons who do all the work with none of the glory or more importantly, playing time, but am becoming forlorn in the hope that any shall ever see real minutes. If there is any reason to imagine that Cooper Bybee, Michael Shipp, Jacquez Henderson, Nathan Childress or Sebastien Scott (who are mentioned here by name because they are honorable members of the/your Indiana Hoosiers and are never ever mentioned here by name) will see any time this Season, do tell. They should know that they have fans, equally unheralded as may be, but rooting for them all the same.
Go IU!
Like IU's backcourt even without Lander. May be the first chance Rob gets to play without some sort of injury, Armaan seemed to start coming into his own late last Season, and despite a lot of folks being down on Aljami expect him to bring solid and occasionally brilliant play. Can't speak to what Leal, Galloway or the walk-ons bring to the rotation but as robust a guard contingent as IU had in some time.
Trayce likely a monster this year on both ends. Brunk should be pretty much the same guy as last year, marginally better but don't expect him to show up with anything new like a 3-pt. shot (he, De'Ron and Trayce combined for a total of zero attempts from deep last year). Race 3.0 on the other hand should be much improved, and am probably not alone in wondering what Jerome's ceiling looks like or in imagining that he may emerge as IU's most improved Player. Just have to wait and see on Geronimo. If there's any knock on this Team it's that they're short at least one big in the rotation though speed, athleticism and coherent defense could compensate for lack of size. Would have been really nice to have Justin and his 10+ pts. a game for his senior year, but he never could seem to put the ball on the Floor and drive or scare many with his range despite his athleticismm and defensive prowess.
Offensively this ought to be a year that IU shines. Experienced backcourt that's a threat from deep with ability to drive - better open up the inside game, too early to know if Jerome and Geronimo (and perhaps Race) can similarly augment that either with their shooting and/or penetration. Some talk of a heightened emphasis on ball screens to loosen up the offense, be entertaining to watch IU play with 3 or 4 on the Floor at the same time (instead of 1 or 2) able to drive to the rim in any given set. Also be interesting to see how Trayce's game evolves from last year, both individually and in the context of a revamped Hoosier offense. Expect to see him add a 3-pt. shot to his repertoire, Race and Jerome have already shown they're able and willing. Expect IU to demonstrate much better offensive efficiency this Season.
Defense. Starts with the guards. Rob and Armaan are solid, Aljami shows flashes and has steadily improved, too early to say about Lander, et al. Jerome, Race and Trayce could be elite. Joey's size makes him an asset that is largely neutralized by his flat-footedness, fair to say that the newcomers are going to take some time adjusting to the speed and level of competition in Conference. Perhaps more importantly, as modern defense is largely a collective effort, mostly just have to wait and see what sort of chemistry develops among the Players.
Unless the B10 is better than I imagine, hard to see IU finishing out of the top five in Conference regardless of what the 'experts' say and could vie for the title. Would expect a starting five of Rob, Aljami, Armaan, Trayce and Race to be a very solid on both ends. As likely to see Armaan & Race trade spots with Joey & Jerome or some such and be just as strong. Add Khristian into that mix with Leal, Gernimo and Galloway off the bench and IU's looking at another deep and athletic Team. Like it.
Footnote: Am as ever intrigued by the unheralded walk-ons who do all the work with none of the glory or more importantly, playing time, but am becoming forlorn in the hope that any shall ever see real minutes. If there is any reason to imagine that Cooper Bybee, Michael Shipp, Jacquez Henderson, Nathan Childress or Sebastien Scott (who are mentioned here by name because they are honorable members of the/your Indiana Hoosiers and are never ever mentioned here by name) will see any time this Season, do tell. They should know that they have fans, equally unheralded as may be, but rooting for them all the same.
Go IU!