Or what having a "stretch five" can do for an offense.
One thing I've read a few times today in a variety of places is that last night was an "anomaly" and that the Hoosiers only won because they were hot from outside.
I know its a small sample size, but I would counter those statements by saying that while shooting 15 - 22 from the three point line is not sustainable, last night was not really an anomaly because IU has been shooting very well from deep since Hartman entered the starting lineup. And the way IU can space the floor and stretch defenses with no one in the post has allowed them the opportunities to get hot from the outside and eliminate alot of forced offense and turnovers. The Hoosier offense has been very efficient with no true low post player on the floor most of the time this past ten days:
The past three games with Hartman at "center," IU is 35 - 68 from the three point line or 51% ( = 105 points on 68 shots = 77% effective FG%).
During those three games, IU has 44 assists (on 83 made FGs) and just 28 turnovers.
And IU is 44 - 59 from the FT line in that stretch while its opponents are just 23 - 35 (so much for teams going inside and creating fouls against the smaller IU lineup - so far its been the smaller and quicker Hoosiers driving by the big guys to create FT opportunities).
It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up now that teams can game plan for this line up and what Crean will do with Hanner once he's healthy. I would bring him off the bench, myself, and even use him with Holt in that capacity to throw something different at teams during a game.
One thing I've read a few times today in a variety of places is that last night was an "anomaly" and that the Hoosiers only won because they were hot from outside.
I know its a small sample size, but I would counter those statements by saying that while shooting 15 - 22 from the three point line is not sustainable, last night was not really an anomaly because IU has been shooting very well from deep since Hartman entered the starting lineup. And the way IU can space the floor and stretch defenses with no one in the post has allowed them the opportunities to get hot from the outside and eliminate alot of forced offense and turnovers. The Hoosier offense has been very efficient with no true low post player on the floor most of the time this past ten days:
The past three games with Hartman at "center," IU is 35 - 68 from the three point line or 51% ( = 105 points on 68 shots = 77% effective FG%).
During those three games, IU has 44 assists (on 83 made FGs) and just 28 turnovers.
And IU is 44 - 59 from the FT line in that stretch while its opponents are just 23 - 35 (so much for teams going inside and creating fouls against the smaller IU lineup - so far its been the smaller and quicker Hoosiers driving by the big guys to create FT opportunities).
It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up now that teams can game plan for this line up and what Crean will do with Hanner once he's healthy. I would bring him off the bench, myself, and even use him with Holt in that capacity to throw something different at teams during a game.
