The post player Ike has good size and is a good finisher out of the post, but he also dribbles the ball a ton. Not uncommon for him to dribble the ball 8+ times while trying to back his man down and can be a little loose with the ball which leaves him susceptible to digs and double teams and isn't a great at finding the open shooter in those situations. I think any of TJD, Race, or Durr could provide decent defense against him. On defense he's usually in good position but a step slow, and doesn't play assertive/aggressive, seemingly out of fear of foul trouble. If we go small with Race at the 5, he's going to give 5+ ft from 3 range.
The PG Maldonado has good size at 6'7", and but doesn't have a ton of speed, doesn't really drive to the rim, and isn't a particularly good shooter from outside. He generates most of his offense by posting up smaller guards, and is a fairly crafty finisher in the 5-10 ft range. If he does drive, its to set up post position. On defense, I think he'll struggle against a faster guard like X.
The only 3-point shooter that is really a threat is Jeffries, and that is about all he does (about 95% of his shot attempts were from 3 this year). He'll be easier to guard than Stefanovic. The main threat is that Wyoming will goad Jeffries' defender to help/double posts by Ike and Maldonado.
Their offense is really built around those 3 players, and the don't run much to get anyone else shots. They play solid team defense, but will also leave shooters open as they will collapse on the ball in the paint. This is a game I think IU runs away with if we shoot even just 35% from 3, and the shots will be there. Even then, I think IU will be able to generate enough offense to win even with a poor 3 shooting performance
The PG Maldonado has good size at 6'7", and but doesn't have a ton of speed, doesn't really drive to the rim, and isn't a particularly good shooter from outside. He generates most of his offense by posting up smaller guards, and is a fairly crafty finisher in the 5-10 ft range. If he does drive, its to set up post position. On defense, I think he'll struggle against a faster guard like X.
The only 3-point shooter that is really a threat is Jeffries, and that is about all he does (about 95% of his shot attempts were from 3 this year). He'll be easier to guard than Stefanovic. The main threat is that Wyoming will goad Jeffries' defender to help/double posts by Ike and Maldonado.
Their offense is really built around those 3 players, and the don't run much to get anyone else shots. They play solid team defense, but will also leave shooters open as they will collapse on the ball in the paint. This is a game I think IU runs away with if we shoot even just 35% from 3, and the shots will be there. Even then, I think IU will be able to generate enough offense to win even with a poor 3 shooting performance
