WT Administrator
(12/10/11 Saturday 5:15PMEST/4:15PMCST on ESPN)
Kentucky leads the series 31-23
Indiana Hoosiers
Location: Bloomington, IN
Enrollment: 42,347
Arena: 17,357
Head coach: Tom Crean
Career Record: 218-162 (57.4%) 12 Seasons
At Indiana Record: 28-66 (29.8%) 3 Seasons
2010-11 Record: 12-20
2010-11 Big 10 Record: 3-15
2010-11 Postseason: None
2011-12 Record: 8-0
IU 96 Stony Brook 66
IU 78 Chattanooga 53
IU 94 Evansville 73
IU 94 Savannah St. 65
IU 73 Gardner-Webb 49
IU 75 Butler 59
IU 86 North Carolina St. 75
IU 84 Stetson 50
IU Stats
PPG-85.0
FG%-52.3%
3 Pt. %-44.0% (6.4 PG)
FT%-74.0%
RPG-35.9% (+1.8)
APG-16.1
TO’s-13.0
SPG-10.1
BPG-4.1
UK Stats
PPG-82.4
FG%-49.0%
3 Pt. %-37.4% (5.8 PG)
FT%-68.5%
RPG-43.5% (+7.5)
APG-15.4
TO’s-12.5
SPG-8.3
BPG-10.9
IU’s Probable Starting Lineup
Cody Zeller F-6’11” Fr…………………..15.5 PPG
Christian Watford F-6’9” Jr………………10.4 PPG
Victor Oladipo G/-6’5” Soph……….……12.3 PPG
Verdell Jones G- 6’5” Sr…..……….……..9.3 PPG
Jordan Hulls G-6’0” Jr……………………11.3PPG
Other Key Players
Will Sheehey G/F-6’6” Soph………………11.8 PPG
Derek Elston F-6’9” Jr…………………..…6.1 PPG
Coach Crean took over an IU program in shambles 4 years ago. In his first 3 seasons, the Hoosiers have struggled to reach any kind of respectability with a miserable 28-66 record. Crean, a past successful coach at Marquette, is now in his 4th year at IU and this is an extremely important year for IU and coach Crean…..he must demonstrate that the IU program is moving in a very positive direction that will allow them to recapture their past glories.
Well, so far so good for coach Crean and IU….they are off to a solid start this season with 8 straight wins. However, the IU strength of schedule is 251 out of 344 division 1 teams….and they have only one quality win over a top 150 opponent…and that is NC St.
Still, the win over NC St came on the road was a quality win.
The biggest addition to the Hoosiers this season is outstanding freshman Cody Zeller who is already living up to his high expectations. Zeller, whom is even better than his brother Tyler who starts for the Tar Heels, leads IU in scoring, rebounds and blocks. In addition, Zeller is shooting a terrific 67.7% from the field. Importantly, Crean welcomed back all but one starter from last season, so this Hoosier team starts a senior, 2 juniors, a soph along with freshman sensation Zeller.
Thus far, IU is getting balanced scoring with 5 players averaging in double figures and Jones just missing double figures with a 9.3 average. The Hoosiers have been very successful from the perimeter with the team hitting an eyepopping 44% with 6.4 3 pointers PG. Hulls has made 15-28 long rang shots for over 50%. Jones and Hulls lead in assists.
There is no question that this is Crean’s most talented and most experienced IU team. Hoosiers fans haven’t much to cheer about in recent years, but for the first time in a long time….they feel they have an IU team that will be very competitive with UK….especially on their home floor.
UK will arrive in Bloomington sporting a number one rating and a great win over North Carolina. Although, the Cats played well against the Tar Heels, they still need improvement in all facets of offense and defense. Against NC, UK’s defense was solid, especially in the 2nd half….but, the Cats will need to do a better job defending the perimeter. UK will need to do greatly improve their ability in making sure their best perimeter shooters, especially Lamb, are getting the majority of long range shots. Certainly, the Cats don’t need Teague and Davis shooting very much from the outside. UK’s biggest problems from the FT line fall on two players mostly…..Davis and Teague. Davis is only 20-37 for 54.1%….while Teague is only 11-21 for 52.4% The other UK players are shooting above 71% with Miller and Lamb above 80%. It is exceedingly important for Davis and Teague to work hard on improving their FT shooting. Unless Teague greatly improves his FT shooting, he becomes a liability in a close game near the end when the other team would obviously foul Teague. A PG must be much better than a 52% FT shooter!
Obviously, UK is always the super bowl for opponents and now ranked #1 will only add to the tremendous effort UK sees from future opponents. IU has a passionate fan base that have had to endure several terrible and embarrassing years. Now, the Hoosier fans see an improved, talented and experienced IU team that will be far more competitive than in recent past years. Look for IU fans to be in a frenzy when UK takes the court. It will be imperative that UK match IU’s energy level.
It will be very important for UK to play tough defense, especially on the perimeter and they will need to take good shots. I see a very competitive game, but the more talented Cats defeat IU 81-71. GO CATS!
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