Hank’s Quick Hitters – IU/Evansville

After each game, Hank Glassner will provide his short, concise thoughts on the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team.

• I have never seen a Tom Crean coached Hoosier basketball squad perform as well as this team did right out of the gate. Their ball movement was crisp, they loved to get in transition, and they controlled the tempo of the game. It was really fun to watch.
• It took two games for Cody Zeller to finally get involved offensively early on. He was clearly more assertive, getting the basketball in positions deep in the paint where it was hard for him not to score. Sure, Evansville’s big men are not the cream of the crop, but this was the game Zeller needed to have to boost his confidence to perform well night in and night out.
• Verdell Jones proved me wrong…well at least for this game he did. He made the necessary passes to the open shooter or big man, and was draining shots from deep, hitting all four of his three-point attempts. I did notice something that might have contributed to his 17 point, 5 rebound, 7 assist performance: he took his open jump shots off of a pass, and not off of the dribble. Verdell is one to usually try to create shots for himself. Rather, in this game he let his teammates find him in open spots on the court, which enabled Verdell to get set to shoot before he even got the ball. If this continues, I will be sure to bite my tongue.
• The Zeller to Watford high post to low post play was absolutely beautiful to watch. Zeller is such an underrated passer, especially for a big man.
• 22 points with 11:34 left in the first half. 51 points through one half. 19-32 FG through one half. Need I say more?
• I have a feeling that Victor Oladipo is the reason as to why this team is a very energetic and fiery team. I think with his enthusiasm on the court (I am sure off the court as well) his lively attitude and demeanor has produced a spark amongst the whole team. This squad seems to have much more of a belief that this team can win a lot of basketball games.
• IU’s defense held up well…for one half. They allowed Evansville to shoot 34% from the field in the fist twenty minutes, but in the second half it was a whole different story. 46 points allowed on 51% FG shooting, with 21 free throw attempts. Not a good defensive showing in the second half for the Hoosiers.
• Let’s be honest though, did the second half really matter?

That’s it from me. Until next time…