Indiana Faces Toughness Test at No. 22 Seton Hall
11/14/2017 3:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Forget turning the other cheek. If Indiana is to rock the national basketball landscape, and make up for Friday's stunning Indiana State loss, it has to play rough.
There's no other way to win at No. 22 Seton Hall (2-0) Wednesday night.
"You're playing probably one of the toughest teams," IU coach Archie Miller said. "You talk to people in the Big East, the very first thing they say is, 'You are going to have to be tough when you play them.' "
IU (1-1) must find its edge in its first road game of the season.
"I think this is a huge test for us against a terrific team," Miller said. "They're experienced, veteran-led.
"This is going to be one of those come-together type of opportunities for us. We have to be stronger mentally, have to come together more, have to understand collectively how we're going to have to do it to be successful. It's a lot different than how it's gone right now. I think then you'll start to see a little bit more consistent play."
The Pirates return five players who started at least 19 games from a team that finished 21-12 and made the NCAA tourney for a second straight year.
The Hoosiers are still trying to find their way in Miller's new system.
"We're searching for an identity on both sides of the ball," Miller said. "Part of it is the identity that we're trying to create in having a group of people that haven't played a ton of minutes together. There's new personnel on the floor that wasn't on the floor a lot last year. We're going through some growing pains as much as anything.
"I think we'll get better because we're going to get more experience playing together. We're going to get more games under our belts."
Better three-point defense is a top priority. Indiana has allowed 30 three-point baskets in its first two games.
"One of the things we spent a lot of time talking about as a team is the communication factor." Miller said. "Of the 30 made threes in the first two games, I would say that about 12 or 15 were preventable if we just do our job.
"Whether that's communicating on switching, whether that's doing your job in proper technique and ball screen coverage, whether you're getting back fast enough and running hard enough to get your defense set.
"Getting beat off the dribble in penetration really hurts. Right now being able to guard the ball, keep things in front of us, has been challenging. Penetration has broken us down.
"I also think we played some terrific shooters. Indiana State at one point was 17-of-22 (from three-point range). I'm not sure you're going to be able to absorb a lot of the ones that went in. They were tough shots."
Seton Hall presents major inside concerns with center Angel Delgado, the nation's best rebounder.
Last year the 6-10, 240-pound Delgado averaged 15.2 points and 13.1 rebounds, with 27 double doubles. This season, it's 13.5 and 10.5.
"There's great concern." Miller said. "We're not the only team in the country that is concerned when you play against him. I mean, he does an amazing job. He's as good a rebounder as there is in the nation. He's a great player.
"Blocking out is going to be one of the most important things happening on Wednesday night."
The showdown is part of the annual Gavitt Tipoff Games that matches teams from the Big Ten and the Big East.
"They're great opportunities for showcase games early in the season," Miller said. "I think that's always important for college basketball, to get on national television and play against great opponents that are going to prepare you for league play.
"Like the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, it gives you the early-season marquee matchups that fans want to see, so it's good for the game."
IU forward Juwan Morgan (ankle) and guard Devonte Green (thigh bruise) are questionable.
"We're hopeful that Devonte and Juwan will be ready to go," Miller said, "but we'll have to wait and see."
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Forget turning the other cheek. If Indiana is to rock the national basketball landscape, and make up for Friday's stunning Indiana State loss, it has to play rough.
There's no other way to win at No. 22 Seton Hall (2-0) Wednesday night.
"You're playing probably one of the toughest teams," IU coach Archie Miller said. "You talk to people in the Big East, the very first thing they say is, 'You are going to have to be tough when you play them.' "
IU (1-1) must find its edge in its first road game of the season.
"I think this is a huge test for us against a terrific team," Miller said. "They're experienced, veteran-led.
"This is going to be one of those come-together type of opportunities for us. We have to be stronger mentally, have to come together more, have to understand collectively how we're going to have to do it to be successful. It's a lot different than how it's gone right now. I think then you'll start to see a little bit more consistent play."
The Pirates return five players who started at least 19 games from a team that finished 21-12 and made the NCAA tourney for a second straight year.
The Hoosiers are still trying to find their way in Miller's new system.
"We're searching for an identity on both sides of the ball," Miller said. "Part of it is the identity that we're trying to create in having a group of people that haven't played a ton of minutes together. There's new personnel on the floor that wasn't on the floor a lot last year. We're going through some growing pains as much as anything.
"I think we'll get better because we're going to get more experience playing together. We're going to get more games under our belts."
Better three-point defense is a top priority. Indiana has allowed 30 three-point baskets in its first two games.
"One of the things we spent a lot of time talking about as a team is the communication factor." Miller said. "Of the 30 made threes in the first two games, I would say that about 12 or 15 were preventable if we just do our job.
"Whether that's communicating on switching, whether that's doing your job in proper technique and ball screen coverage, whether you're getting back fast enough and running hard enough to get your defense set.
"Getting beat off the dribble in penetration really hurts. Right now being able to guard the ball, keep things in front of us, has been challenging. Penetration has broken us down.
"I also think we played some terrific shooters. Indiana State at one point was 17-of-22 (from three-point range). I'm not sure you're going to be able to absorb a lot of the ones that went in. They were tough shots."
Seton Hall presents major inside concerns with center Angel Delgado, the nation's best rebounder.
Last year the 6-10, 240-pound Delgado averaged 15.2 points and 13.1 rebounds, with 27 double doubles. This season, it's 13.5 and 10.5.
"There's great concern." Miller said. "We're not the only team in the country that is concerned when you play against him. I mean, he does an amazing job. He's as good a rebounder as there is in the nation. He's a great player.
"Blocking out is going to be one of the most important things happening on Wednesday night."
The showdown is part of the annual Gavitt Tipoff Games that matches teams from the Big Ten and the Big East.
"They're great opportunities for showcase games early in the season," Miller said. "I think that's always important for college basketball, to get on national television and play against great opponents that are going to prepare you for league play.
"Like the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, it gives you the early-season marquee matchups that fans want to see, so it's good for the game."
IU forward Juwan Morgan (ankle) and guard Devonte Green (thigh bruise) are questionable.
"We're hopeful that Devonte and Juwan will be ready to go," Miller said, "but we'll have to wait and see."
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