Indiana University Athletics
IU Locked In On Notre Dame in Indy
12/18/2015 5:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The questions kept coming and the answers stayed the same. Indiana's players and coaches were firm in saying Saturday's Crossroads Classic matchup against Notre Dame at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is no different than any other game, regardless of what anyone outside the program says.
"It's our next game," Indiana head coach Tom Crean said. "We're playing Notre Dame. There's no focus on anything except our finals this week and playing Notre Dame."
Said senior guard Nick Zeisloft: "Really, it's just the next game on our schedule. The next game is always the most important."
The Crossroads Classic weekend always brings its share of extra attention. The Indianapolis-area crowd typically fills the home of the Indiana Pacers for the annual doubleheader. The second game of the day will feature Purdue and Butler.
But the Hoosiers say they can't afford to get caught up in the outside noise surrounding a neutral court showcase. They've already been through the unfamiliar environments of Maui and Cameron Indoor Stadium to play Duke this season and are no strangers to playing in high-profile contests.
"A win is a win and a loss is a loss," sophomore guard Robert Johnson said. "We're just trying to build and get better every game."
For now, that means Indiana's attention is on Notre Dame after a week off from competition. Head coach Mike Brey's Fighting Irish is off to a 7-2 start to the season with wins against the Big Ten's Iowa and Illinois to their credit already.
One of the decisive factors could prove to be what kind of pace breaks out between two of the nation's most efficient offenses.
Indiana (8-3) ranks 39th in the country in average length of possession and tends to push the ball as often as possible. The Hoosiers would rather get up and down the floor quickly, keeping the opposing defense on its heels.
Notre Dame (7-2) is just the opposite, ranking 339th in average length of possession. The Fighting Irish are more meticulous offensively, taking their time to pick their spots and attack.
"They can get you at their pace and tempo, and I think that's a big part of their game," Crean said. "We've got to make sure that we can play at our pace and at the same time execute in a good way and not give them easy possessions by giving them the ball back or taking rushed shots."
This year's game will certainly feature its share of marquee matchups. The frontcourt fight between Indiana freshman Thomas Bryant and Notre Dame senior Zack Auguste will certainly be worth watching. As will the guard play between Indiana senior Yogi Ferrell and Notre Dame junior Demetrius Jackson, who will no doubt be key in orchestrating their respective offenses.
Despite the individual talent on display, Crean said he's not about to get lost in the individual matchups of the game.
"We have to play well against the entire Notre Dame team," Crean said. "They're more than a one-man team. They always are. It's not about an individual matchup. It really never is. It's about team versus team."
Crean complimented his team's focus during finals week to stay engaged with game preparation without getting caught up in the magnitude of the Crossroads Classic. Johnson said players had the opportunity to get extra shots up during the week when they weren't studying and work on sharpening up as a team with only two games left before Big Ten play starts.
But that will all come down the line, Crean said. The only thing he's concerned with is getting out of Indianapolis with a win.
"Their focus has been really good on getting ready for Notre Dame," Crean said. "That's what we stress to them is to control what you can control and pay attention to what matters and makes a difference. Their preparation is what makes a difference."
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The questions kept coming and the answers stayed the same. Indiana's players and coaches were firm in saying Saturday's Crossroads Classic matchup against Notre Dame at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is no different than any other game, regardless of what anyone outside the program says.
"It's our next game," Indiana head coach Tom Crean said. "We're playing Notre Dame. There's no focus on anything except our finals this week and playing Notre Dame."
Said senior guard Nick Zeisloft: "Really, it's just the next game on our schedule. The next game is always the most important."
The Crossroads Classic weekend always brings its share of extra attention. The Indianapolis-area crowd typically fills the home of the Indiana Pacers for the annual doubleheader. The second game of the day will feature Purdue and Butler.
But the Hoosiers say they can't afford to get caught up in the outside noise surrounding a neutral court showcase. They've already been through the unfamiliar environments of Maui and Cameron Indoor Stadium to play Duke this season and are no strangers to playing in high-profile contests.
"A win is a win and a loss is a loss," sophomore guard Robert Johnson said. "We're just trying to build and get better every game."
For now, that means Indiana's attention is on Notre Dame after a week off from competition. Head coach Mike Brey's Fighting Irish is off to a 7-2 start to the season with wins against the Big Ten's Iowa and Illinois to their credit already.
One of the decisive factors could prove to be what kind of pace breaks out between two of the nation's most efficient offenses.
Indiana (8-3) ranks 39th in the country in average length of possession and tends to push the ball as often as possible. The Hoosiers would rather get up and down the floor quickly, keeping the opposing defense on its heels.
Notre Dame (7-2) is just the opposite, ranking 339th in average length of possession. The Fighting Irish are more meticulous offensively, taking their time to pick their spots and attack.
"They can get you at their pace and tempo, and I think that's a big part of their game," Crean said. "We've got to make sure that we can play at our pace and at the same time execute in a good way and not give them easy possessions by giving them the ball back or taking rushed shots."
This year's game will certainly feature its share of marquee matchups. The frontcourt fight between Indiana freshman Thomas Bryant and Notre Dame senior Zack Auguste will certainly be worth watching. As will the guard play between Indiana senior Yogi Ferrell and Notre Dame junior Demetrius Jackson, who will no doubt be key in orchestrating their respective offenses.
Despite the individual talent on display, Crean said he's not about to get lost in the individual matchups of the game.
"We have to play well against the entire Notre Dame team," Crean said. "They're more than a one-man team. They always are. It's not about an individual matchup. It really never is. It's about team versus team."
Crean complimented his team's focus during finals week to stay engaged with game preparation without getting caught up in the magnitude of the Crossroads Classic. Johnson said players had the opportunity to get extra shots up during the week when they weren't studying and work on sharpening up as a team with only two games left before Big Ten play starts.
But that will all come down the line, Crean said. The only thing he's concerned with is getting out of Indianapolis with a win.
"Their focus has been really good on getting ready for Notre Dame," Crean said. "That's what we stress to them is to control what you can control and pay attention to what matters and makes a difference. Their preparation is what makes a difference."
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