Indiana University Athletics
Indiana “In The Hunt” For Championships
2/17/2016 8:43:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana doesn't spend much time discussing the Big Ten standings, its projections or its implications. Tom Crean says he doesn't need to.
His players already know they're tied with No. 6 Maryland and trail No. 4 Iowa by one game for the conference lead with just five games remaining. They know they'll see that same Iowa team again in two weeks in a game of varying importance depending on how the next few results fall. And they know they're in control of their own championship destiny.
If the No. 22 Hoosiers (20-6, 10-3) win out, they guarantee themselves at least a share of the Big Ten title.
"To be in the hunt the way that we are this time of year, I think everyone knows it," Crean said. "I don't think it's anything that we spend a lot of time talking about because I think we all know that. The key is why we are in it and what do we have to do to stay in it?"
The reasons for Indiana's surge to the top of the table as they prepare for an 8:30 p.m. tip against Nebraska (14-12, 6-7) tonight at Assembly Hall have varied. An improved defense, the conference's leading scoring offense and bench production have all contributed at times, but that doesn't nearly exhaust the entire list of explanations.
It also doesn't explain Sunday's 19-point loss to Michigan State, a game the Hoosiers say they've learned from but haven't dwelled on. They've held firm to the "one game at a time" mantra that coaches and teams across the country have long used.
Even so, Indiana senior guard Nick Zeisloft can't help but notice the "one games" have deeper implications.
"This is a lot different than last year," Zeisloft said. "There was a little different feeling at that point. It's in our grasp. We can take care of it. We just have to keep listening to the coaches and taking care of the process every day. Hopefully, we can achieve (a Big Ten title) when it's that time of the year."
Indiana's "process" includes striking the balance between overworking and losing form. Late Tuesday afternoon, Crean said he walked by the court at Cook Hall to see all four of his freshmen working together to put up extra shots after a light practice.
Zeisloft has been scheduling additional time outside of practice with the assistant coaches to get up extra shots whenever he can. Sophomore guard Robert Johnson typically comes to practice early and stays late for individual work.
Johnson said it's all about self-assurance.
"You just try to keep your confidence high," he said. "That's probably the main thing. That's something I've been telling the younger guys. Look at the film so you can keep your confidence as high as you can so you can go out there and perform."
Performing works twofold at this point in the season. Not only does it keep the Hoosiers in the Big Ten title race, but it also pads an already respectable NCAA Tournament resume. Any additional wins in the final five games will only make March's path through the NCAA Tournament easier—at least on paper.
"It's definitely exciting because we're still in a position right now where we can control a lot of our destiny," Johnson said. "But we just have to take it day-by-day, play-by-play and just leave it all out there and let the results come as they may."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana doesn't spend much time discussing the Big Ten standings, its projections or its implications. Tom Crean says he doesn't need to.
His players already know they're tied with No. 6 Maryland and trail No. 4 Iowa by one game for the conference lead with just five games remaining. They know they'll see that same Iowa team again in two weeks in a game of varying importance depending on how the next few results fall. And they know they're in control of their own championship destiny.
If the No. 22 Hoosiers (20-6, 10-3) win out, they guarantee themselves at least a share of the Big Ten title.
"To be in the hunt the way that we are this time of year, I think everyone knows it," Crean said. "I don't think it's anything that we spend a lot of time talking about because I think we all know that. The key is why we are in it and what do we have to do to stay in it?"
The reasons for Indiana's surge to the top of the table as they prepare for an 8:30 p.m. tip against Nebraska (14-12, 6-7) tonight at Assembly Hall have varied. An improved defense, the conference's leading scoring offense and bench production have all contributed at times, but that doesn't nearly exhaust the entire list of explanations.
It also doesn't explain Sunday's 19-point loss to Michigan State, a game the Hoosiers say they've learned from but haven't dwelled on. They've held firm to the "one game at a time" mantra that coaches and teams across the country have long used.
Even so, Indiana senior guard Nick Zeisloft can't help but notice the "one games" have deeper implications.
"This is a lot different than last year," Zeisloft said. "There was a little different feeling at that point. It's in our grasp. We can take care of it. We just have to keep listening to the coaches and taking care of the process every day. Hopefully, we can achieve (a Big Ten title) when it's that time of the year."
Indiana's "process" includes striking the balance between overworking and losing form. Late Tuesday afternoon, Crean said he walked by the court at Cook Hall to see all four of his freshmen working together to put up extra shots after a light practice.
Zeisloft has been scheduling additional time outside of practice with the assistant coaches to get up extra shots whenever he can. Sophomore guard Robert Johnson typically comes to practice early and stays late for individual work.
Johnson said it's all about self-assurance.
"You just try to keep your confidence high," he said. "That's probably the main thing. That's something I've been telling the younger guys. Look at the film so you can keep your confidence as high as you can so you can go out there and perform."
Performing works twofold at this point in the season. Not only does it keep the Hoosiers in the Big Ten title race, but it also pads an already respectable NCAA Tournament resume. Any additional wins in the final five games will only make March's path through the NCAA Tournament easier—at least on paper.
"It's definitely exciting because we're still in a position right now where we can control a lot of our destiny," Johnson said. "But we just have to take it day-by-day, play-by-play and just leave it all out there and let the results come as they may."
Players Mentioned
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