Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Focused Ahead of NCAA Tournament
3/18/2016 7:54:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana has arrived at the NCAA Tournament.
But the Hoosiers are not content just to have made it. With the reality set in that they are in the field of 64, they've set their sights on the next goal.
They don't want to be a one-and-done.
They want to advance to next round.
"We're really excited that we get this opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament, but we're not satisfied," sophomore guard Tyra Buss said. "Our goal is to win and advance. We're really focused and ready to play."
Since finding out Monday that it had made the postseason cut, ninth-seeded Indiana has been busy getting to know its opponent in eighth-seeded Georgia.
Finally with an opposing jersey to study and prepare for, sophomore guard Jess Walter said the Hoosiers focused both offensively and defensively on countering schemes they're likely to see from the Lady Bulldogs.
It's the longest the Hoosiers have had to wait between games since the offseason.
"It's been a long time, but I think it's been good for us to be able to rejuvenate, get back to the fundamentals, work on us and get ourselves prepared, and now we're able to be prepared for Georgia," Walter said. "Even though we haven't had games, we're still on top of things, and we're still really crisp."
In as evenly matched a game as the tournament has to offer, the slightest advantage can make all the difference.
So on Wednesday, head coach Teri Moren structured the whole day to simulate the parameters of game day's 9 p.m. tip.
The itinerary began with a light, 90-minute shoot around in the morning, followed by down time for players to relax and keep focused. The team gathered for dinner at Texas Roadhouse a few hours before tip-time, much like they will for their pregame meal in South Bend.
Practice commenced with a four-minute scrimmage that started at 9 p.m. on the dot. Even with the late start, Buss said none of the players felt sluggish.
They felt strong.
"It's a little bit different because it's so late and we've never played a late game like that before," she said. "But to be honest I think we all had the same amount of energy. Even though it's a late game, it didn't really bother us that much. We didn't really think about it like that."
Preparation will continue today as Indiana will take the court inside Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center and get the chance to experience the site of its first tournament game in 14 years.
The only thing that could make the Hoosiers more comfortable now is the familiar sight of Cream and Crimson in the stands on Saturday.
"We're kind of close to home, so hopefully we'll have a lot of Hoosier fans out there," Buss said. "Hoosier Nation is awesome and they're everywhere, so hopefully they're in the gym on Saturday for us."
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana has arrived at the NCAA Tournament.
But the Hoosiers are not content just to have made it. With the reality set in that they are in the field of 64, they've set their sights on the next goal.
They don't want to be a one-and-done.
They want to advance to next round.
"We're really excited that we get this opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament, but we're not satisfied," sophomore guard Tyra Buss said. "Our goal is to win and advance. We're really focused and ready to play."
Since finding out Monday that it had made the postseason cut, ninth-seeded Indiana has been busy getting to know its opponent in eighth-seeded Georgia.
Finally with an opposing jersey to study and prepare for, sophomore guard Jess Walter said the Hoosiers focused both offensively and defensively on countering schemes they're likely to see from the Lady Bulldogs.
It's the longest the Hoosiers have had to wait between games since the offseason.
"It's been a long time, but I think it's been good for us to be able to rejuvenate, get back to the fundamentals, work on us and get ourselves prepared, and now we're able to be prepared for Georgia," Walter said. "Even though we haven't had games, we're still on top of things, and we're still really crisp."
In as evenly matched a game as the tournament has to offer, the slightest advantage can make all the difference.
So on Wednesday, head coach Teri Moren structured the whole day to simulate the parameters of game day's 9 p.m. tip.
The itinerary began with a light, 90-minute shoot around in the morning, followed by down time for players to relax and keep focused. The team gathered for dinner at Texas Roadhouse a few hours before tip-time, much like they will for their pregame meal in South Bend.
Practice commenced with a four-minute scrimmage that started at 9 p.m. on the dot. Even with the late start, Buss said none of the players felt sluggish.
They felt strong.
"It's a little bit different because it's so late and we've never played a late game like that before," she said. "But to be honest I think we all had the same amount of energy. Even though it's a late game, it didn't really bother us that much. We didn't really think about it like that."
Preparation will continue today as Indiana will take the court inside Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center and get the chance to experience the site of its first tournament game in 14 years.
The only thing that could make the Hoosiers more comfortable now is the familiar sight of Cream and Crimson in the stands on Saturday.
"We're kind of close to home, so hopefully we'll have a lot of Hoosier fans out there," Buss said. "Hoosier Nation is awesome and they're everywhere, so hopefully they're in the gym on Saturday for us."
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