Indiana University Athletics
#IUBB Notebook: Poise, Tar Heels, Injuries
3/23/2016 11:53:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - If there's any nerves building inside Indiana's locker room leading into a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 1 North Carolina Friday, the Hoosiers aren't showing it.
Four players—freshman center Thomas Bryant, junior forward Troy Williams, senior forward Max Bielfeldt and senior guard Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell—were in a joking mood when they addressed the media in Bloomington Tuesday night before heading to Philadelphia.
There were cracks about age, teasing about word choice and even yoga references mixed in with serious conversation about the Tar Heels and the challenges they'll bring come Friday night. It had all the makings for one of the lighter press conferences of the year, a reflection of the team's attitude through its NCAA Tournament run despite having a team that's mostly new to the experience.
"I don't think you do anything different than what you've done," head coach Tom Crean said. "The whole bottom line is you spend too much time thinking about the stage you're on or thinking about where you're at, thinking about who's watching, you get away then from what's most important, which is to stop that team."
The latter is where Indiana is at now. The Hoosiers left their time with the media Tuesday night and headed back into the latter stages of a workout before Wednesday's travel day, Thursday's final preparation day and Friday's game.
Only Ferrell, Bielfeldt and Crean have reached this stage of the season before. Although playing in the Sweet 16 is uncommon, Crean said he isn't concerned with the Hoosiers coming out flat or not being properly prepared to play.
"The bottom line is there's a seriousness about this group," Crean said. "We've got to play with a real edge."
Tournament Road Staying Tough
Another round, another major conference champion.
No. 5 IU—the Big Ten's regular season champion—will play ACC regular season and tournament champion No. 1 North Carolina after defeating SEC regular season and tournament champion Kentucky in the round of 32 last weekend.
The Tar Heels defeated Florida Gulf Coast 83-67 in their first round matchup before defeat Providence 85-66 in the second round in Raleigh, North Carolina, to get to the Sweet 16. All six of North Carolina's losses have come by six or fewer points.
"They're just a great all-around team," Crean said. "Their speed is enormous, as fast as any team we've faced. No doubt about that."
Crean said he'd take tendencies from other teams IU has played and use them to create a picture of what North Carolina will bring whether it be comparing the Tar Heels to Michigan, Iowa or even Kentucky.
Just as Ferrell runs the show at point for Indiana, Ferrell's longtime competitor Marcus Paige keeps the Tar Heels moving. He averaged 12 points and 3.7 assists per game this season and complements a frontcourt that Crean lauded for its depth.
"He's been a guy that's stayed all four years like I have in that program," Ferrell said of Paige. "He's impacted that program with his presence of play, being able to shoot it form deep, being able to pass it, being a craft point guard."
Crean Updates Injuries
Sophomore guard Robert Johnson is "iffy" after reinjuring his left ankle in IU's win over Kentucky last weekend, Crean said. Freshman forward Juwan Morgan, who left the UK game with a shoulder injury, is practicing and "getting better."
Crean had no timetable for Johnson's return.
"We're just going to have to see," he said.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - If there's any nerves building inside Indiana's locker room leading into a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 1 North Carolina Friday, the Hoosiers aren't showing it.
Four players—freshman center Thomas Bryant, junior forward Troy Williams, senior forward Max Bielfeldt and senior guard Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell—were in a joking mood when they addressed the media in Bloomington Tuesday night before heading to Philadelphia.
There were cracks about age, teasing about word choice and even yoga references mixed in with serious conversation about the Tar Heels and the challenges they'll bring come Friday night. It had all the makings for one of the lighter press conferences of the year, a reflection of the team's attitude through its NCAA Tournament run despite having a team that's mostly new to the experience.
"I don't think you do anything different than what you've done," head coach Tom Crean said. "The whole bottom line is you spend too much time thinking about the stage you're on or thinking about where you're at, thinking about who's watching, you get away then from what's most important, which is to stop that team."
The latter is where Indiana is at now. The Hoosiers left their time with the media Tuesday night and headed back into the latter stages of a workout before Wednesday's travel day, Thursday's final preparation day and Friday's game.
Only Ferrell, Bielfeldt and Crean have reached this stage of the season before. Although playing in the Sweet 16 is uncommon, Crean said he isn't concerned with the Hoosiers coming out flat or not being properly prepared to play.
"The bottom line is there's a seriousness about this group," Crean said. "We've got to play with a real edge."
Tournament Road Staying Tough
Another round, another major conference champion.
No. 5 IU—the Big Ten's regular season champion—will play ACC regular season and tournament champion No. 1 North Carolina after defeating SEC regular season and tournament champion Kentucky in the round of 32 last weekend.
The Tar Heels defeated Florida Gulf Coast 83-67 in their first round matchup before defeat Providence 85-66 in the second round in Raleigh, North Carolina, to get to the Sweet 16. All six of North Carolina's losses have come by six or fewer points.
"They're just a great all-around team," Crean said. "Their speed is enormous, as fast as any team we've faced. No doubt about that."
Crean said he'd take tendencies from other teams IU has played and use them to create a picture of what North Carolina will bring whether it be comparing the Tar Heels to Michigan, Iowa or even Kentucky.
Just as Ferrell runs the show at point for Indiana, Ferrell's longtime competitor Marcus Paige keeps the Tar Heels moving. He averaged 12 points and 3.7 assists per game this season and complements a frontcourt that Crean lauded for its depth.
"He's been a guy that's stayed all four years like I have in that program," Ferrell said of Paige. "He's impacted that program with his presence of play, being able to shoot it form deep, being able to pass it, being a craft point guard."
Crean Updates Injuries
Sophomore guard Robert Johnson is "iffy" after reinjuring his left ankle in IU's win over Kentucky last weekend, Crean said. Freshman forward Juwan Morgan, who left the UK game with a shoulder injury, is practicing and "getting better."
Crean had no timetable for Johnson's return.
"We're just going to have to see," he said.
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