Indiana University Athletics
Morgan Enjoyed Big Moments as a Freshman
5/18/2016 5:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Forward Juwan Morgan was the first of three scholarship recruits to become a member of the 2015 recruiting class at Indiana University. The Waynesville, Missouri, product was known for his quick hops and an uncanny floating ability, with some added help from an above-average wingspan. With a defense-first mentality, Morgan was being looked on to provide needed depth off the bench at the start of the season.
Like most first-year players, catching up to the speed of the game is the first adjustment. In the first six games of the season, Morgan played an averaged of 6.6 minutes and scored one basket. In the Hoosiers final game at the Maui Classic, Morgan suffered a leg injury which slowed his development. He missed five of the next six games as the non-conference schedule came to a close, but it was in the Big Ten that he began to flourish.
Through the first six games of league pay, he began to see his minutes increase from six to nine and even played 17 minutes in a win over Wisconsin. He scored a then-season-high seven points as the Hoosiers bested Northwestern, but it was his play in the final nine games of the season that established him as one of the toughest players in the Big Ten.
Against Nebraska in Assembly Hall, he scored a season-high 12 points and had five rebounds and he began a stretch of four straight games where he would come off the bench and hit a critical 3-pointer. He also played with a separated shoulder that would require surgery after the season. In the final minutes at Iowa, he hit two free throws that gave IU the lead for good as they clinched their 22nd Big Ten Championship on the road.
For the year, he averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. He had 11 blocked shots and shot 51.2 from the field, 45.5 percent from three point range and 80.0 percent from the free throw line.
Here's a brief Q&A with Morgan talking about his freshman season and looking ahead to 2016-17:
How did it feel to be able to make big contributions to a championship team:
"It was a great feeling being able to be a part of it and learn from all the seniors and upperclassmen. But I also learned from my peers like Thomas (Bryant) and OG (Anunoby), which is great and really sets us up well going into next year."
On missing some games due to injury early in the year and what he learned during that time:
"I learned that the game was a lot faster, even though I had already played in games. Seeing the games from the bench helped me learn that the game is just as much mental as it is physical. So I was able to take all of that in while I was out and I think that really helped me."
On when he felt like he had made the adjustment to the speed of the college game:
"I would say the Kennesaw State game. That's the game that I felt like I really belonged out there. Up to that point, I was just trying to see my way around out there on the court. But after that game, I knew what I was doing and felt confident."
On the win at Iowa clinch the Big Ten Championship:
"The thing that I will remember the most is Yogi's step-back 3-pointer. That was the biggest part of the game and every time I think about that game, that's the first thing that comes into my head. But being in that position to knock down a couple free throws late to help the team is a blessing. I was able to make them both to give us the lead and we kept that lead for the rest of the game. It was real exciting to be part of."
On being thrust into a contributing role after James Blackmon Jr. was injured:
"Our confidence was already high prior to James' injury because Coach Crean had confidence in us right from the start. He always tells us that anyone has to be ready at any time. It was unfortunate that it had to be after James was injured, we would rather not have had that. But at the same time, Coach gave us the confidence and we were able to step up and help the team."
On being able to make some 3-pointers during the season to extend the defense:
"If they leave me open, I will definitely have the confidence to take the shot. I remember the first 3-pointer that I took, I wasn't going to shoot it at first, but I could hear Coach Crean saying "knock it in" before I even got the ball because he knew that I was going to be open. So that gave me the confidence and all of the extra shots have me ready to knock them down when I'm open."
On the academic side of things after one year:
"It has been great so far. I'm ready to start getting into classes for my major (sport communication & business finance)."
On goals for the summer after recovering from shoulder surgery:
"My goals are to continue to work and be ready when the fall gets here because the season will come up quick."
Like most first-year players, catching up to the speed of the game is the first adjustment. In the first six games of the season, Morgan played an averaged of 6.6 minutes and scored one basket. In the Hoosiers final game at the Maui Classic, Morgan suffered a leg injury which slowed his development. He missed five of the next six games as the non-conference schedule came to a close, but it was in the Big Ten that he began to flourish.
Through the first six games of league pay, he began to see his minutes increase from six to nine and even played 17 minutes in a win over Wisconsin. He scored a then-season-high seven points as the Hoosiers bested Northwestern, but it was his play in the final nine games of the season that established him as one of the toughest players in the Big Ten.
Against Nebraska in Assembly Hall, he scored a season-high 12 points and had five rebounds and he began a stretch of four straight games where he would come off the bench and hit a critical 3-pointer. He also played with a separated shoulder that would require surgery after the season. In the final minutes at Iowa, he hit two free throws that gave IU the lead for good as they clinched their 22nd Big Ten Championship on the road.
For the year, he averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. He had 11 blocked shots and shot 51.2 from the field, 45.5 percent from three point range and 80.0 percent from the free throw line.
Here's a brief Q&A with Morgan talking about his freshman season and looking ahead to 2016-17:
How did it feel to be able to make big contributions to a championship team:
"It was a great feeling being able to be a part of it and learn from all the seniors and upperclassmen. But I also learned from my peers like Thomas (Bryant) and OG (Anunoby), which is great and really sets us up well going into next year."
On missing some games due to injury early in the year and what he learned during that time:
"I learned that the game was a lot faster, even though I had already played in games. Seeing the games from the bench helped me learn that the game is just as much mental as it is physical. So I was able to take all of that in while I was out and I think that really helped me."
On when he felt like he had made the adjustment to the speed of the college game:
"I would say the Kennesaw State game. That's the game that I felt like I really belonged out there. Up to that point, I was just trying to see my way around out there on the court. But after that game, I knew what I was doing and felt confident."
On the win at Iowa clinch the Big Ten Championship:
"The thing that I will remember the most is Yogi's step-back 3-pointer. That was the biggest part of the game and every time I think about that game, that's the first thing that comes into my head. But being in that position to knock down a couple free throws late to help the team is a blessing. I was able to make them both to give us the lead and we kept that lead for the rest of the game. It was real exciting to be part of."
On being thrust into a contributing role after James Blackmon Jr. was injured:
"Our confidence was already high prior to James' injury because Coach Crean had confidence in us right from the start. He always tells us that anyone has to be ready at any time. It was unfortunate that it had to be after James was injured, we would rather not have had that. But at the same time, Coach gave us the confidence and we were able to step up and help the team."
On being able to make some 3-pointers during the season to extend the defense:
"If they leave me open, I will definitely have the confidence to take the shot. I remember the first 3-pointer that I took, I wasn't going to shoot it at first, but I could hear Coach Crean saying "knock it in" before I even got the ball because he knew that I was going to be open. So that gave me the confidence and all of the extra shots have me ready to knock them down when I'm open."
On the academic side of things after one year:
"It has been great so far. I'm ready to start getting into classes for my major (sport communication & business finance)."
On goals for the summer after recovering from shoulder surgery:
"My goals are to continue to work and be ready when the fall gets here because the season will come up quick."
Players Mentioned
Forward
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