Indiana University Athletics
Quick Turnaround Means More Focus On Own Performance
11/22/2017 10:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Arkansas State will hit Assembly Hall running.
Indiana has to be ready for that, and more, in Wednesday night's game as part of the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic.
"Arkansas State plays very fast," coach Archie Miller said. "They have a very aggressive, undersized but quick team. They are very mobile. They are using their defense right now to create tempo with pressure – full court pressure – changing defenses in the half-court.
"And they want to run. If we don't take care of the ball, that's going to be a problem. And then the second thing is handling their push and getting all five guys committed to running back. It is always the first thing we talk about every game."
IU (2-2) will need this type of preparation given what it will face against future opponents.
"We are going to see amazing pace coming up," Miller said, "not only in conference, but in the back half of the non-conference slate playing against terrific offensive teams.
"Being able to defend in transition and stay out of transition defense is huge. It is good offense and taking care of it. But you also have to have a committed team to getting back and we deal with that almost every day.
"Hopefully our offense will get a little better too, where we are playing with good pace. When we have had good stops and some opportunities in transition, we just have not capitalized on them. But we would like to be that team that plays with great tempo."
Arkansas State (2-2) is coming off a Monday night win over Howard.
During this hectic week, -- the Hoosiers beat South Florida on Sunday night and will host Eastern Michigan on Friday night -- they are spending more times focused on themselves than their opponents.
Miller said he's seeing more carryover from practice to games.
"We saw a lot more carryover into Seton Hall and then a lot more carryover into South Florida, in particular on defense. I still don't think we are getting great trust on offense, in terms of guys understanding exactly how we want to play, whether that is uncharacteristic turnovers, lack of execution or things like that.
"All in all, I think we are starting to get there. We are starting to get a little more carryover.
"We are not getting as much carryover offensively, especially in the first half when you see some of the turnovers, compared to what we are getting on defense. I think the last couple games we are starting to get a clearer picture, defensively, of what it looks like."
Miller doesn't expect senior swingman Collin Hartman to play against Arkansas State as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
"Collin is not doing anything live in practice. He is continuing to do some individual work and some 5-on-zero and non-contact in the half court.
"We're being patient with him. Groins can be tricky and linger to the point where it can derail a season. We want to keep him moving toward the big part of the senior season that he knows he's going to have to be ready for with the late non-conference slate against high majors, and then conference play.
"He probably won't play against Arkansas State. We'll take it day by day, and get him more confident in his injury."
As far as handling practice, games and the Thanksgiving holiday, Miller said the team would have a couple of film sessions on Thursday morning, and then a light workout that afternoon.
"And then Thanksgiving will take place with our staff, players and families," he said. "You try to enjoy it as much as you can. And then wake up on Friday to be ready to go for an afternoon game and a quick turnaround."
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Arkansas State will hit Assembly Hall running.
Indiana has to be ready for that, and more, in Wednesday night's game as part of the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic.
"Arkansas State plays very fast," coach Archie Miller said. "They have a very aggressive, undersized but quick team. They are very mobile. They are using their defense right now to create tempo with pressure – full court pressure – changing defenses in the half-court.
"And they want to run. If we don't take care of the ball, that's going to be a problem. And then the second thing is handling their push and getting all five guys committed to running back. It is always the first thing we talk about every game."
IU (2-2) will need this type of preparation given what it will face against future opponents.
"We are going to see amazing pace coming up," Miller said, "not only in conference, but in the back half of the non-conference slate playing against terrific offensive teams.
"Being able to defend in transition and stay out of transition defense is huge. It is good offense and taking care of it. But you also have to have a committed team to getting back and we deal with that almost every day.
"Hopefully our offense will get a little better too, where we are playing with good pace. When we have had good stops and some opportunities in transition, we just have not capitalized on them. But we would like to be that team that plays with great tempo."
Arkansas State (2-2) is coming off a Monday night win over Howard.
During this hectic week, -- the Hoosiers beat South Florida on Sunday night and will host Eastern Michigan on Friday night -- they are spending more times focused on themselves than their opponents.
Miller said he's seeing more carryover from practice to games.
"We saw a lot more carryover into Seton Hall and then a lot more carryover into South Florida, in particular on defense. I still don't think we are getting great trust on offense, in terms of guys understanding exactly how we want to play, whether that is uncharacteristic turnovers, lack of execution or things like that.
"All in all, I think we are starting to get there. We are starting to get a little more carryover.
"We are not getting as much carryover offensively, especially in the first half when you see some of the turnovers, compared to what we are getting on defense. I think the last couple games we are starting to get a clearer picture, defensively, of what it looks like."
Miller doesn't expect senior swingman Collin Hartman to play against Arkansas State as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
"Collin is not doing anything live in practice. He is continuing to do some individual work and some 5-on-zero and non-contact in the half court.
"We're being patient with him. Groins can be tricky and linger to the point where it can derail a season. We want to keep him moving toward the big part of the senior season that he knows he's going to have to be ready for with the late non-conference slate against high majors, and then conference play.
"He probably won't play against Arkansas State. We'll take it day by day, and get him more confident in his injury."
As far as handling practice, games and the Thanksgiving holiday, Miller said the team would have a couple of film sessions on Thursday morning, and then a light workout that afternoon.
"And then Thanksgiving will take place with our staff, players and families," he said. "You try to enjoy it as much as you can. And then wake up on Friday to be ready to go for an afternoon game and a quick turnaround."
Players Mentioned
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