Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: Consistency the Next Step for Rob Phinisee Against North Alabama
11/12/2019 12:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- In theory, practice makes perfect.
In Rob Phinisee's Indiana basketball reality, practice is a luxury he can't yet fully participate.
But it's coming.
An abdominal injury has limited the sophomore guard for at least the last month. It's cost him practice, game minutes and rhythm.
The result -- an up-and-down start to the season.
Still, the potential is obvious.
Against Portland State on Saturday, Phinisee was up in assists (seven), free throw shooting (5-for-6) and steals (two) over 26 minutes. He was down in shooting (1-for-7).
In 17 minutes during last week's season opener over Western Illinois, he was 6-for-10 from the field for 14 points, had three assists and three turnovers.
Look for a more consistent Phinisee on Tuesday night when IU (2-0) hosts North Alabama (1-1).
"We need Rob," coach Archie Miller says. "In Rob's defense, he's playing more minutes in the game than in practice. He's probably practiced one-tenth of what everybody else is. He's basically being tossed out there and let's get going. Conditioning level. The rhythm of the game. You're seeing a rusty Rob in terms of his decision making, some of the easy things that will come to him as he continues.
"Defensively, you saw glimpses. When we needed to get things done (against Portland State), he was able to guard.
"You're going to get in tough (games). When you do, you're going to go with the guys who have been there. Rob has been there.
"In general, Rob sets a tone for us."
IU is slowing getting more tone from redshirt freshman forward Jerome Hunter, who continues to work his way back from a leg condition that cost him all of last season. In 15 minutes against Portland State, he was 3-for-6 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range, for nine points. He had three rebounds in each game.
"He's re-teaching himself how to play," Miller says. "Not only did he not play last year, he didn't practice. He's not only a true freshman, but he's teaching himself how to bet back out there and play after a year off.
"He's fearless with his shot. I know that part of it. He's able to get some rebounds.
"He's a really good player. I'm happy he's playing. Knock on wood, we keep going with him, he continues to stay healthy."
Defense remains a work in progress, which isn't unexpected given the challenge of mixing in new players (Trayce Jackson-Davis, Joey Brunk, Armaan Franklin) while waiting on veteran guard Devonte Green to return from a hamstring injury.
Plus, IU is only two games into a long season.
Still, Miller pushes for more, for good reason given a grueling December run of Florida State, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Arkansas looms.
He wants a team that dictates defensively, that pressures opposing guards into disaster.
That didn't happen against guard-strong Portland State.
"I would say in general we don't have the toughness or the pressure on the ball that we're going to need," Miller says. "Our ability to be really sticky on the ball is not there. (Opponents) methodically move and do what they want easily.
"(Portland State) shooting 32 free throws is a by-product of lack of guarding the ball, undisciplined fouling.
"We're not a very active defense right now. That's going to have to pick up."
The good news – IU's size (seven players 6-7 or taller) is delivering rebounding success (44 boards to opponents' 26). Miller expects that to continue. In fact, if the Hoosiers are to reach their potential, it has to.
"It's a big focus for this team to win the rebounding battle against anybody you play, especially the teams we're doing to play in conference play," Miller says. "Our rebounding has to be a strength. Our depth has to help that.
"From an offensive rebounding standpoint, that's something that's being emphasized, something that's obviously very important to who we are as a group. It's something we have to play attention to."
North Alabama, which went 10-22 last season, is coming off a 96-64 win over Carver after a 75-55 season-opening loss at South Carolina. It has four players averaging between 10.0 and 12.0 points, led by 6-1 guard Jamari Blackmon.
The Lions aren't a big three-point-shooting threat (they were just 2-for-21 against South Carolina). However, they attack the basket, draw fouls and make free throws.
IU's defense has to be ready for the challenge.
"Hopefully we can start to make some steps defensively to look the part that we're going to have to," Miller says.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- In theory, practice makes perfect.
In Rob Phinisee's Indiana basketball reality, practice is a luxury he can't yet fully participate.
But it's coming.
An abdominal injury has limited the sophomore guard for at least the last month. It's cost him practice, game minutes and rhythm.
The result -- an up-and-down start to the season.
Still, the potential is obvious.
Against Portland State on Saturday, Phinisee was up in assists (seven), free throw shooting (5-for-6) and steals (two) over 26 minutes. He was down in shooting (1-for-7).
In 17 minutes during last week's season opener over Western Illinois, he was 6-for-10 from the field for 14 points, had three assists and three turnovers.
Look for a more consistent Phinisee on Tuesday night when IU (2-0) hosts North Alabama (1-1).
"We need Rob," coach Archie Miller says. "In Rob's defense, he's playing more minutes in the game than in practice. He's probably practiced one-tenth of what everybody else is. He's basically being tossed out there and let's get going. Conditioning level. The rhythm of the game. You're seeing a rusty Rob in terms of his decision making, some of the easy things that will come to him as he continues.
"Defensively, you saw glimpses. When we needed to get things done (against Portland State), he was able to guard.
"You're going to get in tough (games). When you do, you're going to go with the guys who have been there. Rob has been there.
"In general, Rob sets a tone for us."
IU is slowing getting more tone from redshirt freshman forward Jerome Hunter, who continues to work his way back from a leg condition that cost him all of last season. In 15 minutes against Portland State, he was 3-for-6 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range, for nine points. He had three rebounds in each game.
"He's re-teaching himself how to play," Miller says. "Not only did he not play last year, he didn't practice. He's not only a true freshman, but he's teaching himself how to bet back out there and play after a year off.
"He's fearless with his shot. I know that part of it. He's able to get some rebounds.
"He's a really good player. I'm happy he's playing. Knock on wood, we keep going with him, he continues to stay healthy."
Defense remains a work in progress, which isn't unexpected given the challenge of mixing in new players (Trayce Jackson-Davis, Joey Brunk, Armaan Franklin) while waiting on veteran guard Devonte Green to return from a hamstring injury.
Plus, IU is only two games into a long season.
Still, Miller pushes for more, for good reason given a grueling December run of Florida State, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Arkansas looms.
He wants a team that dictates defensively, that pressures opposing guards into disaster.
That didn't happen against guard-strong Portland State.
"I would say in general we don't have the toughness or the pressure on the ball that we're going to need," Miller says. "Our ability to be really sticky on the ball is not there. (Opponents) methodically move and do what they want easily.
"(Portland State) shooting 32 free throws is a by-product of lack of guarding the ball, undisciplined fouling.
"We're not a very active defense right now. That's going to have to pick up."
The good news – IU's size (seven players 6-7 or taller) is delivering rebounding success (44 boards to opponents' 26). Miller expects that to continue. In fact, if the Hoosiers are to reach their potential, it has to.
"It's a big focus for this team to win the rebounding battle against anybody you play, especially the teams we're doing to play in conference play," Miller says. "Our rebounding has to be a strength. Our depth has to help that.
"From an offensive rebounding standpoint, that's something that's being emphasized, something that's obviously very important to who we are as a group. It's something we have to play attention to."
North Alabama, which went 10-22 last season, is coming off a 96-64 win over Carver after a 75-55 season-opening loss at South Carolina. It has four players averaging between 10.0 and 12.0 points, led by 6-1 guard Jamari Blackmon.
The Lions aren't a big three-point-shooting threat (they were just 2-for-21 against South Carolina). However, they attack the basket, draw fouls and make free throws.
IU's defense has to be ready for the challenge.
"Hopefully we can start to make some steps defensively to look the part that we're going to have to," Miller says.
Players Mentioned
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