Defense a Focus as the Jackrabbits Come to Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers are explosive offensively.

Through the first few weeks of the season, Indiana has been filling it up on offense, ranking second in the nation with 90.2 points a game, making 53.0 percent of its shot attempts from the floor—No. 4 in the country—and leading the nation in both free-throws made (23.2) and attempted (30.8) per game.

The Hoosiers are balanced, and they can make things happen in the halfcourt game or in transition. IU's scoring is a big reason why Indiana is off to a 6-0 start, and they have a chance to move to 7-0 to open the year for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign if they knock off South Dakota State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Saturday afternoon.

But if Indiana is going to keep rolling, the Hoosiers have to lock it down on defense. Head coach Archie Miller has seen flashes of solid defense from his team, but he has high standards for his group, and he wants to see Indiana turn up the intensity on D.

"The one thing that's not a strength, if you're asking me through six games, is our defense," Miller says. "There are some things we've done well through six games—getting to the line, rebounding it—but one thing that we're not where we need to be, I don't think it's going to get there until we get hit in the mouth a few times, we're not guarding and setting the tone for long stretches. You're seeing very few shot clock violations. But we can get there, and we're going to get there. It's just going to take some time."

Indiana will face a test vs. the Jackrabbits, who are averaging 77.8 points a game, make 46.5 percent of their field-goal attempts, and lead the country in total rebounds. They also get to the line a lot, and their quickness will put pressure on the Hoosiers.

The good news for IU is that Miller and his coaching staff have made defense a priority.

"It's a big emphasis," freshman guard Armaan Franklin says. "Coach Miller really expects a lot from us on defense. A lot of our film sessions are of our defense, and like this just really helps in the long run, just being able to defend teams and not rely on our scoring all the time."

Franklin has started every game of his young career, and he has focused on distributing the ball and playing solid defense on the perimeter. He's still getting his feet wet, but he's a confident defender who can defend multiple positions.

"It all just depends on the team," Franklin says. "Right now, I can definitely (defend) one through three, but some teams might have a bigger three, so I might have to go just one and two."

Redshirt sophomore forward Race Thompson has come off the bench this season, averaging 16.5 minutes, and he has been an effective scorer inside. But Thompson is earning playing time by making his presence felt on the glass. He is averaging 5.3 rebounds a game, tied for second-best on the team, and he has added five blocks and five steals.

Thompson says he knows IU's interior defense has had its moments but can be better.

"I think we still have room for improvement," Thompson says. "We're getting there every day. We practice it every day. Coach Miller has us going at each other day in and day out. Going against players like we have, it's only going to make you better."

The Jackrabbits are led offensively by forward Douglas Wilson, who is averaging 17.8 points a game and shooting 60.8 percent from the floor. Wilson does a great job of getting to the free-throw line, and IU's big men will have to keep him off the low block while the Hoosiers' guards must cut down on passing lanes feeding Wilson inside.

SDSU has won two straight games, and the Jackrabbits lost 71-64 earlier this year to Arizona. In other words, they're a team that is playing with confidence, and the Hoosiers have to be focused from the opening tip.

"Every game's important, but this game, I'll just take it like another game," Thompson says. "No different if it was Florida State. I mean, it's a big game, definitely. We're ready to start playing big-time schools, so every team we play is really good."

The Hoosiers take on South Dakota State at 4 p.m. ET with the game shown on BTN+.

Defense a Focus as the Jackrabbits Come to Bloomington

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