DIPRIMIO: Better Defense Remains A Hoosier Priority
12/14/2019 8:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Justin Smith wasn't about to sugar coat it.
The truth was out there -- in the numbers from Friday night's 96-90 Nebraska overtime victory, in the video the Hoosiers would watch and the coaching they would receive.
Indiana's ability to challenge in the Big Ten, to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and advance deep into March, depends on defense.
Even the Hoosiers' sparkling 10-1 record can't mask the defensive flaws that could jeopardize that.
So there was Smith, a talented 6-7 junior forward coming off his first double-double of the season and fourth of his career (16 points, 10 rebounds), pausing for a second when asked about how satisfied he was with the defensive effort.
"Not at all," he said at last.
What could be better?
"A lot. Everything."
"That's it," teammate Rob Phinisee added.
Nebraska had just spent 40 minutes of regulation and five in overtime of lighting up the Hoosiers from three-point range. Starting guards Cam Mack, Dachon Burke, Haanif Cheatham and Thorir Thorbjarnarson were a combined 12-for-27 from beyond the arc.
"Give Nebraska credit," Smith said. "They played a really good game, but we can't get spread out like that. We can't give up those easy shots, easy threes. We've got to get a little tighter on defense."
Three-point defensive vulnerability has surfaced before against Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech, North Alabama and Portland State. Those teams all shot at least 40 percent from three-point range.
Indiana's prospects the rest of the way, including its next game, which is against Notre Dame at Indianapolis's Bankers Life Fieldhouse next Saturday as part of the Crossroads Classic, depends on better defense.
Coach Archie Miller was blunt in his assessment.
"We can't guard the ball. Guard your man. Keep it as simple as that right now. We're getting picked on off the bounce. (Nebraska) really exposed us to start the game.
"Our defensive guard play isn't very good. We were not good from a positioning standpoint."
Fatigue from last Tuesday night's trip to New York City against Connecticut for the Jimmy V Classic (it was almost dawn on Wednesday before the team got home), a couple of days after the trip to Wisconsin, might have contributed to the struggles, although Miller saw deeper issues at work.
"We were five steps too slow. Maybe that has to do with the trip, but there's not a lot of excuses when it comes down to it. We have got to get a lot better guarding the ball, and we've shown we can be better.
"In our two Big Ten games, our defense has gotten shredded."
Beyond that, the perimeter shooting must improve. IU was just 5-for-25 in three-point shooting against Nebraska. It was just 2-for-13 against Connecticut and 5-for-14 against Wisconsin.
That won't work against Notre Dame (8-3), which averages 9.5 three-point baskets a game.
Miller said IU is mostly taking good perimeter shots, but more overall consistency is needed. Phinisee and Aljami Durham each had two three-pointers against Nebraska.
Phinisee, by the way, continues to impress despite all the missed practice time and games (five) because of injuries. He was 6-for-10 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range, for 16 points against Nebraska.
"You can see he's the heart and soul in this thing with that team," Cornhuskers coach Fred Hoiberg said. "His ability to guard. His ability to make the right play. Getting him back in the lineup was huge for Indiana. As long as he's running the show, there are bright days ahead."
Miller would like to see better outside shooting from guards Armaan Franklin and Damezi Anderson. They were a combined 0-for-7 against Nebraska.
"There are some guys who are taking a lot of open shots," Miller said, "and some that are a little funky right now.
"Armaan is not shooting real well, and he's getting some good looks, but that works itself out through the course of the year."
In other words, the green shooting light is still on. The Hoosiers have this coming week -- while mixing in finals -- to work out the kinks.
"The shots we're taking," Miller said, "if we're open, keep taking them and it will balance itself out."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Justin Smith wasn't about to sugar coat it.
The truth was out there -- in the numbers from Friday night's 96-90 Nebraska overtime victory, in the video the Hoosiers would watch and the coaching they would receive.
Indiana's ability to challenge in the Big Ten, to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and advance deep into March, depends on defense.
Even the Hoosiers' sparkling 10-1 record can't mask the defensive flaws that could jeopardize that.
So there was Smith, a talented 6-7 junior forward coming off his first double-double of the season and fourth of his career (16 points, 10 rebounds), pausing for a second when asked about how satisfied he was with the defensive effort.
"Not at all," he said at last.
What could be better?
"A lot. Everything."
"That's it," teammate Rob Phinisee added.
Nebraska had just spent 40 minutes of regulation and five in overtime of lighting up the Hoosiers from three-point range. Starting guards Cam Mack, Dachon Burke, Haanif Cheatham and Thorir Thorbjarnarson were a combined 12-for-27 from beyond the arc.
"Give Nebraska credit," Smith said. "They played a really good game, but we can't get spread out like that. We can't give up those easy shots, easy threes. We've got to get a little tighter on defense."
Three-point defensive vulnerability has surfaced before against Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech, North Alabama and Portland State. Those teams all shot at least 40 percent from three-point range.
Indiana's prospects the rest of the way, including its next game, which is against Notre Dame at Indianapolis's Bankers Life Fieldhouse next Saturday as part of the Crossroads Classic, depends on better defense.
Coach Archie Miller was blunt in his assessment.
"We can't guard the ball. Guard your man. Keep it as simple as that right now. We're getting picked on off the bounce. (Nebraska) really exposed us to start the game.
"Our defensive guard play isn't very good. We were not good from a positioning standpoint."
Fatigue from last Tuesday night's trip to New York City against Connecticut for the Jimmy V Classic (it was almost dawn on Wednesday before the team got home), a couple of days after the trip to Wisconsin, might have contributed to the struggles, although Miller saw deeper issues at work.
"We were five steps too slow. Maybe that has to do with the trip, but there's not a lot of excuses when it comes down to it. We have got to get a lot better guarding the ball, and we've shown we can be better.
"In our two Big Ten games, our defense has gotten shredded."
Beyond that, the perimeter shooting must improve. IU was just 5-for-25 in three-point shooting against Nebraska. It was just 2-for-13 against Connecticut and 5-for-14 against Wisconsin.
That won't work against Notre Dame (8-3), which averages 9.5 three-point baskets a game.
Miller said IU is mostly taking good perimeter shots, but more overall consistency is needed. Phinisee and Aljami Durham each had two three-pointers against Nebraska.
Phinisee, by the way, continues to impress despite all the missed practice time and games (five) because of injuries. He was 6-for-10 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range, for 16 points against Nebraska.
"You can see he's the heart and soul in this thing with that team," Cornhuskers coach Fred Hoiberg said. "His ability to guard. His ability to make the right play. Getting him back in the lineup was huge for Indiana. As long as he's running the show, there are bright days ahead."
Miller would like to see better outside shooting from guards Armaan Franklin and Damezi Anderson. They were a combined 0-for-7 against Nebraska.
"There are some guys who are taking a lot of open shots," Miller said, "and some that are a little funky right now.
"Armaan is not shooting real well, and he's getting some good looks, but that works itself out through the course of the year."
In other words, the green shooting light is still on. The Hoosiers have this coming week -- while mixing in finals -- to work out the kinks.
"The shots we're taking," Miller said, "if we're open, keep taking them and it will balance itself out."
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballFB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Curt Cignetti Media Availability (9/15/25)
Monday, September 15