Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: IU Seeks Bounce-Back Effort against UConn
12/9/2019 11:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Who are the real Indiana Hoosiers?
Are they the ones who dismantled top-20 Florida State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall or the ones who fell at Wisconsin?
The answer could come Tuesday night against UConn as part of the annual Jimmy V Classic.
"We have a quick turnaround," coach Archie Miller said in the aftermath of Saturday night's Wisconsin loss. "We're on a big stage as we head to (Madison Square Garden). The feeling that's in us won't go away until you work it out. You have to earn that right, and we're going to try real hard to do that as we take the floor."
IU (8-1) and Connecticut (6-2) will play in the second game of a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. The opener is No. 1 Louisville against Texas Tech.
Tipoff could be close to 9:30 p.m.
The Hoosiers, who have started two freshmen every game this season, will once again rely on youth. Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis has played beyond his years while averaging 14.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, plus a team-high 19 blocks. Guard Armaan Franklin has started every game. He had five points and four fouls against Wisconsin to follow a strong nine-point, four-rebound effort against Florida State.
Such up-and-down performances reflect a young player's development.
"He needed a shot of confidence," Miller said of Franklin, "because, like all young guys, you worry about getting off to a good start. You want to make a shot, and at the end of the day Coach is on me every second to do this and that. The next thing you know, you lose a little juice."
The key, Miller added, is sustaining that juice no matter what happens so Franklin can say to himself, "I belong out there. I've got to keep working and getting better, but I belong."
So does sophomore guard Phinisee, who has spent most of the season sidelined by injuries. The latest is a sprained ankle. His status for Connecticut is uncertain.
The Hoosiers continue to lead the nation in made free throws per game (20.9) and free throws attempted (29.7). They rank eighth nationally in field goal percentage (50.8) and sixth in scoring margin (22.0).
Connecticut has prepared for IU with extra physical practices to replicate Big Ten battles.
The Huskies have had some impressive moments, including a three-point home win over then No. 15 Florida, a one-point, double-overtime home loss to No. 23 Xavier and an 80-55 win over Miami of Florida. They have won three straight, most recently by an 80-62 score against Iona.
UConn has five double-figure scorers in 6-2 guard Christian Vital (14.8 points), 6-11 center Josh Carlton (12.4), 6-4 guard James Bouknight (11.4), 6-9 forward Tyler Polley (10-5) and 6-foot guard Alterique Gilbert (10.1). Vital leads the Huskies in rebounds (8.3). Gilbert leads in assists (4.6).
UConn leads the series 6-3, but the teams haven't played since 2013, when the Huskies won 59-58 in the finals of the 2K Sports Classic.
Like Miller, Connecticut coach Dan Hurley comes from a basketball coaching family. Older brother Bobby is the head coach of Arizona State. They both played high school ball for Bob Hurley Sr. at St. Anthony's in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Archie and older brother Sean (the head coach at Arizona) played for their father in high school, John Miller, a hugely successful coach from Western Pennsylvania.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Who are the real Indiana Hoosiers?
Are they the ones who dismantled top-20 Florida State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall or the ones who fell at Wisconsin?
The answer could come Tuesday night against UConn as part of the annual Jimmy V Classic.
"We have a quick turnaround," coach Archie Miller said in the aftermath of Saturday night's Wisconsin loss. "We're on a big stage as we head to (Madison Square Garden). The feeling that's in us won't go away until you work it out. You have to earn that right, and we're going to try real hard to do that as we take the floor."
IU (8-1) and Connecticut (6-2) will play in the second game of a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. The opener is No. 1 Louisville against Texas Tech.
Tipoff could be close to 9:30 p.m.
The Hoosiers, who have started two freshmen every game this season, will once again rely on youth. Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis has played beyond his years while averaging 14.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, plus a team-high 19 blocks. Guard Armaan Franklin has started every game. He had five points and four fouls against Wisconsin to follow a strong nine-point, four-rebound effort against Florida State.
Such up-and-down performances reflect a young player's development.
"He needed a shot of confidence," Miller said of Franklin, "because, like all young guys, you worry about getting off to a good start. You want to make a shot, and at the end of the day Coach is on me every second to do this and that. The next thing you know, you lose a little juice."
The key, Miller added, is sustaining that juice no matter what happens so Franklin can say to himself, "I belong out there. I've got to keep working and getting better, but I belong."
So does sophomore guard Phinisee, who has spent most of the season sidelined by injuries. The latest is a sprained ankle. His status for Connecticut is uncertain.
The Hoosiers continue to lead the nation in made free throws per game (20.9) and free throws attempted (29.7). They rank eighth nationally in field goal percentage (50.8) and sixth in scoring margin (22.0).
Connecticut has prepared for IU with extra physical practices to replicate Big Ten battles.
The Huskies have had some impressive moments, including a three-point home win over then No. 15 Florida, a one-point, double-overtime home loss to No. 23 Xavier and an 80-55 win over Miami of Florida. They have won three straight, most recently by an 80-62 score against Iona.
UConn has five double-figure scorers in 6-2 guard Christian Vital (14.8 points), 6-11 center Josh Carlton (12.4), 6-4 guard James Bouknight (11.4), 6-9 forward Tyler Polley (10-5) and 6-foot guard Alterique Gilbert (10.1). Vital leads the Huskies in rebounds (8.3). Gilbert leads in assists (4.6).
UConn leads the series 6-3, but the teams haven't played since 2013, when the Huskies won 59-58 in the finals of the 2K Sports Classic.
Like Miller, Connecticut coach Dan Hurley comes from a basketball coaching family. Older brother Bobby is the head coach of Arizona State. They both played high school ball for Bob Hurley Sr. at St. Anthony's in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Archie and older brother Sean (the head coach at Arizona) played for their father in high school, John Miller, a hugely successful coach from Western Pennsylvania.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16