Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: Ready or Not, Here Comes Zach McRoberts
3/24/2019 9:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BY: Pete DiPrimio, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Zach McRoberts as shot-blocking beast.
Does that sound right?
Smack talk Indiana's fifth-year senior guard at your own risk.
Could that be true?
The short answer -- yes, sort of.
The long answer -- it's complicated.
Let the record show that on Saturday afternoon at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, midway through the first half of Indiana's cliffhanger 63-60 NIT win over Arkansas, 6-5 Razorback guard Mason Jones dared a layup against the 6-5 McRoberts, who because of injury was vertically challenged as, say, high-flying teammate Justin Smith was not.
Let the record also show that Mason ate the shot.
Repeat until you believe it.
"That guy was talking a little bit," McRoberts said. "That added a little bonus."
Did Mason talk before or after the block?
"Before. He wasn't saying much after."
McRoberts flashed a grin you see from a guy who just showed a Royal Flush to your Full-House.
"It felt good. It got the crowd going a little bit."
That would be 12,225 worth of crowd -- a prime indicator of Hoosier Nation's deep yearning for basketball excellence amid March Madness spectacle -- that was almost as jacked by the block as IU players.
"We joked with him that he had the little LeBron block," guard Aljami Durham said with a smile.
"He's making great plays and we're glad to have him."
McRoberts' block was his first of the season and the 20th of a college career that included a season at Vermont.
"Just watching him having that block, getting those steals, diving for balls, doing things other players don't want to do gets us going," Durham said. "He brings a bigger presence and energy to us."
Despite needing enough medical attention this season to rival a full year of Chicago Med episodes, McRoberts continues to play with passion, purpose and sacrifice-your-body inspiration.
In Saturday's 10 off-the-bench minutes he scored on a jump hook, grabbed three rebounds, hustled and defended and energized.
That was crucial given another uninspiring Indiana start that resulted in first-half deficits as large as nine points.
Beyond that, IU was 12 points to the good while McRoberts was on the court, decisive in a game decided by three points.
"Zach makes all the hustle plays, all the great plays that give us energy," Durham said.
Energy comes in limited minutes because of a back and then a foot injury, plus all the other aches that come from playing major college sports.
"It's a long season, especially dealing with injuries all season," McRoberts said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I don't think anybody is this time of year. A season wears and tears on your body."
Still, McRoberts is as healthy as he's been in a while. He played six or fewer minutes in seven of eight games before the NIT. He played 12 last Tuesday against Saint Francis before Saturday's 10.
"I've felt better recently," he said. "Timmy G (team trainer Tim Garl) is doing a good job. I'm working with him every day trying to get healthy. That's all I can do at this point."
IU coach Archie Miller, who said McRoberts is probably 65 percent healthy, takes as much advantage as he can.
"His back isn't as bad anymore, but his foot has limited him as far as being able to cut and move. The last couple of games he's went with it."
That's not surprising. No Hoosier makes the most of his Cream 'n Crimson opportunity more than McRoberts, a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection out of Carmel, Ind.
"(Against Arkansas) he had a good bounce to him -- hustle, rebound, deflected balls, a couple of baskets," Miller said. "He was good."
Because McRoberts was, because guard Devonte Green has found a new level of three-point shooting accuracy (4-for-9 on Saturday, 15 of 27 in his last three games) and even rebounding (his 11 gave him his second career double double), because Juwan Morgan was, well, Juwan Morgan (15 points, seven rebounds, plenty of leadership), the Hoosiers (19-15) will advanced to Tuesday night's quarterfinals against Wichita State (21-14).
Win and they advance to the NIT semifinals at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
"It's great to keep winning," McRoberts said. "Only a few teams are playing right now. Hopefully we can keep it going.
"It would be a special opportunity getting to New York and playing in Madison Square Garden. Guys are excited for that. They want to win and play hard."
Durham echoed that excitement.
"Playing in New York would be special. That's the big stage. That's where basketball was created. To go there would be a blessing."
For McRoberts, the blessing starts with his teammates.
"What I'll remember the most will be the guys. They make it special. They're willing to do whatever it takes to win. That's a special thing to be around."
With leading scorer Romeo Langford still sidelined with a back injury -- his status for the rest of the season remains uncertain -- Green, Durham and freshman Rob Phinisee have picked up the backcourt burden.
Green saw himself and Phinisee in almost superhero terms.
"We're like Batman and Robin right now. Actually, more like Batman and Batman. We play well together. He sees the floor well. I see the floor well.
"We're always talking to each other and communicating. Defensively, we both keep our man in front of us. I think we play really well together."
IU has, at the most, three games left. At the worst, it's one. McRoberts aims to make the most of whatever remains of his college career
"Winning in the postseason is fun. Knowing that the next game might be your last, it adds pressure. Guys understand that. They know what it takes to win. They're ready. They're practicing intensely."
The disappointment in not making the NCAA tourney, center De'Ron Davis added, is long gone.
"We're in it to win it," he said. "A lot of teams don't like playing in the NIT, but we're going to use it to get better and learn now to win in the postseason for next year."
McRoberts won't be part of that future, but he's very much invested in the present.
"When the game comes, we'll be ready."
You'd better believe McRoberts will be ready.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Zach McRoberts as shot-blocking beast.
Does that sound right?
Smack talk Indiana's fifth-year senior guard at your own risk.
Could that be true?
The short answer -- yes, sort of.
The long answer -- it's complicated.
Let the record show that on Saturday afternoon at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, midway through the first half of Indiana's cliffhanger 63-60 NIT win over Arkansas, 6-5 Razorback guard Mason Jones dared a layup against the 6-5 McRoberts, who because of injury was vertically challenged as, say, high-flying teammate Justin Smith was not.
Let the record also show that Mason ate the shot.
Repeat until you believe it.
"That guy was talking a little bit," McRoberts said. "That added a little bonus."
Did Mason talk before or after the block?
"Before. He wasn't saying much after."
McRoberts flashed a grin you see from a guy who just showed a Royal Flush to your Full-House.
"It felt good. It got the crowd going a little bit."
That would be 12,225 worth of crowd -- a prime indicator of Hoosier Nation's deep yearning for basketball excellence amid March Madness spectacle -- that was almost as jacked by the block as IU players.
"We joked with him that he had the little LeBron block," guard Aljami Durham said with a smile.
"He's making great plays and we're glad to have him."
McRoberts' block was his first of the season and the 20th of a college career that included a season at Vermont.
"Just watching him having that block, getting those steals, diving for balls, doing things other players don't want to do gets us going," Durham said. "He brings a bigger presence and energy to us."
Despite needing enough medical attention this season to rival a full year of Chicago Med episodes, McRoberts continues to play with passion, purpose and sacrifice-your-body inspiration.
In Saturday's 10 off-the-bench minutes he scored on a jump hook, grabbed three rebounds, hustled and defended and energized.
That was crucial given another uninspiring Indiana start that resulted in first-half deficits as large as nine points.
Beyond that, IU was 12 points to the good while McRoberts was on the court, decisive in a game decided by three points.
"Zach makes all the hustle plays, all the great plays that give us energy," Durham said.
Energy comes in limited minutes because of a back and then a foot injury, plus all the other aches that come from playing major college sports.
"It's a long season, especially dealing with injuries all season," McRoberts said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I don't think anybody is this time of year. A season wears and tears on your body."
Still, McRoberts is as healthy as he's been in a while. He played six or fewer minutes in seven of eight games before the NIT. He played 12 last Tuesday against Saint Francis before Saturday's 10.
"I've felt better recently," he said. "Timmy G (team trainer Tim Garl) is doing a good job. I'm working with him every day trying to get healthy. That's all I can do at this point."
IU coach Archie Miller, who said McRoberts is probably 65 percent healthy, takes as much advantage as he can.
"His back isn't as bad anymore, but his foot has limited him as far as being able to cut and move. The last couple of games he's went with it."
That's not surprising. No Hoosier makes the most of his Cream 'n Crimson opportunity more than McRoberts, a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection out of Carmel, Ind.
"(Against Arkansas) he had a good bounce to him -- hustle, rebound, deflected balls, a couple of baskets," Miller said. "He was good."
Because McRoberts was, because guard Devonte Green has found a new level of three-point shooting accuracy (4-for-9 on Saturday, 15 of 27 in his last three games) and even rebounding (his 11 gave him his second career double double), because Juwan Morgan was, well, Juwan Morgan (15 points, seven rebounds, plenty of leadership), the Hoosiers (19-15) will advanced to Tuesday night's quarterfinals against Wichita State (21-14).
Win and they advance to the NIT semifinals at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
"It's great to keep winning," McRoberts said. "Only a few teams are playing right now. Hopefully we can keep it going.
"It would be a special opportunity getting to New York and playing in Madison Square Garden. Guys are excited for that. They want to win and play hard."
Durham echoed that excitement.
"Playing in New York would be special. That's the big stage. That's where basketball was created. To go there would be a blessing."
For McRoberts, the blessing starts with his teammates.
"What I'll remember the most will be the guys. They make it special. They're willing to do whatever it takes to win. That's a special thing to be around."
With leading scorer Romeo Langford still sidelined with a back injury -- his status for the rest of the season remains uncertain -- Green, Durham and freshman Rob Phinisee have picked up the backcourt burden.
Green saw himself and Phinisee in almost superhero terms.
"We're like Batman and Robin right now. Actually, more like Batman and Batman. We play well together. He sees the floor well. I see the floor well.
"We're always talking to each other and communicating. Defensively, we both keep our man in front of us. I think we play really well together."
IU has, at the most, three games left. At the worst, it's one. McRoberts aims to make the most of whatever remains of his college career
"Winning in the postseason is fun. Knowing that the next game might be your last, it adds pressure. Guys understand that. They know what it takes to win. They're ready. They're practicing intensely."
The disappointment in not making the NCAA tourney, center De'Ron Davis added, is long gone.
"We're in it to win it," he said. "A lot of teams don't like playing in the NIT, but we're going to use it to get better and learn now to win in the postseason for next year."
McRoberts won't be part of that future, but he's very much invested in the present.
"When the game comes, we'll be ready."
You'd better believe McRoberts will be ready.
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