Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: Jerome Hunter Stepping Up at Right Time
1/10/2021 1:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Jerome Hunter is not a Hoosier to be the next Joey Brunk.
For one thing, at 6-7 and 215 pounds, the sophomore swingman can't match Brunk's 6-11 and 255-pound size.
For another, Hunter brings perimeter sharpshooting and skills that Brunk doesn't.
But with Brunk out for the foreseeable future after undergoing back surgery, with Indiana thin on the frontcourt after Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson, somebody has to bring inside depth and production, and that falls on Hunter.
If you saw what Hunter did during Thursday's double-overtime loss at No. 8 Wisconsin, you can see the potential that, in 2018, made him IU's top recruit after Romeo Langford.
He set season highs for points (12), rebounds (seven), minutes (25) and 3-pointers (two).
As coach Archie Miller puts it, "Jerome has stepped up and given us a lot more minutes. He was good (against Wisconsin)."
That could be just the start.
"In practice, my teammates give me confidence," Hunter says via a Zoom press conference. "They know the type of player I can be. I know the type of player I can be.
"I need to be an energy guy on defense who can hit shots when my teammates need me to hit shots."
Hunter remains a defensive work in progress, the last part of his game to recover his leg issues of two years ago. He's had trouble keeping the guys he's guarding from driving into the pain, but that's improving.
"I'm getting back to my regular self. Each game it's getting better."
The better he defends and rebounds, the more he will play. Hunter says he's ready.
"This year I have no problems. I'm healthy. I'm playing my game. I'm playing like I know how to play."
Miller's patience and encouragement have helped, Hunter adds.
"Archie having confidence in me has given me confidence."
A confident Hunter could be a big boost as IU (7-5 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten) plays at Nebraska (4-7, 0-4) on Sunday night.
The gut-wrenching loss at Wisconsin, Hunter says, could ignite a difference-making spark.
"We know it came down to little mistakes at the end of the game. That lit a fire under us to come out and take it one game at a time and focus on Nebraska. Just trying to win that one and go home with a W."
IU never returned to Bloomington after the Wisconsin game, instead traveling to Lincoln.
After a couple of shaky second-half defensive performances, IU regained its defensive edge against Wisconsin, which bodes well against Nebraska and the rest of the Big Ten.
"I think our team has re-grasped the defensive ability," Miller says, "and that's given us confidence that we can stay in any game. We're starting to believe again in our defense."
Belief is helped when you have someone like the 6-9 Jackson-Davis.
To understand how well he's played, go beyond his impressive numbers of 20.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, with a team-leading 22 blocks. Or, that he ranks second in the nation in free throws made (70) and attempted (97). Or that he's averaging a double-double in conference play (19.8 points, 10.0 rebounds).
Jackson-Davis rates No. 2 in the prestigious KenPom National Player-of-the-Year rankings behind Iowa's Luke Garza.
Jackson-Davis has owned Nebraska. In three games against the Cornhuskers, he's averaged 18.0 points and 15.0 rebounds while shooting 69 percent from the field.
As for the Cornhuskers, Covid-19 issues caused them to postpone last Tuesday's game at Purdue, and to cancel Wednesday's practice before resuming workouts on Thursday.
Nebraska is led by guard Teddy Allen, who averages 18.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. He has made 24 three-pointers and generated 21 steals.
Forward Dalano Banton averages 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds. Guard Trey McGowens averages 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Although 0-3 in road games, IU has played well, losing in overtime to Florida State and double overtime to Wisconsin, and by nine points to Illinois.
All three teams are ranked.
The keys, Hunter says, are simple.
"We have to be more focused. Learn how to close out games. Not have little mental mistakes. We have to be sure on everything we do."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Jerome Hunter is not a Hoosier to be the next Joey Brunk.
For one thing, at 6-7 and 215 pounds, the sophomore swingman can't match Brunk's 6-11 and 255-pound size.
For another, Hunter brings perimeter sharpshooting and skills that Brunk doesn't.
But with Brunk out for the foreseeable future after undergoing back surgery, with Indiana thin on the frontcourt after Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson, somebody has to bring inside depth and production, and that falls on Hunter.
If you saw what Hunter did during Thursday's double-overtime loss at No. 8 Wisconsin, you can see the potential that, in 2018, made him IU's top recruit after Romeo Langford.
He set season highs for points (12), rebounds (seven), minutes (25) and 3-pointers (two).
As coach Archie Miller puts it, "Jerome has stepped up and given us a lot more minutes. He was good (against Wisconsin)."
That could be just the start.
"In practice, my teammates give me confidence," Hunter says via a Zoom press conference. "They know the type of player I can be. I know the type of player I can be.
"I need to be an energy guy on defense who can hit shots when my teammates need me to hit shots."
Hunter remains a defensive work in progress, the last part of his game to recover his leg issues of two years ago. He's had trouble keeping the guys he's guarding from driving into the pain, but that's improving.
"I'm getting back to my regular self. Each game it's getting better."
The better he defends and rebounds, the more he will play. Hunter says he's ready.
"This year I have no problems. I'm healthy. I'm playing my game. I'm playing like I know how to play."
Miller's patience and encouragement have helped, Hunter adds.
"Archie having confidence in me has given me confidence."
A confident Hunter could be a big boost as IU (7-5 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten) plays at Nebraska (4-7, 0-4) on Sunday night.
The gut-wrenching loss at Wisconsin, Hunter says, could ignite a difference-making spark.
"We know it came down to little mistakes at the end of the game. That lit a fire under us to come out and take it one game at a time and focus on Nebraska. Just trying to win that one and go home with a W."
IU never returned to Bloomington after the Wisconsin game, instead traveling to Lincoln.
After a couple of shaky second-half defensive performances, IU regained its defensive edge against Wisconsin, which bodes well against Nebraska and the rest of the Big Ten.
"I think our team has re-grasped the defensive ability," Miller says, "and that's given us confidence that we can stay in any game. We're starting to believe again in our defense."
Belief is helped when you have someone like the 6-9 Jackson-Davis.
To understand how well he's played, go beyond his impressive numbers of 20.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, with a team-leading 22 blocks. Or, that he ranks second in the nation in free throws made (70) and attempted (97). Or that he's averaging a double-double in conference play (19.8 points, 10.0 rebounds).
Jackson-Davis rates No. 2 in the prestigious KenPom National Player-of-the-Year rankings behind Iowa's Luke Garza.
Jackson-Davis has owned Nebraska. In three games against the Cornhuskers, he's averaged 18.0 points and 15.0 rebounds while shooting 69 percent from the field.
As for the Cornhuskers, Covid-19 issues caused them to postpone last Tuesday's game at Purdue, and to cancel Wednesday's practice before resuming workouts on Thursday.
Nebraska is led by guard Teddy Allen, who averages 18.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. He has made 24 three-pointers and generated 21 steals.
Forward Dalano Banton averages 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds. Guard Trey McGowens averages 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Although 0-3 in road games, IU has played well, losing in overtime to Florida State and double overtime to Wisconsin, and by nine points to Illinois.
All three teams are ranked.
The keys, Hunter says, are simple.
"We have to be more focused. Learn how to close out games. Not have little mental mistakes. We have to be sure on everything we do."
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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