Tuesday, November 7
Bloomington, Ind.
6:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Florida Gulf Coast
Defense First – Cupps Aims to Bring the Pressure
11/7/2023 1:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Gabe Cupps hits Branch McCracken Court and cheering erupts.
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall fans know what's coming.
Defense.
The Ohio freshman guard isn't a Hoosier to put up, say, Jalen Hood-Schifino scoring numbers.
Not this season, anyway.
Cupps' role is to disrupt opposing guards and offenses, and that's as true for practice as it is in games. He's not on the starting unit, but he sure as heck wants to make it as tough as possible on those who are.
"We try to take it to the red (starting) team every day," he says. "We try to challenge them.
"Everybody competes on our team. When everybody's going at each other and they have the thought in mind they're making each other better, that's when you get a really successful team. I think I've done a good job in practice of coming consistently and pressuring the ball all the time."
It helps Cupps to defend against senior Xavier Johnson, who should rate among the Big Ten's best guards.
"When I get out here (for a game), guys usually aren't as fast or strong as X who I'm guarding every day in practice," Cupps says. "I feel confident that if I can pressure X every day, then I can come out here and pressure guys up the floor the whole time."
That worked well in exhibitions against the University of Indianapolis and Marian University. Will it work in Tuesday night's season opener against Florida Gulf Coast and the rest of a schedule that includes defending national champ Connecticut and top-ranked Kansas?
We're about to find out.
Coach Mike Woodson says Cupps will be a major factor this season.
"There's no doubt he's going to play quality minutes. He's proven that. That's the reason why we recruited him. He does all the little things that you're supposed to do.
"He's going to have his ups and downs based on matchups and things of that nature, but he's a tough competitor. Sometimes toughness gets you through it. I'm very pleased with his progress and hope that he continues to grow and learn the college game because he's got a long way to go."
Cupps is part of a second unit that figures to get plenty of playing time.
"I feel good about our second unit, but they're going to have to produce," Woodson says. "I'm playing the guys who are going to produce. They've shown it and earned my respect in terms of earning minutes, and they're going to play. If they're playing well, they'll be out there a while. If they're not, then we have to juggle and find guys that are playing well together to help us win. That's what team is all about."
Woodson continues to stress fast-break opportunities. He wants to avoid half-court offense that grinds for points.
"Coach Woodson has made it a point to us that we want to try to thrive in transition and get a lot of fast-break points," Cupps says. "Anytime I get the ball and see open floor, I want to push it and try to get guys easy shots. I think it's deflating for a defense to give stuff up in transition. With our ball pressure and our anticipation on defense, we can get out and run a lot. That's good for us."
What's also good is the way heralded freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako has made early impact. He totaled 29 points and 11 rebounds in the two exhibition wins. He was 10-for-19 from the field, and 4-for-7 from 3-point range.
"He's been solid," Woodson says. "He's been solid ever since he came here.
"From a defensive standpoint, we have to speed the process up with him because the way we scramble and do things, you've got to communicate it and then you've got to give energy to get where we need to go. He's still in the learning stages."
All the Hoosier newcomers are learning Woodson's defensive style. Marian University Scott Heady was impressed, especially with IU big men.
"Those big guys can move, guard, and cause a lot of problems," Heady says.
As for what's Woodson's biggest concern, it starts with defense.
"We are not really familiar yet with our defensive rotations, the backside of our defense. That is something that we've got to get better. And we've got to rebound the ball better.
"That's huge in a defensive possession. We play a good defensive possession and then we don't block out somebody. That guy comes in and keeps it alive for his team."
Beyond that, Woodson wants better execution in the half-court offense.
"We've got to keep working at it. The only way you can fix it is practice and continue to work and get familiar with what we're trying to get done and rehearse it over and over and over and over again until you get it right.
"Florida Gulf Coast is a good team. We've got to come ready to compete and put in a 40-minute ball game."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Gabe Cupps hits Branch McCracken Court and cheering erupts.
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall fans know what's coming.
Defense.
The Ohio freshman guard isn't a Hoosier to put up, say, Jalen Hood-Schifino scoring numbers.
Not this season, anyway.
Cupps' role is to disrupt opposing guards and offenses, and that's as true for practice as it is in games. He's not on the starting unit, but he sure as heck wants to make it as tough as possible on those who are.
"We try to take it to the red (starting) team every day," he says. "We try to challenge them.
"Everybody competes on our team. When everybody's going at each other and they have the thought in mind they're making each other better, that's when you get a really successful team. I think I've done a good job in practice of coming consistently and pressuring the ball all the time."
It helps Cupps to defend against senior Xavier Johnson, who should rate among the Big Ten's best guards.
"When I get out here (for a game), guys usually aren't as fast or strong as X who I'm guarding every day in practice," Cupps says. "I feel confident that if I can pressure X every day, then I can come out here and pressure guys up the floor the whole time."
That worked well in exhibitions against the University of Indianapolis and Marian University. Will it work in Tuesday night's season opener against Florida Gulf Coast and the rest of a schedule that includes defending national champ Connecticut and top-ranked Kansas?
We're about to find out.
Coach Mike Woodson says Cupps will be a major factor this season.
"There's no doubt he's going to play quality minutes. He's proven that. That's the reason why we recruited him. He does all the little things that you're supposed to do.
"He's going to have his ups and downs based on matchups and things of that nature, but he's a tough competitor. Sometimes toughness gets you through it. I'm very pleased with his progress and hope that he continues to grow and learn the college game because he's got a long way to go."
Cupps is part of a second unit that figures to get plenty of playing time.
"I feel good about our second unit, but they're going to have to produce," Woodson says. "I'm playing the guys who are going to produce. They've shown it and earned my respect in terms of earning minutes, and they're going to play. If they're playing well, they'll be out there a while. If they're not, then we have to juggle and find guys that are playing well together to help us win. That's what team is all about."
Woodson continues to stress fast-break opportunities. He wants to avoid half-court offense that grinds for points.
"Coach Woodson has made it a point to us that we want to try to thrive in transition and get a lot of fast-break points," Cupps says. "Anytime I get the ball and see open floor, I want to push it and try to get guys easy shots. I think it's deflating for a defense to give stuff up in transition. With our ball pressure and our anticipation on defense, we can get out and run a lot. That's good for us."
What's also good is the way heralded freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako has made early impact. He totaled 29 points and 11 rebounds in the two exhibition wins. He was 10-for-19 from the field, and 4-for-7 from 3-point range.
"He's been solid," Woodson says. "He's been solid ever since he came here.
"From a defensive standpoint, we have to speed the process up with him because the way we scramble and do things, you've got to communicate it and then you've got to give energy to get where we need to go. He's still in the learning stages."
All the Hoosier newcomers are learning Woodson's defensive style. Marian University Scott Heady was impressed, especially with IU big men.
"Those big guys can move, guard, and cause a lot of problems," Heady says.
As for what's Woodson's biggest concern, it starts with defense.
"We are not really familiar yet with our defensive rotations, the backside of our defense. That is something that we've got to get better. And we've got to rebound the ball better.
"That's huge in a defensive possession. We play a good defensive possession and then we don't block out somebody. That guy comes in and keeps it alive for his team."
Beyond that, Woodson wants better execution in the half-court offense.
"We've got to keep working at it. The only way you can fix it is practice and continue to work and get familiar with what we're trying to get done and rehearse it over and over and over and over again until you get it right.
"Florida Gulf Coast is a good team. We've got to come ready to compete and put in a 40-minute ball game."
Players Mentioned
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