Better Guard Play a Hoosier Priority

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In the end, as Indiana seeks to rebound from the Nebraska loss Saturday night against Ohio State, it comes down to guard play.

Yes, big men can dominate -- see IU's Trayce Jackson-Davis last year and Purdue's Zach Edey the last two seasons as prime examples -- but teams that win big and compete for championships need outstanding guard play.

For the Hoosiers (10-4 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten) to beat the Buckeyes (12-2, 2-1) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, guards Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, Gabe Cupps, Anthony Leal and CJ Gunn must lead the way.

Leal has done more of that in recent weeks, which is why he's played more (a combined 25 minutes over the last two games), but for coach Mike Woodson, nothing is guaranteed.

"I base a lot of things on practice," he says. "If you're not giving it to me, if I feel you're not practicing and working hard to deserve playing time, then you won't play."

Woodson suggests that, moving forward, he might shorten the rotation. Nine Hoosiers average at least 12.1 minutes. Leal is at 9.1, but it's 12.5 over the last two game.

"It's all about feel and based on who's doing what," Woodson says.

Woodson is a defense-first coach, and guards have to set the tone, highlighted by on-ball defense. Despite being a freshman, Cupps has excelled at that.

"Gabe has been the only one whose on-ball defense has been good," Woodson says.

"I'm not getting it in the wing right now. That's pivotal in college basketball. (Shooting guards and small forwards) are the guys who make plays, and we haven't been good in that area. We've got to get better."

Inconsistent guard play was a deciding factor in losses to Connecticut, Auburn, Kansas and Nebraska, and nearly was in wins over Morehead State and Kennesaw State.

"In the big games, we got outplayed in the guard spot," Woodson says. "That's something that has to change."

At Nebraska on Wednesday night, Johnson struggled in his first game back after missing the previous seven contests because of a foot injury, which followed missing much of the previous season with injuries. Conditioning, rustiness and Nebraska's aggressive defense were all factors.

In 15 minutes, Johnson totaled no points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal and four turnovers. Woodson called the performance "awful."

Johnson, who at times has played as well as any guard in the Big Ten, figures to improve as he regains his form.

"Xavier hadn't really played much basketball, when you go back to last season and missing the seven games he missed this season so far," Woodson says. "Mentally, it's been tough on him.

"The speed is still there, but the conditioning and the game play that comes when you play and practice is not there.

"(Against Nebraska), he was trying to do too much in the short period of time that he played. He's got to let it come to him, relax and play."

The Hoosier 3-point defense remains problem. Opponents have made 132 3-pointers -- an average of 9.4 a game -- to IU's 68. The Hoosiers have given up 48 3-pointers in the last four games.

"We aren't trying to give up anything," Woodson says. "The 3s (Nebraska) made, I thought half of them were some tough ones, really deep 3s. We're playing teams that are making 3s. We've just got to do a better job."

The key is getting close to opposing perimeter players and force them to pass or drive.

"When we're up and touching and making players feel us a little bit, we're pretty good in guarding the 3-point line," Woodson says. "But when we're late on switches and not communicating, and that's been a big problem with this team, we're getting burned on 3s.

"We've got to keep working through it and be tougher than our opponent in terms of trying to take 3s away."

This wasn't a problem the last couple of seasons, with veterans Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson and Miller Kopp leading the defensive way.

"There are a number of guys (not getting out on shooters)," Woodson says, "and it's mainly our younger guys. The last two years, we had some veteran guys that were pretty good at doing that.

"We've got to keep working with them. We know it works. It's been a struggle this year. Some guys are not catching on as quickly as I thought they would. The only way you get through it is you've got to keep working and hopefully something clicks, and then we're back to defending the 3."

As for Ohio State, Minnesota transfer forward Jamison Battle has made a big impact. He had 22 points on 6-for-9 3-point shooting earlier in the week against Rutgers. He averages 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting a team-leading 44.7% from 3-point range.

Battle says the Buckeyes "embrace" the grind of Big Ten play. That includes point guard Bruce Thornton (17.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 60 assists and 20 steals) and guard Rodney Gayle (14.9, 5.4).

Ohio State has won four straight games, all by single digits. It is 5-2 in games decided by 10 or fewer points. It lost to No. 15 Texas A&M 73-66 and at Penn State 83-80.

The Buckeyes have wins over Alabama, UCLA and West Virginia.

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Players Mentioned

Gabe Cupps

Trey Galloway

CJ Gunn

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Xavier Johnson

Miller Kopp

Anthony Leal

Race Thompson