There has been a lot of talk about not having big guys. I took a look at last year's West Virginia team that CDD put together from scratch. The tallest guy was 6-11". That team ended up at #15 in defense. Pretty sure CDD has a handle on the defensive end of the court. GoHoosiers!
That is true and that 6'11" player was barely a part of the rotation. There were some things that WVU team had going for it on the defensive end. Amani Hansberry is only 6'8" but he was really good on the defensive end and as a rebounder (2.32 defensive rating per Evan Miya). Sencire Harris was one of the better wing defenders in the country and he posted a 3.44 defensive rating. That's outstanding. Other rotation pieces like KJ Tenner and Eduardo Andre were solid defensively and no one that got minutes was a negative on the defensive end.
You're right, the defensive system of Darian DeVries is a very solid one that I think will help offset a lack of size on the interior but IU does not have a defender like Sencire Harris on this roster and I don't think Sam Alexis or Reed Bailey should be expected to defend as well as Hansberry did. So, there are some potential individual defensive deficiencies this IU roster has compared to last season's WVU squad. That written, they can still be a solid defensive team and there should be much more offensive firepower and creativity on IU's roster than what WVU had.
I'm one who's not really confident with the lack of a couple of bigs. That said the right bigs. Let's be honest. West Virginia was much improved but they still didn't make the dance. So I'm still a wait and see guy. I'm happy to eat crow if he kills it
as long as our one 6'10 guy does not get hurt but if he does we are 6'8 at the tallest.There has been a lot of talk about not having big guys. I took a look at last year's West Virginia team that CDD put together from scratch. The tallest guy was 6-11". That team ended up at #15 in defense. Pretty sure CDD has a handle on the defensive end of the court. GoHoosiers!
I'm one who's not really confident with the lack of a couple of bigs. That said the right bigs. Let's be honest. West Virginia was much improved but they still didn't make the dance. So I'm still a wait and see guy. I'm happy to eat crow if he kills it
They had won 9 games the prior year. They also lost their best player (and another player) for the season early on. They were also robbed of the NCAAT berth. Can't really downplay that.
great article on front page re: the roster by TJ. Made me feel better about IU's lack of height given the defensive ranking of #15 at WVU with a 6-8 starting center.
@surjay Agree 💯. That is why I think CDD can turn this around. GoHoosiers
We're a little short at F and C but tall at the other positions. IU will be fine.
@hoosiers94 Rim protection? Rebounding? Defending opposing bigs? You just can’t teach tall.
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