Indiana Defense needs to 'Be Our Best at the End'

Written by Matt Smith

Indiana’s defense went into the bye week with some key injuries, especially to leader Cam Jones who has been out for multiple weeks. The Hoosiers got a much needed break following a heartbreaking loss to Rutgers. 

Indiana’s defense has done many things well throughout the season so far, but there are also many things it can improve on in order to finish the season strong and end the five game losing streak.

“One of the things we challenged our guys with this morning is being our best at the end,” Chad Wilt said. 

Wilt said the defense has improved during the run game and in their run schemes that they have created. In addition, he also said they have improved on their matchups, as well as the development of the younger guys during the bye week.

Jones has had some time to learn on the sidelines with his injury, which means he can study offenses and see their game plan from a different perspective.

“He has sat in every meeting, sitting there taking notes as if he is playing,” Wilt said. “Mental engagement he has been able to have…he has taken that ability to be able to take a step back, and stay ahead of the curve.”

Wilt said the coaches have given Jones a script of plays at practice in order to study the defense. Jones may want to coach one day which is a big help to his development on the field.

Phillip Dunnam is another young player that has been developing well and making some key plays for the Hoosiers defense.

“One, his physical upside is tremendous,” Wilt said. “If he makes a mistake, boom, next one. He’s got that amnesia.”

Wilt said he is one of those young guys that they want to see develop and grow and they are seeing that.

Aaron Casey has had to step up the most with Jones going down with injury because Casey stepped into Jones’ rule on the field.

“His confidence just every week, every month, you have seen his confidence growing,” Wilt said. “Not in an arrogant way, he has self belief and self confidence.”

The younger players had a scrimmage during the bye week, which was helpful to their development as a whole.

“Those young guys got to go play,” Wilt said. “They got to let it loose.”

Venson Sneed, Dalton Davis, Kaiden Turner, Isaiah Jones, and Jamari Sharpe were some of the names that stuck out to Wilt. They have been waiting on the sidelines and finally got a chance to go play.

Dasan McCullough had a great start to the season, but teams are beginning to key on him, which means he needs to adjust. Wilt said the key to his adjusting is developing more fundamentally.