Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers drop to No. 16 in AP Poll
Indiana Basketball now find themselves ranked at No.16 in the AP Top 25 this week, down seven spots from their No. 9 ranking a week ago.
This is something that should not come as a surprise to Hoosier fans.
Despite what many people like to say about this Hoosier team, they are not a “live and die by the three” type of team. Indiana has one of the best offenses in the country
Despite the team’s loss to then-ranked No. 18 Butler, Indiana is one of the most exhilarating teams to watch in the country. Coach Tom Crean preaches positionless basketball, and that is exactly how the Hoosiers have played ten games into this young season. A new look Hoosier team, and one that has a lot of potential to make some serious noise in this college basketball season.
I remember walking out of Assembly Hall on March 3rd, 2015 after the Hoosiers suffered a 77-63 loss to Fran McCaffery’s Iowa Hawkeyes and angry Hoosier fans were chanting the name “Brad Stevens.” Displeased fans made their way out of the building calling for Coach Crean to be fired. Times are different now, and Crean has emerged as a fan favorite in Bloomington.
More from Hoosier State of Mind
One thing that has never been questionable about Crean is the way he develops players. Just look at players that have come through Indiana and seen success at the next level – Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh and even Troy Williams seeing minutes and serving different roles with their respective NBA teams.
Some perspective…
Coming in at No. 15 in the country at 86.6 points per game, Indiana is one of the most enjoyable teams to watch. They operate a pro-style offense that emphasizes ball movement and three pointers. But as previously mentioned, this is not a “live and die by the three” type of team despite each of its two losses coming in games where the Hoosiers shot 29.2% and 28.6% from deep.
And this is where Tom Crean needs to prove that he is a good coach and can make the adjustment. When threes aren’t falling, Indiana struggles. If there is a team that can change that in the NCAA, it’s the Hoosiers.
This is the deepest team that we have seen during the Crean era. It’s time that a change is made. No, not firing Tom Crean. At this point fans are calling for is versatile offense loaded with NBA caliber prospects.
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Big man Thomas Bryant needs more touches on the block. Athletic O.G. Anunoby needs to be more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball. Finally, James Blackmon Jr. needs to be more creative.
The positionless basketball and three-point threat Crean emphasizes is a recipe for success in the NBA. This is not professional basketball, rather a raw version of it. College basketball and the NBA are two extremely different levels. Unfortunately if Crean wants to play like an NBA team, it won’t work. Slight changes and adjustments in this offense with the talent accessible? Something Crean can work with.
March contenders, if you will.
The drop to the No. 16 ranking may scare some Hoosier fans. Indiana was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country, suffering two losses to in-state foes hurts. All things considered, these national rankings are rather irrelevant this early. Indiana has beaten then-ranked No. 3 Kansas and No. 3 North Carolina. Both teams poised to make a deep run in March.
That being said, watch for a revitalized Hoosier team entering Big Ten Conference play.
