IU's Year-End Report Card

Comments and disagreements are welcome. Here we go, in no particular order. Devan Dumes: B- * Offense: B * Defense: B+ * Intangibles: C- Commentary: I was pretty hard on Dumes this year, but that's because I knew that if this team had any chance to win, it would have to be largely on a solid effort from Dumes. The perfect game that illustrates this point was IU's only conference win where Dumes had his best performance of the year. I think Dumes is a very solid player on both ends of the floor and had to try to be the leader and the go-to guy for this team. At times, it was more than he could handle, but I certainly don't fault his effort. He was really playing well in conference play until the MSU elbows led to a suspension and then followed by a couple injuries down the stretch. I look forward to seeing what he can do on next year's team with more talent around him. Per Game Stats: * 12.7 points * 2.9 rebounds * 1.5 assists * 3.1 turnovers * 0.9 steals * 0.1 blocks Shooting Stats: * 41% FGs * 38% 3PT * 72% FTs Best Stats: * 46% 3PT shooting in conference play * 52% 3PT shooting in first 9 games of conference play * 81% FT shooting in conference play Peak Performances: * 27 points on 8-9 FGs and 5-5 3PT in sole Big Ten win over Iowa. * 26 points on 9-16 FGs and 6-10 3PT in 2-point loss to NW. * 21 points on 6-10 FGs and 4-8 3PT in opening season win over NW State. * 20 points on 6-12 FGs and 3-8 3PT in win over TCU. Low Point: The flying elbows against Michigan State and subsequent suspension. Strengths: * Scoring threat. When scoring well, carried the team to victories or at least close games. * 3PT Shooting * Defense * Looks like P-Diddy Weaknesses: * Struggled to finish after great moves and drives * Easily frustrated (flying elbows) * Turnovers * Did not come through in the clutch Outlook for next Year: 4-Very Good (scale is 1-5) I think every player on this year's team will benefit from the increase in overall talent on next year's team. Practices will be more competitive, players will get more rest in games, and defenses will not be able to key on just 1 or 2 players. I think Dumes will be a big beneficiary of all of this. This year, he struggled when he tried to do too much and felt like the team was relying on him to score. Next year, I think he will be able to play within an offense and should be able to spot up for some great 3-point looks. This type of role should also result in fewer turnovers. I look for him to come into next year ready to play and to start at shooting guard. With Jeremiah Rivers likely to start at point guard, that will give us a Junior and Senior starting back-court with both of them being very good defenders. The defensive tone that these two set could be really disruptive to opposing teams offenses and could be one of the biggest keys to a significant increase in the win column next year. Verdell Jones: A- * Offense: A- * Defense: B- * Intangibles: A Commentary: I am incredibly impressed with the progress that VJIII made during the year. He started the year looking like a definite red-shirt in a normal year and looked like he was way too weak to even compete with IU's non-conference opponents. Then, when he got knocked out by that screen in the Cornell game and missed several games, I had little hope that he would ever be much of a contributor. But I give him mad props for the way he came back from that injury. He improved every single game from that point forward. He revised his game to start using a mid-range pull-up jumper rather than driving all the way and getting his shot blocked. He even acknowledged this fact in an interview and really seemed to be taking the coaching he was receiving and applying it to his game. Obviously, the turnovers were very high. However, when you think about how much he had the ball in his hands at the end of the year, it honestly was not that big of a concern for me. With the ball in his hands, he also was able to score and create for others at a high rate. If you use Dumes and Jones as an example, you would expect Jones to have many more turnovers because of how much more he is handling the ball and being asked to create for himself or teammates. Dumes is often working off the ball and receiving in a position to score. So, when I look at the turnovers for these two guys, I think the number of turnovers from Dumes is more of a problem than the turnovers from Jones. I love Verdell's attitude and you could see it on his face that he hated to lose. On the defensive end, he is not the quickest, but his length allows him to be disruptive and recover pretty well. It will be interesting to see what role he plays next year. More on that below. Per Game Stats: * 11.0 points * 3.1 rebounds * 3.6 assists * 3.5 turnovers * 0.8 steals * 0.5 blocks Shooting Stats: * 45% FGs * 33% 3PT * 71% FTs Best Stats: * Set and tied career highs with 23 points in final 2 games of the year * Averaged 14.0 ppg and 4.7 apg in final 13 games of the year * Scored 15+ points in 7 of last 9 games * 11.9 ppg in conference play * 4.3 apg in conference play * 3.8 rpg in conference play Peak Performances: * Final 2 games: 46 points on 14-21 FGs, 6-6 3PT, and 12-13 FTs * 18 pts, 7 assts, 4 rebs, 2 blks, 8-8 FTs, 2-4 3PT in loss to Minnesota * 16 pts, 8 assts, 5 rebs, 6-10 FGs in loss to Penn St * 18 pts, 5 assts, 4 rebs, 3 stls, 3 blks, 10-13 FTs in first game ever as a Hoosier Low Point: Getting knocked out cold and missing a few games after running into screen against Cornell. Strengths: * Ability to create own shot and score, especially using his 6-5 size to shoot mid-range over small defenders * Great court vision, especially looking up the court to start a fast break * Perseverance * Good all-around player that could play the 1, 2, or even the 3 in a 3-guard line-up Weaknesses: * Biggest weakness is his weakness, needs to get stronger * Shooting, but did hit his final 6 treys of the year Outlook for Next Year: 4-Very Good I think we all thought Verdell would get eaten alive in the Big Ten, but he did the exact opposite, he proved he belonged. With the way he finished the season, I don't think there will be any doubt that he will be a key contributor on next year's team. The questions for next year for Verdell are related to what position he will play and will he start or come off the bench? If Jordan Hulls is ready to play as a freshman, then you have Rivers and Hulls at the point. If Maurice Creek is ready to play at the 2-guard, then you have Dumes, Creek, and Roth at the 2-guard. If Watford is ready to play at the 3, then you have Watford, Williams, and possibly Elston at the 3-spot. So, where would that leave Verdell? I think the answer is all 3. If he plays the way he did to finish the year, then Tom Crean is going to simply want to have him on the floor. And it will just depend who is on the floor with him at any given time that will determine what position he will play. I just love the fact that there will be options. I really, really like Verdell and think he could wind up with some great all-around numbers at the end of a 4-year career. Tom Pritchard: B * Offense: B * Defense: B * Intangibles: B Commentary: Tom Pritchard started this year out as the team's best player in the early going. Unfortunately, once conference play came around, the size and athleticism increased and Pritchard hit the freshman wall. Hitting the wall was understandable for a young big kid that was playing about 35 minutes a game when he was not in foul trouble. Pritchard definitely came in and exceeded expectations. For a school that has a history of big white guys being completely useless, Pritchard showed off plenty of nifty moves, held his own on the defensive end, rebounded the basketball, and had more dunks in the first 10 games of his career than Robbie Eggers, Richard Mandeville, Magnus Pelkowski, Todd Jadlow, and Chris Lawson had combined in their entire career. (Note: I could not include Lindeman in that list because I was watching a Big Ten's Greatest Game earlier this year where Lindeman flushed a couple in a single game.) Per Game Stats: * 9.7 points * 6.4 rebounds * 1.1 assists * 2.5 turnovers * 0.7 steals * 0.8 blocks Shooting Stats: * 48% FGs * 58% FTs Best Stats: * 5 double-doubles * Shot 65% from the field in first 6 games of college career * 6.4 rebounds per game is very good for a freshman Peak Performances: * Back-to-back double-doubles in first 2 games of college career (13 & 10 and 19 & 10 on 12-16 FGs) * 23 points on 7-7 FGs plus 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in win over Cornell Low Point: Pritchard completely disappeared in the middle of conference play. He had a 7-game stretch of scoring in single-digits. This included a 5-game stretch of averaging just 4 points and 4 rebounds. The true low point was 0 points and 3 rebounds in 27 minutes against Minnesota. Fortunately, Pritch played a little better and showed some life again at the end of year if you are willing to overlook the 1-12 shooting effort in the Big Ten Tourney. Strengths: * A solid performer on both ends * Some nifty offensive moves * Does a good job shifting to open space when ball-handler drives to get free for some dunks * Not IU's traditional big white guy * Good rebounder Weaknesses: * FT Shooting * Foul Trouble * Turnovers * Numbers dropped significantly in conference play Outlook for Next Year: 4-Very Good Once again, I think Pritchard is a guy who will really benefit from having more talent and scoring options on next year's team. Pritchard got off to a great start this year and then quickly became the focal point of other team's scouting report. When you have guys like Kyle Taber and Daniel Moore playing alongside you, those scouting reports to stop you become pretty damn effective. I expect Pritchard to be a starter next year. He is a true big man that plays in the post and defends the post. That's an area that could still be light next year. I think your other true big men next year will be Capobianco, Maniru, and Jobe. That equals question mark, question mark, and sucks (I'm still a big fan, TJ). With more talent coming into the program, the one thing I would love to see out of Pritchard would be to go from a good rebounder to a great rebounder. Matt Roth: C+ * Offense: B * Defense: C- * Intangibles: C+ Commentary: Great shooter. Can make 3s from anywhere in the gym, makes his FTs, and doesn't make mistakes. However, doesn't really do anything else. The really good news is that Matt Roth just completed his freshman season. I think if he continues to work and the coaching staff does their job, then Roth can start to add some dimensions to his game. Rather than everything ending up with a 30-foot jumper, he needs to watch some serious Steve Alford video and start curling off screens for open 15-footers, using shot fakes to draw fouls and go to the line, and occasionally put it on the floor to keep the defense honest. On the defensive end, he is slow of foot. However, I think he is a smart player that will play smart defense as he gets more experience. I see Matt Roth as the type of player that really adds value in his junior and senior seasons. Per Game Stats: * 6.7 points * 1.3 rebounds * 0.4 assists * 0.5 turnovers * 0.6 steals * 0.1 blocks Shooting Stats: * 38% FGs * 37% 3PT * 80% FTs Best Stats: * Easily led team in FT% * Tied a record with NINE 3-pointers against OSU (there is a pretty good chance this will be mentioned again in the Peak Performances section) Peak Performances: * Went 9-11 from the arc for 29 points against Ohio State * Had a 6-game stretch in the middle of the Big Ten where he scored in double-figures in 5 of those games * 12 points on 4-5 treys against Wake Forest Low Point: I can't really think of a true low point, but Roth did find life a little more difficult after that amazing 9-11 performance from 3-point range. From that point forward, Roth finished the season shooting 18-63 from the arc for 29%. Strengths: * Shooting * Smart player that doesn't make many mistakes * Good teammate Weaknesses: * One-dimensional Outlook for Next Year: 3-Mediocre I think Roth's playing time could potentially get squeezed next year. I still think his overall outlook is good, but it might be crowded at the shooting guard slot. Dumes will be a senior and get his share of the minutes. I'm hopeful that Creek will come in and be a legitimate scorer as a freshman. In addition, you have the possibility that Verdell may slide over and play the other guard position if Rivers and Hulls are holding down the point. But I do think there is always room for a sharp-shooter in the game of basketball. On multiple occasions this year, Roth was able to hit back-to-back 3's and immediately change the landscape of a game. I see him continuing in that role by coming off the bench and seeing if he can knock down a few long-balls. The main question is whether we are talking 20 minutes a game like he played this year or 5-10 minutes a game. I think the answer will be based on whether he can improve in areas of his game other than shooting. Malik Story: C * Offense: B * Defense: D- * Intangibles: C+ Commentary: I was a big Malik Story fan, but I was not at all shocked when I heard he was transferring. His minutes were very likely to disappear next year. However, I do really like his potential as an all-around player and he could end up being pretty damn good someday. Malik struggled to put it all together. He would show flashes of brilliance, but could never consistently perform at a high level. On the defensive end....completely lost. Per Game Stats: * 5.9 points * 2.3 rebounds * 1.2 assists * 2.0 turnovers * 0.7 steals * 0.1 blocks Shooting Stats: * 37% FGs * 25% 3PT * 59% FTs Best Stats and Peak Performances: Nothing really jumps out at me. Like I said, Malik struggled to put it all together for any extended period of time. I would say his peak performance was a 14 point effort on 6-9 FGs against Minnesota. He also nailed a 25-foot 3-pointer before the halftime buzzer where the announcer said he shot that one from Kokomo (of course, this was later outdone by Verdell's beyond half-court halftime buzzer beater). Low Point: Last week, Story decided to transfer. Strengths: * All-around potential Weaknesses: * Defense Outlook for Next Year: 0 (transferred) Kyle Taber: B+ * Offense: C+ * Defense: B+ * Intangibles: A Commentary: I give Taber a lot of credit for putting up with all the BS and sticking it out with the Hoosiers. I think he truly felt a sense of pride to wear that uniform. Even though it was only a 6-win season this year, his leadership helped set a tone for IU to get back to its winning ways in the years ahead. Taber wasn't the most talented player ever, but he played hard and made solid contributions. And I think he would have made solid contributions in his senior year even if this would have been a normal year with typical IU talent. Per Game Stats: * 4.3 points * 5.2 rebounds * 1.0 assists * 1.0 turnovers * 0.9 steals * 0.3 blocks Shooting Stats: * 51% FGs * 40% 3PT (2-5) * 70% FTs Best Stats: * 1st on team in FG% * 1st on team in Steals * 2nd on team in Rebounding * Scored 4 points in 5 straight games. Had another stretch of 3 straight games where he scored 4 points. Not really something for the "Best Stats" category, but I found it interesting. Peak Performances: * Scored career highs in consecutive games with 10 points against Purdue and 12 points against Northwestern. Low Point: Missed entire pre-season after having knee surgery. Strengths: * Work Ethic * Plays within his limits Weaknesses: * Raw talent Outlook for Next Year: N/A (graduated) Nick Williams: B+ * Offense: B+ * Defense: B * Intangibles: B+ Commentary: Nick Williams is a really nice player. I love his attitude and he definitely has some talent. The one concern was that he would disappear at times and even for full games, which is odd for a player who has a great attitude and work ethic. But when he would get into the rhythm of the game, he often looked like the best player on the court. Williams definitely had a really good all-around freshman season that he will be able to build on in future years. Per Game Stats: * 8.9 points * 4.5 rebounds * 0.7 assists * 2.2 turnovers * 0.8 steals * 0.1 blocks Shooting Stats: * 46% FGs * 21% 3PT * 74% FTs Best Stats: * The all-around freshman year numbers of 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 46% FGs, and 74% FTs * Just missed a double-double 3 times with performances of 9 pts & 10 rebs, 10 pts & 9 rebs, and 14 pts and 9 rebs * Conference play: 9.8 points, 47% FGs, and 76% FTs * Although he struggled from the arc at 21% from the year, Williams did make 4 of his final 6 attempts on the year. Peak Performances: * Instrumental in the sole Big Ten win over Iowa with 14 points, 9 rebounds (6 offensive), and 6-6 from the stripe * Career-high 19 points in regular season finale against Wisconsin Low Point: Disappeared for certain games -- 3 points and 1 rebound in 26 minutes in 5-point loss to Lipscomb, 4 points and 0 rebounds in 19 minutes in 2-point loss to Northwestern, and 4 points and 1 rebound in 26 minutes in 3-point loss to Penn State. All winnable games. Strengths: * Mid-range jumper, including defender in face * Good FT shooter, including hitting several in the clutch * Great attitude * Had the best dunk of the year Weaknesses: * Consistency * 3-point Shooting * Height for the 3-spot Outlook for Next Year: 4-Very Good Hmmm, I am planning another post in the near future where we will take a look at next year's newcomers and the team as a whole, so I am not going to spend too much time on it here. But it gets very interesting when thinking about next year. Which freshmen are going to be ready to play right away and which ones aren't? How does that impact some of the incumbents like Williams, Jones, and Dumes? Interesting questions, but good problems to have. There is going to be competition and that is a very good thing. I just get the feeling that Williams might be "the glue" for this team. I don't think he will ever be the leading scorer or the leading rebounder or a great 3-point shooter, but I think he will continue to be a solid all-around player and a great team player. Daniel Moore: B * Offense: B- * Defense: B- * Intangibles: A- Commentary: Listen, there were a shitload of walk-ons on this team, but Daniel Moore was the one that actually started several games and made positive contributions to this team. He didn't offer any scoring punch and sometimes he got over-powered on defense, but he did a nice job running the offense, made some great passes, and hustled his ass off. Next year, it will be back to picking up towels and offering water to the scholarship players, but I give him credit for the job he did this year. Per Game Stats: * 2.5 points * 1.4 rebounds * 2.5 assists * 2.1 turnovers * 0.8 steals * 0.0 blocks Shooting Stats: * 43% FGs * 36% 3PT * 61% FTs Best Stats: * 1st on team in assist-to-turnover ratio * 2nd on team in assists (1st in assists per minutes played) * 2nd (tied) on team in steals Peak Performances: * 8 points (2-2 FG, 4-4 FT), 6 rebounds, and 4 assists against Cornell * 10 points and 5 assists against Chaminade * 8 points, 7 assists (only 1 turnover), 4 rebounds, 2 steals against Lipscomb * 5 assists in only 7 minutes against Ohio State Strengths: * Good passer * Hustle * Heart and dedication Weaknesses: * Not a scoring threat * Significantly less effective against better competition Outlook for Next Year: 1-Not So Good I think Moore's minutes will drop from 17 minutes per game this year to 2 minutes per game next year. Basically, mop-up duty. It's not a knock on him, he's just not at the level where this program is headed. So there you have it, the year-end report card. Sorry Tijan, you know I am a big fan but there just simply weren't enough minutes played to warrant full-blown analysis. Let me know what you think Hoosier fans. Where do you agree with me? Where do you disagree with me? 4/2/09 Update: By popular demand, here is the Tijan Jobe year-end report card. Tijan Jobe: A+ * Offense: D+ * Defense: D- * Intangibles: A+++ Commentary: I'm a big fan of the big fella. And thanks to his first dunk of the year coming with 10 minutes to go in the season, that is my lasting off-season image of Tijan. Per Game Stats: * 0.3 points * 0.8 rebounds * 0.0 assists * 0.3 turnovers * 0.0 steals * 0.1 blocks Shooting Stats: * 43% FGs * 25% FTs Best Stats: * 7'0", 255 Peak Performances: * Dunk with 10 minutes to go in the season * Career-higs of 2 points (tied) and 3 rebounds against St. Joseph's Strengths: * Size * Attitude Weaknesses: * Only one year of eligibility left Outlook for Next Year: 100-Remarkable I think everyone knows that I like Tijan, so my outlook may or may not surprise you. I whole-heartedly believe that Tijan Jobe is going to be the most improved player in the history of college basketball. He is going to lead the Hoosiers to an NCAA title and be the #1 pick in the NBA draft. He will then go on to break Wilt Chamberlain's "scoring" record.