Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Indiana Off To Their Best Start With Tom Crean at The Helm

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell
Many thought the Indiana Hoosiers would get better with the recruits committed to play in future seasons. However, nobody thought the Hoosiers would get off to such a hot start.

The Hoosiers sit at (6-0), with a very good chance at winning seven straight games.

What makes this run so significant is the fact that coach Tom Crean's early flawless record already matches the win total of his first season (6-25).

It is also the first time the Hoosiers won their first six games since the 2002-03 season, in which, Indiana finished with a (21-13) record overall, and a second-round appearance in the tournament.

Granted, Indiana has had an easy schedule thus far, but they have taken care of business against every opponent.

The Hoosiers are holding their opponents to 55.6 points per game, while scoring an average of 77.5 every outing.

That is an average defeat of 21.9 points per game, which helps coach Crean feel good about his young, but talented team.

Indiana gets after it on the defensive end, averaging nine steals per outing, forcing 18.6 turnovers per game and holding its opponents to 36 percent from the field.

On offense, Crean's Hoosiers turn the ball over a lot, but commend the mistake dishing out 16.3 assist per game. That helps Indiana shoot nearly 50 percent from the field (.497).

Christian Watford has become the superstar of this young Indiana team. Watford paces the Hoosier in both scoring and rebounding with 17.5 points, and seven rebounds per game.

He is a key asset on both ends of the floor. Watford pulls down 5.1 defensive rebounds per game, not to mention, only picks up an average of one foul per outing, which displays his ability to play defense without fouling.

Additionally, Indiana seems very balanced with their offensive attack. The Hoosiers have used a lot of their bench thus far in the season, and that has worked well for them. There is seven steady contributors on offense that allows Crean to exercise his depth.

However, the Hoosiers are far from being an elite team. Despite shooting 49 percent from the field, Indiana has had a hard time converting at the line. The Hoosiers have connected on 103-of-151 (68%) from the line.

Indiana also has to take care of the ball. They are currently turning the ball over 18-times per game, which means the Hoosiers have a negative assist-turnover ratio.

If Indiana truly wants to join the elite category, the Hoosiers will need to clean up their act at the line and take care of the ball on offense.

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