Indiana
Jackson-Davis: Indiana Looks to Take Next Step Offensively This Summer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana coach Mike Woodson believed that establishing a robust defensive basis would result in wins early in his tenure. He stayed true to his phrase as Indiana completed with the highest adjusted defensive effectivity within the Huge Ten, permitting 66.2 factors per sport.
On Monday, Indiana ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis reiterated that sentiment, saying that Indiana spent the early days with Woodson with a complete emphasis on protection.
“We not often targeted on offense,” Jackson-Davis stated.
Woodson knew he needed to assemble defensive constructing blocks in his first season, and that’s positive to hold over into subsequent season. However in yr two of the Woodson period – with Jackson-Davis operating it again alongside three different starters and a top-10 recruiting class – Indiana is trying to take the subsequent step offensively.
Woodson laid out an offensive id when he was employed to teach Indiana. He desires to deliver the skilled sport to school, enjoying a four-out, one-in fashion with tempo, house and shooters everywhere in the court docket. Final season, Indiana scored 70.8 factors per sport, good for tenth within the Huge Ten. The Hoosiers completed ninety fifth within the nation in adjusted offensive effectivity, and Indiana’s 5.9 3-point discipline targets per sport was final within the Huge Ten.
Indiana introduced in three new starters final yr, and Jackson-Davis stated the group was studying how you can play with one another because the season progressed. However now, after a full season of expertise collectively, Jackson-Davis thinks the Hoosiers have a stronger sense of chemistry that may translate into higher offensive play.
“On the finish of the yr is the place our offense actually began clicking, minus the final sport (an NCAA Match loss to Saint Mary’s),” Jackson-Davis stated. “I believe the pick-and-roll was huge for us and having a spaced ground. … Simply seeing what we are able to do and what we are able to obtain with truly placing extra effort and time in [offensively] goes to be actually key for us.”
When Jackson-Davis met with Woodson to debate his return to Indiana, it got here with just a few ideas on how you can enhance the group’s offensive chemistry. Final season, Jackson-Davis stated Indiana solely practiced with the beginning 5 in opposition to the bench. This season, he desires to modify up the groups throughout apply to construct higher chemistry so when bench gamers enter the sport, they’re extra snug enjoying with the starters.
“We will be within the health club all summer season engaged on that after which simply enjoying with one another,” Jackson-Davis stated. “Loads of guys did not get an opportunity to play with sure guys final yr, and I believe that is going to vary. We will combine it round lots.”
Jackson-Davis stated that is completely the very best group he’s performed on at Indiana. After specializing in protection for almost all of final season, he thinks there might be a larger emphasis on operating offensive units to generate a greater offensive circulation.
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“We have now expertise all throughout the board from the guards all the way in which right down to the facilities,” Jackson-Davis stated. “We have now dudes that care about this system and are right here for the correct issues.
And personally, Jackson-Davis hopes so as to add an out of doors shot to his repertoire this season. When he was in California getting ready for the NBA Draft Mix, trainers instructed him to at all times look to shoot when he catches the ball. Previously, Jackson-Davis stated he’d catch the ball and assess the protection, however he’ll have extra confidence to let it fly this season.
“I really feel like after I’m in rhythm and I am taking pictures the ball with none hesitation, it is a completely completely different wanting shot,” Jackson-Davis stated. “Particularly after I’m taking pictures with confidence.”
Jackson-Davis additionally plans to take freshman Malik Reneau beneath his wing this summer season. Reneau is a 6-foot-8, 210-pound five-star energy ahead from Montverde Academy, who’s coming off back-to-back GEICO Nationwide Championships. Like Jackson-Davis, Reneau is a lefty and will actually profit from a summer season studying from one of many high forwards within the Huge Ten.
“[Reneau] is a superb participant,” Jackson Davis stated. “The factor with him too, he is a winner. In order that’s nice. Montverde is a powerhouse group. Him and Jalen [Hood-Schifino] coming in, they will make huge contributions, little doubt about that. They’re very mature for his or her grades.”
A giant query that continues to be for Indiana, offensively, is perimeter taking pictures. The Hoosiers shot 33 p.c from past the arc final season, and Parker Stewart — who led the group in 3-point share and 3-pointers made — transferred again to UT-Martin.
A candidate to fill this position and take the subsequent step is Tamar Bates, who enters his second season at Indiana. Bates arrived in Bloomington as a four-star recruit and the No. 30 participant in his class. After the lack of Bates’ uncle midseason, Jackson-Davis stated Bates’ season bought “derailed.”
“That is some issues you may’t management, and it actually messes up your mentality,” Jackson-Davis stated. “I believe [Bates] is again. He is bought his head straight. He is able to get to work.”
As a freshman, Bates appeared in 32 video games off the bench, enjoying 14.5 minutes per sport. He clearly has a clean offensive sport and confirmed the flexibility to create offense everywhere in the court docket, however pictures simply didn’t fall for Bates final yr. He shot 33.8 p.c from the sector and 29.8 from 3, scoring 3.9 factors per sport.
Jackson-Davis referred to as Bates a health club rat and thinks he could possibly be in for a breakout sophomore marketing campaign after battling adversity as a freshman.
“Because the season goes round, that psychological side, you begin to lose it slightly bit,” Jackson-Davis stated. “However I believe this yr, having one yr beneath his belt, [Bates] goes to have the ability to assault that and deal with that, and I will be proper there serving to him.”
Associated tales on Indiana basketball
- TOM BREW COLUMN: The very first thing Trayce Jackson-Davis has performed upon saying that he is coming again to Bloomington for his fourth yr is lay down the regulation to his teammates, that no silly habits might be tolerated. His management may be a very powerful factor he brings to the desk this season, much more than his factors and rebounds and blocked pictures. CLICK HERE
- JACKSON-DAVIS LEAVING A LEGACY: It turned a straightforward resolution for Trayce Jackson-Davis to return to Indiana after a optimistic covid check stored him from competing on the NBA Draft Mix. And after receiving suggestions on how he can enhance his sport, he is prepared to go away a legacy at Indiana. CLICK HERE
- JACKSON-DAVIS RETURNS: Trayce Jackson-Davis has withdrawn from the 2022 NBA Draft and can return to Indiana for his fourth season. With this information, Indiana now has a full roster that features 4 returning starters and a top-10 recruiting class. CLICK HERE
Curt Cignetti wants players approaching spring practice with ‘great sense of urgency’
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti talks about how he defines progress for his position groups and players during spring practice:
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football’s offensive line had a lot to say about the program’s historic success last season.
The Hoosiers only gave up 11 sacks during their 10-0 start and didn’t allow a single sack in five of those wins. The group allowed fewer quarterback pressures last season (86) than they did through the first six games of 2023 (87).
There was a noticeable drop-off in performance late in the year — the season-ending injury that starting left guard Drew Evans didn’t help — and IU coach Curt Cignetti went into the offseason looking to bolster their talent and depth up front.
Indiana had success in the portal by landing Notre Dame center Pat Coogan (26 career starts), Ohio State tackle Zen Michalski (a former 4-star prospect) and Colorado guard Kahlil Benson (21 career starts). Benson is a familiar face having spent four seasons in Bloomington as a member of the team’s 2020 signing class.
Cignetti offered his thoughts on the state of the offensive line on Tuesday morning after the team wrapped up the sixth practice of the spring.
“I see progress,” Cignetti said. “Coogan is making progress, Carter Smith has got to get better. They all got to get better, right? All of them.”
Indiana’s new quarterback Fernando Mendoza was a bit more effusive when he talked about the offensive line last week. Mendoza was sacked 40 times last season at Cal — third-most in the FBS — and pressured on 156 of his 460 dropbacks.
“I could go on and on about all of those guys,” Mendoza said. “Those are all phenomenal players, and I have a ton of time (to throw the ball). Quite honestly it is a little more time than I am used to, I would say. But it has been great, and I have had great offensive lines in the past, and I am blessed to have an amazing offensive line this year.”
There have been some roadblocks for the line this spring.
Evan’s Achilles injury will sideline him until the fall — Cignetti hasn’t offered an exact timeline for his return — and Benson is on the shelf as well with an undisclosed injury. Indiana backup guard Austin Leibfried broke his hand during spring camp but is playing through the injury.
“He’s in a big hand cast and that’s limiting him a little bit right now,” Cignetti said.
Cignetti said the younger linemen getting reps in their place have done a “nice job.” He specifically mentioned redshirt freshman Adedamola Ajani along with early enrollees Baylor Wilkin and Matt Marek. Ajani is working at guard while Wilkin is getting reps at tackle and Marek is at center.
“The first line looks like an offensive line for the most part,” Cignetti said. “Functions like an offensive line for the most part. We’ve got to continue to get better, working together.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Severe weather is expected to hit Indiana Wednesday evening. A dangerous line of storms will move into central Indiana between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Storm Track 8 says recent weather primed the environment for intense thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
The western half of Indiana is under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Parts of southern Indiana will remain under a tornado watch until 1 a.m. tomorrow.
The Indiana Department of Transportation prepared for the severe weather and has crews on standby to respond to heavy flooding. Southern Indiana is expected to get the worst of the flooding.
You’re urged to use caution and stay tuned for weather updates.
Storm Track 8 weather blog | Check the Storm Track 8 interactive radar | Indiana’s travel advisory map
5:10 p.m.
A line of intensifying thunderstorms in Illinois will move into Indiana after 6 p.m. Widespread winds up to 70-80 mph, hail, and flash floods are expected.
4:15 p.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for most of Indiana until 11 p.m.
Counties under a tornado watch are: Benton, Boon, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Howard, Jasper, Johnson, Knox, Kosciusko, Lake, Lawrence, La Porte, Marion, Marshall, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Owen, Parke, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Starke, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, White
by: Christopher Claffey and Gregg Montgomery
Posted: / Updated:
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Pacers celebrated entering the NBA playoffs, although the team didn’t play Tuesday night.
The Portland Trailblazers beat the Atlanta Hawks 127-113, and that loss by the Hawks put the Pacers in the playoffs.
Now, the Pacers will wait to find out what team they’ll oppose. At the current standings, the Pacers say they could possibly play the Detroit Pistons with a home-court advantage.
The team’s “magic number,” to secure a top-four seed and the home-court advantage in the first round, was 5 on Tuesday night.
The Pacers put a poster on social media to celebrate and shared a link for tickets.
The Pacers went to the playoffs last season, but the Boston Celtics swept the best-of-seven conference championship series with four wins.
On Wednesday night, the Pacers play the Charlotte Hornets with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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