Indiana

My Two Cents: ‘Next Man Up’ Mantra Being Put to the Test at Indiana

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2023

My Two Cents: ‘Next Man Up’ Mantra Being Put to the Test at Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana level guard Xavier Johnson has performed 129 faculty video games in four-plus years and beginning ahead Race Thompson has performed 114, together with 76 begins in a row.

On Sunday, although, Johnson will likely be zipping round Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor on his scooter, or possibly strolling round with a boot on his foot after surgical procedure final month. He is out for a minimum of one other month. And Thompson, who bought damage on Thursday evening at Iowa, is out indefinitely with a knee harm. He’ll be hobbling round on crutches when Indiana takes on Northwestern at Midday ET. (Here is tips on how to watch the sport: CLICK HERE)

Two starters down, proper at the beginning of the resumption of the Massive Ten season. That hurts, and it hurts unhealthy.

Subsequent man up.

It is a drained, previous phrase, in fact, and it is typically overused. But it surely’s additionally very true. Indiana wants others to step up — and rapidly — with Thompson and Johnson down.

Johnson injured his foot early within the Kansas recreation on Dec. 17, and wanted surgical procedure every week later. He and freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino — each with critical level guard abilities — have been taking part in nice collectively early within the season.

They performed side-by-side within the first seven video games, and Indiana gained all of them, together with nationwide TV showdowns at Xavier and residential in opposition to preseason No. 1 North Carolina.

However in these subsequent seven video games, they’ve performed all of six minutes collectively. Hood-Schifino missed three video games with a again harm, unable to go in opposition to Rutgers, Nebraska and Arizona, and the Hoosiers misplaced two of three video games with out him.

He got here again for the Dec. 17 recreation at Kansas, and the 2 began the sport collectively however performed solely six minutes and 9 seconds collectively. Johnson went down with a foot harm within the first half, and by no means returned. He is missed the final three video games after surgical procedure. His rehab goes nicely, Johnson mentioned Thursday, and he is hoping to be again by February.

Hood-Schifino, a five-star recruit out of Montverde Academy in Florida, has performed nicely in going it alone on the level. He had 21 in opposition to Iowa on Thursday, and made 5 three-pointers.

The stage, clearly, shouldn’t be too huge for him.

Indiana guards Trey Galloway (32) and Tamar Bates (53) have to step up for the Hoosiers with Xavier Johnson out after foot surgical procedure. (USA TODAY Sports activities)

It is guys like Tamar Bates and Trey Galloway who’ve been tagged with the ”subsequent man up position,” although. Each have began on the two-guard, and each — Galloway particularly — has to choose up the purpose guard minutes.

With Johnson out, these two actually need to step up. They’ve had their moments, however have had some struggles, too. Bates was simply 2-for-8 at Kansas after Johnson went out, and was simply 3-for-9 in his first begin at Iowa. He is scored 19 factors twice this 12 months (Nebraska, Kennesaw State), and had a career-high 22 in opposition to Jackson State.

He is been up and down loads — an excessive amount of, in all probability — and actually must step up and be extra of a scorer for this workforce. He is bought to be a double-digit man, and never by going 5-for-15. He must be extra environment friendly on the offensive finish.

That is how ”subsequent man up” works.

Galloway is in the identical boat. He can choose up a few of these level guard minutes, which is huge, however he additionally must be extra productive on the offensive finish. Since Johnson went down, he has performed 100 minutes and solely taken 12 photographs. He is 6-for-12, and 2-for-4 from three. He is solely scored 21 factors, and. that is merely not sufficient.

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What we do know, too, is that Bates and Galloway are each able to doing extra. We noticed Bates take over that Nebraska recreation, the Hoosiers’ solely Massive Ten win to this point. And we noticed Galloway rating 20 in the identical recreation and have 11 enormous factors within the huge win over North Carolina.

So it is there, and we simply have to see extra of it. And we additionally should marvel if or when freshman C.J.Gunn and even Anthony Leal can step in on the perimeter spots and add one thing, too.

We have seen a lot with Johnson out for three-plus video games now, however beginning on Sunday, we’ll see how the Hoosiers can repair the ”subsequent man up” void on the energy ahead place.

This has me involved. Very involved.

Indiana coach Mike Woodson (right) chats with freshman forward Malik Reneau. (USA TODAY Sports) — Indiana coach Mike Woodson (proper) chats with freshman ahead Malik Reneau. (USA TODAY Sports activities)

Indiana hasn’t gotten up a lot up entrance currently outdoors of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Thompson, who had 9 fast factors within the Iowa recreation whereas the Hoosiers have been pulling out to an enormous lead.

The most important disappointment to this point has been with freshman ahead Malik Reneau, Hood-Schifin’s teammate at Montverde, and Jordan Geronimo, the junior ahead.

Reneau has been laborious to determine. He scored double figures in 4 of his first 5 video games in an Indiana uniform, however he is scored solely 32 factors in his final eight video games, a 4.0 common per recreation after averaging 10.7 factors per recreation within the first six.

He retains stepping into foul hassle, and he is been uncovered a bit in opposition to top-rate opponents. Indiana coach Mike Woodson has talked about typically that Reneau, a 6-foot-9 left-handed ahead similar to Jackson-Davis, continues to be studying how laborious he has to play at this degree. It is a work in progress.

The issue, although, is that Indiana actually wants him now. He solely performed six minutes on Thursday evening, even with Thompson out. He had three fast fouls, and by no means took a shot. Woodson went with Geronimo on the 4 nearly solely within the second half, taking part in 14 minutes. I am not an enormous plus-minus man, however he was a minus-16, the bottom for Indiana.

Geronimo actually struggled making an attempt to protect Iowa star Kris Murray. He had solely scored two factors within the first 12 minutes of the sport — Race Thompson did an awesome job on him — however completed with 30, many in opposition to Geronimo.

I’ve mentioned it typically that Geronimo is a superb athlete, however he is extra of a vertical athlete with nice leaping potential. He is not that nice horizontally as a defensive participant, and struggles to protect gamers who can assault the basket in opposition to him with the dribble.

He’ll must be higher, too. We all know he can explode at instances, particularly on the offensive glass, however with Thompson out, he will have to do extra offensively and be extra of a stopper on the defensive finish.

It may be attention-grabbing to see how Woodson makes use of them, beginning on Sunday. Who begins? I wish to see Reneau begin, and attempt to get some run whereas additionally staying out of foul hassle. He is a high recruit himself, and Indiana wants him to play at a excessive degree these subsequent two months. Geronimo, off the bench, is likely to be higher, including a spark. That should occur on a extra constant degree, too.

There’s at all times the thought that Indiana might go small, too, and slide Miller Kopp to the 4 and begin each Bates and Galloway. We’ll discover out in a number of hours, in fact, and we’ll let you realize what is going on on immediately,

We’ll study loads in regards to the Hoosiers on Sunday. They’re 8-0 at residence this season, however Northwestern is taking part in nicely and has gained each of their highway video games straight up, beat Georgetown and Michigan State.

Guys have to step up — and proper now — or the Hoosiers are going to start out digging themselves an enormous gap.

HOW TO WATCH: Indiana takes on the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday at Meeting Corridor in Bloomington. Here is tips on how to watch, with recreation time and TV info, three main storylines, the most recent on the purpose unfold, the teaching matchup, collection historical past and extra. CLICK HERE
THOMPSON OUT: Indiana senior ahead Race Thompson is out indefinitely with a proper leg harm he suffered through the Hoosiers 91-89 loss at Iowa on Thursday. CLICK HERE
OPENING LINE: Indiana is again at residence for the primary time in 16 days on Sunday, taking over the Northwestern Wildcats in a Massive Ten recreation at Meeting Corridor. Right here is the opening line on the sport, with an awesome historical past on how each groups have fared in opposition to the purpose unfold this season. CLICK HERE
INDIANA SCHEDULE: Right here is the entire 2022-23 males’s basketball schedule for Indiana, with recreation instances and TV info, plus hyperlinks to all of the tales from video games performed to this point. CLICK HERE
JACKSON-DAVIS SCORING LIST: Trayce Jackson-Davis is as much as No. 8 on Indiana’s all-time scoring listing. Here is the place he stands, and who’s subsequent to go. CLICK HERE
PHOTO GALLERY: The Indiana Hoosiers traveled to Iowa Metropolis to restart their Massive Ten season, however misplaced 91-89 to the Iowa Hawkeyes. The photographers had an awesome evening. Listed here are 15 photos from the sport. CLICK HERE

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Five Key Matchups to Watch in Ohio State vs. Indiana

Published

7 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Five Key Matchups to Watch in Ohio State vs. Indiana

On paper, Ohio State has a clear talent advantage over Indiana. But that doesn’t mean the Hoosiers aren’t capable of beating the Buckeyes.

Indiana has performed well above its on-paper talent level all season, winning all of its first 10 games for the first 10-win season in school history. Yes, it’s true that Indiana hasn’t yet beaten a ranked opponent this season, but the Hoosiers have the third-highest average scoring margin in all of college football (25.2 points per game), rank second nationally in points scored per game (43.9) and third nationally in yards allowed per game (255.5).

That means Ohio State must be prepared for one of its biggest tests of the season in all phases of the game as it welcomes the fifth-ranked Hoosiers to Ohio Stadium for its third top-five matchup of the season on Saturday.

In particular, the following five positional matchups bear watching on Saturday. Which team wins the majority of these matchups will go a long way toward determining whether Indiana upsets the second-ranked Buckeyes or Ohio State hands the Hoosiers their first loss.

Ohio State Interior OL vs. Indiana DTs and LBs

Ohio State’s interior offensive line will be the position group under the microscope more than any other when Saturday’s game begins as the Buckeyes play their first game without star center Seth McLaughlin. Carson Hinzman will make his first start of the season at center with Austin Siereveld making his first start since non-conference play as he replaces Hinzman at left guard.

That makes all three positions along Ohio State’s interior offensive line a question mark entering this game as Tegra Tshabola has had plenty of ups and downs in his first season as the Buckeyes’ right guard. All of them have played enough that there’s reason for optimism they won’t be a complete liability, but the lack of the stabilizing veteran presence that McLaughlin provided is a cause for concern.

A bigger test for them specifically might come next week when they faced Michigan’s elite defensive tackle tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, but the Hoosiers’ interior defenders are plenty capable of challenging them, too. Kent State transfer defensive tackle CJ West has been one of the Big Ten’s best interior defensive linemen this season, recording 30 tackles with five tackles for loss and two sacks through 10 games, and he pairs with fellow starter James Carpenter and James Madison transfer Tyrique Tucker to give the Hoosiers a strong defensive tackle trio that’s combined for 61 quarterback pressures this season, per Pro Football Focus.

One of McLaughlin’s greatest strengths was his ability to get to the second level and make key blocks to spring Ohio State’s running backs up the middle, and Indiana has a quality linebacker group that will test the Buckeyes’ new-look middle of the offensive line in that regard, as well. Aiden Fisher is tied for second among all Big Ten defenders with 98 tackles this season while fellow starting linebacker Jailin Walker has also been productive, recording 59 tackles with four tackles for loss and six pass breakups.

Ohio State OTs vs. Indiana DE Mikail Kamara

Even without McLaughlin’s injury, Ohio State’s offensive line would have been one of the bigger question-mark positions entering this game because of the Hoosiers’ ability to bring pressure up front, especially off the edge.

Indiana leads the Big Ten with 31 sacks this season, and the biggest contributor to that total has been Mikail Kamara, who leads the conference with 9.5 quarterback takedowns. The 6-foot-1, 265-pound James Madison transfer leads the entire FBS with 53 quarterback pressures this season.

Donovan Jackson gave up two sacks to Penn State’s Abdul Carter in his first game at left tackle, and Kamara will be by far the best pass rusher he’s faced since. Right tackle Josh Fryar has been better in pass protection this year than he was last year, but pass blocking is still the weaker part of his game, so the Hoosiers will likely move Kamara around to test both tackles.

“He’s a very talented player,” Jackson said of Kamara. “He knows how to use his abilities well in terms of using hands, being able to turn the corner, which is the reason why his numbers are so good as it is now. So I know that as a unit, we all got our work cut out for us. This is a very talented team, very talented defensive front, and they’re all dialed into what they have to do. They rarely get out of gaps. So we just have to be dialed in on what we have to do to execute the game plan and do what we can to the best of our abilities.”

Ohio State CBs vs. Indiana WRs and Kurtis Rourke

On the other side of the ball, the key to the game for Ohio State could be whether Ohio State’s cornerbacks can keep Indiana’s wide receivers in check. Indiana’s passing offense has been one of the nation’s most effective this season, ranking third in the FBS with 9.9 yards per passing attempt, and the Hoosiers’ wideouts will be the best Ohio State has faced since Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson lit the Buckeyes up in a 341-yard passing day for Oregon.

None of Indiana’s individual receivers are quite as dynamic as Stewart, who had seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State, but Elijah Sarratt has been one of the Big Ten’s most productive wideouts with 38 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns. And the Buckeyes can’t key in on just slowing down Sarratt as the Hoosiers have five wide receivers who have all caught at least 24 passes for 289 yards this season.

Denzel Burke has a lot to prove this week after his nightmare of a game in Eugene while Davison Igbinosun has continued to struggle with penalties in his second year with the Buckeyes. They’re both projected to be higher NFL draft picks than any of Indiana’s wide receivers, so they should be capable of winning their matchups along with Jordan Hancock in the slot, but their inconsistency this season makes this matchup one to watch as Kurtis Rourke’s play all season has demonstrated he won’t be afraid to attack any weak spots he can find in the Buckeyes’ defense.

“He’s extremely efficient,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of Rourke. “Calm in the pocket and very efficient. Makes all the throws, gets rid of the ball quickly. In that type of offense, he’s very smart and figures out where the holes of the defense are and takes advantage.”

Ohio State WRs vs. Indiana DBs

While Ohio State’s cornerbacks will be put to the test by Indiana’s receivers, the Buckeyes’ biggest advantage over the Hoosiers may be the matchup between their wideouts and Indiana’s secondary.

Indiana’s passing defense has been good this season, ranking 21st in the FBS with only 183.3 passing yards allowed per game, but the Hoosiers haven’t faced any group of weapons like Ohio State’s trio of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Maryland, the best passing offense Indiana has faced so far this season, threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to the Hoosiers.

James Madison transfer D’Angelo Ponds has been excellent as Indiana’s top cornerback this season, holding opponents to only 25 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets (per PFF) with two interceptions and six pass breakups, but he’ll give up significant size to OSU’s receivers at only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds. That said, he does have the advantage of familiarity with Smith as he was Smith’s high school teammate at Chaminade-Madonna.

D’Angelo Ponds (5) will likely spend most of Saturday’s game covering his former high school teammate, Jeremiah Smith. (Photo: Jacob Musselman – Imagn Images)

Indiana’s run defense has been dominant this season, holding opponents to only 72.2 rushing yards per game, so Ohio State is going to need to be able to make plays in the downfield passing game to open up running lanes. There’s reason to believe the Buckeyes should be well-equipped to do so with their receiving talent, though the ability of Ohio State’s aforementioned offensive line to hold up in pass protection as well as Will Howard’s consistency throwing deep will be factors in whether the Buckeyes can exploit their talent advantage on the perimeter.

Indiana OTs vs. Ohio State DEs

If Ohio State could pick one player from Indiana’s roster to add to its roster right now, it would probably pick Indiana left tackle Carter Smith – who the Buckeyes very likely could have gotten as a recruit if they had offered him out of nearby Olentangy Liberty High School. Instead, the three-star prospect has developed into one of the Big Ten’s best offensive tackles in Bloomington, teaming with Wisconsin transfer right tackle Trey Wedig to give the Hoosiers an excellent tandem on the edge.

For Ohio State to slow down Indiana’s passing attack, it won’t just be about the aforementioned cornerback winning their one-on-one matchups; the Buckeyes also need their pass rush to be much better than it was against Oregon, where Ohio State recorded zero sacks. Ohio State’s pass rush has been better since then, but it’s typically been big games where the Buckeyes have struggled to generate pressure in recent years, and Smith and Wedig will be the best offensive tackle tandem they’ve faced since the trip to Eugene.

Jack Sawyer enters this game on a wave of momentum, having recorded 12 tackles with nine quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown in Ohio State’s last two games, while JT Tuimoloau has six tackles for loss in the Buckeyes’ last five games. It would go a long way for Ohio State’s efforts to slow down the Hoosiers’ offense if they can continue to wreak havoc off the edge; if they have a quiet game like they did against the Ducks, Ohio State will be at risk of suffering another loss.

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Indiana

Obituary for Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr. at Yeager Funeral Home

Published

15 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Obituary for Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr. at Yeager Funeral Home

Donald Dempsey Ratliff Jr., age 54, of Ligonier, Indiana passed away at 1214 am on November 21, 2024 at Parkview Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on April 28, 1970, the son of Donald Dempsey and Gloria Nelson Ratliff in Goshen, Indiana. Don will be greatly missed

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Recap: Stanford WBB falls to Indiana on the road

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Recap: Stanford WBB falls to Indiana on the road

On Sunday, Stanford women’s basketball fell to Indiana on the road by a final score of 79-66. Indiana senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil led the way for the Hoosiers with 21 points while junior guard Shay Ciezki (19 points) and guard Yarden Garzon (18 points) also scored in double figures. Stanford sophomore forward Nunu Agara was the top performer for the Cardinal with 15 points. Indiana improves to 2-2 overall while Stanford falls to 4-1.

BOX SCORE: Stanford at Indiana-Sunday, November 17th

Indiana would lead 24-22 at the end of the 1st quarter. Moore-McNeil was leading the way for the Hoosiers with 10 points. Agara was keeping the Cardinal in it with eight points and two assists.

At halftime, Indiana would lead 42-31. The Hoosiers outscored the Cardinal 18-9 in the 2nd quarter. Moore-McNeil was up to 12 points for the Hoosiers while Garzon had 10 points and five rebounds. Agara was doing her part for the Cardinal with 11 points. She needed more help.

At the end of the 3rd quarter, Indiana led 61-44. Moore-McNeil was up to 19 points for the Hoosiers. Agara had 15 points for the Cardinal, but nobody else was in double figures. It had been a rough outing for the rest of the Cardinal.

In the end, Indiana would win by a final score of 79-66. Stanford tried to close the gap a bit in the 4th quarter, but they were down by too much in the 3rd to mount any sort of real comeback.

For Stanford, this is a bit of disappointing outcome, but what softens it a bit for them is this happened on the road against an Indiana team that started off the season ranked. I think the most disappointing aspect of this for Stanford is the way they lost. They never were in this game as they shot 2-11 from 3-point range while getting outrebounded 35-32.

Up next for Stanford is a home game against Morgan State on Friday at 7:00 PM PT on ACCNX. Stanford will be heavily favored in that one and look to get back in the win column with ease.

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