BOSTON, MA – December 21: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics rebounds away from Buddy Hield #24 … [+] and Jalen Smith #25 of the Indiana Pacers in the course of the second half of the NBA sport on the TD Backyard on December 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photograph by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald by way of Getty Photographs)
MediaNews Group by way of Getty Photographs
The Indiana Pacers are off to a shocking 19-17 begin to the 2022-23 NBA season, and so they’ve confirmed that they could be a threatening workforce on any given evening. They’ve already taken down 4 of the seven groups which have a successful proportion of 60 or higher this season — whereas the Pacers are inconsistent, they will cling with anybody at their finest.
A major issue of their inconsistency, although, is their poor rebounding. The Pacers rank poorly in each offensive and defensive rebounding this season, and that defensive rebounding talent particularly has doomed the blue and gold — they rank final within the NBA in defensive rebound proportion.
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“Proper now, rebounding is a giant problem for us,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stated this week.
“It’s an effort statistic,” the coach stated when speaking about rebounding earlier this season. He made that assertion after Indiana gave up 29 offensive rebounds and 37 second likelihood factors to the Brooklyn Nets in a loss on December 10.
That sport is a first-rate instance of how unhealthy rebounding can result in inconsistent play. The Pacers shot practically 50% from lengthy vary and made 12 extra threes than the Nets that evening. They had been extra correct on the foul line. They had been tied within the turnover battle. The Pacers had been extra environment friendly and took care of the ball simply in addition to their opponent, however they misplaced as a result of they had been crushed on the glass.
That’s been a theme for the blue and gold this season. Indiana’s opponents are pulling in 12.3 offensive rebounds per sport, which ranks second within the league. The blue and gold have misplaced seven of the ten video games during which they’ve given up not less than 50 rebounds, and so they have misplaced the rebounding battle in 21 of their 36 video games. They must be higher on the boards.
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“Simply proceed to defend. Proceed to lock into the scout, proceed to concentrate on their tendencies,” large man Jalen Smith, maybe the workforce’s finest rebounder, stated earlier this season of the right way to be simpler on the glass.
A few of Indiana’s points with rebounding stem from the truth that the workforce sometimes performs small. Since shifting Aaron Nesmith into the opening 5 for Smith on December 12, Indiana is averaging 40.3 rebounds per sport whereas their opponents are grabbing 46.3. They’ve outrebounded the opposing workforce simply twice in that span.
That’s why Carlisle famous that rebounding is a problem for the Pacers proper now. The beginning lineup change has labored, the Pacers are 5-4 because the change. But it surely has led to the workforce being worse on the boards. Enjoying small has many execs and cons, and the largest con has been rebounding up to now.
Different points on the glass stem from Indiana having poor rebounders at many positions. Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard, two starters for the Pacers who’re having nice seasons, aren’t recognized for his or her rebounding. Reserve ahead Chris Duarte hasn’t been as efficient when grabbing misses as he was final season. These three gamers play a big proportion of Indiana’s frontcourt minutes, so common rebounding enchancment from the trio would assist the blue and gold.
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PORTLAND, OREGON – DECEMBER 04: Josh Hart #11 of the Portland Path Blazers reaches for a rebound … [+] with Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers in the course of the second half at Moda Middle on December 04, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photograph by Soobum Im/Getty Photographs)
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The entire workforce can do higher, although, and so they can enhance their concentrate on opponent tendencies, as Smith famous. They’ll’t lack effort, although. They don’t have the scale or talent to get beat on the boards merely because of effort.
The opposite consideration for the Pacers relating to rebounding is tradeoffs. Indiana likes to run in transition. They at the moment lead the league in quick break factors per sport — it’s a vital a part of their id.
Working forward in transition typically signifies that fewer gamers are crashing the glass. That’s a part of the tradeoff that the Pacers have to consider. A stronger concentrate on the defensive glass would trigger the blue and gold to be worse when flying up and down the court docket on offense, which is when the workforce is at its finest. It’s a troublesome stability of addressing struggles whereas retaining an id intact.
That’s the query the Pacers need to reply. How can they enhance on the glass with out altering who they’re as a workforce? What can they do higher on the boards to make sure that transition play continues to be a power? A few of it’s effort. A few of it comes right down to realizing the scouting report. However no matter it takes, the Pacers want to enhance their rebounding. It’ll enhance their consistency as a workforce, particularly if they will do it with out sacrificing their strengths.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After more than a week since its last game, Indiana returns to action Sunday against Winthrop at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
This marks the Hoosiers’ last of 11 nonconference games before resuming Big Ten play on Jan. 2 for the remainder of the regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Indiana most recently defeated Chattanooga 74-65 on Dec. 21 in Bloomington, where Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau scored a team-high 14 points apiece. Following the win, coach Mike Woodson said the team would have a few days off before resuming practice on Thursday evening. Indiana enters Sunday’s game with a 9-3 record and a desire to clean up recent defensive shortcomings.
“Definitely the defensive side is the side we need to focus on the most and keep working at that and getting better,” Reneau said after the Chattanooga game. “But I feel like this break will help us out and clear our minds and we’ll come back ready to work and get ready for Big Ten play.”
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Here’s a full breakdown of the Winthrop Eagles.
Key players
Winthrop Eagles forward Kelton Talford (4) drives against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Myles Stute (10) at Colonial Life Arena. / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Key departures
2024-25 schedule (10-4)
Head coach: Mark Prosser
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Prosser has a 65-45 overall record and a 32-18 record in Big South play in his fourth season at Winthrop. In Prosser’s first season, the Eagles won the Big South south division title with a 14-2 conference record, but they finished in fourth place the following two seasons. Before his head coaching stint at Winthrop, Prosser coached Western Carolina for three seasons, going 37-53 overall and 18-35 in the Southern Conference. He was also an assistant coach at Winthrop from 2012-18, following one season as Brevard College’s head coach. Previous jobs include assistant coaching positions at Wofford and Bucknell. He played at Marist from 1998-99, then became a student assistant after an injury. Prosser, 46, was born in Wheeling, W.V.
Strengths
Winthrop has benefited from continuity, which has become rare in today’s era of college basketball. Its four leading scorers from last year returned, and they’re leading the Eagles in scoring again this season, averaging double-digit points. All four are seniors in at least their second seasons at Winthrop under Prosser.
That core includes a pair of 6-foot-7 forwards, Kelton Talford and K.J. Doucet. Both are efficient scorers, shooting over 55% from the field. Talford is the team’s leading rebounder and second-leading shot blocker. He leads the Big South with 52 offensive rebounds and 101 free throw attempts. Indiana will have to keep him off the glass and foul line. Doucet can stretch the floor at 41.7% from 3-point range, creating a dynamic one-two punch in the front court.
Guards Kasen Harrison and Nick Johnson round out Winthrop’s veteran quartet. Harrison does the vast majority of scoring from 2-point range, and he’s the team’s assist leader at 3.3 per game. Johnson is fourth on the team in scoring, but he’s plenty capable at 11 points per game. He led the Eagles with 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting in their most recent win over Mercer.
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As a team, Winthrop ranks 17th nationally at 87.2 points per game and plays at the nation’s fifth-fastest tempo. The Eagles lead the nation with 32.1 free throw attempts per game. nationally. Indiana has struggled to rebound the ball in a few games this year, and it faces a formidable challenge in that area Sunday against a Winthrop team that ranks 17th nationally with 41.9 rebounds per game. Winthrop also averages 8.9 steals and has an opponent turnover percentage of 21.7%, 33rd in the country, placing an emphasis on Indiana taking care of the ball.
Winthrop Eagles guard Nick Johnson (10) dribbles against Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center. / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Weaknesses
Indiana’s significant height advantage could offset the effectiveness of the 6-foot-7 duo of Talford and Doucet. Both players are having good seasons, but they haven’t faced a front court trio quite like Indiana’s 7-foot center Oumar Ballo and 6-foot-9 forwards Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako. Winthrop’s leading shot blocker is 6-foot-10 center Tai Hamilton, but he plays just 9.9 minutes per game. Lacking height and shot blockers inside, Winthrop may have to play Hamilton more than usual.
Though Winthrop is among the nation’s top-20 in scoring average, it has not been efficient. The Eagles shoot just 30.9% from 3-point range, which ranks 297th nationally. They get to the free throw line more than anyone, but they haven’t taken advantage of that as they shoot just 66.8% from the line, 302nd nationally. Baker and Jones lead the team with 30 and 25 3-pointers made, respectively, but both shoot below 35% from beyond the arc.
Winthrop Eagles head coach Mark Prosser speaks with guard Kasen Harrison (11) at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati. / Carter Skaggs/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Season and game outlook
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Winthrop was picked to finish second in the preseason Big South poll and received one first-place vote. The Eagles rank 184th overall on KenPom, ninth-best out of Indiana’s 13th opponents this season. They should be in the mix for a Big South title in Prosser’s fourth.
Indiana is predicted to win Sunday’s game 89-74 and is given a 92% chance of victory by KenPom. The Hoosiers’ defense has struggled in several games this season, and they’ll have to be sharp to slow down a fast-paced, high-scoring – though not particularly efficient – Winthrop offense. It’s a game Indiana should win comfortably in its final tune-up before facing Big Ten opponents the rest of the way.
Wisconsin Badgers (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten) at Indiana Hoosiers (9-3, 1-0 Big Ten)
Bloomington, Indiana; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Indiana takes on Wisconsin after Shay Ciezki scored 20 points in Indiana’s 90-55 victory over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
The Hoosiers have gone 6-1 in home games. Indiana averages 72.0 points and has outscored opponents by 10.2 points per game.
The Badgers are 1-0 against Big Ten opponents. Wisconsin is 2-0 in one-possession games.
Indiana scores 72.0 points, 10.6 more per game than the 61.4 Wisconsin gives up. Wisconsin scores 8.0 more points per game (69.8) than Indiana allows to opponents (61.8).
The Hoosiers and Badgers match up Saturday for the first time in conference play this season.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Yarden Garzon is shooting 41.4% and averaging 14.2 points for the Hoosiers.
Serah Williams is scoring 20.0 points per game and averaging 12.3 rebounds for the Badgers.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hoosiers: 8-2, averaging 71.4 points, 30.8 rebounds, 16.7 assists, 6.2 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 61.0 points per game.
Badgers: 8-2, averaging 66.4 points, 33.6 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 60.8 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A northern Indiana couple found a million-dollar Powerball ticket on Christmas Day in between the seats of their car.
The couple on Thursday drove from their home in Kendallville to the downtown Indianapolis Hoosier Lottery office to claim their prize five hours before their ticket expired.
“It was an emotional day for the both of us,” the couple told the Hoosier Lottery in a press release, which did not identify the pair.
The couple purchased the ticket at the Kendallville Finish Line convenience store located at 620 Professional Way in Kendallville.
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The lottery says, after the couple learned the million dollars was unclaimed, they began their search.
The ticket matched all five numbers from the June 29 drawing.
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