NCAA BK

Indiana Getting Inside

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Updated Dec 4, 2009 10:00 AM ET
     
 


The biggest question surrounding the Hoosiers as they prepare for the Big Ten season is simple. What will the team need to accomplish to consider this season a success on the court?

Should Indiana judge how it's playing by its won-loss record?

Should the measuring stick be margin of victory/defeat?

How can Year Two of the Tom Crean Era be judged in terms of progress?

The Hoosiers still aren't at the point where they can view games as easy matchups. IU's young squad struggled to put together 40 full minutes in November, and life won't get any easier during the Big Ten season. Indiana has done a good job of playing well for stretches at a time, but lapses on defense and issues with taking care of the ball are signs of the Hoosiers' inexperience and early-season jitters.

IU's freshmen have been asked to play major minutes, and although Crean has more depth to rely on this season than in 2008-09, the simple fact is no fewer than six new faces -- Jeremiah Rivers, Christian Watford, Derek Elston, Jordan Hulls, Maurice Creek and Bobby Capobianco -- are being asked to produce on the court. Throw in the fact returners such as Verdell Jones III, Tom Pritchard and Devan Dumes have been asked to take on entirely new roles this season, and there's no telling how IU will react in the upcoming Big Ten season.

This much is certain. Crean's expectations for his club have risen considerably. The 2008-09 campaign was about learning to compete and simply surviving. This year, however, Crean is putting far more of a focus on the fundamentals of defense and execution. For most programs, the fundamentals of defense and execution are givens heading into the conference season, but IU isn't most programs at this point.

So back to the original question: How should success be judged this season? The answer in the Hoosiers' eyes lies in the team's ability to be competitive in every game, in limiting mistakes and never backing down from any opponent. If the Hoosiers can play tough, physical defense and take care of the ball, the wins will come eventually. Crean is a salesman right now. He's selling his system, he's selling his team on how hard it must play to win games and he's selling a belief in the program. Wins and losses continue to play second-fiddle to how the team performs on the court, and it will continue to be the case all season.

Keep an eye on the team's chemistry. Although no issues have popped up thus far, it remains to be seen how the new, lesser roles will wear on the "veterans" on the team, especially if the Hoosiers don't start scoring some victories. Crean has done a good job of keeping his squad on the same page, but as the losses mount, there is more potential for fracture on the roster.
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