IU searches for leaders as it preps for Buckeyes

As the season progresses and losses continue to mount for the Hoosiers, IU coach Tom Crean has often said the main problem with a young team is the lack of a true leader. When things have gone south, as they did against Illinois on Saturday, Crean said the Hoosiers need to find a confident player to help guide the squad out of slumps.

Complicating matters even more for Crean is the uncertainty of the status of junior Devan Dumes, one of the more confident shooters on the team. Dumes left the Illinois game with a sprained ankle, and Crean said the team is in wait-and-see mode for Tuesday’s battle against Ohio State.      

“We’ll have to see how it goes tomorrow,” Crean said. “If (Dumes) doesn’t look pretty good during our walk-through ... I would find it hard to believe that he will be able to contribute for us.”

If Dumes can’t play, Crean mentioned freshman Nick Williams as the type of player he envisions taking on more of a leadership role. After the loss to Illinois, an upset Williams said the team needs players to step up to stop the current losing streak, and that he can be one of those men.     

Hoosier big man Tom Pritchard said he has lately noticed a more assertive Williams in the team’s practices.

“I think leaders are starting to emerge,” Pritchard said. “We need guys to step up, like Nick, who I definitely see some improvement with him from practice. He’s been getting on some guys so it’s been really good.”

Stopping a 3-point specialist

Coming off the heels of Illinois sharp shooter Trent Meacham lighting up the Illini with seven 3s Saturday, the Hoosiers must contend with another one of the conference’s more prolific 3-point shooters in Buckeye sophomore Jon Diebler.

Diebler has made 38.9 percent of his 3s this year and is the second leading scorer for Ohio State. Crean said part of the reason for Diebler’s success is the Buckeyes’ balanced offense, but recognized the importance of paying close attention to Diebler.

“Meacham didn’t earn many baskets against us. With that being said, he made shots but we didn’t make him earn them,” Crean said. “That’s what you have to do in a game like this. We’ve got to be very, very attached to Jon Diebler, no matter what defense we’re in.”

Pritchard’s homecoming

Much like how freshman Verdell Jones got to play in front of his hometown Saturday in Champaign, Ill., Pritchard will return to his home state of Ohio.
“It’s going to be great,” Pritchard said. “I’m really excited about it.”

Pritchard said he’s matched up against a couple of the players on the Buckeye roster and scouted Ohio State freshman William Buford as the toughest Buckeye he faced during his high school days.

“He really drove the ball against my high school team,” Pritchard said, “and our guards were kind of struggling with him.”