Elston providing solid minutes as 6th man

As freshman Derek Elston went to the bench with 8:06 left in the second half, the 11,128 fans in attendance Saturday gave the 6-foot-9 forward more than just a polite golf clap for his efforts.

Rather, IU fans applauded and cheered as the hardworking Elston made his way down to the bench and high-fived his teammates.

Elston had just 10 points at that moment, and his dunk just a minute earlier did far from bring down the house – in fact, it was almost the exact opposite of the Marco Killingsworth dunk versus Duke in 2005.

Instead, the Hoosier fans were simply recognizing what they had just witnessed from Elston: good, smart basketball.

Several minutes earlier, when Elston checked into the game for the first time in the second half, it took him just three seconds to record a field goal.

A few minutes later, a Northwestern State opponent tried backing him down, but the freshman responded by holding his ground and forcing a jump ball that ultimately sparked an 8-2 run following a media timeout.

That run was capped off by a play in which Elston read the defense and deflected a pass near the top of the key.

Upon grabbing the ball and collecting one of his four steals of the day, Elston slowed things down and dished the ball to junior guard Jeremiah Rivers, who in turn found sophomore Verdell Jones for a momentum-sparking 3-point basket.
Two offensive plays later, Elston flushed home the aforementioned dunk, which takes us back to the 8:06 mark.  
Despite struggling in Puerto Rico, Elston has put together three stellar performances this year at Assembly Hall, all as a reserve coming off the bench.

Elston, who is now averaging 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals on the year in just 16.0 minutes per game, compiled a stat line that included 12 points, six rebounds and four steals in 18 minutes.

“I just played me,” Elston said after the team defeated Northwestern State. “I rebounded well today, something Coach has been harping on me about. (I) finished well – I mean, I missed a couple layups, but otherwise I shot the ball well.”

While he admits he hasn’t been perfect, Elston continues to be the spark plug off the bench for the Hoosiers on their home court. In the three home games, the Tipton, Ind., native has recorded 12 points per game on 15-of-20 shooting, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Elston is also tied with freshman forward Christian Watford for a team-high 12 offensive rebounds – despite playing 64 fewer minutes – with seven of those coming in the team’s three wins.

Aside from Watford and freshman guard Maurice Creek, Elston has been the top freshman on the team thus far in the season. Despite that, and the fact that the team has not been its strongest at the center, Elston has yet to find his way into the starting lineup.

“Right now, I’m not really caring that I’m (not) starting,” Elston said. “I’m the sixth, seventh man, exactly what I wanted to be coming in here.”

Elston probably should not care, either. 

If IU can get better production from sophomore forward Tom Pritchard or whoever might be playing the five, it won’t do the Hoosiers any harm having Elston bringing the team energy off the bench.

Elston is a smart player, and as he gets better on the glass and continues to improve the other aspects of his game, he will unquestionably be a very solid player.

This is evident even now, as he seems to make the right decisions and do all the little things when he is out on the court.

On Saturday, with the Hoosiers leading 32-20 in the first half, Elston hit a 3-pointer immediately followed by a 3-point shot from the Demons’ Logan McConathy, a shot from 3 by IU senior Devan Dumes and then another by McConathy. 

On the ensuing possession, Elston caught a pass from behind the arc, but forwent the opportunity for the game’s fifth consecutive 3-pointer. Instead, Elston shot-faked and drove from the side of the basket, banking a 2-pointer.

Elston also displayed good chemistry with Rivers. Twice in the second half, Elston saw opportunities to score from the low block, and he inched his way toward the basket with his hands ready to catch the ball. 

When he got the rock, he finished with the dunk and a layup, respectively.
If Elston can continue this stellar play, especially with bigger and more physical opponents coming up in Maryland, Pittsburgh and Kentucky, he will be a tremendous asset to this team.

After Saturday’s game, Creek spoke about the production of the entire team, saying every player must bring both offensive and defensive intensity, grab rebounds and force steals every game. Elston did all of those versus Northwestern State.

For this team to succeed, it needs solid minutes from everyone else coming off the bench, too. Senior center Tijan Jobe had one of his best outings Saturday, while sophomore guard Daniel Moore was also efficient in his six minutes.

Dumes, meanwhile, put together his best game of the season and will need to get back to where he was a year ago in order to supplement what Creek is already providing at the two-guard position.

This team continues to get better, though its three wins have come against its weakest opponents. Nevertheless, it is players like Elston who can make the difference this year.