Men's basketball regains defensive intensity in 79-57 win

In IU’s loss to Boston College last Wednesday, IU coach Tom Crean said his team lacked the proper defensive intensity.

It got outrebounded. It lost most 50-50 balls. It didn’t defend the dribble well enough.
But in the Hoosiers’ 79-57 win against Savannah State on Sunday at Assembly Hall, things changed.

“I thought our effort tonight, especially on the defensive end, was outstanding,” Crean said. “You judge it if you get better during the game. That’s exactly what our guys did.”

IU’s tough defense forced Savannah State to shoot 32.7 percent from the field. Its best effort, though, came in the second half when the Tigers made only 27.6 percent of their shots.

The Hoosiers (7-1) also outrebounded Savannah State (1-9), had more blocks and, Crean said, had 71 deflections — 46 of which came in the second half.

“I’ve never been part of a team, as a head coach or assistant, that had those kind of deflections,” Crean said. “That was outstanding. That’s always the barometer, back to defense.”

Any poor on-ball defense shown Wednesday against Boston College was nowhere to be found against Savannah State.

A leader in that aspect was senior guard Jeremiah Rivers, who Crean specifically mentioned after the win.

Rivers provided good pressure on the perimeter and limited the offensive production of Tigers guard Preston Blackmon.  

Another telling stat for Rivers was his plus/minus line. When he was on the floor, the Hoosiers scored 21 more points than they gave up.

“I’m trying to help the team any way I can,” Rivers said. “For me, it’s just about taking it game by game and doing what Coach has been preaching.”

The senior also said the team’s overall attitude on defense this year has been better.

“I don’t know how important it was to each individual last year,” Rivers said. “I think it was important at times and in stretches, but that’s why we were so inconsistent last year. This year we have been a lot more consistent with our defensive effort.”

IU hopes that consistency on the defensive end continues in next Saturday’s matchup against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky.

The No. 10 Wildcats boast one of the nation’s top offenses with freshman trio Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb and Brandon Knight.

IU junior forward Tom Pritchard said his team’s early success will provide confidence heading into Kentucky.

“We’re just going to have to come in there and play it like a regular road game,” Pritchard said. “We need to stay with our offense and keep our defense going.”