Women’s basketball faces Indiana State

After the first home game of the regular season, IU Coach Curt Miller emphasized how important it was for a team as young as his to learn to win on the road. The Hoosiers rose to the occasion last Tuesday night.

“We only won two road games all last year, so for us to step up and win our first one out of the gate was big for us with a young team,” Miller said.

The IU women’s basketball team will be faced with another challenge on the road as they take on the Indiana State Sycamores at 7:05 p.m. today in Terre Haute.

“Another veteran group coming off a really successful season,” Miller said. “They were predicted to win the Missouri Valley in the preseason, which is always one of the best mid-major conferences in the country.”

The Sycamores, like the Hoosiers, earned their first road win of the season Tuesday night. They defeated Eastern Illinois 65-53 in Charleston, Ill., and head into Friday night’s game 2-0.

Through three games, the Sycamores average 62.3 points per game as a team.

Miller said what stands out about Indiana State is its competitiveness.

“They hang their hat on defense,” he said. “They’re a tremendous pressure team.”
Miller also said the Hoosiers have yet to play a team that’s going to get in all the passing lanes.

“They’re averaging 13.5 steals a game,” he said. “That’s not the turnovers they’re forcing; they’re getting 13.5 steals a game.”

Senior forward Tabitha Gerardot and freshman guard Larryn Brooks shared similar thoughts on the Sycamores. Gerardot said their intensity on defensive comes from being aggressive.

“What stands out the most is probably their intense defense,” she said. “They’re really aggressive and they anticipate.”

Brooks said the Sycamores’ pressure will get the Hoosiers more used to Big Ten play.
“They pressure the ball really well,” she said.

Brooks also said the Sycamores had a solid starting five.

“We just gotta get down and play defense,” she said.

The NCAA implemented new hand-checking rules this season, and the Hoosiers have had to adjust as a result.  

“We’ve put teams on the foul line a little bit more than we want, but it’s also benefitted us when we stay aggressive and stay attacking that we’re getting ourselves to the foul line,” Miller said.

In addition, Miller thinks it will benefit the game as a whole.

“Players and coaches gotta make the adjustment and, in the long run, I think it’s going to bring excitement back into the women’s game,” he said.

Sophomore forward Kaila Hulls sustained a knee injury during IU’s victory against IPFW Tuesday night. Hulls was also held out of practice Thursday.

“It’s been confirmed it’s not an ACL (injury), but it is a knee injury, and therefore she is day-to-day,” Miller said.

Miller said Indiana State is very physical and aggressive on defense.

“This is going to be a huge challenge, on the road, in front of a big crowd, to handle their pressure defense,” he said.

Follow reporter Stuart Jackson on Twitter @Stuart_Jackson1.