There was something different about IU’s win Tuesday against Wisconsin. Maybe it was just a result of the opponent, but we saw defense and toughness.
There were blocked shots, steals and star Badger players being held to terrible shooting nights.
Coincidentally, we also saw a lot of freshmen forwards such as OG Anunoby and Juwan Morgan on Tuesday.
This had me thinking. While the 2014 recruiting class may be remembered as the one that brought lights-out shooting and scoring to Bloomington, maybe the 2015 class will go down as the one that brought back some defense.
The 2014 class presented sophomore guards James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson, as well as the now-departed forward Max Hoetzel. It launched an offense that could be argued as the best in the country last season.
Yet Hoosier defense appeared on just about every Big Ten opponents highlight tape, allowing breakout performances and 72 points per game.
This 2015 class brought in freshman center Thomas Bryant in addition to Anunoby and Morgan. Let’s not forget freshman walk-on guard Harrison Niego, who has been a reliable defender as well.
Bryant was supposed to be the big star — and he has been — while the other three were to develop in time. Defensive struggles and injuries happened, and now all four are relevant rotation players for IU, each having big moments.
In three Big Ten games, Anunoby has become the breakout player of the season. At 6-feet-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, everyone agreed Anunoby had potential. Nobody quite expected him to be shutting down Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes already.
Anunoby brings an ability to lock down a scorer in man defense.
Take for instance when Hayes actually faked Anunoby out on a post move in the first half. As Hayes turned around and attempted a seemingly easy hook shot, Anunoby had the athleticism and length to bounce back, stick an arm out and stuff the star’s shot.
He and Morgan both spent time on Hayes and held him to 3-of-13 shooting.
“I saw OG’s potential in the summer,” senior guard Yogi Ferrell said.
The joke of the season has been the fact that teammates talk about Anunoby as one of the biggest characters on the team. They joke about his great dance moves — he won the Maui Invitational dance-off.
Yet in interviews, Anunoby has been the shyest. He has been the guy reporters keep trying to help break out of his shell.
While his media persona may not have taken off yet, his potential on the court is beginning to. He hit all three 3-pointers he attempted Tuesday. IU Coach Tom Crean said his defense was always a given, but that it was Anunoby’s shooting that really turned the staff on to him.
Anunoby has drawn attention lately, but don’t forget guys like Morgan, who has been a versatile defender, and Niego, who seems to always be making the sound decision.
And as the highly touted Bryant has dealt with the constant back-and-forth of praise and criticism that comes with being a 5-star recruit, his defense and polish have been improving each game.
I write about defense, yes. But maybe what I’ve really meant is the energy these players bring. It’s a matter of time until Vegas creates an over-under line on the number of times Bryant beats his chest or waves his arms in excitement during a game.
Niego has gone diving into opposing benches and Anunoby possesses the Troy Williams trait of creating athletic plays that reignite the crowd.
I have zero idea how this team will fare against Big Ten foes. These flashes from the freshmen could be short lived.
Yet the energy they bring isn’t something that goes on cold streaks. It’s there. IU just hopes it’s enough.
“They’re smart, learning,” Crean said. “They’re winners. They’ve won.”
brodmill@indiana.edu
