Ten Fingers, 6 Strings: Indiana

November 27, 2005

Indiana - Duke Preview

Duke is going to be visiting Assembly Hall on Wednesday night as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Seeing what Indiana has done it's rather poor quality opponents early this year has led me to believe IU is capable of beating Duke at home. I'm putting this preview up early, so we can see if what I've been seeing is right.

Even with the early injuries, there isn't a team in the country that Indiana cannot beat. In the first three games, it's not the fact that Indiana has won convincingly, it is how they are winning. They're pushing the ball up the floor and destributing the ball to whoever can get the open shot. The assist totals during the first three games has probably exceeded the entire Bracey Wright era (actually, I'd be curious to see some kind of comparision there), and each player is settling into their role as part of this team. If I'm an opposing coach watching game film right now, I clearly cannot beat Indiana by shutting one guy down, it's developing a scheme that limits the runs this team is capable of going on.

Now, after watching Duke play in the NIT this weekend, I've surmised that Indiana might have too many weapons for them stop, especially in Bloomington.

For Duke, Sheldon Williams and J.J. Reddick carry that Duke mystique along with the pre-season accolades. Williams has played well, and Drexel showed that it is possible to take Reddick out of the game.

Duke played and beat an athletic, but in my opinion very soft, Memphis team. They have yet to stand in against a bruiser like Killingsworth. The Killingsworth/Williams match-up is going to be key, and I think Killingsworth will show the rest of the country who is hungrier. Still, apart from Killingsworth, Duke is going to have to find answers for a very talented group of individuals who have learned to elevate their game as a part of a team.

Right now, my main concern is that Indiana is getting too banged up to keep a fresh pair of legs on the floor against the number one team in the country. But, Duke is beatable, and it seems like Assembly Hall is going to be fired up to give Duke the welcome they deserve.

Any predictions?

Posted by 10 fingers 6 strings at November 27, 2005 09:42 AM | TrackBack

Comments

IU has shown tremendous scoring ability in its first three games, averaging around 100 points and shooting the lights out from the arc. But those first three were against low grade opponents, nothing like Duke and Coach K. Playing in Assembly Hall, if they can continue to distribute the ball and hit open shots, they will win. Strickland will be the key. He's been on fire and has been the catalyst. Hopefully IU can come out strong, get the crowd really into it and keep it pumped for 40 minutes.

I say IU by 10, 84 - 74, and off to a 4 and 0 start!

Posted by: compos mentis at November 28, 2005 06:21 AM

I think Ratliff is going to see a lot of playing time and will probably be the one assigned to Reddick. Those longs arms will keep Reddick from getting too many shots off.

I think Robert Vaden will come up big in this game.

We'll see how they play against a top ranked team, but IU can pull this one off at home with a lot of weapons.

Posted by: TF6S at November 28, 2005 10:24 PM