Another year and another chance for the Big 10 to do some public relations by getting a few good wins against the media’s favorite conference. To date the Big 10/ACC Challenge, while far from an accurate measure of conference value, has done little to rebut the aforementioned prejudice towards Tobacco Road basketball. But with a fresh slate of matchups the Big 10 hopes spring eternal.
Northwestern Horror Show
An already precarious team is made even more so by the loss of its best returning producer, Kevin Coble, and it showed with this result. The debut of freshman point guard Michael Thompson has been auspicious as have the early minutes from fellow newcomer Mike Capocci, but this team is plagued by consistent negatives of the Carmody tenure. Poor shooting, poor rebounding, inability to finish open layups, poor free throw shooting, too many turnovers, and a general lack of toughness, mental and otherwise. Furthermore, the growth curves of the upperclassmen again appear more static than should be expected.
The lack of production from the high post position, the centerpiece of the Princeton offense, is a striking failure tonight as it has been during Carmody’s entire Northwestern tenure. Carmody’s two-man recruiting classes of last year (Coble, Jeff Ryan), this year, and 2008 (John Shurna, Nick Fruendt) are breakthroughs, but have yet to solve the program’s need for competent high post play. Maybe Shurna will be the answer. Carmody needs to solve this problem immediately.
Northwestern’s horror show is well illustrated by several all too recurring details:
Designated shooter Craig Moore goes 3-10 from the field
Team free throw percentage 26.7%
16 turnovers
Team free throw percentage 26.7%
Minus 17 rebounding differential
And when these bleak numbers are joined by a poor, confused defensive effort and an inability to dictate game tempo, areas of the game Carmody’s teams have typically performed ably in, the bloodbath is complete.
Indiana Guts One Out
Not pretty but the home court Hoosiers hold off a middle of the pack ACC club in Georgia Tech with committed second half defense and a potent offensive quartet of D.J. White, Eric Gordon, Jamarcus Ellis, and Lance Stemler. Ellis’ energy and aggressiveness was the fulcrum on which the game turned and Gordon made sure the tide stayed turned. Mike White also contributed some timely hustle plays and rebounds.
Eric Gordon has a full-bodied offensive repertoire and continues his eye-catching point totals with a 29 point outing. His defense was something else entirely however and the 35 points from the Georgia Tech guard tandem of Anthony Morrow and Lewis Clinch kept the visitors in the game until the final minute.
As the season progresses it will be interesting to see if Gordon can expand his game to include defense and on the offensive end, whether he can start to use his unstoppable ability of the dribble to benefit more than his point totals. He is very good at looking for his own shot, but he has the kind of superlative talent that should also make his teammates better. There is yet enough evidence of his interest in finding teammates for high percentage looks. If he has any confusion about what dimensions of his game he needs to add, he can head to the Hoosier film archive and burn some Quinn Buckner tape.
It is instructive to note that D.J. White’s numbers are, at this early stage, down from last year. With Gordon’s ability to break down defenses, pre-season All Big Ten senior White should have a career year. If Gordon can become a better facilitator, this can be a very potent ballclub. If not, an off night offensively from Gordon will be more punitive than it need be. The loss to the supremely well coached Xavier team is a perfectly illustrative cautionary tale.
Painter’s Crew
Not unlike last year’s NCAA, even in defeat Matt Painter’s club was the most impressive conference representative tonight. Painter’s toughness seems to have a direct route to his players hearts. Facing a top twenty Clemson team on the road, the extremely young Boilermakers played smart, fearless, never say die basketball from minute one to forty.
Painter’s newcomers are impressive and will get better with their heavy minutes. Scott Martin and Robbie Hummel play like heady, turnover immune Big Ten juniors. E’Twaun Moore is getting significant point guard minutes and taking good care of the basketball and finding his offensive opportunities within the context of the offense. Juco Nemanja Calasan is a saavy, fundamentally sound post player who makes timely plays.
The loss of Chris Kramer in this game was the difference. His leadership down the stretch might well have been enough for Purdue to steal this one. Watch out Big Ten. Purdue is an undervalued stock. They will rise sharply as this season progresses.
