Looking to finish the season strong
As the University of Indianapolis men’s basketball team heads into the final week of its regular season schedule, they’re trying to be more methodical on offense and slowing the pace, according to head coach Stan Gouard.
Indianapolis took on the No. 2 University of Southern Indiana Screamin’ Eagles Feb. 13. Despite shooting 56 percent from the floor, UIndy trailed 56-34 at half.
Junior guard Darius Adams led all scorers with 25 points in the 91-74 loss. USI’s 91 points was the most UIndy had allowed all season.
UIndy visited No. 8 Kentucky Wesleyan Feb. 11 and lost 75-70 in Owensboro. After cutting the deficit to 52-49 with 5:30 left, the ‘Hounds got no closer.
Indianapolis had won two of their last five heading into the final week of the regular season against Great Lakes Valley Conference teams, all of whom have received votes or been ranked in the Top 25 this season.
“NKU is coming up and Bellarmine are tough opponents. We just need to take them one game at a time,” senior forward Sergey Struck said.
It comes down to focus on the task at hand.
Adams, during the three road wins, scored an average of 31 points per game. During the seven road losses, Adams scored an average of 16 per game. The ‘Hounds must have good production from Adams to succeed.
As of The Reflector press time, UIndy has amassed a 12-13 record. With two more games to go, this team has the opportunity to finish with the program’s best record in four seasons. They have already improved under second-year coach Gouard, who tallied nine wins last year.
“It comes down to focus on the task at hand,” Gouard said, “We need to keep the same mentality in attack mode and work on our transition defense and learn how to finish the game.”
Defense, the modus operandi (M.O.), has taken this year’s squad to new heights.
Opponents are shooting a lesser field goal percentage and their percentage from beyond the three-point line has decreased compared to last season’s team, according to Gouard.
“It is something we improved on, protecting the three-point line and closing out on outside defenders,” Gouard said. “Now we need to work on cutting off the drive; the end result will help us.”
Also, opponents are scoring four points per game less against this year’s team.
“[Nine] games ago, we are about where we wanted to be with our defense,” Gouard said. “Guys are working hard. Now we just need to slow down and make adjustments and execute what we want to do on help defense and on down screens off the ball.”
Most impressive is the margin the ‘Hounds had last year in scoring, which stood at negative three. This season, the Greyhounds are plus three in margin. While it has been a total team effort, according to WICR Programming Director Russ Maloney, who does commentary part-time for the games, senior guard Devin Williams has been the real “‘Hound dog” against the opponent’s statistically best scorers.
UIndy has wrapped up a spot in the GLVC tournament, as newcomers Illinois-Springfield and Maryville are ineligible due to their initiation into Division II from Division III.
As of press time, USI is also undefeated and ineligible, due to recruiting violations.
“It’s a big transition from last year, it was frustrating last year,” Struck said.“We are playing for the best seed possible in the tournament and giving ourselves a shot.”
