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(04/23/19 1:54am)
Former Indiana forward Juwan Morgan dribbled to the right block, backed down an invisible man, twirled on his pivot foot, and laid it in. He then looked to his left to see basketball trainer Joey Burton.
Burton was then quick to tell Morgan that he had done the move wrong. He went onto to explain that Morgan needed to be more like a ‘ballerina.’ Morgan had to spin faster, and keep his pivot foot on the ground.
So, he tried it again. He tried it over and over again until he mastered it. Morgan had mastered a post move that has been a lethal part of Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokic’s arsenal.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=fjkSofeOYhc[/embed]
“I study film religiously,” Burton said. “That’s probably why I’ve been effective with a lot of players. I try to find things that players can mimic that are being done by the best players in the world. Just seeing, what does an older guy do? A guy that’s been at a high level.”
As talented as Jokic is, Morgan has been trying to mold his game after NBA veterans P.J. Tucker and Trevor Ariza. He also tries to learn from his favorite player to watch, Paul Millsap. All serve as similar reminders to Morgan that someone with his skillset and body can carve out a role in the NBA.
They’re strong examples for the former Hoosier standout, but Burton has his eyes on another NBA big man.
“I’ve been watching a lot of Draymond Green and how he plays on the perimeter, while he still has a solid presence on the inside,” Burton said.
Burton didn’t get into running individual workouts until 2012, when he left his job coaching on the staff for Mississippi State Women’s Basketball to become a business partner with current Indiana assistant coach Ed Schilling. After Schilling left his job in skill development to coach at UCLA, Burton began to work on his own. From there, he went onto use a similar approach for his first ever pre-draft client.
“I did that with Yogi (Ferrell),” Burton said. “CP3(Chris Paul) is about the same height as Yogi and we studied him religiously and not say, 'this is a guy you have to be like,' but say 'these are the things he does off of ball screens, these are the things he does on pick and roll passing.”'
Since working with Ferrell, Burton has trained the likes of Zak Irvin, Kelan Martin, Dakota Mathias, Bryant McIntosh, Jae'Sean Tate, Rob Johnson, James Blackmon Jr., Nick Zeisloft, and Christian Watford.
None of these athletes compare, however, like Ferrell does.
Although Ferrell and Morgan play completely different positions, their stories are remarkably similar. Both serve as Indiana Basketball legends that led their teams and still found themselves labeled as simply “good college basketball players.”
Ferrell rarely found himself on draft boards in 2016 and Morgan the same. Instead of hearing his name called, Ferrell was forced to wait for his opportunity. Then when he got it, he was ready.
“It’s a testament to his perseverance,” Morgan said. “Just never giving up on what you want to achieve.”
Morgan, an underappreciated player in the upcoming draft class, is comfortable with a potentially similar experience.
“Just to hear my name called,” Morgan said. “If I don’t, just for a team to take a chance on me. Allow me to get a foot in the door and make the most of it.”
That comfort level comes from knowing the facts of the NBA Draft.
In the 2015 NBA Draft, 14 of the last 20 picks never played a game in the NBA. In that same draft class, 21 undrafted players hit the court.
In the 2016 NBA Draft, 36 undrafted players eventually played games in the NBA. In addition, Ferrell has played more career games than every single true point guard (Ben Simmons doesn’t count) drafted that year.
In the 2017-2018 NBA season, a record 53 percent of players on end-of-season rosters had spent time in the NBA G League during their careers.
“I think Juwan has a spot in the NBA,” Burton said. “Everybody has a different journey to get there…as Yogi proved it’s not always about getting drafted, it’s just about finding the right fit and the right opportunity, but also being patient enough to let that opportunity come and as you’re waiting for the opportunity, preparing. That’s what Yogi did so well and I think Juwan is going to have that opportunity. He is going to have the opportunity to showcase his abilities as not only an inside player but an outside player, play on the perimeter, and add value to his team with his toughness and his ability to lead.”
With the similarities in mind, Morgan has reached out for the insight of not only Ferrell, but a few of his other former teammates in the NBA.
“They said it’s a business,” Morgan said. “Just treating your body right, making sure you’re on top of it. It’s your job now. In college you’ve got to worry about school, you gotta worry about meeting with academic advisers…but there it’s just basketball.”
So, what now?
In preparation for the NBA Draft, Morgan is spending time every week with Burton. Every time, he drives up to Zionsville in his red truck. Then, he simply puts in work.
Working on new skills, Morgan will spend up to two hours breaking a sweat so extensive that he needs to bring multiple shirts to change into. The skills all come from what he learned last year at the NBA combine.
“They wanted to see a little bit more of perimeter oriented person,” Morgan said. “Not so much being a guard, but just being comfortable out there on the wing. Just being able to make plays from the wing, but also being able to guard multiple positions which I think I’ve done over my time at IU and I think I’m ready to really showcase that.”
Even with the perimeter work, Burton was very adamant about the fact that Morgan can’t ever stray away from his bread and butter. It’s about always keeping that bully mentality in the post.
The last major similarity between Ferrell and Morgan is ultimately what will determine if he gets his chance at the NBA.
Growing up in a military family, Morgan’s discipline and work ethic will have him ready when the time comes.
“He's an outstanding guy to be around every day,” Indiana head coach Archie Miller said. “Battles hard. You know, easy to coach. Just a great guy. Great teammate…I think he a chance to be a heck of a player here for a long time at whatever level he can get to. He's a guy that could add value to any locker room; that's the one thing about him, and he's going to better as he sort of gets away from college and really starts to hone in on his game and his body and whatnot. I think he's got a bright future.”
(04/10/19 9:20pm)
(04/03/19 7:59pm)
While in Mexico City, we had the chance to shoot the second episode of the John Bannec Show. Watch the full video here and enjoy the ride.
(04/02/19 1:39am)
Don’t call him "Danny’s Brother".
Indiana guard Devonte Green, is, and always will be, much more than an NBA sibling. Devonte is often misunderstood, he is calculated, he is complex, and he has been through much more than the common man would ever understand. He never lived the cookie cutter life that you would expect from a NBA basketball player’s brother. Devonte lived his own life.
*****
When Devonte was only two-years-old, his mom left. It was a shock to him and his brother, but with Devonte being the youngest in the household, it held a different impact.
“I think that affects him, his personality, his security, I think that was a bigger impact on him, because he seemed to always need to be encouraged,” Devonte’s father Daniel Green Sr. said. “I had to be extra supportive with him….You can see it even now. There are times where you have to constantly encourage, encourage, encourage, more than you would normal. Just to let him know that everything is going to be alright.”
From then on, Devonte and his brothers lived in a one parent household in West Babylon, New York. Green Sr., driven to provide for his kids and get them to a college education, was always there. He supported them throughout their basketball journeys, took them to practices and made nine-hour drives to North Carolina to see his oldest son play division one basketball.
He was there, until he couldn’t be.
When Devonte was in the fifth grade, he experienced the unthinkable.
Green Sr. was arrested for allegedly being involved in a $40 million drug ring.
Green Sr. was one of 15 people arrested. Of the 15, he had only ever met one of them — a corrections officer for the state.
“It was tough,” Green Sr. said. “His one main supporter that had always been there got yanked from him. It was tough for him.”
Throughout the entire process, Green Sr. was adamant about his innocence. He was vulnerable as a result of guilt by association and never backed away from that.
After pleading his case and remaining patient, authorities eventually dropped the charges that were originally brought onto to him. They then moved onto adding a conspiracy charge.
Green Sr. was provided the choice of going to trial and risking a potential three-year sentencing, or taking a deal that would credit him for the 18 months already spent in custody during his legal battle and four more months away from his family.
He took the latter, knowing that he needed to find a way to be back with his family as soon as possible.
During the entire process, he never lost touch with his sons. He would call each of them and even reached out to the coaches at UNC to make sure they were looking after his oldest.
With every call to Devonte, Green Sr. tried to give him the same message. He ensured Devonte that it was going to be okay --the same message that finds Devonte now.
“I think it definitely had a big effect, but I don’t regret anything,” Devonte said. “I think everything happens for a reason. So, the fact that that happened helped make me the person I am today.”
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdD5EBHEvj/[/embed]
*****
The result of that chaotic childhood is a basketball player that wakes up everyday aspiring to silence the doubters.
“Devonte has always had a chip on his shoulder, for whatever reason,” Green Sr. said. “It helps him sometimes, it hurts him sometimes. But, it keeps him competitive I can tell you that... It made him ultra competitive.”
It’s a chip that has been there with him through all of the adversity, and it started with losing the coach that recruited him.
With former Indiana head coach Tom Crean leaving the program, Devonte faced a complete change in what he expected from his college career. With that came the thoughts of transferring from Indiana, but something that his father had always implored on his kids was to never give up on what you started.
“I’ve definitely had thoughts," Devonte said. "Especially with the coaching change and not knowing what to expect coming in... But, I don’t regret anything because I think everything happens for a reason, and I think I’m here for a reason.”
Devonte’s decision to push past his doubts comes directly from having his father there for him through it all.
“I think the biggest thing with him is always maturity,” Green Sr. said. “You know, he just had to accept what they wanted him to do over there...He was recruited by coach Crean, so he had to learn a new offense, a new defense, and as far as a person he just had to mature. Understand there are just certain things you have to do and don’t give up. He just had to embrace that.”
The change at the helm of Indiana didn’t send Devonte elsewhere, but it did lead to a complex adjustment from both parties. A significant chunk of the past two years has been a back-and-forth learning curve between head coach Archie Miller and Devonte. Both have learned from each other and make changes accordingly. This past season was fueled by that up-and-down dynamic.
“I think Archie does the right thing by him," Green Sr. said. "He’s trying to teach him...This season was definitely tough on him. He went through an injury period. He was out a couple of games. And that hurt him. Hurt his chemistry. Hurt his rhythm. It would mess with every player...but he overcame and had really nice stretch run at the end of the year, building some momentum for next year. That’s really what I’m looking forward to.”
That final stretch run included seven games of double-digit scoring where Devonte averaged over 15 points per game. It was stretch in which he finally felt comfortable again, as a result of his ability to always seemingly push past adversity.
“Lately I’ve just been going out there and playing without thinking,” Devonte said. “Through the downs, I can always bounce back. I’ve been through a lot of adversity this year with injuries and the suspension and all that, and I just think that I learned that you can bounce back from anything.”
When Devonte feels comfortable, his performances get even better. His comfort zone takes him back to his roots in New York with a level of flare reminiscent of Rucker Park ballers. When he’s playing his style, nothing from his past seems to matter.
[embed]https://twitter.com/MikeMillerHT/status/1109538074743193601[/embed]
“I tell this to Devonte, 'It takes a while for a coach to adjust to their players', and you have to allow them some freedom and allow them some mistakes,” Green Sr. said. “Devonte is one of those players. He’s difficult to coach because he does make difficult shots. Shots that most coaches don’t want you taking, he can actually take and make. It takes a while to find a comfort zone with that as a coach.”
The inspiration behind that flashy play comes directly from his greatest role models in basketball. Devonte grew up watching Rafer Alston and Jamal Crawford. He remembers seeing Alston playing street-ball in the And1 League and being the only And1 player to make it to the NBA. He saw his style work for him and knew he could do the same.
“New York has a strong basketball culture, and I think just growing up in that culture makes you a different player,” Devonte said.
New York’s influence is what pushes Devonte’s confidence to shoot from anywhere on the floor, a mentality that only grows with every make. When he’s hot, there is only one thing on his mind.
“Uhhh shoot again,” Devonte said. “When I actually do get hot. It depends how the game is flowing, but maybe after 2 in a row it’s kind of a heat check. I mean, I could probably take smarter shots when I have a heat check, for sure. But, ya know, it’s a one-of-a-kind feeling, and you feel like you’re not gonna miss.”
*****
Before Indiana fans had a chance to see the flare that comes with Devonte, they just knew one thing: He's Danny’s brother.
It’s both a blessing and a curse. When Devonte was in the fifth grade, his brothers all relied on Danny to be a leader in the family with their father out of the house. Danny, while playing at UNC, would keep track of his brothers and make sure that house bills were paid.
Now in the NBA, Danny serves as a role model with endless amounts of insight.
“He tells me to stay with it,” Devonte said. “He was a four-year guy at North Carolina, and it took him until his fourth year, where he actually won the NCAA title. So, he just tells me to stay with it. Like, ‘all the things we want will come as long as we work’, and I believe him.”
The advice and support is invaluable, but the curse has and will continue to follow Devonte.
“I think my whole life, especially in high school, I’ve been in his shadow,” Devonte said. “It used to bother me a lot, but I think I’ve overcome it since. Especially after my freshman year here, I think I earned a name for myself a little bit… I think that I had big shoes to fill young. I think that I had a target on my back young. I think it helped and hurt me at the same time.”
[embed]https://twitter.com/ChefBoyArGreen/status/724705745762156544[/embed]
So, what do you do when you’re in your brother’s shadow? You differentiate yourself.
This past week Devonte received national attention on social media for an unconventional reason. His newfound popularity came from a tattoo on his left arm that reads, “L1, R1, Square, R1, Left, R2, R1, Left, Square, Down, L1, L1.” It's a cheat code from the video game, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas".
“Basically I was just thinking of ideas, I just thought I’m a cheat code in basketball,” Devonte said. “So I was looking up cheat codes. I had to go to San Andreas because that was my favorite GTA game growing up. And I was looking through them, and when I came across unlimited ammo I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s perfect.’”
The blow up on social media was immediate.
[embed]https://twitter.com/LakeShowYo/status/1109643648612728832[/embed]
“It was so weird,” Indiana forward De’Ron Davis said. “Don’t get me started. Oh my god, he’s a cheat code! Well, look at all of my tattoos! My tattoos mean a lot! This one right here I’ve got two eyes. One eye is a human eye and one is a tiger. It’s two beasts in one monster.”
“I think it was clever,” Green Sr. said. “I try to tell the guys to limit their tattoos, but I thought that one was very creative.”
As fun and clever as the cheat code tattoo is, it’s indicative of something more. It’s indicative of a man that is calculated and introspective. Every tattoo on Devonte’s body is calculated. Each tattoo is well thought-out and more meaningful than the last.
He has his cartoon sleeve on his left arm.
“This one right here, it’s Mario,” Green said. “Ya know? Mario and the star. This one is “room for growth” because, you know, when you take it you get bigger. This one is invincibility, but he has the dead eyes because thinking you’re invincible is toxic.”
Then there is the lion on his chest.
“Yea, it’s a lion here,” Devonte said. “One of my first tats actually. I got another one here for my faith. It’s one of my favorites, actually. It’s the acronym JUMP, “Jesus understands my pain”, and I got Jesus tatted, Jesus on the cross from it so this is one of my favorites too.”
Yet, there is a tattoo still to come. A tattoo that will soon honor his father, the one person that was always there for him, even when he couldn’t be.
It’s all calculated. Little meanings and mantras across his body to give him purpose.
“It’s little reminders definitely,” Devonte said. “It helps with confidence. It can help with anything. It just depends how you feel.
It all comes together to create who Devonte is. His past has pushed him to be the person he is. A calculated, often misunderstood, flashy Rucker Park baller that is playing the best basketball of his career. A soon-to-be-leader ready to make his mark, make a name for himself, and make his father proud.
Not just Danny’s brother--Not just a human cheat code--Not just #GreenLight
Call him Devonte.
(04/01/19 4:56pm)
Eddie Cotton spoke with one of the most interesting riders of the Little 500. He can do it all, even balance a bike on his nose.
(03/29/19 8:33pm)
Molly Levine caught up with some of the riders of this year's Little 500 to find out what certain riders need to do before every race.
(03/19/19 8:22pm)
Indiana Men's soccer rising sophomore Jack Maher has been named to the US Men's National Team under-23 team for two upcoming friendlies.
"Jack, we just think he's like a junior already after just one semester," Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said.
Maher is the only college player named on the roster and will be playing alongside the likes of internationals Tim Weah, Josh Sargent, and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Indiana has seen talent leave to play for the USMNT in the past with Griffin Dorsey and Justin Rennicks and that has come as a result of the culture established at the program.
"This is a professional environment," Maher said. "Everyone thinks so on the team. Everyone knows that every single day we're going to work."
Indiana's center back is the third youngest player on the roster behind Weah and Sargent. Maher remains eligible for the U-20 roster, but has seemingly skipped over that roster to play with the U-23 squad during this upcoming international break.
He is coming off a trip to the college cup with Indiana and being named the Big Ten Freshman of the year. Maher was the only freshman starter on the team and will be the only returning starter from last season.
A call-up of this nature is rare for a college soccer player his age and indicative of Maher being one of the best college players in the country. The call-up also insinuates that Maher has a clear opportunity to make the United State Men's National Team Olympic roster.
As the only returning starter, Maher is now prepared to bare the pressure for success that follows Indiana.
"I'm going to do my part in having IU achieve that next star," Maher said.
Coming off of his freshman season, Maher's biggest focus this off-season has been getting stronger and working on his physicality. He showed that improvement when leading Indiana to two clean sheets in Mexico City this past week.
Maher's younger brother Joey, recently committed to attend Indiana upon graduation from high school.
[embed]https://twitter.com/SoccerSTL/status/1102806114817708033[/embed]
(03/14/19 6:12pm)
While in Mexico City, we had the chance to shoot the first episode of the John Bannec Show. Watch the full video here and enjoy the ride.
(03/08/19 3:30pm)
Carmel High School's Beau Robbins is set to attend Indiana University this upcoming fall. As part of one of the best recruiting classes in the school's history, he is ready to take the Big Ten by storm. According to 247Sports, Robbins is considered a 4-star recruit and a top-20 weak-side defensive end.
(03/07/19 6:13pm)
On the first episode of the Little 500 podcast, Eddie Cotton was joined by former Little 500 rider/coach, Indy Star reporter Zach Osterman.
(03/02/19 9:03pm)
It isn’t over yet.
With 10 minutes and 21 seconds left in Saturday’s matinee against Michigan State, it wasn’t over. Indiana was down seven with its back against the wall of empty mediocrity, and it wasn’t over.
With 12 Big Ten losses over a stretch of 13 games, Indiana’s season wasn’t over. Indiana was left at the bottom of the Big Ten with four games remaining and still its season wasn’t over.
“There's no lay-down in them,” Indiana head coach Archie Miller said.
After back-to-back wins against ranked conference opponents for the first time since 2016, Indiana’s season is far from over.
It’s a sentiment that would have been comical just a week prior, but with thanks to an undoubted sense of urgency created by a fleeting season, it’s now the sentiment at the forefront.
It’s sense of urgency that almost came too late into the season.
It was a sense of urgency that almost came too late into this game.
Just like Indiana’s Big Ten season, Saturday against the Spartans was a slow start.
As is everything with Indiana basketball, the only light during the first half came from the most unexpected individual.
Indiana forward Justin Smith kept the Hoosiers alive with 16 points and three made field goals from behind the arc. After only hitting four shots from deep all season before Saturday, Smith’s early outburst was almost unfathomable.
“I mean, I was due to hit some shots, hadn't hit a couple in a while, and then once I got a couple going, my teammates kept giving me confidence, told me keep shooting it,” Smith said. “And that's what I did, and I was able to make a couple.”
Smith was the only Hoosier with over three points in the first half. The rest of the roster was simply going through the motions as Indiana trailed Michigan State 35-to-28 at halftime.
The trend continued with seemingly no end in sight. With 10:21 on the clock, down 51-44, the Hoosiers faced a hill that felt too familiar.
It all seemed over. The season and the game.
Then, Indiana outworked Michigan State in every facet of the game.
By game’s end, Indiana forced 14 turnovers, scored 15 points off turnovers, had 10 second chance points, compiled 10 steals, and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.
With forward Juwan Morgan and guard Romeo Langford restricted to less than double-digits scoring, another unexpected figure fueled the Hoosiers.
Indiana guard Devonte Green stepped in when called upon, bought-in defensively, forced three steals, pushed the transition, and lofted up heat check after heat check for 13 points.
“I mean, he's a really good player,” Indiana guard Rob Phinisee said. “He just stepped up, knocked down threes when it mattered and helped us.”
It was defense to offense and then offense to energy. After a 9-0 run followed by a 7-0 run to end the game, Indiana took a 63-62 lead over Michigan State.
“We were much better in the second half, and then as about the 12-minute mark, the 8-minute mark started to come around, you could feel our guys have a different vibe about them just in terms of their energy level, and the last four minutes being able to get some key stops, some big offensive rebounds,” Miller said.
Then it all ended the way Miller wanted it to.
Miller’s freshman point guard, Phinisee, shutting down potential player of the year Cassius Winston in the final moments.
“I mean, I was proud of him,” Green said. “I was proud of the whole team, the way we defended him as a team, and I wasn't surprised. I mean, he's a great defender. I make him work every day in practice, that's for sure, so I mean, I was happy. Happy for him.”
Maybe this season will also end the way Miller always wanted it to.
“You know, I think our resume at the end of the day will speak for itself,” Miller said. “We have two more games. You have to control what you can, and that's the only thing you've got to worry about right now. Then you have the Big Ten Tournament. But we have a unique resume. Our schedule strength is off the charts. We have some big wins against really, really highly regarded teams, and if you take the name off the front, obviously you're going to look at a stretch in the season that doesn't look very good, but it's all about how you finish.”
(02/26/19 12:50am)
[embed]https://twitter.com/TheHoosierNet/status/1100200615064555520[/embed]
Indiana has a lot to blame for its seemingly lost season.
The Hoosiers have found themselves under .500 with four games remaining for a multitude of reasons. Whether it be injuries, missed free throws, inept shooting, or even lackadaisical effort, every game has seemingly displayed some form of major flaw that inhibits Indiana's ability to win games.
In addition to it all, Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon's late-game heroics on Friday served as a reminder for another major flaw for Indiana...
There is a chance that Indiana may be cursed this season.
As far-fetched of a sentiment as that is, it is not outlandish to say that the Hoosiers' recent opponents have been out of the ordinary. In the past few weeks, the Indiana has faced some of the most absurd shooting performances you will ever see in Big Ten basketball.
This includes Bohannon single handedly beating Indiana twice this season on "Jimmer Fredette" type shots, Purdue center Matt Haarms silencing the crowd at Assembly Hall with a last second tip-in over the back of Indiana forward Juwan Morgan, and Northwestern forward Aaron Falzon hitting six threes, three years and 13 days after his last 20-point performance.
Looking at Indiana's recent stretch of conference play holistically, it almost seems unfathomable to understand how the Hoosiers have been so unlucky. The absurdity of the Hoosiers opponents doesn't bail Indiana out of complaints, but it does at least make you think.
It would help if Indiana could shoot better, execute down the stretch, and hit free throws. When Indiana can't do that, the Hoosiers stand little chance against the absurdity they have faced.
At the top of the page is a compilation of some of those ludicrous performances. Watch at your own discretion.
(02/08/19 2:39pm)
When Indiana forward Juwan Morgan and guard Romeo Langford walked into the press room following the 77-72 loss against No. 20 Iowa, they didn't hold their heads low. When asked about the game, they were responsive and engaged. They were positive. There is a reason for that.
On Thursday, we learned that Michigan State wasn’t a fluke.
“This game right here, it's going to be evaluated just like Michigan State,” Archie Miller said. “Are we in check with our attitude; did we come together; did we play hard, and did we play unselfish, and I think we did a lot of those things.”
The narrative that fueled the anticipation for Thursday’s game against Iowa was one that asked a simple question.
Was Indiana’s win over Michigan State a blip in an all but over season or did it actually mean something?
As cliché and unnecessary as it is to utilize moral victories to quantify a game, Indiana can confidently understand that this was another step in the right direction.
[embed]https://twitter.com/TheHoosierNet/status/1093733093037477889[/embed]
“I wasn't terribly disappointed in our team tonight,” Miller said. “I thought we were really together again offensively, whether it was the man or the zone we continued to be able to get 17 assists in the game, which is something we've got to keep doing and we shot a good percentage.”
The Hoosiers took the confidence that fueled them in East Lansing and quite clearly brought it with them to Assembly Hall.
After starting the season shooting an abysmal clip from three-point range, the Hoosiers were a modest 7-for-21 against the Hawkeyes. In addition, the Hoosiers found a go-to option from three in sophomore guard Al Durham who was 2-for-5.
The confidence that fueled the Hoosiers also facilitated a team effort that looked more cohesive than ever before. Indiana played smarter and worked harder.
Part of the fuel behind the Hoosiers shift in play has been the emergence of a healthy De’Ron Davis. A year ago, Davis addressed the media about his Achilles injury. He emphasized that the play he had shown in his career was not the play to expect from him when he recovered. Davis wanted to get back to what made him successful in high school, and Thursday night showed that. With seven assists, five rebounds and not a single turnover, Davis displayed just how much better he makes those around him.
"He just has a great feel for the game," Morgan said about Davis. "He knows where guys are and he doesn't really force anything. He just takes his time in there, he finds open guys, and he makes the right pass."
In the end, what killed Indiana was the 20th best team in the country and their lethal shooters.
“We closed out soft and we -- what I mean by that, is we closed out short,” Miller said. “We were short on a lot of close-outs and they got range, and you know, Weiskamp got going early in the game. I think he made all four of his threes in the first half.”
[embed]https://twitter.com/TheHoosierNet/status/1093746967375740929[/embed]
The Hawkeyes shot 10-for-25 from behind the arc and any team that does that is rarely going to lose. Defensively, Indiana lacked an answer for Iowa forward Tyler Cook and for the plethora of shooting talent on the Hawkeyes.
In the pack-line defense, defending the perimeter is always going to be the most difficult part. Thursday it was, and that’s okay.
In a five-point loss, Indiana took another step in the right direction. A step that has come right at the buzzer of Indiana’s season.
With wins against Marquette, Louisville, and Michigan State, the Hoosiers have just enough on their resume to stay alive moving forward. Now, it’s just about taking one more step forward against Ohio State on Sunday.
(02/03/19 3:37am)
During Indiana’s seven game losing streak, everything seemed inevitable.
It was always the same old story after each game. The Hoosiers couldn’t buy a shot, they looked fatigued at nearly every opportunity, and at some point during every single game Indiana folded.
The Hoosiers coddled their flaws and simply folded in front of their competition. Whether it be a 22-0 run against Rutgers or a 17-0 run to open the game against Michigan, there was always a remarkably clear moment in each game where one could pinpoint a team that had looked defeated.
Against Michigan State, that feeling of inevitable dread subsided for the 45 most important moments of Indiana’s season. At every moment during the game in which Indiana could have easily fallen to the backdrop, Indiana defied its tendency and fought back.
A change as drastic as that one against the sixth best team in the nation in one of the most hostile environments in the country is barely a result of schematic differences.
Indiana’s efforts against the Spartans went to truly show the importance of the mental side of basketball.
[embed]https://twitter.com/IndianaMBB/status/1091901059164000257[/embed]
“We have to have more poise,” head coach Archie Miller said prior to traveling to Michigan State. “We have shown the ability to sort of play well at times and then all of a sudden it goes away very fast, and we can't stop the flood, so to speak. And that comes down to poise and patience and don't panic on either end of the floor. Just stick with it, stay with it, and be a little smarter.”
Saturday’s performance by Indiana was the first time the Hoosiers looked poised since taking on Marquette on November 14.
It was a level of poise that could potentially have saved Indiana’s season from the mediocrity of a NIT berth.
From the very onset, everything seemed different for an Indiana team that appeared confident rather than scared of the moment.
But where did that newly found come from?
It could have been the return of junior guard Devonte Green to the lineup.
Or, it could have been the return of junior forward De’Ron Davis.
Or, it could have realistically been the words of wisdom of a famous IU alum.
After seven straight losses, Indiana captain Juwan Morgan reached out to former Hoosiers Rob Johnson, Yogi Ferrell, and Max Bielfeldt. What he looked for was guidance in a situation such as this one.
“They were just saying things like, you just have to bring everybody together,” Morgan said. “All these guys come from winning high school programs, AAU teams, they're used to being the man, they're used to always winning, and when they did lose, it was rarely by anything more than like five points. So just really getting them to accept that.”
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Nobody can truly pinpoint what it was that brought the Hoosiers confidence, but what mattered was the clear results.
Davis had his best game of the season with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Green had his best game of the season with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Sophomore guard Al Durham had his best game of the season with 14 points.
Sophomore forward Justin Smith had the best game of his career by compiling a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
And even freshman forward Jake Forrester had the best game of his career with two points and four rebounds in eight minutes of play.
The most mesmerizing of it all fell on the shoulders of graduate transfer Evan Fitzner who hit his first three in 2019.
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The Hoosiers through it all, defied their greatest flaws by shooting 10-of-20 from 3-point range and out-rebounding their opponent 48-to-40.
These events are not mutually exclusive. Individually, each occurrence could be explained by some sort of adjustment or just a “good feeling.”
When these events all occur at the same time, that explanation become futile. The concurrent success of Indiana’s players comes entirely as a result of unified level of confidence.
A level of confidence that could have easily subsided after the team’s leader left the game with an injury in the first half. Morgan’s injury provided IU with a perfect excuse for failure that IU didn’t run into, rather it ran away from.
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“We wanted to do it for him,” Durham said. “He just kept us going, kept leading us, kept talking to us. His presence was there, it just wasn’t on the court.”
Now it’s Miller’s job to capture that confidence that fueled the Hoosiers win over Michigan State.
Indiana can make the tournament as long they understand the importance of the mental side of it all. The Hoosiers can’t show up Thursday against Iowa with the same fear that has renounced them before.
This win can be a spring board, or a blip.
(01/31/19 8:04pm)
Former Indiana defender Andrew Gutman has officially signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Celtic FC.
After the completion of the college season, Gutman went on trial with Rangers FC and as a result received an offer from the club.
Gutman's offer from Rangers then led to interest from the club's greatest rival, Celtic FC. From there Gutman was left to consider his interest in Scotland as well as a potential Homegrown Contract with the Chicago Fire.
“When I realized Celtic FC wanted to sign me permanently, I was really honored," Gutman said per Celtic FC. "I know Celtic is a huge name in football, they have tremendous supporters and it is a club where I believe I can flourish as a player. For the immediate period I will be focusing on my loan in America where I look forward to playing as many matches as I can. After that, I can’t wait to join Celtic and be part of such a storied institution.”
Indiana's former leading goal scorer will be loaned out to Nashville SC as he continues his development.
“Once I heard about this opportunity, I was super excited,” Gutman said per Nashville SC. “Nashville is a great city, and they have built a very strong team. I am ready meet the guys, get to work and am excited to contribute in any way possible to this club. I want to thank Celtic F.C. for giving me the chance to grow as a player in Nashville. To the Nashville SC fans, I cannot wait to meet you and play in front of the best fans in the nation.”
This past season, Gutman won the 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy following an incredible senior season.
Gutman earned the award, which is given to college soccer’s best overall player, after leading the Hoosiers to two Big Ten Championships and the College Cup. He led the team in scoring with 11 goals and added nine assists along the way.
Gutman was also named to the First Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on top of being an All-American.
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This move to Scotland not only represents a major opportunity for Indiana's former defender, but it also goes to represent a major shift in American soccer. Gutman will be joining fellow American Timothy Weah at Celtic along with the many other Americans that have made the jump to Europe.
Indiana's former defender came into college as a completly under-recruited prospect. Now he's competing in the Scottish Premiership.
(01/24/19 12:21am)
In 2001, Jay Wright was hired as the head coach of Villanova basketball. He took over the program after an 18-13 season and a first round loss in the NIT under the leadership of Steve Lappas.
In the three years that followed, Wright took Villanova to three more NIT’s. In the 14 years that followed, Wright’s Wildcats made 13 NCAA Tournaments, three Final Fours, and won two National Championships.
In 2009, the University of Virginia hired Tony Bennett to be its head coach. In Bennett’s first two seasons, the Cavaliers went 31-31. In the seven years that followed, the Cavaliers made six NCAA Tournaments and won two ACC Tournaments.
In 2011, the University of Dayton hired Archie Miller to be the head coach of the school’s basketball team. In his first two years, the Flyers went 37-27. Four years later, the Flyers had made four NCAA Tournaments and won two Atlantic-10 titles.
In 2019, Miller sits at the helm of one of the most historic programs in college basketball. In his second season as the head coach, the Hoosiers appear to be meddling into mediocrity with five straight losses. With each loss more frustrating than the last, fans have noticeably grown agitated.
But, why?
Entering the 2018-2019 season, there was a noticeable level of optimism surrounding Indiana Basketball. The expectations that surrounded the program were set from the very beginning by Indiana’s captain Juwan Morgan.
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Morgan appeared on the March Madness 365 podcast with Andy Katz prior to the season. When asked what it will take for Indiana to make the NCAA tournament, Morgan answered simply.
“There is no if,” Morgan said. “We will.”
At the time, the expectation felt warranted. Now, it feels drastic.
The drastic feeling that surrounds this assertion comes with the understanding that it allowed fans to get their hopes up. It established a precedent for rash thinking. It established a reason to be frustrated with anything less than a tournament appearance without looking at the reality of a situation.
As easy as it might be to grow angry and project malice towards Indiana’s head coach, it is incredibly egregious to not consider the reality of the situation.
Right now, Indiana is currently hamstrung to a realistic rotation of six basketball players.
Indiana has one legitimate ball handler that comes in the form of freshman point guard Rob Phinisee.
Indiana has one true big man in Juwan Morgan.
Alongside those two, the Hoosiers have freshman Romeo Langford who is left to carry a majority of the offensive responsibility, sophomore Al Durham, unpredictable sophomore forward Justin Smith, and an offensive liability in senior walk-on Zach McRoberts.
That is it.
Devonte Green is suspended. Evan Fitzner lacks confidence to be effective. De’Ron Davis has rarely been healthy. Damezi Anderson isn’t ready for Big Ten basketball. Clifton Moore has been okay in short bursts. Jerome Hunter is out for the season. Race Thompson has missed the majority of the season and was just cleared for basketball activity.
How is that a roster that is expected to compete in the Big Ten?
It’s appalling to consider how quickly people are willing to throw out blame for a situation that isn’t a result of Miller’s actions. Indiana’s head coach didn’t intentionally hurt half his roster. Miller has only been left to work with a limited rotation of talent that only includes two players in which he recruited.
How can anyone reasonably expect a coach to win in this scenario?
When Miller was hired in 2017, it should have been obvious what fans were signing up for.
Miller runs a system that requires versatility and length. He runs a system that is focused on defensive output and without the athletes need to run that system, struggles are inevitable.
Hiring Miller meant signing up for patience. The same patience that was offered to Wright, Bennett, and Miller at Dayton.
Miller wasn’t hired for 2019. Miller was hired for 2021. Miller was hired to recruit top talent that fit his system, develop that talent, and find success. He wasn’t hired to turn water into wine.
Feel free to judge Indiana when it fields a lineup of Rob Phinisee with another year of experience, Keion Brooks, Jerome Hunter, Justin Smith, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Don’t judge Indiana now.
(01/12/19 12:01am)
CHICAGO -- It was a longer wait than some may have expected, but with the 32nd pick in the MLS SuperDraft, the New York Red Bulls got the player they wanted all along in former Hoosier right back Rece Buckmaster.
“At the New York Red Bulls we go after guys that are fearless, have personality, that physically have something, that are good human beings, and he checked all the boxes,” Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas said. “So, once we got by positionally what we were hoping to get out of this draft, we rated him high. We had him as the highest ranked right back here, so we think we got a winner.”
Buckmaster’s surprising wait came as a result of an impressive MLS combine performance that saw him rise up draft boards just prior to the draft. Buckmaster didn’t even plan on attending the event until he saw the interest he generated at the combine.
No matter the wait time, Buckmaster never hesitated.
“Yeah it was a bit of a long wait, but at the end of the day I’m just happy I got drafted by a great organization, a great team, and I watch them play a lot and I’m just excited to get out there,” Buckmaster said.
The culmination to Buckmaster’s patience came in the form of a 10 minute delay prior to his selection. The 10 minute delay came as a result of a lengthy trade negotiation that saw representatives from the New York Red Bulls running from their table to the Chicago Fire’s and back.
The Red Bulls insistence on moving up to get Buckmaster ended with a trade that awarded the Red Bulls with Buckmaster in exchange for a player to be named later.
“Yeah that was crazy,” Buckmaster said. “I was talking to my agent and he knew some things were going down. So yeah, it was long, but it was worth it for sure.”
Indiana’s former fullback joins a long history of producing professional talent. Buckmaster is the 47th Indiana player selected in the MLS Draft since the league's inception in 1996 and that comes from a sense of dedication to development.
“I mean that was my dream school all along and when they pushed me to outside back my junior year, Todd knew it was the moment that I could be at the next level,” Buckmaster said. “Ever since then it has worked out.”
While at his dream school, Buckmaster helped the Hoosiers post 54 shutouts in his 82 career matches.
Part of that success and development is thanks to his mentality off the pitch.
“He has all the things that you need to be successful,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said. “One, his humility is off the charts. Probably his only knock is he doesn’t know how good he is, but yet all the pro coaches that was something that was ringing to their ears about. Having someone that is not expecting to take a job but is willing to put the work in and wants it….Nothing was ever given to Rece. Nothing at IU. He didn’t come in and start day one. He earned it, and he’s just a great teammate. He has the work rate. He has the athleticism as a quality and the durability. He is still tactically growing. Technically, he just has to refine it. It’s just a couple small things, but not a big enough gap that it won’t be able to be closed.”
Now, the Red Bulls' full back is ready to put in the work needed at the professional level. He should also be prepared to slot right into a style of play that comes naturally.
“His defensive work is tremendous and he’s the perfect one to bring into an MLS team to push the guy in front and see where it goes,” Yeagley said. “Red Bulls really likes also the style of which we like to press. It’s a fit. They like the disciplne of which our kids are taught. They have a very similar approach to how they play so I think it’s a good systematic fit.”
Ultimately, the MLS SuperDraft opens doors that college soccer players could previously only imagine. For Buckmaster, Friday’s draft was special.
“It’s a dream come true,” Buckmaster said. “Obviously getting drafted it has always been my dream ever since I could walk. I remember just always wanting to play professional soccer, and thanks to the Red Bulls they made a dream come true.”
(01/11/19 2:45am)
Former Indiana midfielder Austin Panchot has joined the numerous Hoosiers heading to professional soccer after he signed with North Carolina FC of the USL Wednesday.
Indiana’s lengthy postseason schedule resulted in a repercussion. It pushed Panchot to have to make a quick decision with his next step.
“It happened pretty quick,” Panchot said. “I signed with an agent and my dad and I kinda talked with him... He presented a few options with teams that were pretty interested, and some more than others obviously. Obviously after the season it was pretty new to me because I was just focused on finishing out, obviously going for a title that unfortunately we didn’t get. Really the agent took the lead and coach was helping out too. Talked with Yeagley and my agent regularly during the week.”
Ultimately, Panchot’s decision came down to the team that wanted him the most.
“North Carolina was always a front runner in terms of interest and I wanted to go where I was wanted as well as a great place to live, play.” Panchot said. “So, it ended up being a no brainer for me... A lot of the other teams that showed interest in me were like ‘we gotta put together our roster first before giving out an offer’ and I wanted to go to a place that was super excited about me and wanted me there.”
With North Carolina FC, Panchot will be able to develop under newly named head coach Dave Sarachan. Sarachan has 10 years of MLS coaching experience just finished a year at the helm of the US Men’s National team.
“That was a huge selling point too,” Panchot said. “Great opportunity to learn from him. With all the connections and experience he has it’s going to be great for me as a player.”
In the decision process, St. Louis was Panchot’s next option that he was considering. Panchot chose to follow his heart and head to North Carolina instead of staying home because he wanted a new adventure. It’s a similar adventure to Panchot’s decision to attend Indiana instead of St. Louis University.
Panchot finished his senior season with five goals and four assists in a year that ended with a trip to the College Cup. He finished his career with two College Cup appearances, 13 goals, and nine assists.
Now, Panchot will be joining a large group of Hoosiers that will be heading to the pros.
“It’s super exciting and I think it’s a testament to how great of a group we had,” Panchot said. “And these are all my best friends too so it’s great for the program, great for them, and just awesome.”
Joining Panchot on this adventure will be a familiar voice. Big Ten Network broadcaster Dean Linke serves as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for North Carolina FC.
“It’s awesome,” Panchot said. “I can’t wait. My Dad actually texted him (Linke) and said ‘I’m excited to hear you on the call’ and it caught him off guard a little bit.”
With Linke’s voice narrating Panchot’s future, the former Indiana midfielder is set to face an exciting new opportunity.
“It’s unparalleled,” Panchot said. “It’s completely new. I’ve obviously never signed a contract before so it’s super exciting for me. I can’t really describe it. It kinda feels like committing to college in the sense that it’s a completely new adventure.”
(12/09/18 5:12am)
SANTA BARBARA, CA—After the match I walked up to Indiana assistant coach Danny O’Rourke with the intent of thanking him for the season.
Throughout the season, O’Rourke, along with many others on the team provided me with an incredible amount of access and openness in covering what will forever be considered a special season. It warranted a thank you.
I went up to him, and he just apologized.
He apologized for being unable to provide one more game.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“Just tonight that ball was not bouncing,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said. “We had all those chances in the second half. We just couldn’t find that bounce that we needed.”
Heading into the College Cup, everything seemingly aligned perfectly for Indiana in its quest for a ninth National Championship.
Indiana entered the season, with an experience unlike any other. Having come off a loss in the 2017 National Championship, the Hoosiers were motivated and hungry.
As every game passed, Indiana looked more and more focused on one thing. There was no taking things for granted. The Hoosiers just wanted to win.
It’s the reason that Indiana became the first team to go 8-0 in the Big Ten. It’s the reason the Hoosiers pushed through the Big Ten Tournament with an unwavering sense of urgency.
Indiana battled all season long behind the backs of an unprecedented senior class of eight, all of which played a prominent role on the pitch.
The Hoosiers were fueled by an elite coaching staff that had seen it all, from varying perspectives. Yeagley has seen success since being a nine-year-old walking around the sidelines of Indiana soccer matches. Assistant coach Danny O’Rourke had won a College Cup, a MAC Hermann Award, and an MLS Cup. Assistant coach Kevin Robson had won two College Cups, had seen the success of this program, and had spent the season mastering the tactics of Indiana’s set pieces.
After Wake Forest’s loss to Akron in the round of the 16, Indiana entered the College Cup as the top ranked team left in the field.
It all aligned for this moment. It all came together for what almost seemed like a forgone conclusion, and then it didn’t.
“It just wasn’t our day,” Indiana defender Andrew Gutman said. “The ball didn’t bounce our way.”
Attending practices all season long, one thing was always evident. This team wanted to out work you.
Indiana senior Trevor Swartz and Andrew Gutman would spend extra time every practice working on set pieces without being told to do so. Senior Timmy Mehl would set up 25 yards beyond net and rifle free kicks after practice without being told to do so. Even the redshirts would be practicing on their own whenever the team went on the road, without ever being told to do so.
It was a team of high character, hard working individuals that deserved success. And yet, on Friday night, they found themselves apologizing to me.
That apology was unwarranted.
“It’s really hard to go all the way and win the championship, and what I told them was that in particular this senior group, I feel they’ll go down as one of the best teams that’s ever wore the uniform,” Yeagley said.
Sports can quickly become a crapshoot. There are no givens and there are no guarantees. The difficulty of putting it all together every night and winning a National Championship is almost unmeasurable. No team will ever be perfect, and Friday showed it.
As odd and uncomfortable as it felt on Friday, Indiana just didn’t have it.
It started with a first half reminiscent of Indiana’s performance against Notre Dame in the quarterfinals. A first half that defied Indiana’s normal tendencies, and seemingly filled with nerves.
“I thought in the first half we were just a little bit out of rhythm and spacing was a little bit off,” Yeagley said.
It continued with an injury that changed the match. Indiana’s captain in the midfield, Francesco Moore, was cringing on the field from the first minute, and the fact that he even tried to play was admirable. Half way through the first half that pain was too much to even utilize as Moore was subbed off for good.
“He’s so important to our team,” Yeagley said. “I wanted him to be a big part of this game.”
It ended with every player on the Indiana roster individually embracing Moore. Each player embracing him, thanking him, and once again apologizing to man that had given this program everything he had.
Those apologies came after a second half that was completely controlled by Indiana. With 11 shots in the half, the Hoosiers put on a mesmerizing display in search of a goal that felt inevitable. An inevitable goal that never came.
“I was surprised we didn’t find one yes, but not stunned,” Yeagley said. “We’ve been around this game a long time. It’s tough to score. It’s the hardest thing in our sport to do.”
During those 90 minutes, Maryland’s Matt Di Rosa and Donovan Pines both scored goals that realistically appeared to be fluky. They were fluky, and yet deserved, on night where Maryland was the better team.
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. It was a story that was almost too good to be true.
Last year’s National Championship was supposed to serve as a learning experience and a motivation. Instead, it served as an extra level of pressure. Pressure that was self-created and ultimately detrimental.
“We got to win in it,” Gutman said after beating Notre Dame in the quarterfinals. “This was great getting to the College Cup but really have done anything yet. Like all of us, this is our last chances at it. We are gonna do everything we can to win it this year and make up for what happened last year.”
Now, they’re off to greener pastures. The seniors on this team are set for professional careers and they can all look back and realize that no matter what the result of Friday’s game was, they did something special.
Indiana had a special season that will forever be remembered. The Hoosiers deserved this title, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. That’s okay.
“There is nothing that a parent or coach can say,” Yeagley said. “You just need time to let the emotions calm and then realize what you’ve done. All I told them was that I was very proud. They left everything on the field, and it’s going to be a group that they’ll talk about for 15…20…30 years and that’s pretty powerful.”
(12/07/18 2:56am)
In last year’s National Championship game, Indiana winger Griffin Dorsey was the last Hoosier to touch the ball.
“I’ve watched that goal probably 100 times,” Indiana midfielder Francesco Moore said.
In the 103rd minute of the match, Stanford forward Corey Baird cut into the box from the right side and sent in a low cross. Dorsey, in good defensive position, intercepted the cross and looked up.
Dorsey looked up attempting to start the counter attack, and moments later, Stanford forward Sam Werner stole the ball. He stole the ball, looked up, and ended the season.
“It was tough obviously,” Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley said. “You know it’s a good learning lesson for a young player. Certainly, that stage is tough, but you know, we never actually talked about the situation because we wouldn’t be there without him. He knew that it was a tactical decision that he’s gotta do better with. They got a little fortunate bounce. Kid hit a great shot and there it is.”
A year later, Dorsey is different player. Composed, experienced, and seemingly unaffected.
“Took a little bit bigger of a toll on me than I think for a few others for the mistake I made in the finals, but that’s just something you’ve gotta move on as a player,” Dorsey said. “It happens to everybody.”
Dorsey’s impervious mentality is not only admirable, but important. This weekend, Dorsey faces an opportunity at redemption, and yet that’s not on his mind. All that has truly appeared to matter to him all season long has been the success of the team around him. It’s an attitude that leaves him and his teammates solely focused on the task at hand at this year’s college cup, but it’s also a mindset that elicits intrigue.
After last year’s loss, Dorsey not only had to face his own disappointment, but also the qualms of those he has never even met before.
“You know I got a comment from a kid who’s probably 12 or 13-years old after that happened and it was like ‘How does it feel to lose the national championship’ and you know I had a couple of the buddies back me up on it and it was just like…I don’t know,” Dorsey said. “I never really looked into it much. I kinda just moved on. What ya gonna do?”
What Dorsey did, was look ahead. A difficult ask that even took some of his teammates a long time to appreciate.
“You’re still thinking, geez man, I was playing in the most intense game you could ever play in in college soccer,” Moore said. “So many people watching. On the biggest stage. And you kinda just sit there and think, what if?”
It hurts to lose. It hurts because of the work you put in and it hurts because of the success that slips away. What also hurts is the unique dynamic of blame that surrounds sports.
Dorsey had the last touch, but he didn’t have the only touch. If Indiana scores in regulation, that game never goes to overtime. If the ball had been cleared out earlier, Dorsey never faces that moment. If Dorsey never tracked back defensively, then Stanford most likely wins anyway. And that’s where the need to toss around blame becomes complicated.
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“Any time there is a goal scored on you, you think what could I have done better?,” Moore said. “I mean I just keeping going through that play, you know, what could I have done better? What could I have done better?”
Ultimately, Dorsey is a different player from the one in last year’s college cup. Now a sophomore, Dorsey has learned from his past experiences on a team fueled by lessons from the past.
“I think mainly what I learned last year was don’t take anything for granted,” Dorsey said. “I think it was my freshman year and I hadn’t seen anything. I hadn’t really experienced everything in college and I think I took it a little bit for granted that we made it to the college cup. I mean, this year is definitely, definitely different.”
What’s different is a player that has become a pivotal cog in the offensive attack of one of the best teams in the nation. Indiana’s sophomore winger has five goals and five assists on the season and a United Soccer Coaches 2nd Team All-American honor to his name. All fueled by his chemistry with sophomore forward Justin Rennicks.
“We’ve always had a little connection on the field,” Rennicks said. “He’s a tough kid. He’s not going to let that hurt him in any way…It doesn’t matter anymore. Obviously, we’ve got bigger opportunities ahead of us…He’s just going to play better soccer. I’ve already seen it. He’s just going to play the soccer that he always plays.”
Rennicks and Dorsey’s connection goes well beyond Indiana. The two have played together as a part of the United States Men’s National Team Youth Academy before even coming to campus, and the two both left the team during the Big Ten Tournament to compete in the U-20 Concacaf Championships. Another experience that provided a lesson similar to the one learned a year ago.
“It was unbelievable,” Dorsey said. “I mean wearing the crest is something that you don’t take for granted. I think that was mainly what I got from it. Never take it for granted no matter when you’re stepping on the field wearing the jersey.”
We are all fueled by our experiences. When we struggle, some of us choose to forget the pain behind us. Others embrace it. Heading into the college cup, Indiana fans can find confidence in the fact that Dorsey embraced it. He embraced it, learned to never take anything for granted, and then put it behind him. Now he takes that newfound outlook to Santa Barbara.
“I’d say it provides a little extra motivation,” Dorsey said. “I mean, honestly, the motivation for everyone is still there. We just want to win. That’s all we want to do. That’s all we ever wanted to do. Just go out there and win. I think this year the team is more ready than I think we were last year. I think we have a little bit more maturity. We’re a little smarter. And I’m excited.”