[IUFR] Why Is Indiana Giving Up So Many Open 3s?

Coach Adragna looks at every 3-point basket IU has surrendered this season and assesses where (and why) the breakdowns are happening.

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Just what you’ve been waiting for …

A cut-up of every three-pointer Indiana has surrendered this season!

I kid, I kid.

Well, kind of.

This week here in IU Film Room, I do actually analyze every single three-pointer Indiana has given up already this season, but with a very specific purpose: trying to identify where the breakdowns occurred on each one.

• Were they schematic?

• Was it more a personnel thing?

• Why does it seem like opponents are continually left wide open?

As a little teaser, let’s look at the clip below.

As you’ll hear in the video, I chalk this possession up to an “overhelp” by Anthony Walker. Of the 37 threes that the Hoosiers have given up this year, I have 15 of them labeled as overhelp — which could be a function of the scheme, the scheme not being executed properly, or in some cases both.

This clip from last night is another one that was a head-scratcher.

Wright State ran a “ghost” screen, which is essentially where a player goes to set a screen, then immediately slips it. It looks like IU was supposed to switch it, but Galloway and Mgbako didn’t properly communicate, so it resulted in a wide-open three.

I designated clips like this “poor communication.” IU has had six such instances so far this season.

Other designations were “hand down, man down,” “offensive rebounds,” and “tough shot.” This last category includes possession where IU played pretty good defense but the opponent just happened to make a tough shot. It happens.

In all, I think you’ll see some pretty eye-opening discoveries in today’s Film Room as we dive into these clips. You might even feel just a little bit less pessimistic about the defense’s potential for improvement after diving in.

[Editor’s note: In the video below, Tony mentions the nail-slot-rim defensive philosophy Indiana uses. Earlier today, we posted this video that Coach Tonsoni made last year explaining the basic concepts of the nail-slot-rim defense. It’s useful foundational material for more fully understanding the clips and video.]

Here is this week’s Film Room video for our premium subscribers: