DISQUS

bz · 2 months ago

i just don't see roth getting much pt in the big ten season. he'll get some minutes early in the year when the staff if trying to figure out what they have as a team. but save for a few last-second-we-need-a-big-three type situations, i don't see him playing a whole lot.

aerialM · 2 months ago

candidate for a redshirt? I'd think so. Good to hear about the developments in his game/conditioning over the offseason, but in the end, playing time will be sparse. I'd think a redshirt could help him and help the team. he does have to hit his 3's more consistently & add another element to his game, be it defense or passing, or an ability to track down a long rebound or two. I see him as a Todd Leary guy, eventually, but for now, he's a sharp-shooter whose shooting isn't always sharp. Still, with the offensive options we have this year, the opposing D might sag off him and he might have some more open looks...

HoosierGirl · 2 months ago

No disrespect, but the redshirt idea is an awful one. We have to get some class balance back and redshirting him would only add to that problem. Plus, I think he could still help us on the court this year if he has improved as much as Crean says...especially if we can get some penetration and kickouts.

aerialM · 2 months ago

none taken. your argument makes sense. i'm just thinking about playing time and what he could possibly add to the team with a more developed,well-rounded game. you bring up some good points. Roth is usually mentioned as a possible transfer and I think that'd be a shame. he can certainly contribute/play a role on a D-I, B10 team...

GFDave · 2 months ago

Its encouraging to find out that Matt has worked hard during the off season and that Crean has noticed it so much that he mentions Matt's efforts. Good for him. I hope he becomes a contributor and right now I think that means being able to come into the game and instantly provide offense. If he can't do that, I doubt he'll stay on the floor very long.

Andrew · 2 months ago

Alex---
I've got one for you...if you "throw out" (as you like to say) our 25 losses last year, we were actually 6-0!!! Manipulating statistics is just that...why not just say what actually happened, that he shot 37% from 3 for the year? He played in all (31) games during a very difficult season; why in the world would his best game not count??? Keep in mind that 33% 3-pt shooting is equal to 50% 2-pt shooting. As a true freshman on a team with no one who could consistently drive, draw, and dish (a point that cannot be overstated), his numbers are actually quite respectable. Was he one-dimensional last year? Of course. But every IU player is in some way flawed. Roth, Dumes, and Jones will play a much larger role than people think. Everybody's in love with the new guys b/c Hulls has never committed a turnover, Rivers has never missed a front end, Creek has never forced a terrible shot. This perfection, of course, will end once the games start. Shooting, like Bob Knight has said, is still the most important skill in basketball. If we have the playmakers our fans claim we now have, then there is very much a spot for Matt Roth.

Alex · 2 months ago

Throwing out 25 losses and throwing out a game that was a statistical anomaly are quite different.

stevealford · 2 months ago

I agree with Andrew on this. You can't just decide to throw out statistics from a game to make the guys numbers look worse than they really are. Why don't you just throw out his worst game of the year and give those numbers?

GFDave · 2 months ago

edit

CreamandCrimson · 2 months ago

I really hope the comments from Crean aren't just talk to give Roth confidence. If he really has added 20 pounds of muscle and committed to improving his game, he can be a weapon off the bench. He can't be a liability on defense and I would love to see a shot fake and drive occasionally thrown in.

I have noticed some people wondering if he is a candidate for a redshirt. He will not redshirt and he shouldn't redshirt. Matt Roth, if he has developed close to advertised, can be a real asset to this team.

cooper · 2 months ago

will hardly play at all, i see him transfering after this year

hoosierclarion · 2 months ago

Roth will see plenty of playing time in the rotation. Zone defenses will be played throughout many games against this young team. He will be one of the guys in the corner or at the wing trying to break it with open 2's and 3's. By the time the B10 season arrives his confident shot will be solid.