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Indiana players weaved through cones as they made their way toward a basket during Saturday’s open practice at Assembly Hall. An assistant coach and team manager stood under the rim, ready to whack them with a pad as they tried to put up a shot.
It was just one of the Hoosiers’ physical drills.
“Every day I come home with a new bruise, a new scratch or a bloody lip,” forward Tom Pritchard said Wednesday. “It’s tough out there. Guys have been really fighting, and that’s something that’s really going to help us in the games.”
The sophomore’s game is also developing thanks to more competition at practice. Last year, the 6-foot-9 Pritchard was one of three players – Tijon Jobe and Kyle Tabor the others – on the team listed at 6-8 or taller. The Hoosiers added four more to the roster with freshmen.
“It’s harder (at practice). Last year it was just me and Tijan fighting down there,” Pritchard said. “It’s really making me better and getting a game atmosphere out there.”
His teammates have already noticed a difference.
“He’s getting his points a lot easier than he did last year,” sophomore guard Verdell Jones III said. “With having big guys like Derek Elston and (Bobby) Capobianco it’s easier for him to score because (opponents) won’t be keying on him as much.”
Pritchard was Indiana’s top post option most of last season. He averaged 9.7 points and was IU’s top rebounder at 6.4 a game.
“(He’s) not scoring as much and not getting as many opportunities, but he’s more efficient when he gets the ball,” coach Tom Crean said. “… It’s competitive every day on the front line, and he has not backed down at all.”
Pritchard is trying to expand his game with a mid-range jump shot.
“That’s something I’ve always been trying to work on, including high school, to be able to shoot the mid-range jumper. It’s all about getting reps,” he said. “(Assistant) coach (Tim) Buckley has been helping me with my shot and some stuff I can improve on. It’s going to really help me with my free throws as well.”
But he doesn’t think his role will change too much.
“I’m going to try to score every time I get the ball down low and help create so guys get open,” he said. “This year we have a lot more scoring threats with the freshmen coming in and (transfer) Jeremiah (Rivers). It’s going to really help us on the offensive side.”
