There is no offseason in college basketball, or any college sports for that matter. Players must continue to improve their skills and stay in top shape.
Six Indiana Hoosiers, Jordan Hulls, Victor Oladipo, Tom Pritchard, Matt Roth, Will Sheehey, and Christian Watford, compete in the weekly Indy Pro-AM, in addition to their regularly scheduled workouts. Although the games tend to be less organized and more street-ball like, the players admit it’s nice beating someone else up.
“We play with the same guys everyday at open gym and stuff like that,” said junior forward Christian Watford. “Anytime you get a chance to come play with different guys, it makes you better.”
Last season, Watford averaged 16 points, 5.4 rebounds a game shooting 84% from the charity line. He even missed three games after breaking his hand at Michigan State. This summer, he’s pushing, practicing and working hard in anticipation of next year.
“I just think we’re more competitive. We have a lot of guys that will be pushing each other to play so (having Cody) is going to be fun. It’s going to help tremendously. Cody is going to get his hands on a lot of balls, cause a lot of double teams so it’s only going to help guys like myself.”
Summer is usually a time for college students to relax, travel and catch up with old friends. But not for these Hoosiers. They are living in Bloomington, taking classes and working out–multiple times a day.
“We get out of workouts late so it’s been tough for us (getting to the Pro-AM). We work out at 3:30, get done about 5:30 so a game at 6 is tough to make.”
The summer period is a best time for athletes to work on their game, making subtle changes that can have big benefits. In the Indy Pro-AM, sophomore Victor Oladipo has expanded his game, playing more point guard and improving his long-range shot.
“There were a few mechanical adjustments, like not taking my guide hand off the ball, and staying in my shot,” Oladipo said. “Repetition just makes it even more consistent so I’m just going to keep working at it. I try to work inside out, work on my mid-range and if I get comfortable I work on my 3-point shot.”
In his freshman campaign, the Maryland native averaged 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and two monster dunks per contest–my estimate on the last one. Clearly the most athletic player on the team, for Oladipo, it’s imperative to contain his energy and play under control. There’s no question that he has the right attitude.
“I’ve been working hard, and I’m going to continue to work hard because it’s never over for me. It’s never over for us. I’m trying to get this program back to where it needs to be. I’m going to keep working hard, and my teammates are going to keep working hard.”
After Jeff Watkinson left the program to become Eric Gordon’s personal trainer, there was a learning curve for new strength coach Je’Ney Jackson. Not only does he have to learn about the program, but understand and design a program to fit each player’s build. With a year under his belt, IU players now know what is coming.
“He has helped me a lot,” Watford replied. “Since the season has been over, I have a gain liked 11 pounds of muscle.”
“It’s a lot better,” said Oladipo. “We’ve grown a relationship with him. We know what he wants from us, and we know what to look forward to when he works us out. I feel bigger, stronger and faster. So I’ll just continue to listen to what he says and continue to do what he wants us to do”
Next season, Tom Crean begins his fourth year as head coach, he will graduate his first four-year players at Indiana, and the players will have another year behind them. But at the end of the day, it’s all about winning.
“All we have to do is listen to Coach Crean. If we do that, we’ll be successful.”
(Note: Below are interviews with Christian Watford and Victor Oladipo. I apologize for the close-up video…it was hard to hear so I tried to keep it close to hear what they say.)