Six takeaways from Curt Cignetti’s look at Massive Ten soccer media days – Contained in the Corridor

IU soccer coach Curt Cignetti took the stage Thursday afternoon at Massive Ten soccer media days in Chicago, discussing the problem of following up a nationwide championship, quarterback Josh Hoover and the identification of his third IU workforce.
Listed below are six takeaways from Cignetti’s media day look:
Cignetti is already “stalking complacency”
Indiana’s problem is now not proving it will probably compete on the highest stage. The Hoosiers should now keep the habits that produced a nationwide championship.
“I’ll be stalking complacency,” Cignetti stated. “However I like what I’ve seen up to now.”
Cignetti emphasised that IU’s course of is not going to change due to its success. This system will proceed utilizing basically the identical conferences, apply construction and day by day blueprint that Cignetti and his workers have adopted for years.
The Hoosiers don’t spend a lot time discussing championships or postseason outcomes. Cignetti needs the main target to stay on day by day enchancment, whilst IU enters the season with extra consideration and better expectations.
Josh Hoover is not going to be requested to exchange Fernando Mendoza by himself
Josh Hoover can be IU’s newest one-year switch quarterback, following Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza.
Cignetti described Hoover as an correct, pure passer who processes info rapidly. However Indiana is not going to ask him to hold the workforce or constantly win shootouts.
“We’re not going to place the ball in his hand and say, exit and win the sport and outscore folks,” Cignetti stated. “We’re going to offer him a run sport, protection and particular groups.”
Hoover doesn’t want to copy Mendoza’s actual type. IU needs him to function effectively, shield the soccer and reap the benefits of the assist round him.
Cignetti stated he’s anxious to judge Hoover’s progress as soon as preseason camp begins.
Indiana needs to stay “extra similar than completely different”
The roster has modified, however Cignetti doesn’t count on Indiana’s identification to look dramatically completely different.
“It’s going to be a bit little bit of a unique workforce, but it surely’s going to be extra similar than completely different,” he stated.
Cignetti needs the Hoosiers to guard the soccer, cease the run, set up their very own operating sport and carry out nicely within the crimson zone and on third and fourth-down conditions. He additionally needs all three phases to enrich one another.
Indiana might make schematic changes primarily based on its personnel, however Cignetti believes execution stays extra necessary.
“The schematic a part of it’s actually overrated,” he stated. “Blocking, tackling, operating, throwing and catching is the important thing to the drill.”
With 17 new transfers, preseason camp can be necessary for establishing that acquainted identification.
Indiana will start camp with a possible offensive-line shuffle
Cignetti offered one in all his most notable personnel updates throughout his look on the Massive Ten Community.
Indiana will possible start preseason camp with Adedamola Ajani enjoying guard and Joe Brunner shifting exterior to deal with.
Ajani has expertise at deal with, however Cignetti stated he seems extra snug inside. Brunner, who performed guard final season, will initially obtain a possibility at deal with.
The Hoosiers usually are not essentially dedicated to that mixture. The workers will use camp to find out which alignment produces its finest five-man unit.
The change additionally emphasizes IU’s want for offensive-line depth and suppleness. After enjoying 16 video games final season, Cignetti is aware of accidents are inevitable throughout one other potential postseason run.
Indiana should develop greater than 5 linemen able to enjoying significant snaps.
Cignetti expects vital contributions from the switch class
Indiana recruited its switch class whereas making ready for and enjoying within the School Soccer Playoff, however Cignetti believes the workers nonetheless stuffed a number of necessary wants.
“I actually like our switch class,” he stated. “I feel we did extraordinarily nicely underneath robust circumstances.”
Cignetti particularly praised broad receiver Nick Marsh, who was productive throughout his first two school seasons.
Marsh additionally obtained an early introduction to Cignetti’s requirements. He referenced Marsh sporting gold sneakers throughout his first apply earlier than including, “Perhaps we don’t do this the place I coach.”
Marsh apparently understood the message. Cignetti stated the receiver had a robust summer season and that he expects “massive issues” from him.
He additionally expects all of IU’s transfers to look extra snug after going by means of spring apply and spending the summer season in this system.
Cignetti appeared to take a shot on the SEC
Cignetti delivered his sharpest reply when requested whether or not enjoying a demanding Massive Ten schedule helps put together groups for the postseason.
He known as the Massive Ten the very best convention in school soccer and praised its physicality, teaching and tough highway environments.
Then, with out mentioning one other convention by identify, Cignetti appeared to take a shot on the SEC.
“We don’t run a hype machine up right here within the Midwest,” Cignetti stated. “After we fall quick, we are saying we fell quick. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the very best.”
The remark seemed like a response to the annual arguments about convention energy and postseason alternatives.
Whether or not Cignetti meant to single out the SEC or not, his bigger level was clear: He believes the Massive Ten’s latest outcomes, which embrace back-to-back-to-back nationwide championships, communicate for themselves.
See Extra: 5 Takeaways
