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    Puerto Rico in focus: Thoughts on IU basketball guard Tayton Conerway

    Mike SchumannBy IU Basketball 1 Comment
    Photo: Indiana Athletics

    The Daily Hoosier spent the week in Puerto Rico in connection with IU basketball’s summer tour, and had several opportunities to see the team in action.  Since nothing was televised or streamed, we are going to go player-by-player to share our thoughts on what we saw, and what to expect from Indiana’s 2025-26 roster.

    Next up is senior guard Tayton Conerway, who transferred to Indiana from Troy during the offseason.

    BY THE NUMBERS

    MPG – 22.0
    PPG – 13.0
    FG% – 60%
    3FG% – 50%
    FT% – 85.7
    RPG – 4.0
    APG – 4.0
    TOPG – 1.7
    SPG – 2.3
    BPG – .3

    WHAT STOOD OUT

    Watching Conerway in person multiple times over the last month, it’s clear he’s going to be a very important player for Indiana in 2025-26.  He’s IU’s top ball handler against pressure, top playmaker, and top on ball defender.  Conerway also has alpha qualities, plays with an edge, and doesn’t back down from the moment.  He’s going to be front and center all year.

    And if he can post shooting splits that even come close to his performance in Puerto Rico, he could end up being better than anyone expected.

    Conerway didn’t come to IU with the reputation for being a three-point shooter.  He’s a career 29.2% shooter from beyond the arc.  But his shot mechanics look good, and Conerway looks confident.  He only took six threes total in the three games, and that’s the kind of volume IU will need from him this season.  If he can make north of 35% this year, he’ll take away any notion an opposing coach might have to give him space to shoot.

    Conerway is clearly the quickest and most athletic player on the team.  That allows him to be a strong defender on the ball, and a good rebounder for a guard.  He was also able to beat his man and get into the paint off the bounce routinely.  He’s adept at finishing at the rim, and does a nice job finding shooters.  And Conerway drew 14 fouls in the final two games against a reputable opponent.

    Conerway is a pest defensively.  He averaged 2.9 steals per game last year, and he was harassing opposing guards all week in Puerto Rico.  He’ll regularly make defensive plays that lead to points going the other way.

    NEED TO SEE MORE

    Obviously right now, Conerway’s career shooting numbers are more relevant than some exhibition numbers in August.  He’ll have to prove he can make threes when the games count in November.  His shooting numbers were worse against top competition a year ago according to KenPom.  And his assist rate was lower and turnover rate higher.

    Along those same lines, he’ll have to prove himself against high major competition when it comes to beating his man off the dribble, and continuing to be a high impact defender.

    Conerway’s potential this year is clear.  But he’ll have to prove his impressive skillset translates consistently at the highest level this season.  He appears to be a high major athlete, which should help ease the transition.

    QUOTABLE

    “Tayton has put a lot of time into his three-point shot this summer and in live play, he’s shot a great percentage,” IU coach Darian DeVries said. “We chart all of our 5-on-5 in the summer, and he’s done a great job of developing that and he’s very confident with it right now. I think that’s going to be a piece he’s added to his game because of the work he’s put into it.”

    MORE COVERAGE

    Puerto Rico in focus: Thoughts on IU basketball’s offense, defense and other big picture observations

    For complete coverage of IU basketball, GO HERE. 

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