by Adam Ruffner
2023 regular season record: 9-3, Finished 2nd in Central Division
The AlleyCats have improved their win total in back-to-back seasons and have made the playoffs in four of the past five years. Head Coach Drew Shepherd has helmed one of the most disciplined lineups in the league, with a veteran offense that limits mistakes and a defense that has been tidy at converting break opportunities. Indy has the benefit of the second easiest schedule in the league this season, which could prove vital in what is a perennially contested Central Division playoff race.
One Big Like: Spread offense
With four offensive starters completing more than 340 passes last year, Indy doesn’t really operate with a central thrower, which allows them a variety of attack points. Players like Travis Carpenter, Xavier Payne, Lucas Coniaris and Keegan North can all take turns as primary facilitators on any given drive, but the O-line finds its rhythm the more it gets all seven players on the field involved as throwers; it doesn’t hurt having the all-time leading goal scorer Cameron Brock to cash in possessions.
The ‘Cats are one of the more underrated teams at cycling their O-line players between backfield and downfield positions, giving fluidity to their drives and making them one of the five most efficient offenses in 2023. That—as well as playing home games at the friendly indoor confines of Grand Park—allowed Indy to have eight games last season with 13 or fewer turnovers.
One Big Question: Can Indy’s team discipline help them continue their ascent in the standings?
The AlleyCats have been one of the best teams in the league in terms of developing and maximizing roster talent for years, and this season will be no exception. But when it comes to one-on-one matchups against the divisional (and UFA) elite, Indy has had trouble going toe-to-toe; the AlleyCats are 0-10 versus teams with winning records the past two seasons, and most notably the Wind Chill own six of those wins, including both playoff elimination games.
One Big Home Matchup: May 18 vs Atlanta
The last time the AlleyCats hosted the Hustle in 2019, the two teams put up a collective 59 goals in a seven-point Atlanta win. Indoors heavily favors offense, and Indy will have to figure out a way to slow down the Hustle and their top three offensive attack.
One Big Stat: No player among Indy’s seven offensive starters had a completion rate below 94.3 percent last season. The AlleyCats as a team finished third in the UFA in completion percentage in 2023.
One Big 2023 Play: Keegan North going full extension and firing the half field assist in the eventual one-goal road game win.
Originally posted on watchufa.com