Indiana improved to 9-3 with a 74-65 win in opposition to Chattanooga on Saturday at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the win in opposition to the Mocs:
After a full week off, Indiana’s defensive points persist within the first half
Mike Woodson stated Indiana ready all week for Chattanooga and the Hoosiers had an entire week since dropping 85-68 to Nebraska final Friday in Lincoln.
The work didn’t translate to Saturday’s efficiency on Department McCracken Court docket.
Indiana was once more flat defensively to begin the sport because the Mocs shot 6-for-13 on 3s and scored 1.16 factors per possession within the first half. It wasn’t till Woodson went to the bench that the Hoosiers started to get some management in opposition to Chattanooga.
Poor begins have been a recurring theme for Woodson’s fourth Indiana staff. And it doesn’t sound just like the veteran coach has an answer to repair the problem. Woodson supplied little clarification when requested what he might do about Indiana’s lack of ability to protect again door cuts and its urgency defensively from the weak aspect.
“Properly, we simply received to maintain working at it. Man, that’s one thing — we ready all week for this staff,” Woodson stated. “Labored on a number of issues. I didn’t see a number of good issues from my work that we put on this week. That’s form of discouraging.
“The underside line is we received to maintain working by means of it and preserve pushing guys and get them higher. That’s my job to try this.”
Myles Rice continues his inconsistent play
Washington State switch Myles Rice was imagined to be the reply for the Hoosiers at level guard.
Via 12 video games, there are extra questions than solutions about what this system can count on from him shifting ahead. Rice has proven flashes of stellar play, however Saturday was not a step in a optimistic course.
Rice logged 24 minutes, shot 2-for-8 from the sector and turned it over twice. Certainly one of his passes within the second half was to date off the mark that it hit the backboard.
Chattanooga’s backcourt totally outplayed Rice, who has six video games with six or fewer factors and 5 video games with 17 or extra factors.
Rice’s inconsistency makes it troublesome to challenge what the Hoosiers can count on from him when Massive Ten play begins in earnest in lower than two weeks. That’s an issue, notably given how poorly Kanaan Carlyle is taking pictures the ball and Trey Galloway’s up-and-down performances. Galloway is taking pictures simply 41.7 p.c on 2s.
If the Hoosiers can’t produce extra environment friendly and constant play from its revamped backcourt, they’ll fall properly in need of expectations for a second straight season.
Indiana’s bench delivers a powerful efficiency
It was clear Woodson wasn’t blissful along with his starters following Saturday’s win. The play he received from the bench, nevertheless, was extra encouraging.
4 of IU’s 5 reserves scored within the win, with Bryson Tucker main the way in which with 9 factors. The freshman was 3-for-5 from the sector and 3-for-4 from the free throw line.
Carlyle additionally had a strong day, ending with eight factors in 24 minutes. The Stanford switch continues to supply strong defensive minutes for the Hoosiers.
Luke Goode went 2-for-5 from the sector, together with one made 3-pointer and Anthony Leal added three factors in 12 minutes.
“Our bench was fairly good tonight for us,” Woodson stated. “They got here in and performed strong, I believed. Most likely ought to have performed them the entire recreation and sat the beginning unit down.”
Oumar Ballo continues to affect video games within the paint
Ballo took simply three pictures in 25 minutes on Saturday however was nonetheless among the many most impactful gamers within the victory.
The Arizona switch completed with 9 factors — he made 5 of his seven free-throw makes an attempt — however his presence within the paint was a deterrent.
The Mocs took practically half of their area purpose makes an attempt from past the 3-point line. When Chattanooga tried to attain on the rim, the Mocs shot simply 45.2 p.c (14-for-31).
Ballo additionally tied for a team-high in rebounds (eight) and assists (4). He didn’t commit a turnover.
Via 12 video games, Ballo has shot 70.1 p.c from the sector and an improved 58.6 p.c from the free-throw line.
Hoosiers battle from the perimeter for third straight recreation
Indiana shot lower than 30 p.c from 3-point vary for the third straight recreation.
After a 4-for-14 mark (28.6 p.c) in opposition to Minnesota and an 8-for-35 efficiency (22.9 p.c) in opposition to Nebraska, the Hoosiers have been 5-for-20 (25 p.c) in Saturday’s win.
Via 12 video games, Indiana is taking pictures 32.9 p.c on 3s, slightly below the nationwide common of 33.4 p.c.
The struggles of three Hoosiers have been a drag on the staff’s total 3-point taking pictures share.
Malik Reneau (3-for-17), Bryson Tucker (1-for-12) and Kanaan Carlyle (9-for-38) are a mixed 13-for-67 from distance this season. That’s simply 19.4 p.c. Reneau, who tried two 3-pointers on Saturday, hasn’t made a 3-pointer for the reason that Louisville recreation.
Filed to: Chattanooga Mocs, Myles Rice, Oumar Ballo
