Ideas on a 70-58 win in opposition to Minnesota:
Winners of 5 straight at dwelling, the Golden Gophers didn’t profile as a staff that will go away simply.
However with college students on spring break and the Barn having rather less juice tonight, Indiana had no difficulty placing them away.
Minnesota got here again from an early 8-0 deficit and carried the lead by means of the center part of the primary half. However as soon as Indiana grabbed it again with 5:59 to go earlier than halftime at 24-23, the Hoosiers by no means gave it up. All they did was prolong it by means of a dominant second half, which noticed them seize a 19-point lead twice earlier than selecting a 12-point victory.
Sure, Minnesota didn’t precisely play its greatest sport. The Golden Gophers made simply 9-of-14 (64.3 p.c) from the road and 5-of-26 (19.2 p.c) from deep. In addition they turned it over on 26 p.c of their possessions and scored simply .85 factors per possession. Minnesota lacked vitality and performed flat tonight, one thing Minnesota coach Ben Johnson lamented after the competition.
“They introduced the battle to us,” he mentioned. ” … It simply snowballed and we had been by no means capable of regroup.”
And but, credit score should additionally go to Indiana’s protection. Trey Galloway did a pleasant job neutralizing Elijah Hawkins, as he went simply 1-of-10 from the sphere (three factors) and dished out solely three assists. Dawson Garcia additionally didn’t rating some extent within the first half. And people turnovers didn’t simply occur themselves; Indiana was regularly within the passing lanes and racked up 12 steals. Aided partly by these steals, the Hoosiers scored 19 fast-break factors and 21 off turnovers.
“We held in there with our protection,” Mike Woodson mentioned on the Huge Ten Community’s broadcast after the sport. “It was strong all through from starting to finish.”
Kel’el Ware continues to dominate. He led all scorers with 26 factors on a hyper-efficient 12-of-16 mark from the sphere. Ware made 2-of-3 from deep and added 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. This all got here regardless of some foul hassle that had him on and off the ground at occasions, although he nonetheless performed 34 minutes of motion.
Mackenzie Mgbako additionally continues to shine, as Indiana’s freshman scored 15 factors (6-of-12 from the ground, 3-of-4 from deep). Mgbako hit back-to-back 3-pointers through the center of the second half to push Indiana’s result in 15 factors. Ware’s two makes and Mgbako’s three makes from 3-point vary came to visit the ultimate 20 minutes of motion, because the Hoosiers hit 5-of-7 (71.4 p.c) within the second half from distance.
However Indiana continues to butter its bread down low, as 48 of its 70 factors got here within the paint this night. It was an evening the Hoosiers shared the ball effectively, as they assisted on 28 of their 30 made baskets. Galloway had a giant hand in that. He posted his first profession double-double with 12 factors and 11 boards.
After a four-game skid the place all appeared misplaced, Indiana is now on a three-game successful streak. A house sport in opposition to Michigan State looms. Can the Hoosiers shut out the convention season with a win after which go make some noise within the Huge Ten match?
We will quickly see.
(Photograph credit score: IU Athletics)
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