First Thoughts: Notre Dame 79, Indiana 72
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Hoosiers dropped a 79-72 decision to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday afternoon in the first game of the Crossroads Classic.
WHY IT HAPPENED: Jerian Grant had 23 points and nine assists and Garrick Sherman beat Indiana inside for 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks as Notre Dame handed the Hoosiers a pretty crushing defeat. Reason being, Indiana’s best nonconference win will be over Washington, a flawed team. The Hoosiers didn’t compete well at Syracuse and lost a one-possession game against Connecticut. Still, the selection committee will want to see a stronger Big Ten record to give Indiana more favorable seeding. The Hoosiers’ defense struggled throughout against Notre Dame’s versatile attack and they could never get over the hump after tying the game at 47 early in the second half. Will Sheehey matched a career high with 22 points. Evan Gordon had 11 and Yogi Ferrell added 13 points and five steals. The Hoosiers were careless with the ball and made a number of careless mistakes and errors that betrayed what remains a fairly young team. Noah Vonleh was limited to eight points and five rebounds.
WHAT WE LEARNED: Turnovers are a problem for Indiana. Their turnover ratio entering the day was 20.8, worst in the Big Ten, and the Hoosiers coughed the ball up in a number of ways. Post entry passes and fast breaks seemed to be most problematic. The Hoosiers had 14 turnovers, five by Sheehey, and just couldn’t seem to get out of their own way. With Vonleh in foul trouble, the Hoosiers lacked a credible post threat much of the day and that made it tough to drive the ball against the Notre Dame zone. Indiana fell to 8-3. The Irish are also 8-3.
KEY NUMBER: Notre Dame shot 25 for 53 (47.2 percent) from the field.
TURNING POINT: With Indiana down 73-69, Ferrell and Sheehey missed good looks from 3 that would’ve made it a one-point game in the final minute. Instead, Notre Dame merely had to ice the game at the foul line and did.
GOOD: Indiana shot 7 for 20 (35 percent) from the 3-point line, which is pretty effective based on their roster.
NOT-SO-GOOD: Nothing but the turnovers. Too sloppy, did not protect the ball. That was glaring, along with defensive breakdowns.
NEXT: The Hoosiers have five days off before hosting Nicholls State on Dec. 20. Notre Dame, entering exam week, faces Ohio State next Saturday at the Gotham Classic in New York.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: chrisgoff_ISL.
