Hoosiers survive, top Rutgers
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Courtesy of IU Athletics/Mike Dickbernd)
BLOOMINGTON — After playing five of their first eight conference games on the road, the Hoosiers were happy to be back at Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon. That didn’t guarantee a win, however, as there is no such thing as an easy win in the Big Ten Conference. Their opponent, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have had a rough season to this point, but they were also the lone team to knock off the Wisconsin Badgers in conference play. After a close battle throughout the game, the Hoosiers finally took charge with a 10-1 run late in the 2nd half, on way to a 72-64 victory.
Rutgers started the game with a 17-9 lead as the Hoosiers only made five of their first 20 shots. From that point on, Indiana made 20-of-33 from the field and survived the upset bid of the Scarlet Knights.
“In this league you can’t play anybody based on their record or their stats,” Coach Tom Crean said after the win. “We knew we were going to get a really good Rutgers team and our guys prepared that way. We had to grind it out.”
After shooting 4-of-11 in the 1st half, James Blackmon Jr. finished strong. He made 4-of-5 shots in the 2nd half and finished the game with a team-high 20 points. Troy Williams also had a big game despite not starting. He had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Crean added: “Troy had a double-double, but he really had an Indiana triple-double because he also had 11 deflections.”
Rutgers made seven of their first nine attempts from behind the arc. Point guard Myles Mack was red hot in the 2nd half and he led the Scarlet Knights with 24 points. Late in the game, however, Rutgers couldn’t connect from deep. They missed their final eight attempts from three. Rutgers Coach Eddie Jordan noted: “We played well, but in this environment you have to play better than well, especially in the last five minutes.”
After getting a rare start, Hoosiers guard Nick Zeisloft didn’t have a field goal until late in the game when he made two key three-pointers. “Coach Crean is always talking to us about playing on demand,” Zeisloft said. “I just have to be ready to take the shot.”
It was the defense that ultimately helped the Hoosiers get over the hump and keep the lead for good. They put together seven defensive stops in the final 10 possessions for Rutgers.
Indiana is now 6-3 at the halfway point of conference play. James Blackmon Jr. responded to that record: “We’re happy to be in the mix, but we’re not satisfied at all.” The Hoosiers have two very difficult road games coming up in their next three contests, but have a very favorable schedule outside of those games. They’d be wise to learn a lesson from today’s game: There are no freebies in this league.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
