Hoosiers stomp Houston Baptist
By CALEB LYNN
ISL Contributor
(Photo by insidethehall.com)
BLOOMINGTON — After a week off from game action, the Hoosiers came ready to play against Houston Baptist, winning by a final score of 101-63 at Assembly Hall. The starting five provided the punch and overwhelmed the Huskies. They combined for 66 of the team’s 103 points in this game. Indiana’s starters outscored the entire HBU team.
Thomas Bryant did not have a flashy offensive night. He only scored nine points, but delivered on the glass with 13 rebounds and four blocks.
With 13 points and seven rebounds, Juwan Morgan provided a spark. When Morgan was asked about his strong play recently, he replied, “I think that just being in the right spot at the right time and making the extra pass and not think about it, those two things go together.” He went on to explain his mindset, “It’s just about being confident, and knowing my teammates will find me.”
Tom Crean talked about Morgan after the game. “He’s very aggressive right now,” Crean said. “And, again, I think he has been playing well from the beginning. I just see him getting more comfortable and more athletic with his movements because he’s getting much more comfortable in playing long stretches in full-court, intense, physical basketball.”
The Hoosiers got outstanding play from Junior Robert Johnson. He contributed 18 points and grabbed six rebounds with 5-of- 10 shooting. Houston Baptist Coach Ron Cottrell didn’t take Johnson lightly. “We had talked about Robert Johnson being their unsung hero,” Cottrell said. “He is the guy who silently kills you.”
James Blackmon Jr. showed his aggressiveness offensively with his shooting. He was 7-of-18 and dropped 18 points. His teammate, Robert Johnson, talked about Blackmon’s consistent scoring. “It just makes it that much easier for the ball movement, to get in the lane,” Johnson said. “You have a guy like that, that’s a constant threat, it just makes it easier on everybody.”
With 10 points and three assists, Josh Newkirk set the tempo at the point guard. Crean said “He’s improving, there’s no doubt, but I think he’s got a lot of room to improve.”
Off the bench, Freddy McSwain may have played his best game as a Hoosier. He showed fans what he is capable of doing when he scored six points and recorded four rebounds. “My teammates have the confidence in me to keep pushing, keep working, and just getting better every day is why I came here.” McSwain said.
OG Anunoby was cleared to play against HBU but did not get any minutes. Crean said he is starting to do more but the bottom line is about his comfort level. It’s unclear if he will play against Butler or not.
Indiana’s next game will be on Saturday in Indianapolis at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against Butler in the Crossroads Classic.
