Hoosiers win big in final non-conference tuneup
By CALEB LYNN
ISL Contributor
(Photo by insidethehall.com)
BLOOMINGTON — In their final tuneup before conference play, the Hoosiers took care of business, defeating Austin Peay 97-62 at Assembly Hall.
Robert Johnson scored 20 points and made six from behind the arc, a new career high. Johnson’s six 3’s tied James Blackmon Jr.’s high mark for this season, as he made six against Alcorn State on November 30th.
Head Coach Tom Crean talked about Johnson and his maturity. “He works extremely hard. And he’s phenomenal,” Crean said. “But what he’s doing is he’s efficient. He’s getting his dribble out.”
As a team, Indiana tied their record for most 3-pointers made this season with 15. They shot 57% for the game.
There was a mystery at point guard this year for IU, but tonight may have given Josh Newkirk that position for good. He had 11 points and 11 assists against the Governors. It was Newkirk’s first career double-double.
Newkirk talked about his mindset: “I was just getting higher on my downhill and just staying aggressive, not looking timid out there and just getting into the open gaps and these guys were hitting shots.”
Crean was asked about Newkirk tonight as well. “He continues to expand his game. I think so much of it happens in speed. And he played very fast and quick tonight.”
James Blackmon Jr got a good rhythm going against the Governors with 9-of-12 shooting and dropped 24 points. Tonight was Blackmon’s 18th career 20-point game.
Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, sophomore Juwan Morgan left with an injury. Morgan hobbled off the court at the end of the first half with an ankle injury and did not play in the second half. “He definitely hurt his ankle tonight,” Crean said. “He wasn’t able to go back in. So I’ll get an update here a little bit later.”
Though the turnovers were similar in number in this game, the Hoosiers took better advantage of those turnovers. They outscored Austin Peay 25-13 on points off turnovers on the night.
The Hoosiers will now enter conference play, though they will also play Louisville on New Years Eve. Their next game will be against Nebraska on Wednesday, as they look to defend their Big Ten Championship crown.
This story was edited by Tyler Smith. (@TylerSmith_ISL)
