Offensive droughts continue for the Hoosiers
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana Hoosiers were hoping to go undefeated in the non-conference portion of their schedule for the first time since 2011-2012, but the Arkansas Razorbacks had other plans. After leading 61-52 with 8:08 to play, the Hoosiers only made one field-goal the rest of the way, falling to the Razorbacks 71-64 at Assembly Hall.
Long offensive droughts have been a reoccurring theme for the Hoosiers, and this time, it cost them.
After dominating the first half with 16 points, freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis only attempted three shots in the 2nd half, which is simply unacceptable.
“Disappointed to say the least,” said Head Coach Archie Miller. “We’ve got to mature and grow up. Not being able to get the ball inside was a big deal late in the 2nd half. We were a reluctant screening team tonight. We were reluctant to move without the ball. We got no inside out. We didn’t do enough to run enough offense. Similar feel to the Notre Dame game where the offense leaves us and then we don’t do enough defensively to make up for it.”
Al Durham didn’t help Indiana’s chances, as the junior got ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul with 7:16 left in the first half. Frustrated or not, you can’t make those kind of decisions when the team needs you on the floor.
IU fans are accustomed to seeing good Devonte Green and bad Devonte Green- There was plenty of both in this game. Green ignited the Hoosiers with a couple big 3’s halfway through the 2nd half, but then really struggled with his shots and decision making late.
Now that Indiana will be in conference play the rest of the season, we still have no idea who they are. They’re 11-2 with a few solid wins- but fans are justified if they’re worried about how this team will fare in a brutal remaining schedule. Coming into Sunday night, ESPN BPI said the Hoosiers had the toughest remaining schedule in the country.
“Our offense has been letting us down,” Miller said. “We’ve got to get better. Tough loss, but we’ll put this one to bed. We’re 11-2, and now we’ll get ready for conference play in January.”
I am sticking with my prediction that Indiana will be a tournament team this season. But they’ve got to find a way to stop the bleeding sooner with these long offensive droughts. They need better leadership from their juniors. They need anything from DeRon Davis. They need guys like Damezi Anderson and Jerome Hunter to find their shot. And they need better in-game adjustments from the players and coaches alike.
There will be a lot of ups and downs this season for the cream and crimson. I’m just not sure how patient the fan base will be. Buckle up for a wild ride this conference season.
