Hoosiers lay an egg in Conference Tournament
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s officially Tournament season in the world of college basketball, and the Big Ten Tournament is back where it belongs, in the great city of Indianapolis. This time of year, you can choose to put your trust in the bracket projections if you’d like. As we’ve seen in the past, however, the Selection Committee doesn’t always follow the formula you’ve been reading about. In the eyes of many, the Indiana Hoosiers needed at least one win in the Conference Tournament to feel secure about their chance to Dance. And unfortunately for IU fans, their team laid another egg when it mattered the most.
In a rematch from last week’s game at Oregon, the Hoosiers started strong in this game. They made their first four shots and led by as many as eight point at one point in the 1st Half. From there, it was an extended drought that we’ve grown accustomed from this team. They connected on just nine of their final 34 shots to end the Half, and headed into the locker room trailing 37-29. The Hoosiers continued to fight and closed the gap several times, but in the end, the scoreboard read 72-59 in favor of the Oregon Ducks.
“It’s a tough loss,” said Mike Woodson after the game. “I thought we competed in stretches, but we just couldn’t finish it. They were the better team tonight.
The Hoosiers have struggled with opponents that have length a lot this season, and that was the case once again on Thursday. Indiana shot just 36% for the game, despite getting lots of great looks in the paint. The Hoosiers also shot just 4-for-16 from behind the arc, and were just 5-for-10 from the foul line. Oregon shot 49% for the game, including 40% from three. Indiana fought hard on the boards and in other areas, but the shooting disparity was too much to overcome.
“On defense, we just had some miscues that just can’t happen,” said Senior Trey Galloway. The fifth year Hoosier played well with 15 points and nine assists, and this would be a rough way to end his career if that ends up being the case.
And now, all the Hoosiers can do is wait and hope. It’s a weak bubble this year, which is the only reason a team with 13 losses and only few big wins on their resume is still in the conversation. I could see Indiana heading back to Dayton as they did three years ago. I could also see the Hoosiers missing the Tournament altogether.
“I think we should be in the Tournament because we’ve got some solid wins,” said Malik Reneau after his 19-point performance. “We beat not only Michigan State, but also Purdue, and we swept Ohio State too.”
Mike Woodson agreed: “I think we’re playing some of our best basketball. This afternoon wasn’t an indication of how we’ve been playing. All I’m concerned about is the players. It’s not really about me. It’s been a good run since I’ve been here, and I’m just hoping it’s not over with yet. I’ll spend time with our players until the selection committee makes a decision on what they’re going to do.”
The Hoosiers will find out in three days.
