Thoughts on a 69-60 loss to the Badgers:
When you head up to the Kohl Center, a place Bo Ryan’s Badgers were a staggeringly good 146-11 and had won 31 of 32 heading into this one, you best bring your A game.
And you know what? Indiana did just about that this evening.
Sure, the Hoosiers didn’t emerge victorious. And sure, they allowed the Badgers to shoot 49 percent on the evening, which isn’t exactly something to write home about.
But this was a game Indiana controlled in the first half. Jordan Hulls and Verdell Jones were hot. The Hoosiers pushed the pace and were dictating things. Wisconsin — the best free-throw shooting team in the nation — didn’t shoot a single free throw, as the foul-happy Hoosiers only fouled the Badgers three times.
And there was really no epic collapse of any sort in the second half. Energy, effort and consistency were there throughout. When the Badgers finally snatched their first lead since 2-0 at the 13:19 mark (44-42), it was a sea-saw battle for awhile until they put just enough distance between themselves and the Hoosiers — culminating in a Jon Leuer and-1 with a minute to go to put them up seven.
After a free-throw free first half, Indiana sent the Badgers to the line 17 times in the second half, and they hit 16 of them — with five of those being the completiton of and-1s. That was, in part, the difference.
A valiant effort from the Hoosiers. They’ve found a nice little rhythm here since the second half of the Northwestern game, as Dan Dakich noted during the broadcast.
But this Wisconsin team — with only five turnovers to its name this evening — just doesn’t beat itself, especially at home.
Rules are here, for those unfamiliar. Standings will be provided after six Big Ten games (most likely sometime over the weekend).
Pool for Wisconsin: All players eligible to be picked.
Picks are due by 8:45 PM ET on Thursday evening.
A few reminders:
+ State the name of the player (not a nickname) that you’re picking. If you use a nickname for a player, your pick will not be counted. Also, please state who you are picking as the first thing in your comment. We’re tracking a couple of hundred picks per game. It’s more difficult to keep track of everyone’s pick if it’s not the first thing in your comment.
+ Please make sure you are using a valid e-mail address if you are not registered.
+ Please make sure you are using the same name each time to pick if you are not registered. We are tracking wins by the name you use to submit your pick. If your name changes on a game-to-game basis, credit for your pick will be given to the name used to submit the pick.
Indiana sophomore guard Maurice Creek met with the media earlier today at Assembly Hall to discuss the stress fracture he suffered in his right patella during Saturday’s 80-61 win over Michigan. Video of Creek’s comments below, courtesy of IU Athletics:
Here’s a more complete look at the game of 2012 Hamilton Southeastern guard Gary Harris, courtesy of CityLeagueHoopsTV. This video was filmed last weekend at the Flyin’ to the Hoop event in Dayton, where the ridiculous dunk that we posted yesterday was also shot.
It’s hard not to fall in love quickly with Harris’ game as he displays excellent court vision, stellar ball handling, explosiveness off the dribble and an ability to finish with authority at the rim. In other words, he’s exactly what any coach covets on the recruiting trail:
Related:
+ Gary Harris shines in 62-51 win over Fishers
+ Harris not surprised at Indiana’s recruiting resurgence
In a series of tweets posted early on Tuesday evening, Indiana coach Tom Crean announced that sophomore guard Maurice Creek will have surgery on the stress fracture in his right patella on Thursday.
Here’s the information, pulled directly from Crean’s Twitter account:
Just finished a excellent practice. Maurice was in a positive spirit today. I am so proud of him for how he is dealing with all of this.
Maurice is going to have surgery to repair the stress fracture to his right patella this coming Thursday.
If this young man and his family can believe the the unknown plan that God has for us, we all can. We can never rush what God has in store
For us as people. There have been alot of prayers said for Maurice and support given and I hope you will all continue to do that. Thank you.
Earlier today, The Hoosier Scoop published a post with an opinion from an orthopedist who suggested that it was unlikely that Creek would require surgery and could possibly return before the end of the season. (The orthopedist, in fairness, did not have any access to medical records.) But with this announcement, it’s probably safe to say Creek is done for the year.
Crean did not specify any further details on the type of procedure Creek would be having or a recovery time. And due to student privacy laws, further details on Creek’s surgery are not likely to be provided.
Saturday’s bout with the Wolverines was won on the back of a stronger defensive performance.
But in amassing 80 points, Indiana also brought it on the offensive side of the ball.
In the latest Film Session, a look at three different ways the Hoosiers put the ball in the hole en route to their first Big Ten victory.
No. 1) THE RARE PRITCHARD ASSIST FOR A RIVERS BUCKET:
Tom Pritchard sets a pick for Verdell Jones:
Jones gets to the top of the key and passes the ball to Jeremiah Rivers, while Pritchard rolls down to the post:
