Five takeaways from Indiana’s loss to Gonzaga
Indiana dropped its second straight game in the Battle 4 Atlantis. While not as bad as Wednesday’s 28-point drubbing against Louisville, the Hoosiers fell 89-73 to Gonzaga.
Here are five takeaways from the loss to the Bulldogs:
Indiana’s defense falters again
Indiana’s defense offered little resistance in the paint for the second straight game.
Gonzaga got what it wanted when it wanted at the rim. The Bulldogs shot 56.8 percent on 2s and 64 percent on dunks and layups.
The Hoosiers are playing three players – Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo – who are 6-foot-9 or taller and have little versatility defensively.
Ballo and Reneau struggle to guard away from the basket and Mgbako has regressed defensively over the last few games. Indiana’s guards, outside of Kanaan Carlyle for a brief period on Thursday, haven’t pressured the ball well in the Bahamas.
Through two games in Battle 4 Atlantis, IU’s defense has surrendered 178 points and is void of identity. There is no cohesion, communication or plan to get stops consistently. Unless that changes, Indiana will continue to be exposed against power conference teams.
This was Indiana’s fifth straight loss in a neutral court game by 16 or more points
Indiana’s performances in neutral court games dating back to last season have been disastrous.
Outside of a win against a rudderless Louisville team in New York last November and a narrow win against Penn State in the 2024 Big Ten tournament, the Hoosiers have been crushed in neutral court games.
Last season, IU was beaten by 20 by UConn, 28 by Auburn and 27 by Nebraska in neutral court games.
This season’s results have continued the trend of playing poorly in neutral-court games. Louisville beat Indiana by 28 and Gonzaga won today by 16.
In year four of Mike Woodson’s tenure, Indiana is far from competitive against elite teams in neutral court games.
Indiana was down by double figures the entire second half and took a total of five second half 3-point attempts
In a game where it needed to generate more offense to have a chance to get back into the game, Indiana continued its indifference to taking 3-pointers in the second half against Gonzaga.
Rather than running action to free up its perimeter players for looks, the Hoosiers continued to pound the ball inside.
Indiana took a total of five 3-point attempts in the second half of a game where it trailed by double figures for the entire half.
Woodson repeatedly spoke in the preseason of a more modern offense focusing on ball movement and 3-pointers. It hasn’t materialized, and it’s the same style and offense as a season ago.
Through six games, Indiana ranks 336th nationally in the percentage of its field goals attempts that are 3-pointers.
Defensive rebounding isn’t emphasized and remains a major deficiency
For the second straight season, Indiana deploys one of the nation’s tallest lineups each game.
For the second straight season, Indiana has been a mediocre defensive rebounding team. On Thursday, Indiana allowed Gonzaga to grab 13 offensive rebounds and score 23 second-chance points.
The Hoosiers don’t block out and often stand and watch while the opposition beats them to the ball. There’s no urgency or emphasis on cleaning up the defensive glass.
After Louisville grabbed 37.9 percent of its missed shots on Wednesday, Gonzaga grabbed 39.4 percent of its missed shots on Thanksgiving Day.
As of Thursday night, Indiana ranks 270th in the country in defensive rebounding percentage.
Mike Woodson’s explanation for IU’s struggles falls flat
In the postgame press conference following Thursday’s loss, Woodson was asked about concern from the fanbase regarding the team’s play in the Bahamas.
Here was Woodson’s answer: “Well again, right now my focus is on our team and a new team that’s got seven new players that we’re still trying to work things out and work through it. I’m gonna keep dishing it ‘til I get this team where I think it should be.”
That answer falls flat.
While it is early in the season, the fact that IU has seven new players isn’t unique or uncommon in college basketball today. Teams across the country routinely have seven (or more) new players on their roster each year with the transfer portal.
Indiana’s opponent on Wednesday, Louisville, has a completely new roster and beat the Hoosiers soundly.
Woodson handpicked this roster from the portal and thus far, the results have been underwhelming. Unless that changes, the grumbling from Indiana’s passionate fanbase will only grow louder.
Filed to: Gonzaga Bulldogs