The Minute After: Minnesota
Thoughts on an 82-67 win against the Golden Gophers:
That’s more like it.
Indiana played with more urgency, more willingness to get its hands dirty, more pace, more zip and more zest. For its efforts, it led by a comfortable double-digit margin for the entirety of the second half, getting up by as much as 21 before settling on a 15-point victory. Minnesota started hot, hitting several tougher mid-range jumpers, some of which Indiana’s defenders were all over.
But once things started to even out and the Golden Gophers cooled off, Indiana put its stamp on this one and never looked back. The Hoosiers cleaned up the boards well, with multiple guys making an effort. While the defense had some issues here and there, the communication was better. Indiana was more locked in. Kanaan Carlyle’s return to the lineup helped, as his doggedness was apparent on defense all game.
On offense in the first half, Indiana played with great pace, getting Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo involved with quick passes up ahead. The ball moved, the shots went up and Indiana just kept working it. The Hoosiers posted 14 fast-break points to Minnesota’s seven in the first 20 minutes. Reneau went 5-of-7 (10 points), his only misses from deep. Ballo made 3-of-3 and was fouled a ton, going 5-of-7 at the line for 11 first-half points. He also dove on the ground to save a ball from going out of bounds in the corner, a sign Indiana was bringing more intensity to the contest. Reneau finished with 16 points. Ballo had 18.
The Arizona transfer’s free-throw stroke looked good tonight as he swished home several attempts. He made 8-of-11 from the line. That’s the type of percentage that’ll make opponents less enticed to hack him for strategy purposes. Ballo is usually the one dragging Indiana’s free-throw percentage down, but it was the opposite in this game. The rest of the team only went 10-of-18 (55.6 percent). It was a missed opportunity, as Indiana’s strong free-throw rate of 55 percent saw them get to the line 29 times for the game.
The Hoosiers also got a nice lift from their bench. Beyond Carlyle’s defense, he was also able to get buckets tonight. Carlyle hit three 3-pointers, dropped in a mid-range jumper while getting fouled and scored at the rim. The sophomore finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Bryson Tucker was right there with him. Like he did against Marian, Tucker scored in all sorts of ways, looking confident and advanced despite having little experience at the college level. His 16 points (6-of-10 shooting) were a career-high.
Indiana is still turning the ball over at too high a rate (20 TO%). The sloppy play certainly mixed in with Indiana’s sharpness otherwise tonight. Still, from how Indiana has looked in other games this season, tonight’s performance was a welcomed change.
The Hoosiers must bring the same gumption as they travel to Nebraska for a Friday night game later this week. It’s one of those projected 50-50ish games — KenPom has it as a one-point loss for the Hoosiers with a 47 percent chance at victory — that are currently littered all over Indiana’s Big Ten schedule. Win more of those than you lose, and it could be the difference between a finish in the top half of the conference and a tournament berth or the disappointing alternative.
Filed to: Minnesota Golden Gophers