The Minute After: Rutgers

Lamar Wilkerson.

Thoughts on an 82-59 win against Rutgers:

Indiana hasn’t had much luck in Piscataway of late.

The Hoosiers entered tonight’s contest 0-5 in their last five trips to New Jersey, last having won on Feb. 5, 2018, during Archie Miller’s first season as Indiana’s head coach.

But this new-look version of IU had no problem dispelling the Scarlet Knights this evening. The Hoosiers got comfortable early against this younger, less experienced Rutgers squad and never really looked back.

Tucker DeVries picked up right where he left off at the end of the Michigan game. DeVries stuck his first 3-pointer and kept it going from there, making 4-of-8 from deep and 6-of-11 overall for 16 first-half points. DeVries also found success in the mid-range, hitting some tough shots with good footwork. He also bailed out Indiana late in the shot clock at times, hitting buckets with a high degree of difficulty. He finished with 22 points (9-of-20) and 10 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. While DeVries scored at a high clip in this one, he dished out six assists as well, flashing his ability to be a central part of Indiana’s offense beyond shooting, which was also missing during his slump.

Those six assists tied a season-high, a mark he also hit against Penn State in a win on Dec. 9.

Wilkerson found himself more than just a 3-point shooter in this one as well, backing down defenders early in the contest and getting scores closer to the basket. The Sam Houston State transfer made just 1-of-4 from deep in the first half, but connected on all five of his other field-goal attempts inside the arc for 13 points before the break. Wilkerson then heated up from 3-point range in the second half, making 4-of-7. He led Indiana with 27 points. Not far behind was Nick Dorn. The Elon transfer hit 6-of-10 from deep and all five of his free throws for 23 points. It wasn’t just corner 3s tonight. He hit two from the right wing: one as time wound down in the first half, the other a stepback from a similar spot midway through the second half.

According to the FS1 broadcast, tonight’s game was the first time Indiana had three scorers with 20 or more points since a bout against Syracuse on Nov. 30, 2021, when Trayce Jackson-Davis (31), Miller Kopp (28) and Parker Stewart (20) led the charge. That game, however, went to double overtime. Tonight’s wrapped in regulation.

Overall, Indiana’s offense was able to get into the paint more and hit on some back cuts. It just had more freedom to run its stuff against an inferior Rutgers squad. IU’s 1.39 points per possession was its best since scoring 1.41 against Washington on Jan. 4.

Tariq Francis was a tough cover for Indiana and had a heck of a game off the bench, scoring a game-high 28 points on 10-of-23 shooting. Tayton Conerway didn’t start tonight and looks to still be working back from his ankle injury. He seemed to be moving a little gingerly during his time on the court, which totaled 16 minutes.

Indiana finally busted out of its losing streak and took care of business in a game it was favored to win. But can they also break through and finally beat an elite opponent? The Hoosiers will get a chance Tuesday night at home against Purdue to do just that.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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