Author: Mike Schumann

Three seasons at Indiana, three decisions. According to IU star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, his most recent stay-or-go decision is still up in the air. After putting the Hoosiers on his back and carrying them to the NCAA Tournament, Jackson-Davis once again enters the offseason with a future to contemplate. After his 2019-20 freshman campaign, the decision seemed fairly straightforward.  Following his sophomore season Jackson-Davis surprised many with his decision to return and play for new head coach Mike Woodson.  In the immediate aftermath of a humbling 82-53 loss to St. Mary’s that ended his junior year, Jackson-Davis wasn’t ready to…

There is no way around it — an 82-53 blowout loss to St. Mary’s stings. But with a night to sleep on it, it is time for reflection, and a look at the big picture. A reasonable goal for Mike Woodson’s first season at Indiana was to end the program’s NCAA Tournament drought that extended back to the 2016 season. While it was the rollercoaster ride you’d expect for a 21-14 team that made it to the First Four, Woodson’s crew found a way to get that done. “It was a great run for our ball club this season getting…

Watch as Indiana head coach Mike Woodson met with the media after an 82-53 loss to St. Mary’s on Thursday evening in Portland, Ore.  Joining Woodson for the post-game press conference were Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jordan Geronimo. A transcript of the media session is below the video. The Hoosiers end their 2021-22 season with a 21-14 record. See also:  Three keys, highlights, final stats https://youtu.be/c2QOBFFyESg THE MODERATOR: Once again, Indiana joining us after the 82-53 loss to Saint Mary’s. Head coach Mike Woodson, along with student-athletes Jordan Geronimo along with Trayce Jackson-Davis. MIKE WOODSON: You’ve got to give Saint Mary’s…

Indiana’s season came to an abrupt and definitive end on Thursday evening in Portland.  The Hoosiers were defeated soundly by No. 5 seed St. Mary’s 82-53 in the NCAA Tournament round of 64 at the MODA Center. IU trailed 40-28 at halftime.  They were led in the game by Trayce Jackson-Davis with 12 points.  Xavier Johnson had 11 points and 5 assists, and Jordan Geronimo scored 9 points and had a team-high 6 rebounds. The Hoosiers end the season with a 21-14 record. See also:  Woodson, Jackson-Davis, Geronimo post-game THREE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Nothing but contested twos.  St.…

NCAA Tournament Round of 64 — Game Day Essentials No. 12 Indiana (21-13) vs. No. 5 St. Mary’s (25-7) Tip Time: Thursday, 7:20 p.m. Eastern Location: Moda Center, Portland, Ore. Television: TBS (Andrew Catalano, Steve Lappas, Andy Katz) IU Radio Network: IU Radio Network Stream:  Watch TBS | TBS app Point Spread: St. Mary’s is a 2.5-point favorite KenPom Projected Score: No. 16 St. Mary’s 63  No. 35 Indiana 60 Series: Indiana 1-0 Last Meeting:  Indiana 79-66 in 1957 TICKETS (StubHub affiliate link) The winner will face the winner of UCLA and Akron on Saturday in the round of 32.  See the…

Xavier Johnson was already a bit nervous headed into his first ever NCAA Tournament game Tuesday in Dayton. But his anxieties were compounded when he saw the basketball that would be used throughout March Madness, the hauntingly familiar bright orange Wilson Evo NXT.  Wilson suggests the ball will help you become the next Steph Curry in its marketing materials on its website. “The NCAA Evo NXT game basketball is what college shooters have been dreaming about, lighting up a new path beyond the arc with optimally balanced internal construction, built for long range shooters who live in 3-point territory,” Wilson…

Why not Indiana? At least one No. 12 seed has defeated a No. 5 seed in 32 of the 36 NCAA Tournaments since the field expanded to 64 teams n 1985. Five of the last nine tournaments have featured multiple No. 12 vs. No. 5 upsets, including three in both 2019 and 2014. On Thursday here in Portland, Ore. the Hoosiers sit in that Cinderella No. 12 spot when they face St. Mary’s at the Moda Center (7:20 p.m. Eastern, TBS).  And the Hoosiers have a lot going their way right now to suggest maybe it is their turn to…

March Madness has taken on a whole new meaning for IU. After playing four games in six days, Indiana’s hectic schedule didn’t let up after their 66-58 First Four NCAA Tournament win over Wyoming on Tuesday evening in Dayton. The Hoosiers were set to fly out of Dayton on a red eye, just after 1 a.m. to their next destination three time zones away in Portland, Ore. The original plan already seemed like a bit much for student athletes, but things hit a snag.  And the red eyed Hoosiers were zombies. According to Flight Aware data and other reports, IU’s…

Below is video and transcript from Indiana’s 66-58 First Four NCAA Tournament win over Wyoming on Tuesday evening in Dayton, Ohio. Indiana (21-13) will now travel to Portland, Ore. for a Thursday game against No. 5 seed St. Mary’s. See also:  Three keys, highlights, final stats. https://youtu.be/MaV2iz1E_zk THE MODERATOR: We’re joined by Indiana. COACH WOODSON: Great effort on everybody’s part. I thought Wyoming, you know, their staff did a great job with their team playing extremely hard and really pushed us. And I thought our guys responded. I thought our defense was really the key when we were struggling offensively…

Indiana defeated Wyoming in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday evening in Dayton, Ohio by a final score of 66-58. IU led 30-25 at halftime and were led in the game by Trayce Jackson-Davis with 29 points. The No. 12 seed Hoosiers (21-13) will now face No. 5 St. Mary’s at 7:20 p.m. Eastern on Thursday in Portland, Ore. See also:  Woodson, Geronimo and Jackson-Davis post-game THREE KEYS TO THE GAME (Will be updated) 1. Hoosiers too much inside.  The Hoosiers outscored Wyoming 46-26 in the paint and held a 39-30 rebounding advantage including 15 offensive…