Indiana 63 Arkansas 60: Three Keys | Box Score | Specialty Stats

Indiana defeated Arkansas 63-60 in a second round NIT contest in Bloomington on Saturday.

The Hoosiers (19-15) will play a third round game on Tuesday against either Wichita State or Clemson.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Indiana’s size overwhelms the Razorbacks. There was a big gaping hole in the Arkansas front court from the first meeting and Indiana exposed it. With All-SEC forward Daniel Gafford sitting out the NIT to prepare for the NBA, the Hoosiers had a big advantage in the paint. The Hoosiers outscored the Razorbacks 30-10 down low and won the rebounding margin as well.

2. Hoosier defense reduces Arkansas to a perimeter shooting team. It was a dangerous proposition. Archie Miller expressed concern before the game about Arkansas’ three-point shooting capabilities. With limited options in the post, 26 of the Razorbacks’ 55 attempts from the field were from long range. The key was that for the most part those shots were contested as the Hoosiers closed out effectively throughout the game. The result was Arkansas shooting just 35% overall for the contest, and just 30.8% from deep.

3, The Hoosiers handle the pressure. Arkansas was either pressing or in passing lanes most of the day. It was a style reminiscent of Illinois. Despite playing without Romeo Langford, who is a major weapon on the backside of pressure, the Hoosiers were able to stay composed for the most part. For the game IU had 13 turnovers, which is a good number against that kind of pressure. More impressive, Indiana had just 5 turnovers in the second half as the Razorbacks increased their intensity down the stretch.

🎥 Highlights from our 63-60 win vs. the Razorbacks in the second round of the NIT.#IUBB pic.twitter.com/REsLJ9bfaA

— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 23, 2019