Well, Indiana is 4-1. We can give thanks for that. But that’s about it.
From turnovers, to more injuries, to a game that got way too close against a not so good team — there wasn’t much to enjoy about the Hoosiers’ final contest before Thanksgiving.
Give UT Arlington credit. Despite falling behind by 20, they battled back. Perhaps sensing that IU was coasting — or that they were understandably fatigued, the Mavericks got it all the way down to one. But give IU credit too. They did what they had to do to avoid a two game losing streak.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Indiana was flat. Was it fatigue after a tough game two days ago against Arkansas? Yes. Was it that IU now has no less than seven scholarship players out with injuries? Absolutely. Was it nearly a disaster? You bet. These are the kind of games that, if you lose them, can knock you out of the NCAA tournament.
2. Juwan Morgan willed the Hoosiers to victory. Morgan willed this Hoosier team to victory down the stretch. He finished the night with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He had six points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal after UTA had closed to within one.
3. The injury situation is out of control. You know about Zach McRoberts, Devonte Green, Race Thompson and Jerome Hunter. Add Al Durham, Romeo Langford and De’Ron Davis to the list. Durham landed awkwardly on his back, and after giving it a go, couldn’t return to the game. Langford got hit in the nose and couldn’t return. Davis has apparently aggravated his other Achilles tendon and was in a walking boot. IU head coach Archie Miller understandably could not give a timeline for any of them.
Watch: Miller and the players discuss the game.
FINAL BOX SCORE AND SPECIALTY STATS
You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
