Indiana defeated Butler by a final score of 68-60 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon in connection with the Crossroads Classic.
The three keys to the game, highlights and expanded stats are below.
Indiana (5-2) will open Big Ten play next week. The Hoosiers host Northwestern on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
See also: Miller, Jackson-Davis, Franklin post-game Q&A
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Hoosier defense emerges in second half. It was a tale of two halves. Butler shot 14-of-26 from the field before halftime, scoring 1.2 points per possession. The Bulldogs made 5-of-7 three-pointers before the break. Indiana completely flipped the script in the second half. IU held Butler to 26.7 percent for the second half while forcing 8 turnover and blocking 7 shots. The Hoosiers closed driving angles and contested everything at the rim. Butler ended with just .938 points per possession.
2. Indiana efficient on the offensive end. Indiana had four in double figures, with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Armaan Franklin leading the way with 21 and 20 points, respectively. IU shot 53.2 percent from the field overall, including 43.8 percent from three. The Hoosiers scored 1.046 points per possession. Turnovers were a problem. The Hoosiers had 15 for the game, but they assisted on 19 of 25 field goals.
3. IU too much in the paint and transition. Jackson-Davis was a force in the paint in the half court, and Butler’s shooting woes along with turnovers and IU blocked shots created several transition opportunities going the other way. With limited depth and perhaps still developing stamina, Butler seemed to wear down after the break. The result was Indiana doing what they wanted around the basket. Indiana held a 34-20 advantage in the paint, including 10 second half fast break points.
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