The Big Ten is going to be a grind for Indiana, especially on the road.
A pair of massive Michigan State runs made the difference in this one. After IU led 17-10 in the first half, the Spartans responded with a 26-10 run. MSU led 43-35 early in the second half. But IU responded, and a Lamar Wilkerson dunk tied the game at 53. The Hoosiers appeared to have all of the momentum. But from there MSU scored 19 straight to put the game away.
Let’s take a deeper look at how Indiana lost 81-60 with our latest edition of The Report Card.
The Hoosiers (12-5, 3-3) will return to action on Saturday when they host Iowa.
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OFFENSE (D)
The Hoosiers showed what they are capable of in the first ten minutes. With just one turnover, they had a 17-10 lead. The offense was reasonably effective when Indiana was able to get the ball in the paint, either off drives or slips to the rim.
But Michigan State made some adjustments with their ball screen coverages and shelled up around the perimeter to keep the Hoosiers out of the paint. The result was ineffective offense, and eventually, a wave of turnovers.
During a 19-0 MSU second half run that put the game away, IU was 0 of 4 from the field and had five turnovers. IU had 14 turnovers for the game. With limited depth, the Hoosiers might have worn down, but this won’t work in the Big Ten.
“It’s disappointing for a veteran of a group as we have to be turning it over in these kind of situations,” Indiana coach Darian DeVries said. … “I thought turnovers tonight were what flipped it in the second half.”
With Tucker DeVries mired in a prolonged slump, Indiana’s offense was one dimensional. Either Lamar Wilkerson got open from three, or not much else was happening. And the Hoosiers only grabbed five offensive rebounds and earned just 11 free throws.
Indiana had its second-lowest points per possession of the season at .93, behind only the Kentucky game. Their three-lowest outings have all been on the road.
DEFENSE (B-)
Indiana’s defense wasn’t nearly as bad as the 81 points they allowed would suggest. Michigan State scored 29 points off IU turnovers, and 16 of those Spartan points came in transition where they didn’t have to go against a set defense.
And the Indiana defense was setting up their own offense going the other way, with 15 forced turnovers and 23 points of those MSU mistakes.
But the IU defense was far from elite. The Hoosiers fouled excessively once again, resulting in foul trouble for multiple players and 24 MSU attempts at the stripe. And offensive rebounds were a problem once again, as Michigan State grabbed 13 of its misses.
The Hoosiers were also slow to react to Michigan State’s speed off IU misses at times. Combine that with turnovers, and MSU scored 25 fast break points. Most of MSU’s 70.3% shooting from two came as a result of transition.
Michigan State scored 1.25 points per possession, the second-most IU has allowed all year. But again, much of that damage was a result of what was happening on the other end of the floor.
MORE GAME COVERAGE
- Self-destructive trends are emerging for IU men’s basketball in big games
- Watch: IU basketball coach Darian DeVries discusses loss to Michigan State
- IU basketball: Michigan State 81 Indiana 60 — Three keys, highlights, stats
THE PLAYERS (*starters)
*Tucker DeVries (D) The prolonged slump from three for DeVries continues, as he’s just 11 of 54 (20.3%) over his last seven games. But he’s not even giving himself a full chance to snap out of it, with foul issues almost every game. And not only is DeVries getting in foul trouble every game, he’s doing it with what look like unnecessary fouls.
*Lamar Wilkerson (B+) Wilkerson is giving everything he can to carry the load on the offensive end, but you can only ask so much. You’d like to see him be more of a rebounding and facilitating presence than his no boards and one assist night.
*Sam Alexis (D+) Alexis was effective with slips to the rim early in the game, but he faded from the picture as Michigan State adjusted. Indiana can’t afford their starting five to have no rebounds in a game.
*Conor Enright (C) Enright took himself out of the game with two early fouls. He made open threes playing off what the defense was taking away, and that’s exactly what IU needs from him. But he wasn’t able to facilitate and get paint touches against MSU’s quickness and athleticism.
*Tayton Conerway (C+) Conerway was effective getting to the rim, both for himself and to find teammates. He scored just five points but had nine assists against just two turnovers. He is going to have to be more determined at being physical and getting into the paint when defenses go with shell coverage like MSU and Nebraska in the second halves. And he’ll need to be better in transition defense.
Reed Bailey (D+) Bailey is clearly focused on increasing his physicality and effort. His seven rebounds highlight that. But he’s still struggling to finish through contact at the rim, and he added four turnovers. And he fouled out in just 18 minutes, including an ill-advised push off.
Trent Sisley (C) Sisley is matching up against veteran big men on the road. His effort advantage fades against top teams. He’s got to learn all the tricks and techniques in a physical league to improve his rebounding presence and avoid fouls.
Nick Dorn (C-) Dorn made a couple threes, but he’s going to have to develop more ways to score and ramp up his intensity and focus on the glass, and as a defender. He was on the floor 28 minutes and didn’t stand out beyond shooting threes.
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Jasai Miles, Aleksa Ristic and Andrej Acimovic did not play — coaches decision.
Jason Drake and Josh Harris were out with injuries.
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