Indiana needs a lot more of where that came from.
This might have been Indiana’s most complete game of the season. The Hoosiers never trailed, and they never led by less than double-digits in the second half.
Let’s take a deeper look at how Indiana won 82-59 in Piscataway and snapped a four-game losing streak with our latest edition of The Report Card.
The Hoosiers (13-7, 4-5) will return to action Tuesday evening in Bloomington when they host Purdue.
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OFFENSE (A)
With three knockdown shooters on the perimeter for most of the game, Indiana was hard to guard. Tucker DeVries, Lamar Wilkerson and Nick Dorn combined for 72 points and made 15 of 33 threes (45.4%). All three scored at least 22 points and made at least four threes.
That trio played a lot together in part because Tayton Conerway was injured. Dorn got the start in his place. It will be interesting to see if IU continues with that approach when they’re back to full health. It was highly effective, at least on this night.
The Hoosiers had a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. It was their lowest turnover percentage (8.5%) of the season. The utilized a healthy dose of skip passes against help defense to find open shooters.
“I thought we did a better job of getting some movement, creating some actions with generated some pull from the defense, which gave some guys some opportunities on the back side for catch-and-shoot threes,” IU coach Darian DeVries said on FS1 after the game.
IU had their most efficient offensive road game (1.39 points per possession) and effective field goal percentage (62.5%). And the Hoosiers gave themselves second chances with their second-highest offensive rebounding rate (37.9%) of any game this season.
DEFENSE (B)
Indiana struggled in the first half to guard Tariq Francis. He had 21 points before the break but just seven after. So the Hoosiers figured some things out, and Rutgers really didn’t have any other significant scoring threats on the floor.
Via Sam Alexis, Indiana got some much-needed rim protection, something they’ve been lacking for most of the season. Rutgers shot just 41% from two.
IU held Rutgers to exactly a point per possession, a major improvement after allowing 1.23 or more for four straight games. But this was obviously an offense not at the level of the prior four opponents.
The Scarlet Knights had an effective field goal percentage of 40.5%, tied for the lowest allowed by Indiana against any high major opponent this season. IU did a pretty good job eliminating second chances (23.7% offensive rebounding rate) and guarding the 3-point arc (Rutgers shot 26.3%)
The Hoosiers only forced five turnovers themselves. Some of that may be because they focus on the gameplan and defensive principles, but it can also be a dangerous way to live against better offenses.
SEE ALSO:
- IU men’s basketball provides reminder of what it’s capable of in win over Rutgers
- Here’s what Darian DeVries said following Indiana’s road win at Rutgers
- IU basketball: Indiana 82 Rutgers 59 — Three keys, highlights, final stats
THE PLAYERS (*starters)
*Tucker DeVries (A-) DeVries turned in a solid performance, pulling himself out of a long slump. Just as important — he stayed out of foul trouble, which gave him a chance to figure things out. His 16-point, 7 rebound 3 assist first half set the tone. His efficiency fell off after the break, but this with the Tucker DeVries IU needs.
*Lamar Wilkerson (A-) As DeVries’ shooting tailed off in the second half, Wilkerson carried the torch, with 14 points after the break. He was a perfect 2 of 2 from 2-point range, proving teams can’t solely rely on taking away the three.
*Sam Alexis (A-) Alexis had a lot more pep in his step in this one, providing a frontcourt energy level the Hoosiers have lacked at times. “I thought Sam just all around with his blocks, his activity, his motion, was really big tonight,” DeVries said.
*Conor Enright (B) Enright was mired in a tough battle with Francis for much of the game. He helped get the ball to the hot hands on the other end.
*Nick Dorn (A-) He had his highest-scoring game as a Hoosier with elite 3-point shooting. Dorn made some defensive mistakes, but he also had two steals and a block. If he can progress towards being a more impactful player on that end he’ll be hard to keep off the floor.
Tayton Conerway (B+) The veteran guard is still battling his way back from an ankle injury, but he provided some key minutes, especially with a couple drives to the rim midway through the second half as Rutgers appeared to be staging a rally.
Reed Bailey (B) With Alexis making a big impact, Bailey’s role was limited in this one. Those two continue to go back-and-forth in terms of minutes and roles. DeVries seems to ride the hot hand.
Jasai Miles (B-) Miles had one of his biggest roles of the season in a meaningful game. He doesn’t always look confident when on the floor.
Trent Sisley played limited minutes.
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Aleksa Ristic and Andrej Acimovic did not play — coaches decision.
Jason Drake and Josh Harris were out with injuries.
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