Indiana’s late season surge hit a speed bump.
The game was tied at 30 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, but that’s when things started to slide for IU. From that point to a 55-41 USC lead with 11:42 left — a 25-11 USC run over about 10 minutes — was the stretch when IU dug a hole it couldn’t get out of. The Hoosiers scrapped and got back to within two with 31 seconds left. But that’s as close as they’d get.
Let’s take a deeper look at how Indiana lost 81-75 in Los Angeles with our latest edition of The Report Card.
The Hoosiers (15-8, 6-6) will return home Saturday afternoon to take on Wisconsin.
—————————————-
OFFENSE (C+)
Indiana seemed to be able to generate good looks from three all night, but making those shots was another story. And because 3-point shooting is such an integral part of what the Hoosiers do offensively (55.5% of their field goal attempts in this game), there are going to be nights like this.
IU made just 41.3% of its overall shots from the field, and it was a constant struggle, with 40.7% shooting in the first half and 41.7% in the second.
It was a similar story from three, where the Hoosiers made 33.3% in the first half, and 25% in the second. If there’s a headline shooting number from this game, it’s that Nick Dorn and Tucker DeVries combined to go 3 of 20 from beyond the arc. Think of it this way: If Indiana simply makes three more of its 35 3-point attempts Tuesday night, and there were plenty of open shots by good shooters that were missed, then they probably leave LA with a sweep.
In most other areas IU was good if not great offensively. They didn’t turn the ball over, and were reasonably efficient from two. They could have helped themselves with more offensive rebounds on all their long range misses, but this is never going to be a high level team on the offensive glass.
IU scored 1.03 points per possession. And that’s an uncomfortable place to be on the road in the Big Ten.
DEFENSE (C)
Two numbers jump off the page as it relates to Indiana’s defensive performance.
The Hoosiers gave up offensive rebounds on 39.3% of USC’s misses. That was the second-highest rate they’ve allowed all season. While it seemed like things improved in the second half, the reality was USC only missed nine shots after the break.
And then there was USC’s 31 free throw attempts (15 more than Indiana took). The Hoosiers have a clear identity as a team that fouls excessively and sends teams to the free throw line. So it wouldn’t be appropriate to assert they fell victim to an unfair whistle. Sure, there were times when it seemed Alijah Arenas was getting auto-calls on contact he was initiating. But this is largely a case of Indiana needing to be more fundamentally sound, and a reality that their overall lack of team athleticism puts them in some difficult spots.
IU did force 11 second half turnovers and 15 for the game. That helped give them a chance late. And their press had some effect late too.
But from 17 USC fast break points, to 15 second chance points, to 25 points given up at the free throw line, this was an evening when the eye test and the stat sheet say the Hoosiers didn’t have fresh legs, and didn’t give enough effort.
In the end IU gave up 1.11 points per possession, their worst rate since giving up more than 1.2 in each game of their four-game losing streak.
SEE ALSO:
- IU men’s basketball ‘half a step slow’ in loss at USC
- Here’s what IU basketball coach Darian DeVries said after loss to USC
- IU basketball: USC 81 Indiana 75 — Three keys, highlights, final stats
THE PLAYERS (*starters)
*Tucker DeVries (C) It was another inefficient night from the field. DeVries is now at a career-low 38.5% shooting from the field this season. Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. He had six rebounds, five assists and three steals. But Indiana clearly needs better shooting from him.
*Lamar Wilkerson (A) Wilkerson probably has a sore back from carrying the load the entire game. He made 11 of the team’s 26 shots, half of its threes, nearly half of the free throws, and he added three steals. It was a solid effort. He only needed a little more from his teammates.
*Sam Alexis (C+) He was the better of IU’s two bigs on this night, but he couldn’t stay on the floor with foul trouble. Alexis looks like he’s improved athletically since the start of the season. And his four assist/no turnover night suggests his more comfortable in the offense. But he needed to be much more impactful on the glass.
*Conor Enright (B) Enright had an impressive eight assist/one turnover stat line. And you have to wonder how many assists he lost on open looks the Hoosiers missed. He struggled at times in a tough matchup against the NBA-bound Arenas.
*Nick Dorn (D) It’s a funny thing with shooters. If Dorn makes a bunch of threes, he’s the greatest player in IU history. If he misses them all, he’s terrible . The truth is somewhere in between. And it truly is a game of inches, as most of his 12 attempts from long range were good attempts that went in and out. Chalk it up to an off night.
Reed Bailey (D) Coming off his best game of the season, Bailey took a step back with an erratic performance from the field. On multiple occasions he made the poor decision to attempt to shoot over 7-foot-5 Gabe Dynes. And it’s difficult to comprehend how Bailey can have no rebounds in 18 minutes.
Trent Sisley (B) Sisley seemed to carry his confidence over from a game-winning free throw at UCLA. He made a three and grabbed a couple rebounds in seven minutes.
Tayton Conerway (B) Conerway saw his first action since Jan. 23 and he was helpful down the stretch as Indiana attempted to apply pressure and rally late. He did miss two free throws in the final minute, however.
Jasai Miles also appeared in the game.
————————
Aleksa Ristic and Andrej Acimovic did not play — coaches decision.
Jason Drake and Josh Harris were out with injuries.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
