Indiana passed its first high major test.
The Hoosiers fell behind 18-11 in the first half, and seesawed with the Orange throughout what was a tight contest for 40 minutes. Indiana went on an 8-0 run to lead 19-18, fell behind 38-34 at the half, opened the second half with an 8-0 run, and then fell behind again 66-61 with just over six minutes left. But it was a 22-14 finish by the Hoosiers that clinched it.
Let’s take a deeper look at how Indiana won 83-80 with our latest edition of The Report Card.
The Hoosiers (3-0) will return to Bloomington to host Tennessee Tech on Thursday evening.
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OFFENSE (A-)
Indiana’s offense improved dramatically in the second half. IU outscored Syracuse 49-42 in the second half after trailing 38-34 at the break. The Hoosiers shot 48.1% (13-of-27) from the floor and 54.5% (6-of-11) from the 3-point line after halftime. They scored 1.44 points per possession after the break after posting 1.03 before.
“Offensively, especially late game execution coming down the stretch last four minutes, I thought the guys did a really good job of executing some things that in a high pressure moments that they did a really good job of sharing the ball, they moved the ball, hit some big shots,” IU coach Darian DeVries said.
IU scored 22 points in the final 5:37 of the game.
The Hoosiers pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and scored 12 points off the extra chances. That’s major factor in a one possession game.
IU’s free throw shooting was on point throughout. The Hoosiers connected on seven consecutive free throw attempts in the final 74 seconds. Darren Harris converted three, Samet Yigitoglu added two, and Bryce Lindsay knocked down two. Indiana shot 17-of-18 (94.4%) from the charity stripe in the second half and 22-of-26 (84.6%) for the game.
DEFENSE (C)
There were some tough matchups in this game where Syracuse had more length in the backcourt, and more athleticism in certain areas in the frontcourt. The Hoosiers also just struggled to stay in front of the ball at times.
IU clearly seems intent on running teams off the 3-point arc. Syracuse was the third straight opponent under 20 attempts from long range. But they were also the third straight team to shoot a high percentage from two (55.5%). So Indiana seems to be leaving itself exposed behind its perimeter defense.
Overall Syracuse had an effective field goal percentage of 58.2% while scoring 1.14 points per possession for the game. Both of those numbers are in the danger zone, and to a point where IU could only survive with a solid offensive performance.
“Defensively right now, we got to get better,” DeVries said. “We got to take some steps there and that’s something that it’s got to happen quickly.”
Indiana did keep Syracuse off the offensive glass, and the Orange only had 12 assists against 12 turnovers.
SEE ALSO:
- ‘There wasn’t a lot of panic’: IU men’s basketball found a way to win against Syracuse
- Watch: Darian DeVries and Jaeden Mustaf discuss win over Syracuse
- IU basketball: Indiana 83 Syracuse 80 — Three keys, highlights, final stats
THE PLAYERS (*starters)
*Aiden Sherrell (B-) Sherrell picked up a couple early fouls and never really got into the flow of the game. He did make a couple threes, one in each half, and added a steal. He’ll have to be more of a factor on the glass. Sherrell had just one rebound in 18 minutes.
*Samet Yigitoglu (B+) He placed a major emphasis on free throw shooting during the offseason and hit two important ones in the final minute. He had a strong night rebounding the ball and added three assists and a steal. Yigitoglu struggled with extra attention from Syracuse on his post touches in the first half.
*Jaeden Mustaf (A) Factoring both ends of the floor, DeVries said Mustaf was his game MVP. He made a huge second half three and was 2 of 3 from deep. He was very good on the glass with seven rebounds. And he was tough and physical on both ends of the floor.
*Darren Harris (B+) Harris continues to look more comfortable in the offense, and with playing a big role for the first time in his career. He scored the first eight points of the second half and got IU off to a fast start. Included in that run was a steal that he took coast-to-coast for a dunk. Harris added three assists.
*Markus Burton (A-) Burton made two critical threes in a three minute stretch late in the second half. He is 6 of 9 from three on the season. Burton continues to facilitate and create transition opportunities. He added three steals.
Bryce Lindsay (B-) It wasn’t Lindsay’s night shooting threes but he was more efficient from two. He had a couple second half turnovers, but was also 4 of 4 from the free throw line in the final five minutes.
Sam Alexis (B) Alexis was productive on the glass, producing five rebounds including three on the offensive end in just 13 minutes. It was otherwise a fairly quiet night in a somewhat surprisingly diminished role give Sherrell’s limited minutes.
Trent Sisley (B) Sisley had a nifty bounce pass for an assist. He didn’t have a major role in this one.
Trevor Manhertz (C) Manhertz had a couple nice defensive moments, but also struggled some in his first high major game with four fouls and an 0 of 5 night from the field.
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Prince-Alexander Moody is out with an injury.
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