INDIANAPOLIS — IU basketball opened exhibition action with a 96-68 win on Sunday evening at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Here are some notes, observations and stats from the game.
— As we reported separately, Markus Burton, Aiden Sherrell, Samet Yigitoglu, Jaeden Mustaf and Darren Harris got the start for IU. Mustaf, Harris and Bryce Lindsay were competing for two spots on the wing.
– The main rotational players appear to include Trent Sisley, Sam Alexis, Trevor Manhertz, and Bryce Lindsay.
— IU outscored Butler 52-27 in the second half, including a 33-4 run.
— Freshmen Prince-Alexander Moody didn’t really see meaningful action. His fellow freshman Vaughn Karvala was in uniform but didn’t play. He is coming off an injury and may not be fully cleared. Moody had a big role in the summer, so his status is a little less clear at this point.
— Markus Burton got Indiana off to a great start with 11 of its first 13 points, including three triples. He got in some foul trouble that limited his role from there. Burton has been a respectable but not elite three-point shooter to this point in his career, so that will be something to keep an eye on.
— Burton got IU off to a good start from beyond the arc, and the Hoosiers shot it well from long range overall. They finished 13-33 from three, with Darren Harris, Trevor Manhertz and Bryce Lindsay all hitting multiple shots from long range.
— We’ve written plenty about the significant size IU can put on the floor, and its impact was evident throughout. The Hoosiers dominated the boards 53-33, including 17 offensive rebounds.
— Jaeden Mustaf has good positional size and he had eight rebounds for IU.
— Samet Yigitoglu showed how his sheer size can impact the game. He sealed off his man for close range looks, and influenced and deterred shots. He’s got a soft touch around the rim, including a jump hook that is pretty much impossible to block with his 7-foot-2 frame.
— Darren Harris got the start and showed fearlessness when it comes to shooting the ball. He’s got a very fast release and it will let it fly from just about anywhere. He looked confident.
— Freshman Trevor Manhertz was part of the first wave off the bench. He didn’t generate significant fanfare during the summer, but Manhertz is a high level shooter who has good length. He has clearly made an impression on the staff.
— Indiana’s defense wasn’t very disruptive in the first half. The Hoosiers only forced one turnover before the break. But IU forced nine turnovers in the second half.
— A few players looked like they needed to shake off some high major game speed rust. But that’s what these high-level exhibition games are for. And the gym was full and loud. It was a good road-light experience for the Hoosiers with no real downside. Indiana will get another challenge next Sunday against North Carolina at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
— With Karvala back in uniform Indiana was at or near (depending on if he’s cleared) full strength for the exhibition.
— Here are the final stats:
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