Thoughts on a 101-49 win against the Wildcats:
While Indiana dominated on Tuesday night against Morehead State, the performance left some lingering questions. Is the free-throw shooting going to be an issue again? Is Indiana going to continue to be a low-volume 3-point shooting team? Will there be slow starts and lazy lulls?
It’s just one early game in a long season, but tonight’s performance against Bethune-Cookman answered those questions soundly. It was a total 40-minute effort from the Hoosiers. They defended with intensity, frustrating the Wildcats with ball pressure repeatedly. The offense hummed and was unselfish with multiple players getting into the mix.
Due to the 2-3 zone the Wildcats tossed at Indiana for stretches of the first half, the Hoosiers took what the defense gave, which meant more 3-point shots than it took against Morehead State where they pounded it inside due to a big height advantage. After just 11 3-pointers taken all game on Tuesday night, Indiana shot 8-of-16 in the first half alone this evening, getting contributions from several Hoosiers.
Miller Kopp, locked in to start this season, made 3-of-4. Trey Galloway, better form and all, went 2-of-2. Jordan Geronimo and Malik Reneau each hit their only attempt. Tamar Bates (1-of-3) added Indiana’s other make in the first half. The Hoosiers did cool down in the final 20 minutes of action, going just 2-of-8 from deep. But add it all up and they still finished the contest 10-of-24 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range. You’ll take that 10 times out of 10.
Indiana was also near perfect from the free-throw line tonight, making 21-of-22 (95.5 percent).
“Nobody wants to go up and miss free throws,” Mike Woodson said after the contest. “It’s a mental thing, man. Somebody gives you free throws, you’ve got to take advantage of it. Tonight, our focus and concentration level was high, and we stepped up to the line and we made ’em.”
Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 21 points (9-of-10) in 21 minutes. It was an absolute clinic in efficiency. His scores were quick and effortless as IU’s star made easy work of the competition. Jalen Hood-Schifino had an off-night shooting (2-of-8), but had a strong game as a distributor, leading the way with eight assists. The Hoosiers assisted on 27 of their 35 makes tonight. Their 1.42 points per possession were the most of the Mike Woodson era. Indiana’s bench and second unit continue to impress. Jordan Geronimo (11 points) and…