Hoosiers Coast To Win Over New Orleans, 79-59

The game was really never in question. Nearly everyone in assembly Hall, watching on that ridiculous thing they call BTN Plus, or listening to Don Fischer’s call on the radio (that would be me), had zero doubt that the Hoosiers were going to win this ball game.

Indiana doubled up the visitors from the Bayou State, 44-22 at the half. Shots were falling, they were playing solid defense, and the two-headed front court monster of Hanner and Troy were playing the same brand of basketball that earned them a victory against Butler just two nights before. I should have been thrilled, excited, and jumping up and down, but the game just didn’t have that feel to it.

I chose my words carefully for the title of is article; “coast” being the operative word. Only being able to hear Fisch’s take on the game, it sounded like the Hoosiers may have let off the gas defensively in the final 20 minutes. Apparently Tom Crean was none too happy with the effort, as he was reportedly visibly agitated during one time out. Evidently the second half of the game was just as hard for the players to get motivated for as it was for me to stay involved. The 22 point lead that IU had acquired at halftime was whittled down a few time, and ultimately our candy striped heroes could never really extent their lead. The end result was a 20 point victory for the home team.

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From a star standpoint, IU was paced by Yogi Ferrell’s 17 points (12 coming in the first half) and four assists, followed by James Blackmon with 14. Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Troy Williams continued their impressive play of as of late, scoring 12 and eight points respectively, and collectively shot 8/11 from the floor.

The visiting Privateers were led in scoring by Tevin Broyles, with 19 points. The sophomore guard shot 50% for the game, but just 1/4 from three-point range. Forward Kevin Hill followed up with 12 points in the losing effort. For the second straight game, Indiana held its opponent to under 40% shooting, and furthermore, held the Privateers to just 1/13 from behind the arch.

Although the stat sheet sure looks impressive, Indiana played a New Orleans team that rates as the 305th best team out of 351 by KenPom.com. IU played 20 minutes good of basketball, but it takes 40 minutes to beat a good team. No offense, but UNO is not a good team.

The whole game had a little bit of a twilight zone feel to it (and no, I wasn’t drinking). We had pizza at work tonight. Maybe someone at the pizza joint thought it would be funny to use the wrong kind of mushrooms on the supreme. I don’t know, but there was something just not right about today’s game, like it didn’t really happen (surely it’s not just me).

Don’t get me wrong. At the end of the day, a win is a win. It’s one step closer to a tourney bid, and one step closer to that all important magical number of 20 wins that is the benchmark the so many teams measure their season upon. The Hoosiers did what they were supposed to do tonight. Goliath crushed David. Fans walked out of Assembly Hall with big smiles on their faces (and I would have too). You see, at Indiana, we love our Hoosiers. Seeing our guys win a game puts a spring in our step, and wind in our sails. I just feel like tonight, we’re sailing in the middle of the ocean, with no clue how we got there. Next up for the Hoosiers is Georgetown, as they take another trip to the Big Apple. Maybe the ether will wear off by then.

Until then, let’s just savor the W, and enjoy the free boat ride. It doesn’t matter how we got there. A win is a win.

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