CHICAGO — Nobody can say IU isn’t fighting.
With its most inspired performance in ages, IU defeated Northwestern 71-56 in the United Center on Thursday. That win moved IU into the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
The Hoosier offense was fine, but surprisingly, it was the defense that limited Northwestern — particularly in the first half.
This was the best defense IU has played all year, but exactly how good were they?
IU’s defense was so good, Northwestern didn’t score for an eight-minute stretch near the beginning of the game.
IU’s defense was so good, no Northwestern player made more than one field goal in the first half.
IU’s defense was so good, it allowed the second fewest points in a game for its conference season. The only time an opponent scored less was when cellar-dwelling Rutgers posted a measly 54 points in Piscataway, N.J.
The thing about IU is that its success is tied to its defense. The offense will score against almost anyone, but it needs stops to start runs.
That sounds obvious, but on this team, it’s amplified. IU feeds off its defensive energy. When it gets stops, they become more motivated on the offensive end.
And in turn, that fuels the defense. It’s a cycle IU sometimes takes advantage of but also gets trapped within if it isn’t bringing defensive ?energy.
Freshman guard James Blackmon Jr. said that’s a concept the team has worked on all season.
“That’s something the coaches stress with us,” Blackmon said. “We’re more of a running team, and we feel like if we push the ball ahead and throw it to the runners, we can get quick baskets.”
IU’s last 44 minutes of basketball have looked really good, but that won’t clinch an NCAA Tournament berth for the Hoosiers. The next 40 minutes might.
Friday will see IU take on Maryland, an opponent the Hoosiers have played well against twice already. In their first meeting, the Hoosiers walloped the Terrapins by 19 in Assembly Hall. Then Maryland eked out a victory by two points at home.
This is a winnable game for IU. The Hoosiers’ ceiling might be higher than Maryland’s, but their floor has been sinking recently.
This win against Northwestern will give IU some confidence moving forward, something sophomore guard Stanford Robinson said as well.
Whether it’s the threat of missing the NCAA ?Tournament, feeling like it “owes them one” or simply because IU is putting it together after a tough stretch, I think IU will upset Maryland.
The Terrapins have size on IU, like everyone else, but they don’t necessarily play to it. Their best players stick to the wing, where IU’s strengths lie.
That’s why Maryland, a very good team, struggles against the Hoosiers. And that’s why it will struggle Friday as well.
My Prediction: IU 66, Maryland 62
Casey Krajewski is 18-3 in his predictions this season.
crkrajew@indiana.edu
