The Crossroads Classic is meant to showcase the best college basketball in Indiana, and it’s done that – at least in games that the Hoosiers play in.
The last two Crossroads Classic games have been disappointing for the IU men’s basketball team. Last year, IU lost a close game to Notre Dame when the Fighting Irish pulled away in the final minute. But that doesn’t stack up to the heartbreak of two years ago.
When the No. 1-ranked Hoosiers took on Butler in the 2012 tournament, it was meant to be an easy win against the little brother Bulldogs. But, of course, Butler found a way to win.
Saturday, the Hoosiers and Bulldogs will meet again, only this time, Butler is the ranked team and IU is looking for a statement victory. This year’s Butler team actually looks similar to the one of two years ago as well.
They still have Alex Barlow, now a senior guard, who hit the game-winning jumper in the 2012 game as a walk-on. He’s picked up a scholarship since then and starts for the Bulldogs at point guard.
They still have senior forward Roosevelt Jones, who dominated down low despite being just 6-foot-4. Only now, without Cody Zeller to battle him down low, Jones could show off even more this time around.
And interestingly enough, Butler now has graduate student forward Austin Etherington. The former Hoosier transferred to Butler and is logging just over 14 minutes per game.
Etherington isn’t shooting a whole lot, but everyone knows he will be coming out hoping to make a statement against his former team.
However, in what is becoming the theme for IU basketball this season, the game will be decided down low.
IU’s guards are so much more athletic than Butler’s, but that can only take this team so far. If senior forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea can’t establish himself down low, IU will become one-dimensional. The post will be the area to watch in this game.
There might not be another player like Jones in the entire country. As undersized as he is, it’s impressive he has had so much success against top competition. Jones has led the Bulldogs to victories over North Carolina, then ranked fifth in the country, and Georgetown, a team IU will see on Dec. 27th.
He’s built like a small tank and plays like it too. Jones is a bully down low and earns his rebounding position. If he were 6-foot-9, he’d be a first-round draft pick next year.
When Butler beat North Carolina last month, the Bulldogs grabbed 29 offensive rebounds. Obviously IU can’t give up anywhere near that number if they hope to win. Butler won’t score a ton of points on anyone, but if they keep the ball in their half of the court, eventually it’ll go through the net.
The Hoosiers always struggle against Butler. Something about the way they play disrupts they rhythm of IU’s offense. And while this isn’t the most talented team IU has sent to match up with Butler, it’s a different one.
IU is so much more talented in the backcourt and Butler doesn’t have a shot-blocking threat down low to stop penetration. It will be a close game, because it always is between these two teams, but I’m going to take the upset and pick IU.
My prediction: IU 73 – Butler 70
Casey Krajewski is 4-0 in predictions this year
