Badgers top Hoosiers, 68-51

The last time Tom Crean coached against Wisconsin, he was leading an experienced Marquette squad that came within one point of reaching the Sweet Sixteen.

Needless to say, the first-year IU men’s basketball coach has gone through just as much change in the past year as the Hoosier program.

Wisconsin methodically picked away at the Hoosiers after halftime, limiting IU to 21 second-half points en route to a 68-51 victory.

“They played like a veteran club, and we played like a bunch of rookies,” Crean said. “That’s the bottom line.”

The return of leading scorer Devan Dumes appeared to give IU the boost it sorely needed the past two games.

But after a back-and-forth first half, an all-too-familiar scene for IU fans began to replay.

The Hoosiers came out flat to start the second.

Wisconsin straightened out its patented swing offense while frustrating the Hoosiers throughout the second half, transforming a one-point halftime lead against IU (6-19, 1-12) into, at one point, a 22-point margin.

“I don’t think we competed very well in the second half,” Crean said. “And our defense certainly let us down.”

The start of the game showed no indication it would end that way.

Dumes’ return paid dividends early. For the first time since his suspension, the Hoosiers’ offense was effective for much of the first half.

But it was another Hoosier guard that led the way: freshman Verdell Jones.

Jones matched his season average in the first frame with 10 points, slashing and penetrating through the Badger defense.

But Wisconsin point guard Trevon Hughes matched Jones, notching 10 first-half points of his own.

The two led their collective teams in a spirited first half that saw both squads trading buckets.

As has been the case throughout the season, it became a tale of two halves for the Hoosiers.

After halftime, Wisconsin sharpened its defense, forcing careless Hoosier turnovers and drawing IU into early foul trouble. The Badgers were in the bonus six minutes into the half.

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan’s offense began to frustrate the Hoosier defense.

With freshman Tom Pritchard and senior Kyle Taber getting into foul trouble, the small IU lineup struggled to stop the Wisconsin forwards from having their way down low.

The loss leaves the Hoosiers battered and bruised with a day and a half to recover before facing in-state rival Purdue on Saturday.

But Crean said there won’t be a Dr. Phil therapist for his team. He wants his players to remember routs like Thursday’s.

“I don’t want them to forget what it feels like in any of these games,” Crean said, “‘cause I’m not forgetting.”