Throughout 2018, Juwan Morgan has been an ever-reliable crutch for Coach Archie Miller’s squad.
He spurned the NBA Draft waters to return for his senior year. Preseason awards and praise followed. He was also named a co-captain alongside senior guard Zach McRoberts.
In all reality, Morgan is the heart and soul of this IU team.
But during a dogfight against Northwestern on Saturday afternoon, he would be lost for the final three-and-a-half minutes.
As Morgan was gingerly helped off the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall floor, there was an unspoken understanding someone had to step up.
Miller wouldn’t reveal his exact formula, but Romeo Langford said he had options.
“You want me to give up the secret play?” Miller quipped to reporters postgame.
While Langford glided toward the heart of the Wildcat defense, junior forward De’Ron Davis executed a ball screen to perfection. Freed up, Langford released a 12-foot teardrop floater. It swished through the netting for a go-ahead bucket with 39.7 seconds remaining. The Hoosier faithful exhaled as IU headed for a 68-66 win.
“We just knew that it was crunch time and we still got to do what it takes to win,” Langford said. “And Coach drew a play up and we executed a play down low.”
Miller further analyzed the scene.
“I thought Romeo didn't take the normal stride one legged finish he needed to play through the contact on the drive he got downhill,” Miller said. “Then on his second bounce he exploded up. He got a good look. It was an executed play.”
During the ensuing Northwestern possession, Langford stepped up once more.
Wildcats forward A.J. Turner tried feeding senior forward Vic Law. Trailing Law, Langford deflected the pass off its intended target and out of bounds.
The referees originally granted Northwestern possession. But after video review and some deliberation, it was determined Langford had manufactured a steal.
“Out of a timeout they went in to try and post me up and I just was able to get around the screen and get a hand on the ball and he was the last one to touch it,” Langford said. “That was a big momentum change in the game.”
Saturday afternoon was the rough and rugged slugfest Big Ten basketball breeds. There were 30 ties and 14 lead changes. The score was knotted for 9:35 of game time. 36 fouls were called, though many to the chagrin of those sitting in the stands.
Yet, it was also the kind of game IU easily could have squandered.
When Langford committed to Indiana last April, there were statewide exultations. The Hoosier state’s own would bring a program-saving offensive ability of biblical proportions.
To this point, the New Albany, Indiana-native has lived up to the hype statistically, boasting averages of 17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. But Saturday was the first truly clutch shot Langford has hit in the cream and crimson.
It’s impossible to forecast what Miller would have drawn up if Morgan was in the game. But frankly, it’s irrelevant. Langford is a player Miller expects to take and make big shots.
Saturday, he delivered.
“The guy's absolutely a heck of a guy to be around every day,” Miller said. “He works hard. Doesn't say much. Continues to get better. Had his best all-around game tonight without question offensively and defensively.”
