In the premature stages of Indiana men’s basketball’s season, it appeared as though the 3-point line was an offensive weakness. While the Hoosiers are still struggling to find their way, yet improving, it’s becoming more apparent that instead, it’s the defensive side of the arc that troubles the Hoosiers. This was the case Wednesday night as Nebraska crushed Indiana 86-70 with a 12-of-32 performance from long range.
The Hoosiers did well early and limited the damage. Nebraska couldn’t connect from range early with the exception of a 3-pointer from senior guard Keisei Tominaga as the Hoosiers led 13-11 six minutes into the game before Husker junior guard C.J. Wilcher found his stroke.
Wilcher’s first make came off a screen in rhythm, and Indiana sophomore forward Kaleb Banks couldn’t keep up around the screener. The make capped off a 7-0 run to give Nebraska an 18-11 lead.
His next two makes not only fired up the crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena, but also got the Huskers in a groove. Wilcher shot with confidence and connected, the only Nebraska player to do so the remainder of the half. Still, Indiana trailed by 8 at halftime.
Nebraska junior guard Brice Williams opened the second frame with a 3-pointer, a bad omen of what was to come for Indiana. After holding the Huskers to 4-for-16 from deep in the first half, Nebraska unleashed an 8-for-16 clinic from long range in the final 20 minutes.
Most of Nebraska’s 3-pointers were a product of poor rotations from Indiana’s defenders with a mix of a hot shooting night from the Husker guards. With an increase of newcomers to Indiana head coach Mike Woodson’s defensive system being a part of the problem, Woodson acknowledged Indiana’s step down defensively.
“This team is not as good as we were defensively the last two years, and a lot of it is because we do have new faces,” Woodson said postgame. “We’ve got to overcome that; I’ve got to get them over the hump.”
After Nebraska extended its lead to a then-high 15 points — off a made 3-pointer, of course — Indiana made several attempts to chip away and pose a threat. But every time the Hoosiers did so, the Huskers found their response behind the arc.
An Indiana long ball cut the deficit to 8 points with 13 minutes remaining, but Williams hit another 3-pointer and a minute later Banks fouled a 3-point shooter to give away three free throws.
A few minutes later, Tominaga caught fire to put the nail in the coffin. With Indiana trailing by 11 with 10 minutes remaining, Tominaga nearly turned the ball over, but gathered his own tipped pass and took advantage of the scrambling Hoosier defense, drilling a shot from the logo.
FROM THE LOGO ‼️@KeiseiTominaga x @HuskerMBB pic.twitter.com/akklzssVYz
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 4, 2024
The Hoosiers knew where the shots were coming from but still couldn’t stop it. Tominaga connected again from deep, then Indiana guard CJ Gunn fouled him on an attempt. On the next possession, Williams hit a deep ball to extend the Nebraska lead to 20 points.
Tominaga finished with a game-high 28 points, one of four Husker guards with double-digit points. Woodson voiced his displeasure with the difference of backcourt production after the game.
“When I look at the stat sheet and look at the perimeter play, they outplayed our starting two guards, who were awful tonight,” Woodson said. “And their two guards were really good. One, two and three.”
Indiana’s 3-point defensive troubles are starting to add up. After Wednesday night’s result, the Hoosiers have allowed 20 more 3-pointers than anyone else in the Big Ten, giving up a total of 132 through 14 games. Additionally, Indiana’s opponents’ mark of 34.9% from deep ranks 11th in the conference.
The efficiency allowed from deep isn’t Indiana’s only problem — the volume allowed is too, especially when it should be expected. The Hoosiers’ opponents have attempted 30+ 3-pointers in four consecutive games. Despite Indiana knowing its weakness will be exploited, it hasn’t shown the ability to cut off the arc and force opponents to score elsewhere.
Indiana’s next opponent in Ohio State ranks third in the Big Ten, shooting 37.4% from 3-point range. The two teams will face off at 8 p.m. Saturday in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23) and columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
