Following a victory over Siena University on Dec. 22, Indiana head coach Darian DeVries emphasized areas the Hoosiers needed to work on heading into a lengthy 13-day break.
But of the multiple areas of improvement, two in particular were the most important: Defensive rebounding and turnovers.
“I believe that you have to win those two battles every night if you're going to give yourself a chance.” DeVries said Dec. 22 postgame. “We have to turn the ball over less, defensive rebound better.”
And when the Hoosiers returned to the hardwood against Washington on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, they won both of those battles en route to a 90-80 victory over the Huskies.
Often a lengthy break brings the risk of starting a game out flat or playing below standard. However, Indiana did none of that. In fact, the Hoosiers brought the energy from the jump and started the game a hot 5 for 5 from the 3-point line.
Throughout the first half, the Hoosiers shot 67% from the field and 50% from the beyond the arc. Indiana continued its shooting efficiency into the second half to finish the game 52% from the field and 43% from 3-point range.
“To come back and have a pretty good performance, I was pretty pleased because sometimes after those long layoffs, you never know what might happen,” DeVries said postgame.
And while the hot shooting start was a good way to start the game, it’s not all the Hoosiers did. The Cream and Crimson displayed growth in areas that needed improvements. They took the extra practice and applied it to the game.
Indiana finished the contest with a season-low four turnovers. In the Hoosiers’ five previous games, they tallied double-digit giveaways in each, including 18 in their 72-60 loss to the University of Kentucky. Turnovers were an area of concern, but the Hoosiers took care of the ball right out of the break.
The other main concern for the Hoosiers was rebounding, and Indiana won the rebounding battle on both the offensive and defensive end.
“That was a huge emphasis (rebounding) for us going into the game, the bigs doing our jobs, trying to drive our guy out,” freshman forward Trent Sisley said postgame. “I think the guards did a good job rebounding down tonight. That was a big thing we focused on, and I think we executed it pretty well tonight.”
The Hoosiers' performance in their victory over the Huskies was a good sign as they kicked off the start of conference only play. The Big Ten is a tough conference with seven teams in the Associated Press’ top 25 poll released Dec. 22, and two more — including Indiana — receiving votes.
Staying competitive in Big Ten play starts with growth and performances like Indiana displayed Sunday night.
“We had some time where we could clean stuff up and we weren't focusing on preparing for necessarily a team right away,” redshirt senior guard Conor Enright said postgame. “Then, we got some days to prepare for Washington. I think we've been having a great approach. If we keep that, it will help us throughout.”
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki8773 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
