I don't know if using the word "vintage" to describe a third-place team from a mediocre conference is a misnomer or not, but tonight, IU had a "vintage" performance.
The Hoosiers defended well. They outrebounded Gonzaga 45-30. They ran efficient set plays on offense, they got the ball low to D.J. White, and they hit open threes.
That sounds like a vintage game, at least for this team, who did all of the things IU coach Kelvin Sampson has tried to instill in his first year here and all of the things they've proven they have to do if they want to beat quality teams. IU hasn't done those things in a game that mattered since the home win over No. 2 Wisconsin on Jan. 31. Speaking of which, it was encouraging to see the Hoosiers play well in a game away from home. When was the last time they did that?
Anyway, for their trouble, IU gets to face No. 2 UCLA Saturday. The Bruins looked every bit the powerhouse against Weber State tonight (not that that's saying much), winning 70-42. My story, which should be posted to the idsnews.com by the time you read this, has tons more on the Bruins.
It's getting late here (and especially on east coast time), so I'll wrap this up and save more for tomorrow. Check us out later in the day for stuff from tomorrow's press conferences, our thoughts on the NCAA Tournament at large, and some more analysis about IU's tilt with UCLA Saturday. See you then.
