Another game, another heartbreaker for the Hoosiers.
A dejected Tom Crean sat at the podium with his sleeves rolled up after the game. Obviously flustered, Crean spoke with emotion and honesty.
"My battle cry is we're getting closer," he said. "In that locker room, this isn't about moral victories, it isn't about any of that. We just have got to stick with it. I know that doesn't sound very fun, but we gotta stick with it."
IU's young squad (5-9, 0-2) played arguably their best basketball of the season in the first half, but once again let an early lead slip away in the closing minutes. After leading by 17 at the half, the Hoosiers matched Michigan basket-for-basket early in the second to hold their lead.
But the Wolverines (12-3, 2-1) made what seemed like an inevitable run. The baskets began to fall and the Hoosiers began to resemble the team that has now lost five straight games for the first time since 2004. Michigan's clutch shooting -- including a late 3 that bounced straight in the air off the rim and back down through the net -- helped the Wolverines tie the game, 59-59, at the end of regulation.
But overtime provided the Hoosiers with plenty of charitable chances to win the game, but IU couldn't convert. IU shot 2-of-8 from the free-throw line in the extra period, dooming them against a Michigan offense that finally started clicking. The Wolverines outscored the Hoosiers in OT, 13-7.
"Free throws are one of the greatest wonders of the world," Crean said after the game.
In the post-game press conference, a reporter in the back of the room said he heard IU fans saying after the game that their team had exceeded expectations. The reporter asked Crean if that was enough. Crean stared at the writer blankly.
"Would it be enough for you? I love our fans, that's part of it. They're cheering so loud and they're getting up..."
"God," Crean said as he raised his voice. "I want to win for them, too. Our fans are so into it. And we're going to get back where (Assembly Hall) is sold out again -- I'm not trying to preach to you -- I just believe it."
The Hoosiers had three players finish in double figures. Junior guard Devan Dumes scored 17 points, freshman forward Nick Williams added 14 (most coming in the first half) and freshman guard Verdell Jones finished with 13 points and six assists. Freshman forward Tom Pritchard finished a point and a rebound short of a double-double (nine points, nine rebounds).
Check back with the basketblog and idsnews.com for more coverage of tonight's game.
