- The Hoosiers can put up points in a hurry
After eight minutes of play, the Hoosiers entered the second media timeout of the first half with an unimpressive 12-8 lead over Ball State.
Over the next 12 minutes, IU turned on the jets and blew past the Cardinals, finishing the half on a 38-11 run to take a 50-19 lead into halftime.
Four three-pointers, 5-of-6 shooting from Will Sheehey and three players - Sheehey, Jordan Hulls and Cody Zeller - finishing the half with at least 10 points were the reasons behind the Hoosiers' big run.
For the past two seasons, IU has showed their quick-scoring ability a number of times, but Sunday's game was the latest example.
When the Hoosiers get rolling, they are a tough team to stop. As this team moves forward, opponents will be looking for different ways to slow down IU's offense, but when the Hoosiers get on hot streaks like the one against Ball State, opponents won't see much success.
2. Jordan Hulls's success is not by luck
Over the last week or so, Jordan Hulls has been on fire.
After being named MVP of the Legends Classic, the senior from Bloomington finished Sunday's game with 17 points, going 7-of-10 from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the arc.
In the last week, Hulls is averaging 16 points and 3.3 three-pointers made a game. With his stroke looking as sweet as it has ever looked, Hulls said he attributes it to the amount of work he puts into his craft - shooting.
"Well, I put a lot of time in my shooting. I'd like to shoot the ball every game well, but my teammates were finding me, just drive and kicks, that kind of thing and I was able to create on my own and it feels good. When I put in all that time and work it should feel good anyways.
3. When Will Sheehey is on it starts with his mid-range jumper
It's no secret that Will Sheehey's best shot is the mid-range jumper. So when the junior guard hit back-to-back mid-range jumpers near the halfway point of the first half, you knew Sheehey was about to get rolling.
After hitting those shots, Sheehey got into the groove of the game and finished 8-of-9 from the field and with a game-high 19 points.
While Sheehey hasn't had the best start to his season - averaging nine points and three rebounds per game entering Sunday's contest - the Stuart, Florida native put his best performance of the season together against Ball State.
Along with his 19 points, he collected six rebounds and two assists, while actively disturbing Ball State throughout his 19 minutes of play.
Associate head coach Tim Buckley said the key to Sheehey's performance was the extra time that he put in at the gym after coming home from Brooklyn.
"Will probably didn't shoot it as well as he would liked when we played in Brooklyn, so he got in the gym and he worked," Buckley said. "He got shots up, he shot free throws, he did all the things you have to do to try and get better. That's the only thing we know is work. And that's what Will do and you got a chance to see it tonight."
"I don't think it was a surprise or anything tonight because that's just how he plays. He just got off track a little bit offensively when we played in Brooklyn and he came back and worked his way out of it."
4. Christian Watford can put up quiet double-doubles
With five Hoosiers scoring in double figures, it is pretty easy to overlook Watford's 11-point performance against Ball State. But what Watford continues to improve upon is his consistency in the rebounding department - and it is beginning to show in the form of double-doubles.
Sunday night, Watford recorded his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Cardinals. If you weren't following the stats, you may not have noticed Watford's big performance, but it is clear that he is putting his mark on games.
Against Georgetown, Watford posted 10 points and 10 rebounds in the overtime victory over the Hoyas. Also, the senior recorded a 15-point, 15-rebound night against Bryant in the first game of the season.
If Watford can continue to rebound and score at this rate, NBA scouts won't be overlooking Watford come draft time - even if he continues to fly under the radar with the Hoosiers.
5. Austin Etherington must have felt guilty about costing Hoosier fans free burritos
In the closing moments of IU's 99-45 win over Sam Houston State, Austin Etherington had two free throws attempts to put the Hoosiers over the 100-point mark for the game.
As it turns out, Etherington missed one-of-two free throws and the Hoosiers stalled at 99 points to the dismay of IU fans.
Had Etherington pushed IU over the century mark, fans in attendance would have been eligible for a free burrito from Qdoba - as a part of a year-long promotion Qdoba sponsors every time IU scores over 100 - with a valid game ticket.
This time, Etherington would not let Hoosier fans go hungry.
With under 30 seconds to play and the shot clock turned off, Ball State controlled the ball in their offensive set. IU applied pressure on the ball and Etherington came away with a steal in the open court.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore from Cicero, Indiana raced down the floor and laid the ball in the basket, while getting fouled, to put IU up 100-53. Etherington's play received the loudest applause of the night, and when he completed the three-point play, Hoosier fans rose to their feet to salute the team's effort.
After the game, Will Sheehey jokingly said Etherington's eyes lite up when the Hoosiers got to 98 points.
"He wanted to get that burrito," Sheehey said. "He's probably at Qdoba right now. It was redemption for him. I'm sure he's ecstatic."
From all of those who got free burritos: thank you, Austin.
