Let's take a quick look at how the Indiana Hoosiers were able to beat the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats in the Hoosiers' only preseason game.
What happened: In front of a packed Assembly Hall, the Hoosiers overcame a slow start to beat the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 86-57 in the Hoosiers' first-and-only preseason game of the season.
How it happened: The Hoosiers stumbled out of the gate as IWU hit a couple of threes to take the early momentum, but IU responded to the Wildcats' punch with strong play from their second team leading the way. Freshman forward Jeremy Hollowell and guard Maurice Creek provided the Hoosiers with an emotional spark in the first half. Hollowell was all over the court, on offense and defense, and Creek received the loudest applause of the night when he made an layup and drilled a three in his first six minutes of action.
After taking the lead 27-25, IU never looked back. Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller rocked the rims multiple times throughout the game with monstrous slams. Yogi Ferrell's Hoosier debut was filled with a number of mid-range pull-up jumpers and cheers from the crowd, but overall the freshman looked solid after a few early turnovers.
After leading 41-30 at halftime, the Hoosiers outscored IWU 45-27 in the second half on their way to victory.
What it means: The Hoosiers first-and-only exhibition game was an opportunity for IU to work out some of the kinks on a NAIA Division II opponent before starting the schedule that matters. Obviously, the Hoosiers wanted a better start against IWU, but IU stuck to their game plan and suffocated the Wildcats as the game went on. Coach Crean and his staff will have some positives to take away from this game and the biggest will probably be that the Hoosiers were able to respond to IWU's best punch with a strong finish to the first half and an equally strong second half.
What's next for the Hoosiers: Next Friday, the Hoosiers open the regular season at home against Bryant University. Last year, the Bulldogs went 2-26 and return their top scorer from last season, Alex Francis, who averaged 16.7 last season as a sophomore.
Stat of the Night: Of the 14 Hoosiers that saw the floor, 11 of them played double-digit minutes. Also, 11 players scored at least once (five in double figures), but Jordan Hulls was not one of them. Hulls was held scoreless and only took one shot in 21 minutes of play.
