Let’s face it, there’s a huge hole between Indiana and the elite faculty basketball groups in 2024. But once more, that reality was on full show Saturday night in West Lafayette.
IU was hanging round, down simply 20-18 with 8:23 left within the first half. However Purdue went on a 15-1 run, and for all sensible intents and functions, the sport was over proper there. The Hoosiers reduce the margin to 12 at halftime, however a 10-0 Boilermakers run to start out the second half put the sport out of attain.
Let’s take a deeper have a look at how IU misplaced 79-59 with one other version of The Report Card.
Indiana (14-10, 6-7) will host Northwestern per week from Sunday.
OFFENSE (D)
How did one thing that began so good prove so unhealthy?
Indiana scored factors on 5 of their first six possessions. The ball was transferring, the ground was spaced, and pictures had been made.
“Our motion and our tempo (was good early), we received off to a great begin I assumed,” IU guard Trey Galloway mentioned. “And that didn’t final very lengthy.”
No it didn’t.
Purdue was efficient limiting Malik Reneau, and the benching of Kel’el Ware with two fouls meant neither of the IU massive males had a significant function. They mixed to make simply 5-of-12 pictures within the first half. IU coach Mike Woodson made the questionable choice to sit down the 7-foot Ware, and with him on the bench, IU went greater than seven minutes with out a subject objective in the direction of the tip of the primary half.
The Hoosiers missed their first seven threes and had been simply 4-of-16 from lengthy vary on the evening, and so they made simply 9-of-15 free throws.
From the 9:26 mark of the primary half to fifteen:50 of the second — greater than 13 minutes, IU scored simply 9 factors.
In the long run IU scored simply .86 factors per possession, which ties for his or her second worst outing of the season. And second possibilities had been restricted. They grabbed a season low 13.9 p.c of their misses.
DEFENSE (C)
There are lots of numbers that recommend this recreation ought to have been nearer. Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer and Lance Jones got here in averaging a mixed 22 factors and scored solely 12. The Boilermakers shot simply 42.4 p.c from the sphere. They began the sport simply 3-of-13 from three, and sure IU was lucky that a few of these early open appears to be like didn’t fall.
For a lot of the sport, the protection was not the issue. However as Indiana’s offense sputtered, the stress to get stops mounted on the opposite finish. And ultimately the dam broke. Purdue scored the primary 10 factors of the second half to construct a 22-point lead, after which they made 4 straight three-point makes an attempt, and the wheels got here off.
Purdue scored 1.15 factors per possession. That’s usually not superb, however the Boilers have scored extra in 15 video games this yr. IU was not capable of power sufficient turnovers to take them out of their rhythm and generate alternatives going the opposite means — the Hoosiers received simply 4 quick break factors.
And the Boilermakers secured 36.6 p.c of their misses (15 offensive rebounds, 12 second likelihood factors).
MORE GAME COVERAGE
THE PLAYERS
*Trey Galloway (C+) Galloway was again within the mode of doing lots of good issues, however his perimeter shot wasn’t falling. That nearly has appeared to turn into the keystone of video games this season. He didn’t begin out on Braden Smith however helped to sluggish him down scoring clever within the second half.
*Mackenzie Mgbako (C) For simply the second time in 13 video games, Mgbako was held with out a 3-pointer. And he had just one rebound in 32 minutes. He did keep away from fouls, appeared extra related defensively, and was environment friendly contained in the arc.
*Malik Reneau (D) Purdue was in a position to remove Malik Reneau for the second time this season. He had a season-low six factors in case you don’t embrace the Iowa recreation he left early with an harm. He didn’t deal with double-teams nicely and compelled the problem. That led to a 3-of-11 taking pictures evening and three turnovers. And he fouled out in simply 23 minutes.
*Kel’el Ware (B) Wouldn’t it, Ware by no means even picked up a 3rd foul after being benched for 11 minutes within the first half. The sophomore heart was strong on dives to the rim and made a 3. Zach Edey made simply 6-of-14 from two, as Ware was capable of disrupt him along with his size at instances.
*Gabe Cupps (D) This was a stage Cupps didn’t seem prepared for on both finish. He had an particularly tough stretch within the first half when he received beat on three straight Braden Smith drives for layups.
Anthony Leal (C) Leal rebounded however was unable to make a splash like he’s performed in IU’s final two wins.
C.J. Gunn (C+) You don’t wish to make an excessive amount of of his 13 factors contemplating he didn’t rating till IU was down 21. But when it is a catalyst for improved taking pictures, that can find yourself being the extra essential reality right here.
Anthony Walker (C+) Walker had good power and made optimistic contributions. He received each a block and a steal whereas contending with Edey.
Payton Sparks (D) Sparks was clearly plugged into a troublesome spot making an attempt to protect Edey. He has a nasty behavior of forcing pictures on his put up touches.
Kaleb Banks didn’t play, coach’s choice.
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Xavier Johnson (elbow) was out. Jakai Newton (knee) is out long-term.
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