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02-15-2018, 09:01 AM
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. â Indiana's youth delivered.
Al Durham came up big, as Justin Smith did. They were Hoosier freshmen with a purpose on a Valentine's Day night that demanded it.
The result -- a 78-68 Wednesday night victory over Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall that extended the Cream 'n Crimson winning streak to three.
Beyond that, the Hoosiers (15-12 overall, 8-7 in the Big Ten) clinched a Big Ten tourney first-round bye.
That was the furthest thing from their minds. Not with a trip to Iowa looming on Saturday.
"We take it one game at a time," senior guard Josh Newkirk said. "We're focused on Iowa."
With Illinois (12-15, 2-12) pressuring to the breaking point, Indiana refused to break, in part because Durham and Smith wouldn't allow it.
They scored when it mattered, and it certainly mattered down the stretch. Smith had 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Durham added 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting. It was his most points since scoring 16 points against Howard in mid-November.
"We do what we do every day in practice," Durham said. "We go hard. We didn't do anything out of the norm."
As far as his strong shooting, Durham added, "I've been working with my coaches and teammates. Nothing changed. It's just the shots are falling now."
It was Smith's most points since scoring 20 at Minnesota in early January.
"Our coaches tell us to be ready and when we get in, make something happen," he said. "Try to get the juices flowing."
Mission accomplished, and you'd better believe coach Archie Miller was glad to see it.
"Freshmen go through ups and down," he said. "That's what a freshman season is. Moments like this, hard-fought win where guys are making winning plays, stick with you. These are experiences that will help them develop into good players."
Smith and Durham were a big reason, but not the only one, why the Hoosiers got 38 points from their bench.
"That shows the team continues to do the right things," Miller said. "They're working toward getting better. They're caring about everything we do. You won't have that from guys off the bench if they aren't completely locked in.
"We're playing as well as have all season. Guys are enjoying playing with one another."
It wasn't all Smith and Durham.
Juwan Morgan continued his All-Big Ten run with his eighth double double (14 points and 10 rebounds), and also totaled five blocks. Rob Johnson had 14 points, including a clutch second-half three-pointer, plus added six rebounds and shut-down defense. Newkirk found his offensive rhythm for 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, plus three assists. Freddie McSwain was again a rebound-and-defend beast, and added nine points.
It was balance that bodes well the rest of the way.
"We're more confident," Miller said. "Guys are understanding what we're asking them to do. We're a much better passing team. We're taking less challenged shots."
One glitch â 18 turnovers that resulted in 15 Illinois points.
"We had some good possessions," Miller said, "but also had some sloppy turnovers.
"We didn't get off to a great start, but we battled through it."
A second glitch â guard Devonte Green injured his ankle in the second half.
"I'm sure he's sore," Miller said, "but I think he'll be fine."
Last month IU lost a 73-71 cliffhanger at Illinois, but the Hoosiers were a different team behind defensive ferocity and offensive efficiency. They'd held Rutgers and Minnesota to 99 total points and led the Big Ten in turnover margin.
The Illini, meanwhile, had lost three straight.
Still, early on it was a struggle.
Illinois scored the game's first five points via offensive rebounding before the Hoosiers settled in behind the off-the-bench contribution of Smith. His eight early points helped forge a 14-14 tie. Durham's three-pointer and driving layup broke it.
The Hoosiers had found their energy, and more.
A 14-0 run put Indiana ahead 26-14 with 7:20 left in the half. The Hoosiers were shooting at a 58 percent clip to the Illini's 27.
IU led 35-25 at halftime.
Illinois ratcheted up the defensive pressure to cut the lead in half before Newkirk ended a three-point shooting slump â 13 straight misses -- with a key long-range jumper for a 44-36 Hoosier lead.
Still, turnovers continued, and the Illini found their shooting range. They closed to 51-49 with 11:46 left.
IU surged to a 67-57 lead.
The Illini were finished.
The Hoosiers certainly weren't.
"Everybody contributed," Newkirk said. "It's fun to see."
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/2/14/men...78-68.aspx
Al Durham came up big, as Justin Smith did. They were Hoosier freshmen with a purpose on a Valentine's Day night that demanded it.
The result -- a 78-68 Wednesday night victory over Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall that extended the Cream 'n Crimson winning streak to three.
Beyond that, the Hoosiers (15-12 overall, 8-7 in the Big Ten) clinched a Big Ten tourney first-round bye.
That was the furthest thing from their minds. Not with a trip to Iowa looming on Saturday.
"We take it one game at a time," senior guard Josh Newkirk said. "We're focused on Iowa."
With Illinois (12-15, 2-12) pressuring to the breaking point, Indiana refused to break, in part because Durham and Smith wouldn't allow it.
They scored when it mattered, and it certainly mattered down the stretch. Smith had 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Durham added 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting. It was his most points since scoring 16 points against Howard in mid-November.
"We do what we do every day in practice," Durham said. "We go hard. We didn't do anything out of the norm."
As far as his strong shooting, Durham added, "I've been working with my coaches and teammates. Nothing changed. It's just the shots are falling now."
It was Smith's most points since scoring 20 at Minnesota in early January.
"Our coaches tell us to be ready and when we get in, make something happen," he said. "Try to get the juices flowing."
Mission accomplished, and you'd better believe coach Archie Miller was glad to see it.
"Freshmen go through ups and down," he said. "That's what a freshman season is. Moments like this, hard-fought win where guys are making winning plays, stick with you. These are experiences that will help them develop into good players."
Smith and Durham were a big reason, but not the only one, why the Hoosiers got 38 points from their bench.
"That shows the team continues to do the right things," Miller said. "They're working toward getting better. They're caring about everything we do. You won't have that from guys off the bench if they aren't completely locked in.
"We're playing as well as have all season. Guys are enjoying playing with one another."
It wasn't all Smith and Durham.
Juwan Morgan continued his All-Big Ten run with his eighth double double (14 points and 10 rebounds), and also totaled five blocks. Rob Johnson had 14 points, including a clutch second-half three-pointer, plus added six rebounds and shut-down defense. Newkirk found his offensive rhythm for 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, plus three assists. Freddie McSwain was again a rebound-and-defend beast, and added nine points.
It was balance that bodes well the rest of the way.
"We're more confident," Miller said. "Guys are understanding what we're asking them to do. We're a much better passing team. We're taking less challenged shots."
One glitch â 18 turnovers that resulted in 15 Illinois points.
"We had some good possessions," Miller said, "but also had some sloppy turnovers.
"We didn't get off to a great start, but we battled through it."
A second glitch â guard Devonte Green injured his ankle in the second half.
"I'm sure he's sore," Miller said, "but I think he'll be fine."
Last month IU lost a 73-71 cliffhanger at Illinois, but the Hoosiers were a different team behind defensive ferocity and offensive efficiency. They'd held Rutgers and Minnesota to 99 total points and led the Big Ten in turnover margin.
The Illini, meanwhile, had lost three straight.
Still, early on it was a struggle.
Illinois scored the game's first five points via offensive rebounding before the Hoosiers settled in behind the off-the-bench contribution of Smith. His eight early points helped forge a 14-14 tie. Durham's three-pointer and driving layup broke it.
The Hoosiers had found their energy, and more.
A 14-0 run put Indiana ahead 26-14 with 7:20 left in the half. The Hoosiers were shooting at a 58 percent clip to the Illini's 27.
IU led 35-25 at halftime.
Illinois ratcheted up the defensive pressure to cut the lead in half before Newkirk ended a three-point shooting slump â 13 straight misses -- with a key long-range jumper for a 44-36 Hoosier lead.
Still, turnovers continued, and the Illini found their shooting range. They closed to 51-49 with 11:46 left.
IU surged to a 67-57 lead.
The Illini were finished.
The Hoosiers certainly weren't.
"Everybody contributed," Newkirk said. "It's fun to see."
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/2/14/men...78-68.aspx
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