12-17-2017, 12:19 AM
Indiana left jaws on floors across central Indiana on Saturday, using last-second heroics to secure coach Archie Millerâs first signature win, an 80-77 triumph against No. 18 Notre Dame.
Juwan Morgan scored a career-high 34 points, hauling IU back in a game seemingly lost at the end. Then the Hoosiers put in one more rally at the end of overtime, knocking off Notre Dame.
Here are Three Reasons Why:
MORGAN WOULDNâT LET IT GET AWAY
Call this the Juwan Morgan star game, because he became Indianaâs on Saturday.
Louisville, Duke and Michigan were all promising, but Morganâs takeover performance Saturday, to claw back a nine-point lead agnd push the game to overtime, was a national announcement.
If weâre discussing clutch performances and performers, Morgan appears to have filled that role for the Hoosiers. Heâs their leading scorer, their leading rebounder and, increasingly, one of their best leaders. He had 34 points on 17 shots Saturday, and dominated when it mattered most.
Miller got his first signature win as IUâs coach Saturday, and his program rebuild got something valuable: a centerpiece. With Big Ten play waiting on the other side of the new year, thatâs an important development.
ONE-POINT ZACH MCROBERTS
The walk-on from Carmel scored a lone point, on a first-half free throw, Saturday, across 31 minutes. Miller said recently McRoberts had been climbing the ladder, earning more playing time, but fouls and defense exploded his contributions Saturday.
His one point is notable, because itâs basically the only part of his line that isnât eye-popping.
He had nine rebounds and three assists, and he finished plus-four on plus-minus. A stunning seven of his nine rebounds came at the offensive end, including the rebound.
It was McRoberts who pulled down Juwan Morganâs missed free throw, battled through traffic and set up Morganâs go-ahead slam dunk.
He canât be too far off the top of the ladder at this point.
SHOOTING RECOVERS
If you include the seven they missed to start the game Saturday, the Hoosiers missed 21-straight 3-pointers dating back to Louisville.
But once they found their range, they knocked Notre Dame down, hitting 8-of-14 to close the game. Devonte Green had a big one late, and Robert Johnson, scoreless at Louisville, hit five treys.
Is that sustainable? Time will tell. But it handed Miller an important win Saturday.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sp...958425001/
Juwan Morgan scored a career-high 34 points, hauling IU back in a game seemingly lost at the end. Then the Hoosiers put in one more rally at the end of overtime, knocking off Notre Dame.
Here are Three Reasons Why:
MORGAN WOULDNâT LET IT GET AWAY
Call this the Juwan Morgan star game, because he became Indianaâs on Saturday.
Louisville, Duke and Michigan were all promising, but Morganâs takeover performance Saturday, to claw back a nine-point lead agnd push the game to overtime, was a national announcement.
If weâre discussing clutch performances and performers, Morgan appears to have filled that role for the Hoosiers. Heâs their leading scorer, their leading rebounder and, increasingly, one of their best leaders. He had 34 points on 17 shots Saturday, and dominated when it mattered most.
Miller got his first signature win as IUâs coach Saturday, and his program rebuild got something valuable: a centerpiece. With Big Ten play waiting on the other side of the new year, thatâs an important development.
ONE-POINT ZACH MCROBERTS
The walk-on from Carmel scored a lone point, on a first-half free throw, Saturday, across 31 minutes. Miller said recently McRoberts had been climbing the ladder, earning more playing time, but fouls and defense exploded his contributions Saturday.
His one point is notable, because itâs basically the only part of his line that isnât eye-popping.
He had nine rebounds and three assists, and he finished plus-four on plus-minus. A stunning seven of his nine rebounds came at the offensive end, including the rebound.
It was McRoberts who pulled down Juwan Morganâs missed free throw, battled through traffic and set up Morganâs go-ahead slam dunk.
He canât be too far off the top of the ladder at this point.
SHOOTING RECOVERS
If you include the seven they missed to start the game Saturday, the Hoosiers missed 21-straight 3-pointers dating back to Louisville.
But once they found their range, they knocked Notre Dame down, hitting 8-of-14 to close the game. Devonte Green had a big one late, and Robert Johnson, scoreless at Louisville, hit five treys.
Is that sustainable? Time will tell. But it handed Miller an important win Saturday.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sp...958425001/
