Indiana improved to 7-2 with a 76-57 win in opposition to Miami (OH) on Friday at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor.
Listed below are 5 takeaways from the win in opposition to the RedHawks:
Oumar Ballo was dominant
Indiana continues to attempt to determine rotations round its two frontcourt scorers, Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau. Are the Hoosiers higher off going with only one huge? Or ought to they proceed to play Ballo and Reneau collectively?
On Friday, in opposition to an opponent with inferior dimension within the publish, Mike Woodson opted to play Ballo and Reneau collectively often. The outcome was Ballo’s finest statistical efficiency of the season so far.
The Arizona switch completed with 14 factors, 18 rebounds, six assists, two blocked pictures, a steal and two turnovers in 28 minutes.
Indiana was +29 with Ballo on the ground.
By means of 9 video games, Ballo is capturing 67.7 % from the ground. His free-throw capturing has improved barely from final season. He’s taken a team-high 48 makes an attempt and is 54.2 % from the stripe.
Turnovers proceed to plague Indiana
One other recreation, one other evening of pointless turnovers dedicated by Woodson’s fourth Indiana staff.
The Hoosiers turned it over 16 occasions in Friday evening’s win for a turnover proportion of 23.9. Indiana completed the sport with simply 15 assists.
Indiana ranks 281st nationally in turnover proportion at 19.6, the second-worst amongst Massive Ten packages (Michigan).
9 completely different Hoosiers dedicated a turnover within the win. Lots of the errors – which has been a theme via 9 video games – outcome from careless passes or gamers making an attempt to drive performs that don’t have to be made. Examples on Friday included two late first-half turnovers by Myles Rice and an occasion within the first half the place Ballo tried to dribble the ball up the ground and misplaced possession.
Indiana overcame its errors on Friday as a result of it was taking part in an inferior opponent. Nonetheless, that received’t be the case when Massive Ten play begins.
Trey Galloway must be a everlasting fixture within the beginning lineup
With Kanaan Carlyle sidelined for the final three video games, Trey Galloway has began three consecutive video games.
Given Carlyle’s restricted manufacturing in six video games and the playmaking that Galloway brings to the Hoosiers, his inclusion within the beginning lineup must be everlasting.
Friday marked a stellar efficiency for Galloway, who completed with 13 factors on 5-for-8 capturing from the sector. He was 3-for-4 on 3-pointers.
Galloway is now 8-for-14 (57.1 %) on 3s after capturing simply 26 % final season.
“I’m making pictures proper now, so it’s good,” Galloway mentioned postgame. “Simply the identical work I’ve been doing, simply persevering with to be per it. However I feel simply trusting it and having confidence.”
It’s important to get Carlyle again wholesome and contributing within the backcourt. Proper now, Galloway has earned the beginning place, and the Hoosiers are a greater staff with him on the ground.
Indiana shouldn’t be taking part in with urgency
There are moments inside Indiana video games this season the place the Hoosiers have exhibited indicators of urgency.
However these moments are short-lived.
Fairly than displaying an urge for food to step on an opponent’s throat when it builds a double-digit lead, Indiana relaxes and permits its opponent again into the sport.
It occurred a number of occasions on Friday. The Hoosiers constructed three leads of 10 or extra factors within the first half in opposition to the RedHawks. Every time, Miami answered rapidly and Indiana led by simply three factors by halftime.
“These are rising pains, man,” Woodson mentioned postgame. “Whenever you get a staff down, you simply received to maintain stepping and constructing. We simply didn’t try this early on.”
Indiana must play with extra urgency with the beginning of Massive Ten play in simply two days. The Hoosiers host Minnesota on Monday earlier than touring to Nebraska on Friday.
Improved free throw capturing continues to pay dividends
Indiana’s transformation from one of many nation’s worst free throw capturing groups to among the best continues to pay dividends.
On Friday in opposition to Miami, the Hoosiers went to the road 19 occasions and transformed 14 of these probabilities, for a proportion of 73.7 %. And that was a worse–than–typical efficiency for these Hoosiers.
Indiana is capturing 77.3 % from the stripe via 9 video games, which ranks thirty sixth nationally.
Essentially the most notable enchancment on the roster from the road has been Malik Reneau. The junior shot 71.4 % from the road as a freshman and simply 68.3 % final season. This season, Reneau is 30-for-34 (88.2 %) from the stripe.
It additionally helps that IU has Myles Rice (94.7 %), Luke Goode (93.8 %), Mackenzie Mgbako (92 %), Trey Galloway (83.3 %) and Bryson Tucker (76.9) all capturing properly from the road.
With Massive Ten play on the horizon and opponents trying to sluggish it down and drive IU to play within the halfcourt, attending to the road and changing will likely be key.
Filed to: Miami Ohio Redhawks, Oumar Ballo, Trey Galloway