The Indiana Hoosiers (5-0) knocked off the Lindenwood Lions (2-4) 73-53, but there were more questions than answers Tuesday night in Bloomington. The Hoosiers used a 13-0 second half run to turn a six-point lead into 19.
Indiana got off to an ice cold start from the field hitting just 12-32 (38%) from the field and 5-16 (31%) from three-point range. Despite the struggles shooting and allowing 13 offensive rebounds, the Hoosiers lead 34-18 at the break. IU also turned the ball over seven times. The Lions were worse offensively in the first half with just seven made field goals on 39 shots and no three pointers.
The Hoosiers pulled away in the second half as they shot slightly better and Tucker DeVries scored 17 of his 25 points including three three-pointers.
Indiana was coming off a 69-60 win against Incarnate Word that saw a red hot offense dramatically cool off and give a glimpse of what this team may look like when shots are not falling.
Reed Bailey Benched?
Reed Bailey only played 16 minutes on Tuesday night and was largely ineffective. He had just six points, two rebounds and three fouls. He struggled to finish at the rim and was a liability on the glass. Bailey (-5) was one of three Hoosiers to finish with a negative +/- on the night. He played just seven minutes in the second half.
Tucker DeVries Finds His Stroke
Indiana forward Tucker DeVries was the best player on the floor tonight for the Hoosiers. He rebounded from a down game against UIW to score 25 points and shoot 5-10 from long range. While the rest of the team struggled, DeVries put them on his back offensively.
Trouble at the Basket
IU’s inability to finish at the basket surfaced again as the Hoosiers were 6-17 on layups for the game and 2-3 on dunks. It’s one thing to miss one or two layups, it’s another to miss 11. IU shot 37.7-percent from the field in large part due to missed layups.
Can Someone Rebound the Basketball?
The quick answer is yes, Sam Alexis can. Alexis finished with 10 rebounds, but was one of three Hoosiers with more than four boards. IU has a size disadvantage, but that should not mean Lindenwood grabs 19 offensive rebounds and cashes them in for 16 points. Sure size helps, but rebounding is a skill that requires the will to want to rebound. That want to rebound seems to be lacking.