Get out the lifejackets and board the lifeboats — Indiana’s season is starting to take on water.
As they’re known to do, the Badgers methodically pulled away in the first half, taking a six, then 10, then 13-point lead after a series of mini-runs. The Hoosiers got off to a good start in the second half, and pulled to within 49-42 with 14:58 left in the game. But Wisconsin responded with an 18-2 run that put things out of reach.
Let’s take a deeper look at how IU lost 91-79 with another edition of The Report Card.
Indiana (12-7, 4-4) will next travel to Illinois next Saturday.
OFFENSE (B)
If someone told you Indiana would shoot 53.8 percent overall, 42.9 percent from three (on 14 attempts), and 81 percent from the line (on 21 attempts), all while committing just 10 turnovers — you’d probably have said that was the end of Wisconsin’s 26-year home winning streak over IU.
Indiana only scored 16 points through the first 15 minutes of the game, but once they finally got rolling the Hoosiers put up some of their best offensive production of the season. Their 63 points over the final 25 minutes translates to over 100 for a full 40 minutes.
What changed? Malik Reneau took over, threes started falling, and IU got to the foul line (and converted).
The Hoosiers second half is difficult to believe — 66.7 percent shooting, 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from three, and 12-of-15 from the stripe — with just four turnovers. Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway started playing better, and Mackenzie Mgbako was a major factor too.
There was certainly enough happening on the offensive end to win a basketball game. Indiana’s 1.22 points per possession were a season high against high major teams, as was their 59.6 effective field goal percentage.
DEFENSE (D)
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. What’s it take to get an F, right? Considering they gave up a season high 1.4 points per possession, Indiana probably deserves that low mark.
But IU runs a defense designed to rely on back end rim protection, and without the injured Kel’el Ware they had very little resistance. Wisconsin made 18-of-26 from two (69 percent). Without Ware, IU felt compelled to double 7-footer Steven Crowl in the post, and that led to a number of kick-out 3-pointers. Indiana kept bringing the double from the ball side, making the help easy to see and the open shooters easy to find.
IU coach Mike Woodson cited Indiana’s inability to guard the ball as a key reason for Wisconsin getting 29 free throw attempts. It was the highest free throw rate Indiana has allowed this season, by a wide margin. He also attributed Wisconsin’s 18-2 second half run to poor defense. “You ain’t gonna beat nobody in the Big Ten, 91 points, that’s a lot of points,” he said.
The Hoosiers did a good job of limiting Wisconsin to five offensive rebounds, although Badgers often only had one player trying to secure second chances with everyone else getting back.
MORE GAME COVERAGE
- Wisconsin loss puts Indiana’s constant ebbs and flows on full display
- Watch: IU basketball’s Mike Woodson, Malik Reneau discuss loss at Wisconsin
- IU basketball: Wisconsin 91 Indiana 79 — Three keys, highlights, final stats
- Wisconsin injury report: Starting center Kel’el Ware is out
- Extended highlights:
THE PLAYERS
*Trey Galloway (C-) The numbers say Galloway had an okay game, but Woodson seemed particularly upset with his defensive effort at times. Galloway was often guarding Max Klesmit, who scored 26 points. It’s good for IU he has gotten back to making threes, but they need a much more complete effort.
*Mackenzie Mgbako (C) He wasn’t much of a factor in the first half, but Mgbako came alive in the second with aggressive play and good shooting. He seems to be earning Woodson’s trust, going from sitting some second halves to playing all 20 in this one.
*Malik Reneau (B+) At times it felt like the offense was just to get the ball to Reneau and let him figure it out. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard raved after the game about his year-over-year improvement, saying he brought to mind Trayce Jackson-Davis. Reneau played all 40 minutes with just two fouls, and he competed throughout.
*Gabe Cupps (C) The freshman guard was able to make an impact in the scoring column, but he struggled a bit with Wisconsin’s ball pressure, along with guarding the ball on the other end. Things are pointing towards Xavier Johnson’s return to the starting lineup.
*Payton Sparks (C+) The bottom line is he competed. Sparks was thrown into a difficult spot he may not be ready for, but he laid it all out there and gave Indiana some positives on both ends. You would like to see a higher rebounding total in 29 minutes.
Xavier Johnson (C) Johnson appeared to get into a bit of a rhythm and put together a respectable second half. His on ball defense was improved, as was his ability to remain composed while playing fast. We’ll see if this was the start of something.
Anthony Walker (D) He took a questionable long two, had a turnover, and didn’t have a positive impact in this game.
C.J. Gunn played five minutes and was ejected, not enough to grade. We’re going to use this space to say it was an absurd decision to throw him out of the game for brushing away Klesmit with his forearm after Klesmit instigated the incident.
Dirty setup idc pic.twitter.com/1ZcZkpRXXz
— ZSW (@ZSWenning) January 20, 2024
Kaleb Banks also appeared in the game briefly.
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Kel’el Ware and Anthony Leal were out with injuries. Jakai Newton (knee) is out long-term.
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