Abracadbra at Assembly Hall: Hoosiers Knock off Another Top 5 Team

There is no “I” in team.  That is how the saying goes, and once again Indiana played a team game in tonight’s victory over Michigan State.  It was another gigantic win in terms of confidence and making a push for a high seed come tournament time. 

For some longtime Hoosier fans, you may recall the last time a team knocked down three of the top five teams in one season was the 1975-76 season.  Do I need to tell you who won the national title that year?  Not to say that IU has the title in its hand because they still have a lot of flaws that need to be fixed, but they are also showing that on any given day they can play and beat whoever.

How crazy is the magic of Assembly Hall as well?  That place loves its basketball and might be one of the top home courts this season.  It seems IU will welcome anyone into their house and without question think to count it as a win. 

From the first half being dominated by Victor Oladipo to the second half turning into a team game and solid defense, Indiana has again knocked off a Top Five team.  IU spread the ball around to just about everyone on the team.  It’s a good sign when you know you can count on anyone to step in and knock down shots.  That’s something the IU will need in the Big Ten Tournament starting next week.  Of course, the only downfall to that is the Hoosiers will not be playing at home.  Although…Indianapolis is about as close to home as you can get if you’re the Hoosiers. 

I seen a lot of good positives in this game that IU will need to make sure to carry over into this last game against Purdue and then the rest of the way. 

The first positive is that they moved well without the ball.  When the IU offense is standing still, all you end up with in a turnover.  That’s something that if you watched the game closely you seen Coach Crean begging his guys to do.  MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!!  If the Hoosiers can control the ball and move off screens, they will find the open shots and lanes will open up.  When the lane is open you either end up at the free throw line or you hit a layup.  You can’t ask for anything easier. 

Michigan State averaged giving up 56.6 points a game in Big Ten play before this game. Indiana had 41 at halftime. 

The second positive was that IU got the free-throw line.  In the first half they had made it to the line 18 times.  Indiana’s ability to shoot so well is why they need to find a way to get to line as the season goes on.  If they can hit the free throws, it will be a huge benefit to this team's advancement. The Hoosiers shot 86 percent tonight from the line.  When you do that, you shouldn't lose too many games.

So with this win, IU still has hopes of getting that fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which would be huge.  A bye for this team allows them to get some rest and let the other guys knock each other around. 

With one game left, IU will still need to put things together against Purdue on Sunday.  They can’t have a let down.  I said today that these two games would be important for the confidence of this team as they closed up shop on the regular season.  With a win against Purdue, this team puts away 24 wins on the season.  Who would have seen that coming this season?

Does Coach Crean deserve consideration for Coach of the Year?  I think he has a few people believing in him.

I’m one of them….

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