Another day and another disappointment for the Indiana faithful.
Before making it to IU’s final game of the IBN Las Vegas Classic, I completed my tourist journey throughout the strip. Prior to walking around, I made sure to purchase a discount ticket for an extravagant Vegas show to get the complete experience.
The weather was much improved Thursday, 60 degrees and sunny. I enjoyed walking through the different hotels and casinos checking out what they had to offer. I came to the conclusion that very old people that smoke are the heavy slot players. Wow.
Meanwhile that afternoon, (4:30 Pacific time) Colorado topped the Hoosiers 78-69 in the fourth and final game of the IBN Las Vegas Classic.
Tom Crean wasn’t happy with the communication on the floor and I noticed it was much improved against the Buffalos.
The offense also didn’t look stagnant like the day before. Players were moving, working the ball around the arc and finding the open teammate. Northern Iowa’s defense was much more tenacious and in your face than that of Colorado.
Indiana went down early but didn’t let it bother them. Jordan Hulls who finished with a team-high 17 points was back to his normal self hitting on all cylinders.
At the other end of the spectrum, Verdell Jones and Maurice Creek could not be found along with Indiana’s big men. In Las Vegas, Jones was a combined 5-of-23 with eight turnovers and Creek went 2-of-12. Not what anybody expected from two of the Hoosiers best players.
As for the interior, it was brutal. Elston had a strong first game but followed up poorly. Tom Pritchard added nothing and Capobianco added little while on the floor. In fact Bobby tallied three fouls in less than minutes of action in the first half.
It is important to note that both Tom Pritchard and Derek Elston were very sick early in the week with the flu. The Hoosiers were fortunate they were able to play some and it was especially surprising that Elston scored had a career first game.
Crean noted that, “I think Derek being sick our first 2 days out there caught up with him last night. He was gassed and then the game became a press game.”
IU gave up way too many easy layups and backdoor cuts. They would play solid defense for 20 seconds of the shot clock then give up an easy reverse layup. Collapses, miscommunication, and lack of help side defense were ongoing themes.
After leading 39-33 at half, Colorado got off to a hot start in the 2nd half outscoring Indiana 14-3. The Buffalo’s largest lead of 19 was cut in the final minutes fueled by a Hoosiers 14-2 run. Indiana got to within three but Colorado knocked down open shots and shot 87% from the free throw line including 12-12 in the first half.
Victor Oladipo provided a big spark off the bench for the Hoosiers. He did whatever IU needed. Oladipo finished with a season-high 16 points (7-9 FG’s) and seven rebounds (five offensive). Although he still makes a lot of freshman mistakes like trying to do too much and playing a bit out of control, he is developing. Sometimes it is like he resorts back to his high school playing days where he was on a different level than everyone else.
Jeremiah will be fine after spraining his left ankle two games ago. Will Sheehey sprained his right ankle Thursday against Colorado in the second half. He went to the locker room initially with Dr. Steve Ahlfeld and did not return. I expect him to be fine as well.
With two losses to a pair of average teams, Indiana can’t come out of the trip west happy. It was a very unsatisfying Las Vegas Classic because not only were the Hoosiers unable to make it to the championship game, but they didn’t even win one.
Numbers done lie. Indiana at 9-4, is 9-0 at Assembly Hall and 0-4 away. The level of competition hasn’t quite been there and so most people including myself expected IU to at worst, go 2-4 in the non-home games. 0-4 is unacceptable.
The non-conference season is now complete and Indiana has a lot of work to do until Monday in which they open Big Ten play at home against Penn State.
Following the game, every IU fan including myself was very disappointed. We were let down and frustrated. Indiana fans represented at least 90% of fans in attendance which was a great showing by the way. But the team must take care of business on the court.
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After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we then finished off the trip with a bit of gambling and a famous Vegas show.
As I mentioned before, I stuck to craps while in the casino and it paid off. I ended up winning a good share which isn’t expected in Vegas; most go home losers.
By recommendation of the coaching staff, I attended Cirque Du Soleil- “Love” featuring The Beatles Thursday night and it was spectacular. I knew about half of the songs played and the show was terrific. It was a round stage allowing every audience member a great view.
Although the Hoosiers struggling in Vegas, I certainly made the most of my trip out west. From the strip, to the scenery, casino and games, I had a good time in the Sin City.