Victor Oladipo, Will Sheehey. Those two came to Bloomington under the radar as freshman, and now are arguably Indiana’s most improved players from last season. The Sheeladipo duo combined to score 28 points in the Hoosiers (5-0) 73-49 victory over Gardner-Webb.
Indiana continues to win and win in convincing fashion. Victor Oladipo finished with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists but it was his defense that impressed the most.
“He turned it up a couple gears, and that’s the Victor consistency meter that we are going to follow from here on out, because consistency for him is a little different from others because he has a motor, that’s very impressive,” Coach Crean said postgame.
The sophomore help hold the Bulldogs to 36% shooting and just 6-of-22 from long range. When on the floor, Oladipo guards the entry pass and he made it very difficult. He sits low in a stance, is quick on his feet and has active hands. He led the Hoosiers with 17 deflections, the most ever in the Tom Crean era.
Offensively, Oladipo exploited the holes in Gardner-Webb’s defense. He didn’t settle for jump shots and by penetrating, he opened things up for his teammates. He brought the kind of energy IU needs from him every game. Gardner-Webb Head Coach Chris Holtmann thought Oladipo provided the edge.
“Oladipo I think was the difference in today’s game just because of his activity and his ability to make plays on both ends. I know he is a guy that is a driver first but he certainly celebrated his role at the highest level and does a great job for them.”
Will Sheehey was the 7th player off the bench for the Hoosiers but he is very capable of starting. Crean right now likes him coming off the bench, as an energy boost and scoring threat. Sheehey scored a team-high 15 points, and at one point in the second half, Sheehey went on a 10-0 run, by himself.
Freshman Cody Zeller is getting to the point where his contributions are the norm. He is a huge presence around the basket, has brilliant touch and attracts a double team. Zeller registered 13 points and nine rebounds on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting night. On a side note: I’d like to see him shoot more though I do appreciate the fact that he’s not forcing anything.
After leading 34-23 at the break, the second half was all Indiana. The Hoosiers opened the final period on a 25-6 run and never looked back. While the offensive game was down, IU made up for it defensively, forcing 19 Gardner-Webb turnovers and plenty of bad decisions.
Where they struggled
The guard play wasn’t quite on point for Indiana against the Bulldogs. By my count, four passes intended for Cody Zeller were well off the mark and thus a turnover. They only turned the ball over 13 times however, and Crean noted that those mistakes will happen when they are playing at such a fast tempo.
Jordan Hulls was limited to just two points on 1-of-4 shooting but that’s nothing to get discouraged about. When he is called upon, he delivers. IU wasn’t slowed by their poor outside shooting ( 3-for 18), and really hit the offensive glass hard for rebound put-backs.
After four games in nine days, Indiana now has fives days until they host Butler to Assembly Hall on Sunday at 7 pm for a much anticipated matchup.
Will Sheehey, Victor Oladipo, Derek Elston and Coach Tom Crean talk to the media following the win: