Indiana defeats No. 2 Ohio State to bring in 2012

Indiana started the 2011 season 12-0 with a statement win over No. 1 Kentucky three weeks ago. Fast forward to New Years Eve 2011, and the Hoosiers once again showed they can compete with anyone.

With a 74-70 win Saturday over 2nd-ranked Ohio State, IU has now beaten both the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation in the same season for the first time in program history.

Indiana has made huge strides towards this season, most obvious in the win record. With their 13th victory victory in 14 games, they already have their best record in the Tom Crean era. It may not sound like a big deal but for these players, that put so much work in daily, it’s refreshing.

Asked if he could believe what has transpired over the last month, beating Kentucky and Ohio State, junior Derek Elston shook his head and said, “being here for three years, no.”

“The first two years, make you really take step back and picture what it was two years ago and to be 13-1 is an unbelievable feeling. I know every guy in the locker room, whether it be a freshman or a senior, we’ve worked real hard to get where were at right now and there’s only better things to come.”

Victor Oladipo was locked-in and is a big reason why the Hoosiers are 13-1 heading into 2012. (Mike Dickbernd / IU Athletics)

Victor Oladipo is the definition of what Indiana basketball is about. Hard-nosed, tenacious defense and unwilling to back down. “They’ve been punking us these last couple years,” Oladipo said after finishing with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals in the winning effort.

“They’ve been punking us the past couple years. We realized that. We had to go toe to toe with them.”

And they did. They fought past the poor officiating and again, made a comeback down the stretch. Cody Zeller may receive the majority of the attention, but the Hoosiers as a cohesive unit earned the victory. In the final minutes, Jordan Hulls hit a big three, Oladipo made a remarkable reverse layup and two Christian Watford sealed the four-point win.

Both Zeller and Hulls responded well after an off-game against Michigan State Wednesday. In their first conference game of the season, they were each limited to just four points. Zeller was struggled against the Spartans bigs while Hulls failed shooting the ball, just 2-for-10.

IU has answered two big questions: can they beat elite teams, and can they come back from a lead. Still on the to-do list is to beat a very good team on the road. They’ve re-established Assembly Hall as one of the toughest environments to play in. Wins at Evansville and North Carolina State were progress but many want to see more.

While celebrating the win and the New Year, IU has a lot to be proud of. At one point during his postgame news conference, head coach Tom Crean got choked up a bit while talking about the importance of the seniors and what they’ve been through. It’s truly special, as these were the guys that jumped on board with no signs of brightness. But they believed and have delivered.

“Give credit when credit is due,” Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger tweeted postgame. ” IU basketball is back everybody…. Tough basketball team.”

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