Playing their third game in seven days, Indiana couldn’t take Savannah State of the MEAC conference lightly. After a sluggish start, Indiana went on a 13-0 run halfway through the opening half and never looked back dropping Savannah State 94-65.
The Hoosiers continue to impress, improving on the season to 4-0 and for the first time since 1938-1939, the Hoosiers have won each of their first four games by at least 20 points.
“We played a lot closer to a 40-minute game,” Tom Crean said postgame. “We definitely had some technique issues early with the dribble but our guys improved…I think our guys are realizing what they can get better at. We got the ball inside and a lot of good things happened from there.”
Freshman Cody Zeller is already really good...and he's just getting started. (Photo by Andy Lyons)
Cody Zeller shined once again, finishing with a career-high 23 points, five rebounds and three steals in a winning effort. It was nice to finally see the talented freshman eclipse the 20-point mark. Zeller’s points primarily came from the free throw line (11-13) because he’s fouled hard nearly every time.
His ability as a big man to run is unmatched and he continues to finish strong around the basket. Savannah State was Indiana’s second opponent that had a player called for a flagrant foul because of his inability to defend Zeller in the post. A big man, with hands and touch in the paint is a huge upgrade from IU has worked with these last three years. And Zeller isn’t afraid to dive on the floor for loose balls, or take charges.
“Cody was outstanding, 11 defelections to go with his points and rebounds…You can go at him and you can go through him. When you have a player like that, he makes everyone better. He’s a guy that made big strides from Wednesday (Evansville) to tonight.
Coach Tom Crean emphasizing the need to attack the rim and earn trips to the free throw line. This season, IU is better equipped to do so and they have. “When you are making more free throws than your opponent is shooting, you aren’t going to lose many games,” he said. Despite the boost from officials who wouldn’t quit blowing their whistle, IU shot 35 of 47, a 75-percent clip.
Because of so many games recently and IU establishing big leads early in the second half, the Hoosiers were able to go to their bench and get more guys playing time. 12 players registered at least eight minutes against the Tigers. The subbing also seemed due to the teams’ mentality to play as hard up-and-down the court as you can then you’ll get a breather.
Indiana’s offensive game produced from their defensive play, scoring 27 points off 16 Savannah State turnovers. (Note: the referees were atrocious all game long, truly slowing the game up). There were 54 combined fouls including a technical on Tiger’s head coach Horace Broadnax. Coach Broadnax believes Indiana will return to prominence.
“Tom (Crean) is going to do it. In this day and age, people want instant success and immediate gratification. I know the history here and the tradition here at Indiana, national championships and competing. Indiana went through a rough patch and they got tore down. A lot of things don’t get built back quickly, but if they give him the opportunity and not be impatient he’ll get it done.”
Indiana hosts Gardner-Webb to Assembly Hall Monday at 6:30 pm.
Below is my postgame report as well as the Indiana players (Will Sheehey, Cody Zeller, Christian Watford) talking with the media.