After one of the biggest wins in program history, undefeated Indiana must now turn its focus to another in-state team, facing the Notre Dame Irish Saturday for the first annual Close the Gap Crossroads Classic at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Christian Watford and the Hoosiers hope to carry the momentum into Saturday's game against Notre Dame. (via IU Athletics)
This is a game Indiana should win and win decisively. And how they start the game may provide proof that this program has taken another step up.
There’s no way to undervalue a win against rival-Kentucky, especially when they were on top. Saturday, the Hoosiers will get a quality test on how they handle success. It would be easy for IU to overlook the Irish after just dropping the best team in the country.
I don’t think that will happen for a number of reasons. First, Coach Crean won’t let it. I’m sure he meticulously went about practice and even during an odd scheduling week because of finals, he planned appropriately.
Second, this IU team is much more mature than previous teams. For the first the time, they have leaders and guys that will be vocal about what it is going to take. Guys like Jordan Hulls and Verdell Jones.
I would even go far enough by noting the winning mentality freshman Cody Zeller possesses. He was excited after their win against Kentucky, but that’s why he came to Bloomington. He expects those wins. He expects to win every game. He’s a winner.
Meantime, I don’t think the fans or coaching staff will allow IU to get out of it. Conseco Fieldhouse is going to be heavily dominated by cream and crimson which can only help. Fans are encouraged by the 9-0 start and Coach Crean believes it’s a solid building block.
“I don’t want them to put it behind them,” Coach Crean said of the big Kentucky win. “I want them to build on it. I think it can be a springboard to future opportunities.”
The fact that this week has been finals week bodes well for the Hoosiers. Sure, they’ve received continuous attention after Sunday’s game but if they weren’t focusing on their studies, just imagine what would be going through their minds.
“We’ve just been focused on our next opponent,” senior Tom Pritchard added. “Practice has gone well and we’ve been competing all practice. It’s been a giant step from our freshman year to where we are now….they are really making this last year for us seniors very special.”
The Irish enter Saturday’s game a messily 7-4 with losses to Missouri, Georgia, Gonzaga, and Maryland. They are without their best player, Tim Abromaitis, who tore his right ACL and is done for the year. His season was over before it really even begun.
Head coach Mike Brey is still trying to feel out his team, fielding seven different starting lineups to this point. The Irish are shooting 39% from downtown so for Indiana, guarding the outside shot has been a point of emphasis all week.
“They very rarely put somebody out there that can’t make a 3-point shot and the ones that can’t make a 3-point shot are very good around the rim and can make 15-footers so you’ve got to have great ball pressure,” Coach Crean said of Notre Dame. “Maybe the strength of their game is their pick-and-roll game, their ball-screen game because that creates so many opportunities for the 3-point shot, so you have to have great pressure.”
Victor Oladipo and Notre Dame sophomore Jerian Grant are very familiar with each other, each playing ball at DeMatha High School. Oladipo believes said it will be tough going against his best friend but he’s ready for the challenge.
“I played with him all four years in high school and going back home working out, I know how much hard work he puts in. He really wants to be good. I’m looking forward to playing against him. I know it’s going to be a battle. We’re friends off of the court, but when we are in between those lines, we’re enemies.”
Coach Brey recognizes the impact Vic and Jerian each have at their respective schools.
“Kids that come out of that program have played in really big games, in front of big crowds with high expectations, so I think they’re more ready to deliver because of the experiences they’ve had,” Coach Brey said. “…I think they are very proud kids. They’re very proud to wear DeMatha and they know the history and tradition, and want to live it up to it. You’re certainly seeing that in Victor. I’m so impressed with the year he’s having.”
There’s a reason the Big Ten, NCAA and tournaments like this want and need Indiana to do well. Four years ago when Crean took over and took his very young team to Maui, Hoosiers filled the gym. Indianapolis and the Big Ten basketball tournament has struggled because Indiana’s inability to win a game the last three seasons.
As of Thursday afternoon, StubHub.com has 34 tickets available starting at $135.
I will be at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon covering both games. Butler vs Purdue tips-off at 2 pm on CBS. Indiana and Notre Dame follows at 4:30 on ESPN2.