Indiana’s long-standing Achilles’ Heel bites Hoosiers in Big Ten semifinal loss to Penn State

CHICAGO – Indiana tried to make it interesting late, but eventually fell out of the Big Ten tournament Saturday, losing 77-73 to the No. 10 seed, Penn State.

For the second-straight game, No. 3 Indiana (22-11) started like a house on fire offensively. And for the second-straight game, it didn’t last.

The Hoosiers tore off 12 points in the first four minutes of the first half, pushing the ball at the rim and feasting on Penn State’s lack of size. Then the Nittany Lions applied some scoreboard pressure of their own with a flurry of 3s (they would hit five in the first half). IU started rushing possessions in response, taking long 2s early in the shot clock instead of practicing patience. Penn State pushed and stayed ahead.

That the Hoosiers hit no 3s of their own was an issue. As was Penn State’s 9-0 advantage in points at the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes. All of it added up to an offensive mess for a team trying to reach its first Big Ten tournament title game in 22 years. The Hoosiers were, frankly, lucky to be down just eight, 34-26, at halftime.

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Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) is defended by Penn State Nittany Lions forward Michael Henn (24) during the first half at United Center.

Trayce Jackson-Davis does his best

Indiana’s biggest advantage, pun thoroughly unintended, came inside. Penn State plays small and spread out, and needs to trade 3s for 2s. Jackson-Davis should — and Jackson-Davis did — feast on that.

He attacked smaller covers relentlessly and from all angles. When the Nittany Lions (22-12) brought double and even triple teams, he passed out of them to the tune of another seven assists. In the first half Saturday, he passed Don Schlundt to move into third all-time in program history in scoring, likely where he’ll finish his career provided he remains steadfast in his intention to enter the NBA draft this summer.

It was not enough, the Hoosiers…


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Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2023-03-11 23:38:13

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