Pace: 73 total possessions. Pretty uptempo.
Efficiency (points per 100 possessions):
Indiana -- 103
Minnesota -- 97
For the second straight conference road game, IU breaks the 100 bar in offensive efficiency. I'll repeat this from the last game, even if this wasn't the prettiest win, you will take a 100 on the road in conference play more often than not.
Now, giving up a 97 to a down Minnesota team is a little too close for comfort. Archie and the staff will want to play better than that defensively.
But for context, take the 2015-16 IU team that won the league, and had the No. 6 offense in the country. This graphic is ordered from the most efficient offensive performance of the season to the least (right column).
The H/N/A next to pace indicates home, away or neutral. And as you can see, there's a clear difference offensively playing at home vs. on the road (many of the best games came at home, even against conference opponents, while going on the road was more challenging).
Now keep in mind that was with an offensive-minded coach. We probably won't see numbers like that when Archie has things rolling.
But that's okay. We don't need to see numbers like that if the defense is playing well.
To circle back, giving up a 97 to a depleted Minnesota team, you're probably not going to be satisfied with that.
A trio of players put IU on their back to deliver this win.
Juwan Morgan delivered once again, posting 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 38 minutes.
Robert Johnson really stepped up his play with 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
Then finally, an unlikely name: Freshman Justin Smith finished with 20 points.
Those three combined for 68 of IU's 75 points.
Smith took what was given to him, making a little of simple plays. For a team that can struggle with the simple sometimes, that was encouraging to see.
Zach McRoberts is one that also does the simple things right. So if Smith can do that consistently, Juwan Morgan is always a force, just one guard steps it up a game - maybe De'Ron's injury will somehow end up with a silver lining.
Kudos to IU for bouncing back after getting their butts kicked to an inferior Wisconsin team. For a team that has seemed to struggle some with things like effort and passion, it takes a dosage of that to bounceback on the road with a win - even if Minnesota has a lot of drama going on.
Indiana Identity Stats:
1) Defensive Effective Field Goal Percentage (like regular FG%, but gives 50 percent more credit to three pointers): 50 percent. This would rank around the 140's nationally on the season, pretty "meh".
2) Turnover Rate (turnovers/possessions): 18 percent, one every 4-5 possessions. Not good, but IU had been above 20 percent in five of their six games, so at least this is trending more the right way.
3) Offensive Rebounding Rate Allowed (how well you protected the defensive glass): 22 percent. Minnesota grabbed 8 offensive rebounds in 36 opportunities (IU grabbed 28 defensive rebounds). This is what you're looking for here, nice job.
Summary/Looking Ahead:
This wasn't a convincing enough win to really change my mind big picture about this team. It is what it is at this point.
It was encouraging, sure. As mentioned earlier, it takes a degree of toughness to bounceback after getting your butt kicked, especially when you're down a couple guys.
But Minnesota was also down a couple guys and has drama of their own going on. And they led late before collapsing in the closing minutes.
Individually I think you have to like what you saw from Justin Smith. Encouraging debut, let's see if he can keep that going night in and night out.
Two-game homestand coming up against Penn State and Northwestern. Victories would improve IU to 4-2 in league play.
Efficiency (points per 100 possessions):
Indiana -- 103
Minnesota -- 97
For the second straight conference road game, IU breaks the 100 bar in offensive efficiency. I'll repeat this from the last game, even if this wasn't the prettiest win, you will take a 100 on the road in conference play more often than not.
Now, giving up a 97 to a down Minnesota team is a little too close for comfort. Archie and the staff will want to play better than that defensively.
But for context, take the 2015-16 IU team that won the league, and had the No. 6 offense in the country. This graphic is ordered from the most efficient offensive performance of the season to the least (right column).
The H/N/A next to pace indicates home, away or neutral. And as you can see, there's a clear difference offensively playing at home vs. on the road (many of the best games came at home, even against conference opponents, while going on the road was more challenging).
Now keep in mind that was with an offensive-minded coach. We probably won't see numbers like that when Archie has things rolling.
But that's okay. We don't need to see numbers like that if the defense is playing well.
To circle back, giving up a 97 to a depleted Minnesota team, you're probably not going to be satisfied with that.
A trio of players put IU on their back to deliver this win.
Juwan Morgan delivered once again, posting 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 38 minutes.
Robert Johnson really stepped up his play with 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
Then finally, an unlikely name: Freshman Justin Smith finished with 20 points.
Those three combined for 68 of IU's 75 points.
Smith took what was given to him, making a little of simple plays. For a team that can struggle with the simple sometimes, that was encouraging to see.
Zach McRoberts is one that also does the simple things right. So if Smith can do that consistently, Juwan Morgan is always a force, just one guard steps it up a game - maybe De'Ron's injury will somehow end up with a silver lining.
Kudos to IU for bouncing back after getting their butts kicked to an inferior Wisconsin team. For a team that has seemed to struggle some with things like effort and passion, it takes a dosage of that to bounceback on the road with a win - even if Minnesota has a lot of drama going on.
Indiana Identity Stats:
1) Defensive Effective Field Goal Percentage (like regular FG%, but gives 50 percent more credit to three pointers): 50 percent. This would rank around the 140's nationally on the season, pretty "meh".
2) Turnover Rate (turnovers/possessions): 18 percent, one every 4-5 possessions. Not good, but IU had been above 20 percent in five of their six games, so at least this is trending more the right way.
3) Offensive Rebounding Rate Allowed (how well you protected the defensive glass): 22 percent. Minnesota grabbed 8 offensive rebounds in 36 opportunities (IU grabbed 28 defensive rebounds). This is what you're looking for here, nice job.
Summary/Looking Ahead:
This wasn't a convincing enough win to really change my mind big picture about this team. It is what it is at this point.
It was encouraging, sure. As mentioned earlier, it takes a degree of toughness to bounceback after getting your butt kicked, especially when you're down a couple guys.
But Minnesota was also down a couple guys and has drama of their own going on. And they led late before collapsing in the closing minutes.
Individually I think you have to like what you saw from Justin Smith. Encouraging debut, let's see if he can keep that going night in and night out.
Two-game homestand coming up against Penn State and Northwestern. Victories would improve IU to 4-2 in league play.
