Indiana basketball faced another tough night, dropping their third consecutive game with a 72-68 loss to Northwestern at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this matchup.
Hoosiers Struggle to Maintain Leads
Indiana’s difficulty in holding onto leads reared its head again. Despite a promising start, where they led 38-25 late in the first half, the Hoosiers couldn’t sustain their momentum.
This isn’t the first time they’ve let a double-digit lead slip away. Earlier this season against Nebraska, Indiana was up by 16 before faltering.
It’s a pattern that’s becoming all too familiar for the Hoosiers.
Darian DeVries put it succinctly postgame: “Just our overall consistency of sustaining 40 minutes has been an issue for us in multiple games.”
Northwestern Dominates the Boards
Both teams came into the game with less-than-stellar rebounding stats, but Northwestern took charge on the glass. The Wildcats snagged 11 offensive rebounds, outscoring Indiana 12-1 in second-chance points. This aggressive rebounding was pivotal in their comeback, marking one of their best performances in conference play.
Indiana, conversely, has struggled mightily on the offensive boards, scoring just six second-chance points over the last three games. That’s a 42-6 deficit in second-chance points during this stretch.
Offensive Woes in the Second Half
The Hoosiers started strong, scoring 42 points in the first half, but their offense sputtered after the break. Shooting just 8-for-26, including a dismal 2-for-12 from beyond the arc, the team couldn’t find their rhythm.
Tayton Conerway stood out, scoring nine points in just nine minutes, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. Unfortunately, the supporting cast couldn’t step up, with several key players failing to score in the second half.
Nick Martinelli Takes Over
Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s top scorer, was relatively quiet in the first half but exploded in the second. Exploiting mismatches in Indiana’s defense, he scored 21 of his 28 points after halftime. The Hoosiers struggled to contain him, allowing Martinelli to dominate and lead Northwestern to victory.
Defensive Struggles Continue
Indiana’s defense continued its downward trend, allowing over a point per possession for the 13th straight game. Currently ranked 60th in adjusted defensive efficiency, the Hoosiers are struggling to contain opponents in Big Ten play. Northwestern’s performance, scoring 1.178 points per possession, highlighted Indiana’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against standout players like Martinelli.
With only a few games left in the regular season, Indiana will need to address these issues quickly to turn their fortunes around.