IU basketball’s first exhibition tune-up ahead of the FISU America Games gave the Hoosiers plenty to like in a 98-64 win over Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf of Canada on Wednesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The United States squad now heads to Lima, Peru, on Saturday for the FISU America Games, and the exhibition offered an early look at how several players are fitting together. Some showed shot-making.
Others flashed versatility. A few simply brought the kind of energy that tends to earn more minutes.
Aiden Sherrell stood out as one of the night’s most complete performers. He finished with 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting, hit 2 of 5 from 3-point range and added six rebounds, three blocked shots, one turnover and one steal in 25 minutes.
Sherrell looked comfortable working both inside and out, and his length and mobility were obvious throughout the game. He also gave IU a glimpse of the kind of frontcourt help that could matter after last season’s big man issues.
Prince-Alexander Moody was another clear bright spot. The freshman scored 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting, including 3-for-7 from deep, while piling up five steals, three assists, three rebounds and two turnovers in 17 minutes.
He played with confidence and enthusiasm, didn’t look overmatched as a freshman and made his presence felt on both ends. His five steals led the team.
Bryce Lindsay put together one of the cleaner all-around lines of the night. He scored 11 points on 5-for-10 shooting, dished six assists, grabbed three steals and added a rebound and a turnover in 24 minutes.
Lindsay showed craft with the ball, wasn’t shy about looking for his own shot and tied for the team lead in assists. He also looked like one of IU’s better defenders.
Markus Burton also filled the box score without forcing the action. He scored 11 points on 3-for-6 shooting, went 5-for-6 at the line, and added six assists, six rebounds, three steals, three turnovers and a blocked shot in 22 minutes.
Burton got where he wanted off the dribble and seemed to be working through how he fits with IU’s big men. He also picked up a few unnecessary fouls.
Darren Harris gave IU a steady perimeter threat. He had 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting, knocked down 3 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with three rebounds and a turnover in 22 minutes.
Harris led the team with three made 3-pointers and looked confident letting it fly. He’s not a primary handler or distributor, but he can stretch the floor and has the look of a player who can catch fire quickly.
Trevor Manhertz scored 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting, including 2-for-7 from behind the arc and 2-for-2 at the line, while adding four rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes. The left-handed freshman wing hit a couple of 3s and showed a nice drive to the rim. He’ll need to get stronger to hold up in the Big Ten and avoid being pushed around.
Trent Sisley turned in a solid, efficient outing with nine points on 3-for-4 shooting, three steals, four rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes. He looked stronger and more confident than last season and gave IU useful energy on the glass. Sisley should be a reliable backup at the four, and he could start in Peru with Yigitoglu unavailable to play there.
Samet Yigitoglu scored six points on 3-for-4 shooting and added five rebounds, three turnovers and a blocked shot in 22 minutes. When he got the ball near the rim, he finished well.
The trouble came when he brought it down in traffic and smaller defenders stripped it away. He should still be able to create points on the offensive glass and protect the rim, but he needs more work in pick-and-roll situations with Burton.
Vaughn Karvala had six points on 3-for-8 shooting, along with two rebounds, a steal, a blocked shot and a turnover in 15 minutes. Like Manhertz, he’ll have to get stronger in both the upper and lower body to handle Big Ten physicality. He’s an above-average athlete who gets off the floor quickly, but he’s still a work in progress.
Ben Winker, the walk-on, played seven minutes and scored five points on 1-for-1 shooting and 3-for-4 at the line. He also added three rebounds and an assist.
Winker made his case as a potential bench favorite with his hustle, diving for loose balls, chasing offensive boards and getting to the free-throw line twice. He should see some minutes in Peru.
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Indiana May Finally Be Showing The Toughness Fans Have Wanted
Indianas exhibition offered a better glimpse of the identity this roster has been chasing, with Samet Yigitoglu and Aiden Sherrell giving the frontcourt a more physical edge and the backcourt doing enough to keep the offense moving. Even with the perimeter shot not falling, the ball was finding open looks, and the overall effort level suggested a team that is starting to look more connected on both ends.
Aiden Sherrell was the most encouraging sign, pairing scoring with rim protection and rebounding in a way Indiana has been hoping to see from its interior pieces. Freshman Prince-Alexander Moody also stood out for his energy and defensive activity, giving the Hoosiers another jolt of toughness, and the coaching staff came away sounding upbeat about where those young players can go from here. [Read more 🡒]
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