In what may be the final Crossroads Classic event, the Hoosiers and Bulldogs matched up in the tenth occurrence of the annual event in downtown Indianapolis. Both teams, who were tied with 6-3 records in the event, got an opportunity to decide a final winner. Indiana (5-2, 0-0) took a four-game winning streak in the event, and they came out victorious over a depleted Butler (1-2, 0-1) roster that has also been troubled by COVID-19 issues.
Behind Armaan Franklin, Indiana opened strong behind the arc, an area that has traditionally troubled Archie Miller’s Hoosier squads. Senior captain Al Durham drilled the first three to open scoring for both teams, but it was Indianapolis-native Franklin that hit the next 3 three-pointers for the Hoosiers in the top-right wing. IU took an early 14-10 advantage by Franklin’s shooting.
Franklin would finish the game with an career-high 20 points that included hitting 5 of 7 from behind the arc.
The Bulldogs would not shy away in the first period despite not having their senior guard leader Aaron Thompson. They outrebounded and out-maneuvered the Hoosiers, despite being down in personnel. Freshman forward Bryze Nze led Butler’s 17 to 11 advantage on the boards at the end of the first half, which ultimately enabled Butler to carry a 5-point lead into the locker room.
Indiana continued to test their fate around the perimeter and did not work the paint like they have against Butler teams in the past. Race Thompson was scoreless for the first half. Butler, on the other hand, took advantage of Indiana’s man-to-man defense in the paint. LaVall Jordan’s front court trio of Nze, Golden, and Coles combined for 17 points alone in the opening segment.
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The script flipped in the second half after a combination of halftime adjustments on offensive strategy and rebounding emphasis by the Hoosiers. Indiana opened the second half on a 23-8 run, which included a 13-0 segment, that quickly erased the Bulldogs’ lead.
Getting back to their core basics, the Hoosiers ran the offense more intentionally through the paint, namely getting the ball in the hands of sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis. He finished the second half with 21 points and 8 rebounds – the tenth time he has finished with 20 or more points.
Would be nice if Archie Miller would wear his mask. Disgusting that he gets right in their faces and spits when he yells at them…………. Would not like to see the team come down with Covid Virus when they are playing so hard and so we;;/