iubbmiami

What a huge weekend for IU sports, including the men’s basketball team.

In front of a partisan Hoosier crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, No. 12 Indiana (4-0) crushed Miami (OH) (1-4), 86-56. Trayce Jackson-Davis led the way with 17 points and 16 rebounds, while IU’s defensive effort held the Redhawks to just 32.4% from the field. IU is now 4-0, and should rise in Monday’s AP Top 25.

Mike Woodson rolled out the same starting five against the Musketeers: Xavier Johnson, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, and Jackson-Davis. Before the game, IU announced Trey Galloway would not play due to precautionary reasons.

Indiana and Miami started off sluggishly. Both teams misfired on 13 of their first 17 shots. Xavier Johnson and TJD did help get IU going early, scoring the team’s first nine points.

Miami, who entered the game ranked No. 289 in the most recent KenPom ratings, held a lead as late as the 10:41 mark in the first half. Back-to-back threes from Tamar Bates and Jalen Hood-Schifino helped steer IU back in front.

Hood-Schifino had suffered through a shooting slump since the start of the Bethune-Cookman game, missing 18-of-21 shots until that three-pointer. After that make, Hood-Schifino seemed to see the lid lifted off the rim, making three additional shots out of the five subsequent attempts.

With Galloway out, CJ Gunn stepped up in the first half. For the first time this season, Woodson included Gunn in the first half rotation, and the freshman out of Lawrence North contributed in multiple areas to help the Hoosiers expand their lead.

After former Indiana All-Star Mekhi Leary brought Miami within 32-26 with a three, the Hoosiers created some significant separation going into halftime. Hood-Schifino, Jackson-Davis, Kopp, and Bates all keyed the 11-0 run to end the period.

IndianaHQ Shop - Indiana Tshirts, IU Hoosiers Apparel

IU steadily increased their advantage after the intermission. Of note, Miller Kopp put together some impressive possessions on both ends of the floor in the early stages of the second half. Kopp scored 7 of IU’s first 14 second-half points, hitting shots from close-in, mid-range, and three-point land.

The Hoosiers’ remarkable level of depth made a large impact throughout the course of the second half as well. Nine players tallied points in the second half, and Woodson was able to offer playing time to all 12 available scholarship players. The bench scored 23 of IU’s 43 points in the final 20 minutes.

Jordan Geronimo, who is still looking to define his role this season, brought his typical athleticism and energy to the table, on both ends of the floor. After playing just five minutes against Xavier, Geronimo saw 19 minutes on Sunday, including 14 in the second half. After the break, he recorded six points, four rebounds, and a stunning five blocks.