Indiana used only nine total lineups in their matchup against the Butler Bulldogs for the 2020 edition of the Crossroads Classic. Despite a tough first half, the Hoosiers managed to pull away in the second half after forcing the offense to flow through the post and for the team to lockdown on defensive intensity. As of today, the Hoosiers are currently ranked 8th in KenPom for defensive efficiency. Below, you’ll find the the breakdown of the best lineups for the Hoosiers against the Bulldogs.
- In an unprecedented move by Archie Miller, IU used just nine disparate lineups in their 68-60 win over Butler. Miller shortened his rotation, using just eight players all game. Only six guys got more than three minutes in the second half.
- The frontcourt of Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis played 27:26 out of the 40:00 on Saturday. IU went +10 with those two on the floor together. For the 11:34 that even one of those two were on the sideline, IU went -2.
- One guy that showed up in Indiana’s most efficient lineups, while also not appearing in IU’s inefficient groups, was Rob Phinisee. He finished +11 on the day, and after he picked up his 2nd foul with 5:04 left in the first half, Butler made its biggest run of the game, outscoring IU 13-7 in that stretch.
- Race Thompson quietly had his third double-figure scoring output of the season; he had just two such games in his career before this year. IU’s offense was at its best with Thompson on the floor, scoring 58 points in the 31:55 that he played, or 1.82 points per minute (PPM). IU scored just 10 points in the 8:05 he sat, or 1.24 PPM.
