Everyone expected Indiana to win their first two games this year, but after a tense ending vs. Eastern Michigan, Hoosier Nation wanted IU to look convincing against Northern Illinois. That’s exactly what happened. Which combinations made an impact against the Huskies? Take a look.
Notes:
- Once again, the starting lineup of Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, and Trayce Jackson-Davis put the Hoosiers in a good position to start the game. They jumped out to a 9-7 lead before the first substitution, and outscored NIU 4-0 to start the second half.
- How about Michael Durr? Indiana’s backup center finished the game at +0, but there is a lot of garbage time noise in that number. In the first half, Durr played a vital 3:25 stretch in which IU outscored NIU 8-2, pushing a 10-point lead into 16.
- All of Durr’s 9:59 of playing time came with Trey Galloway and Jordan Geronimo on the floor. Mike Woodson might be looking to build some long-term chemistry with those three reserves.
- Speaking of Durr, Indiana’s most efficient lineup in the first half was an all-bench grouping of Rob Phinisee, Tamar Bates, Galloway, Geronimo, and Durr. That group went +4 in a 2:14 stretch before halftime.
- There might be something with Phinisee, Bates, Galloway, and Geronimo playing together with either Thompson or Durr. That combination is +10 in 5:30 through two games in non-garbage time.
- Woodson continues to pair Phinisee/Johnson in the backcourt. IU went +6 very early in the game to turn a two-point lead into eight. IU is now +10 in 12:50 with those two playing together this year.
- Jackson-Davis led Indiana in raw plus-minus at +34 in 26:03 (+1.31 per minute). Johnson led Indiana in plus-minus per minute at +25 in 18:44 (+1.33 per minute). With those two on the floor together, IU went +17 in 15:17.
- Among the 10 players who played at least nine minutes, Galloway was the player who helped IU’s offense reach its highest heights. IU’s offense scored 54 points in Galloway’s 22:49, or 2.37 points per minute (PPM). IU registered just 1.80 PPM with Galloway on the bench.
- IU’s defense was sharpest with Thompson on the court. The Hoosiers allowed just 10 points in Thompson’s 15:42, or .64 PPM. In the 24:18 when Thompson was on the bench, IU allowed 1.6 PPM.
Featured Photo: Indiana University Athletics
