romeo-langford

BLOOMINGTON, IN — To honor Indiana legend Bill Garrett and Black History Month, the Hoosiers wore classic Harlem renaissance style jerseys for their afternoon match up against the visiting Ohio State Buckeyes. Garrett broke the Big Ten color barrier and represents basketball’s ability to significantly impact history outside of the sport itself.

The battle on the court this afternoon would ultimately favor the Buckeyes after a heartbreaking loss where the Hoosiers clawed back the final moments of the game, but could not close the game out. Chris Holtmann takes a big game for Ohio State’s season at Assembly Hall.

Indiana’s offense is best described as difficult. Very difficult. Contrasting to earlier in the season where Juwan Morgan was the center of the offense and Romeo Langfordwas a close secondary, opponents have found ways to lock up these two focal points.

As a result, Indiana attempted to create their own offense with extra passing and going the extra mile. Every bucket made required extraordinary play, whether it be a behind the back Devonte Green assist or Romeo Langford with an athletic jab-step drive to the basket. Rarely did Indiana score before the shot clock would drop into single digits.

But credit to Indiana, they battled and worked tirelessly for their hard earned points. Not pretty, again, but Archie Miller will take it.

— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) February 10, 2019

Ohio State on the other hand had a much easier night. At face value, one could easily blame IU’s defense scheme. And at times in the evening the Hoosiers did not close well on the gap. The bulky Buckeyes did a great job of setting strong screens and rolling immediately for a number of open looks. Even when looks were not open, Ohio State seemed to find a way to bury any shot they took for the majority of the game.

As the game closed out, Indiana began catching confidence of their own. With 5 minutes remaining in the second half, the Hoosiers sank back-to-back-to-back threes by Romeo Langford and Devonte Green to tie the game at 47-47.

Off of a Devonte Green 35-footer, Indiana finally took the lead for the first time this afternoon at 52-49, only to be matched by Ohio State’s CJ Jackson with a distant three of his own.

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In the end, the effort was not enough. The Hoosiers could not finish with a Romeo Langford three that hit iron. Indiana now has lost four consecutive home games at Assembly Hall.

Box Score

(Source: Indiana University Athletics)

Ohio State vs Indiana
Ohio State vs Indiana

Next Up

With an extended break, the Hoosiers return back on the road to face another Big Ten bubble team next Saturday. Indiana will match up against Richard Pitino’s Minnesota team for the first time this season. The game tips off at 2:00 pm on BTN.