trayce michigan

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — IU’s first game in March went like seemingly every other college basketball game in March: crazy, unpredictable, and down to the final shot.

After a disappointing performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Hoosiers (21-10, 12-8 B1G) emerged victorious after a thriller against the Michigan Wolverines (17-14, 11-9 B1G) on Sunday evening. The win came on Senior Night for Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, Miller Kopp, Michael Shipp, and Nate Childress. IU clinched a top-three seed and a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament with the narrow victory.

The Hoosiers got out to an early lead, opening up a double-digit advantage with 7:07 to go in the first half. Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jackson Davis accounted for 49 of the team’s 62 points in the last matchup. The two had eight of the first thirteen points.

This game saw a lot more activity off the bench from Kaleb Banks, Malik Reneau, and Tamar Bates. All saw first-half minutes. Thompson also stepped up, using that added Senior Night intensity to secure rebounds and pace IU defensively. Thompson scored seven points in the first half.

IU kept a double digit lead for the majority of the half, but Michigan went on a run to close the first period that changed the complexion of the game. The Wolverines ripped off 10 straight points before the buzzer, with Dickinson scoring eight of the 10.

IU’s foul trouble did not help. Hood-Schifino had two fouls and Trey Galloway finished the half with three, the last of which came in the final minute, with Bates at the scorer’s table.

Despite having a 12-point lead at one point, the Hoosiers struggled to turn their strong defense efforts into positive offensive possessions. IU’s shot selection coupled with their inability to shoot accurately gave Michigan an opportunity to strike.

The Wolverines silenced Assembly Hall for the final minutes of the half going on a 14-2 run. Shades of the Hoosiers’ Iowa performance started resurfacing. The Hoosiers led 29-27 after 20 minutes.

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The Wolverines kept the same energy they left on the floor, starting the second half on a 15-5 run to take an 8-point lead. A disconnected IU offense struggled to make much happen on offense and Michigan exploited the paint gaps of the Hoosier defense.

IU lost their spark and could not find their way. Galloway found his fourth foul only five minutes into the second half. Bates replaced him; he stepped up and hit his first three since the Rutgers game a month ago. It gave the Hoosier team, and Assembly Hall, some much-needed life.

With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Hoosiers came out of their timeout motivated and ready to rally. IU greatly increased their defensive effort, playing high man-to-man and showing full-court pressure.

The Hoosiers started inching towards Michigan. A triple from Kopp energized the crowd. Thompson then scored five straight, including an and-one slam. IU trailed by just one.

— Indiana On BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) March 5, 2023