Indiana Disappoints the Cynics and Tramples Michigan 80-67

I feel like I’m beating a dead horse, but I told you Indiana was good at this little thing called basketball. May the lazy narrative of “IU AIN’T PLAYED NOBODY” rest in peace and make way for an actually talented basketball team.

I know it sounds odd, and it probably also sounds lazy, but I don’t really have much to say about this game. I can sit here and nit pick at the little nuances that made this Indiana team great, but it’s just simple. Sometimes members of the media try too hard to dissect moments like these, but I’m choosing to go another route.

Indiana just straight out balled.

More from Hoosier State of Mind

There is no better way to describe it.

Everything that I’ve been talking about, and many other members of the media have been talking about, just kinda found their way onto the court all at the same time. Everything that this Indiana team needs to do on a nightly basis was rolling on all cylinders.

Coming into this game the discussion was all about Max Bielfelt and his return back to Ann Arbor. Everyone could acknowledge the difficulty of this game, but it almost seemed written off that Indiana could even be better than Michigan. Although IU was ranked higher, the sentiment from too many people has always been that Indiana hasn’t played anyone of importance. The narrative has been that they have done nothing to justify praise.

Let that narrative die. Let it die today. Indiana is in first place in the Big Ten. They’re the only team with nine Big Ten wins. They’re now 19-4 and have just proven that when they’re at their best, they can beat anyone in the country.

Let the alert be sent throughout the nation. Come tournament time, watch out for Indiana. When they get rolling, they can do anything. Especially, play defense.

YES I SAID DEFENSE! DON’T YOU DARE SHY AWAY FROM IT!

A 28-0 run doesn’t come from just offense. There was shut down defense that held Michigan scoreless for over 10 minutes.

INDIANA HELD THE 4th MOST EFFICIENT OFFENSE IN THE COUNTRY SCORELESS FOR HOW LONG?!?!!?

Tom Crean out coached everyone and their momma’s

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana was down 17-6 at one point in this game. Tom Crean called a timeout that would forever change the face of this game and possibly this season. He called time out, got his team to rally around him, adjusted the offensive plan, threw in OG Anunoby, and the rest was history.

Indiana has found the ability to lock down on defense and get consistent stops

Yogi Ferrell, OG Anunoby, and Robert Johnson have become remarkable lock down defenders. Throw in the continued development of Thomas Bryant in the low post, and the hustle of Colin Hartman and you have a team that can make you “Tap-Out.” (Never a bad time for an IU Football reference)

Indiana has found various dynamics for its offense that work

Yogi can score when he wants, shooters move away from the ball, and low post options like Thomas Bryant and Max Bielfeldt have added a variety of options for this IU team to score based on the defense presented to them.

Yogi Ferrell is better than you

This is obvious and it will never stop talking about it. A talent like Yogi can never be taken for granted.

TIM PRILLER PLAYED IN THIS GAME.

If Tim Priller doesn’t send a message, I don’t know what does.

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