Big Ten Basketball: 3 keys to victory for the Indiana Hoosiers against Michigan
By Brian Lewis
Indiana (14-6, 4-3) travels to Ann Arbor to take on Big Ten foe Michigan (13-7, 3-4) on Thursday.
The Indiana Hoosiers started just 1-3 in conference play but have since won its last three. It looks as if the Hoosiers have started to figure things out despite the rollercoaster season they have had thus far. Here are three keys to victory for Indiana as it prepares to take on the Wolverines on Thursday night.
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Take care of the basketball…
Turning over the basketball seems to be a reoccurring theme for Indiana this season. The Hoosiers are going to need to limit turnovers on Thursday if they want to win this game. Michigan is on top of the Big Ten in turnover margin at +3.1 whereas IU ranks last at -3.2.
The Hoosiers come into Thursday’s matchup, once again, ranked dead last in the Big Ten averaging 14.9 turnovers per game. However, over the course of IU’s three-game winning streak, the Hoosiers have committed just 12.3 turnovers per game. It’s no coincidence that when Indiana takes care of the ball that they are a much better team. The Hoosiers record in their last three games speaks largely of that.
IU is more than vulnerable when it turns the ball over. We saw that in its losses to Wisconsin and Nebraska. But the Hoosiers are dangerous when they value each and every possession. They rank No. 1 in the Big Ten at 84.2 points per game. This is a number that Indiana should be reaching every game if it takes care of the ball.
Michigan coach John Belein, along with everybody else, knows that the Hoosiers are turnover prone. Michigan is going to bring the pressure on Thursday night and Indiana better be ready for it.
Rebound the basketball…
Surprisingly, rebounding has been Indiana’s biggest strength this year. That is going to need to continue again on Thursday. The Hoosiers must establish themselves early and dominate the glass.
Indiana ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in rebounding margin at +10. Michigan ranks No. 13 in the conference in rebounding margin at -0.7. The Hoosiers must take advantage of this on Thursday night.
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Indiana has five players averaging over at least four rebounds per game. Junior forward OG Anunoby and sophomore forward Juwan Morgan are both included in that. Anunoby is getting knee surgery and is out for the year. Morgan’s status for Saturday game is uncertain, as he has sat the last two games while wearing a boot on the sideline.
Look for Freddie McSwain Jr. and Zach McRoberts to fill in the rebounding void for Anunoby and possibly Morgan if he is unable to play again. McSwain and McRoberts must provide energy off the bench. They have to rebound the basketball and be strong with it. The Hoosiers’ lack of composure has been an issue for them over their three-game winning streak. Indiana cannot allow the Wolverines to score on second chance opportunities on Thursday night. If so, the Hoosiers will struggle.
Shoot your shot…
As Chance the Rapper says, “Shoot your shot.” IU has to do this on Thursday. The Hoosiers operate an up-tempo and high-energy offensive system that emphasizes ball movement and three pointers. This system must be on-point in Thursday’s matchup.
Luckily for the Hoosiers, Michigan has struggled mightily defending the three this season. Wolverine opponents are shooting 41.8% from beyond the arc. This is slightly above IU’s 39% shooting from deep this year. As long as the Hoosiers continue to move the ball, the threes will come. It’s on the Hoosiers to step up and knock them when the opportunities come.
As a whole, the Hoosiers have attempted 472 three-pointers this season. Of those 472, 254 of those attempts have come from junior guards James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson. Blackmon and Johnson must continue to carry the load for the Hoosiers shooting the basketball.
Blackmon’s game-winning shot against Penn State last Wednesday may have changed the course of the season for Indiana. Following the dramatic win in State College, Blackmon tied a career-high 33 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field in IU’s win over Michigan State. Expect Blackmon to continue his hot streak and knock down shots against the Wolverines on Thursday.
Final Take…
The Hoosiers have a great opportunity at hand on Thursday night. They can march into the Crisler Center and earn a quality road win over Michigan. Although Michigan has not made much noise this, this would be a massive win for the Hoosiers. To say winning on the road in conference play is tough would be an understatement. IU has the momentum on its side and can make it four in a row on Thursday night. Catch the game on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST from Ann Arbor.