Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers upend No. 17 Florida State behind Green’s big night

Indiana basketball proved to the country that it was back during a huge win against No. 17 Florida State in the Big 10/ACC Challenge.

All of the talk surrounding the Indiana basketball program was if it was legit, and if the Hoosiers were back. After facing one of the softest schedules in the country in November, Indiana proved they are worth the talk as they took down No. 17 Florida State, 80-64, to improve to 8-0.

Off to a quick start, Indiana used a 14-0 run and then a 14-2 run throughout the first half to take an 11-point lead into the half, but it was far from comforting from that point on.

Turnovers were the talking point coming into this game, and it certainly didn’t stop throughout the night as Indiana was flustered most of the game with Florida State’s ball pressure. With only six turnovers in the first half, the Hoosiers coughed up the ball 12 times in the second half, letting the Seminoles creep back in the game, as close as three points midway through the second half.

Whenever the Hoosiers needed a big shot, however, it was Devonte Green who stepped up. The senior guard led all scorers with 30 points, a career-high, including 5-of-7 from three. He also chipped in six rebounds and three assists.

Whereas turnovers were the main concern, getting to the free-throw line continued to be the Hoosiers’ best friend, on a night when they needed it most, even though the free throws weren’t falling. After struggling for most of the game from the line, after leading the NCAA with over 21 made free throws per game, Indiana finished strong down the stretch, finishing 23-of-38 from the line.

Trayce Jackson-Davis chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds. Playing extremely physical all night long, he went 9-of-14 from the line, his third double-digit attempt game this season. Justin Smith continues to have a very solid year and added 14 points as well.

Florida State was led by Trent Forrest, who finished with 13 points, and while they shot 47 percent from the field, it was the defense that let them down as Indiana became the first team in nearly an entire calendar year to shoot 50 percent from the field, finishing 55.6 percent on the night.

Indiana turns its attention to Saturday as Big Ten play gets underway when the Hoosiers go on the road for the first time to face the Wisconsin Badgers.