Indiana Basketball vs Ohio State: 3 keys to game

1. Take advantage of turnovers; get out in transition

There is no question that the Hoosiers struggle mightily with their half-court offense which leads to multiple scoring droughts during each game. So what makes up for that? Getting out in transition.

In the first matchup which took place in Bloomington, the Hoosiers did a great job on the defensive end, forcing 16 turnovers, which allowed them to get out in transition and get some good looks at easy buckets. What they didn’t do was convert in transition, scoring just three points in the open floor.

Despite shooting just 40 percent overall, Indiana did capitalize off of the 16 times the Buckeyes coughed up the ball, finishing with 14 points off of turnovers. With 11 steals, it was led by Rob Phinisee who had four steals, including forcing D.J. Carton into seven turnovers.

Whether it be against Florida State, Michigan State, or at times against Maryland, when Indiana is playing its best, they are making the most of the open floor.

Rob Phinisee and Al Durham, both, are much more effective going downhill than they are in the half-court setting trying to create for themselves off of the bounce. What makes it even more inviting in transition is the terrific floor running ability that Trayce Jackson-Davis brings to the table. Even if the IU guards were to miss a contested layup on the break, more often than not, Jackson-Davis will be right there for the putback after outrunning the opponent’s big men.