Hoosiers Fall In Lincoln As Defensive Concern Grows

The Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated Indiana 86-70 in Lincoln last night.

Indiana's Malik Reneau (5) holds up three fingers after making a three-pointer during the first half
Indiana's Malik Reneau (5) holds up three fingers after making a three-pointer during the first half | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY

The Hoosiers fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers wednesday night as Big Ten play resumed across college basketball. The Hoosiers seemed flat on Wednesday night, especially on the defensive end. The recurring theme of the Hoosiers' defense is their inability to guard the three ball. We saw this against Morehead State along with Kennesaw State. The Cornhuskers made 12 from the deep line on 32 attempts. To match this, the Hoosiers did keep up their improved shooting from deep, going 9/18 from the 3-point line. Keisei Tominaga led the Cornhuskers with four 3s made and the team with 28 points.

The story of Wednesday night was turnovers, lots of turnovers. Indiana had a season-high 19 turnovers. The Cornhuskers scored 27 points off turnovers, which is unacceptable for Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers. 

Jan 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) shoots a free throw
Jan 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) shoots a free throw | Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

For the Hoosiers, some good came out of Wednesday, the first of which was the return of Xavier Johnson, who hasn’t played since the Harvard game just over a month ago. Johnson played just 14 minutes, going 0-3 from the field. 

Some early foul trouble led Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako to sit out most of the first half. Despite that, Reneau could still put up 14 points, while Mgbako couldn’t get going, only registering 6 points. Kel’el Ware worked hard in this game, having to play 34 minutes. He was able to record another double-double while notching a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. Trey Galloway was also in double figures with 10 points, including two late three-pointers. 

Jan 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) drives against
Jan 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) drives against | Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The Cornhuskers Keisei Tominaga was just fun to watch. It seemed like almost every shot he took went in the basket. That included some tough shots from way beyond the arc. Brice Williams was also troublesome, knocking down 3-4 from deep and finished with 15 points. 

The Hoosiers are back in action Saturday vs Ohio State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Go Hoosiers!

Schedule

Schedule