Indiana Basketball: 3 Takeaways from Road Loss to Nebraska

In a game full of mistakes, miscues, and sloppy play, Indiana basketball was dismantled by the Nebraska Cornhuskers 86-70. That is not a typo, folks. The Indiana Hoosiers were outclassed, outcoached, and outplayed by the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college basketball. Let the initial shock of that statement sink in.

Now, on to the game. Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga scored 18 of his season-high 28 points in the Cornhuskers' win. The Cornhuskers defeated Indiana for the first time in seven games. Indiana was in the game early, but Nebraska built a lead and kept the Hoosiers at arm's length throughout the game.

Center Kel'el Ware had a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds) but seemed out of rhythm most of the game. Here are three takeaways from last night's road loss.

Indiana Basketball showed their age against the Cornhuskers.

While Trey Galloway and Xavier Johnson are experienced veterans, Indiana relies heavily on underclassmen to score and defend to win basketball games. Moreover, as a sophomore and junior, Galloway was a role player; starting is a new role for him.

Indiana played sloppy basketball for long stretches of the game. When Nebraska adjusted, the Hoosiers were rattled by those adjustments and struggled with executing. Ware was solid, but he wore down in the second half. Mackenzie Mgbako, perhaps the most talented player on the team, was ineffective, scoring a meager six points.

Veteran teams know how to weather the storm of momentum, especially on the road. Indiana struggled to their composure in this game. That is a clear sign of youth. Also, their veterans let them down. Road games are where you need that grit to persevere through difficult moments in games—every time the Hoosiers tried to make a run, Nebraska had an answer. Indiana could not neutralize Nebraska's grit and determination.