Indiana University Athletics
A Couple Plays Away From A Road Win
1/27/2016 4:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Several times Tuesday night, IU's first win at the Kohl Center in 13 games rested in the hands of senior guard Kevin Yogi Ferrell.
It was because of the senior that Indiana (17-4, 7-1) had a chance to extend its win streak, which ends at 12 games, in the first place. He went on numerous runs, scoring five of the Hoosiers' 7-0 stretch before halftime, and another five to put IU up two with :27 left in regulation.
But, on the Hoosiers' final possession of regulation after Wisconsin had tied the game, he missed an off-balance jumper, sending the game to overtime at 71-all. He took the first two shots in extra minutes — again, just off the mark.
Then, on Indiana's best chance to tie the game in OT, Ferrell came up with a big-time rebound off junior forward Troy Williams' missed layup. He dished it out to senior sharp-shooter Nick Zeisloft for a wide open three — his shot. It fell short.
Though Ferrell would land a desperation three to bring the game within one with :07 remaining in overtime, there was a player opposite him — Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes — who was also desperate. He stole the ball from freshman forward OG Anunoby on the Hoosiers' last possession to hand IU its first Big Ten loss, 82-79.
"We need a three, down three," Ferrell said on the game's final play. "We were trying to get it to me and just get it down the court, find someone if I didn't have the shot."
Ferrell was hungry for his first win in Madison — that much was evident.
Ferrell's 30 points against Wisconsin (12-9, 4-4) tied his Big Ten single-game career high, pushing him past Damon Bailey for seventh in all-time scoring. He also tied freshman center Thomas Bryant for a team-high seven rebounds in a season-high 41 minutes of playing time.
"We knew it would be a battle, coming in here," head coach Tom Crean said on his team's performance. "We certainly made mistakes, turned the ball over too many times. But to continue to be in the game, all things considered, I'm proud of them."
The last time IU beat Wisconsin on the road, Ferrell was 4 years old. Willliams was 3. Bryant was five months.
Throughout Indiana's winning stretch, Crean emphasized that his players were at their best when they were able to create space off the extra pass and limit turnovers.
Ferrell, the program's all-time assists leader, came dangerously close to zero assists for the first time in his 123-game career. He didn't tally one until the final two minutes of regulation, on help for a Max Bielfeldt-layup.
On the free throw line, the Hoosiers finished a solid 16 of 18, but were given far less opportunities from the charity stripe than the Badgers, who made 22 of 37.
"The 19-point free throw differential was a head-scratcher to me," Crean said. "We've got to continue to look at how we create more contact… We've got to figure out a way to get (Ferrell) to line more too."
Indiana will look to improve when it returns to action Saturday for a rematch with Minnesota in Assembly Hall, where the Hoosiers remain a perfect 12-0.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Several times Tuesday night, IU's first win at the Kohl Center in 13 games rested in the hands of senior guard Kevin Yogi Ferrell.
It was because of the senior that Indiana (17-4, 7-1) had a chance to extend its win streak, which ends at 12 games, in the first place. He went on numerous runs, scoring five of the Hoosiers' 7-0 stretch before halftime, and another five to put IU up two with :27 left in regulation.
But, on the Hoosiers' final possession of regulation after Wisconsin had tied the game, he missed an off-balance jumper, sending the game to overtime at 71-all. He took the first two shots in extra minutes — again, just off the mark.
Then, on Indiana's best chance to tie the game in OT, Ferrell came up with a big-time rebound off junior forward Troy Williams' missed layup. He dished it out to senior sharp-shooter Nick Zeisloft for a wide open three — his shot. It fell short.
Though Ferrell would land a desperation three to bring the game within one with :07 remaining in overtime, there was a player opposite him — Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes — who was also desperate. He stole the ball from freshman forward OG Anunoby on the Hoosiers' last possession to hand IU its first Big Ten loss, 82-79.
"We need a three, down three," Ferrell said on the game's final play. "We were trying to get it to me and just get it down the court, find someone if I didn't have the shot."
Ferrell was hungry for his first win in Madison — that much was evident.
Ferrell's 30 points against Wisconsin (12-9, 4-4) tied his Big Ten single-game career high, pushing him past Damon Bailey for seventh in all-time scoring. He also tied freshman center Thomas Bryant for a team-high seven rebounds in a season-high 41 minutes of playing time.
"We knew it would be a battle, coming in here," head coach Tom Crean said on his team's performance. "We certainly made mistakes, turned the ball over too many times. But to continue to be in the game, all things considered, I'm proud of them."
The last time IU beat Wisconsin on the road, Ferrell was 4 years old. Willliams was 3. Bryant was five months.
Throughout Indiana's winning stretch, Crean emphasized that his players were at their best when they were able to create space off the extra pass and limit turnovers.
Ferrell, the program's all-time assists leader, came dangerously close to zero assists for the first time in his 123-game career. He didn't tally one until the final two minutes of regulation, on help for a Max Bielfeldt-layup.
On the free throw line, the Hoosiers finished a solid 16 of 18, but were given far less opportunities from the charity stripe than the Badgers, who made 22 of 37.
"The 19-point free throw differential was a head-scratcher to me," Crean said. "We've got to continue to look at how we create more contact… We've got to figure out a way to get (Ferrell) to line more too."
Indiana will look to improve when it returns to action Saturday for a rematch with Minnesota in Assembly Hall, where the Hoosiers remain a perfect 12-0.
Players Mentioned
Forward
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Forward
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