Indiana University Athletics
Ferrell, Williams Spur IU To Win
2/21/2016 1:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tom Crean doesn't talk in slumps.
But in recent games, there's no denying that Indiana's leading scorers Kevin Yogi Ferrell and Troy Williams hadn't produced to their usual standards.
Ferrell had been shooting 10 of 42 dating back to Indiana's Feb. 6 loss at Penn State. And Williams, though coming off an 18-point game against Nebraska, had been held scoreless against Michigan State the game before.
They didn't talk about it. Crean doesn't let them. But you don't need to talk about a slump to break out of one, as evidenced by the duo's 37 combined points to lead Indiana past its in-state rival Purdue for the first time since 2013.
"The worst thing that could happen when somebody is struggling is you keep reminding them of it," Crean said. "The last thing we want to do is dwell on what's not working. We want to make sure we're spending enough time on what is and try to refine it."
Ferrell bucked his recent shooting trend from the onset of Saturday's opening tip, racing out to 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting in the first eight minutes.
Three of those makes came from beyond the arc, beginning with Indiana's first points. Ferrell's opening trey electrified the Assembly Hall crowd that had been lining up as early 9 a.m. to see No. 22 Indiana and No. 17 Purdue compete for state supremacy.
On the last of those makes, he turned around, pumped his fist and roared. The gesture was an indication of a player regaining his stride in perhaps his last time competing in the state's preeminent rivalry, and more importantly, against another major obstacle in pursuit of his second outright Big Ten title.
Ferrell's own trajectory reflects Indiana's path to 12 conference wins in 15 games for just the third time in 20 years.
"I felt like we had a couple lulls, a couple losses here and there, but I felt like we bounced back from those losses really well," he said. "It's helped us win these games."
Ferrell didn't give the Hoosiers their 77-73 win on his own.
Williams led all players with 19 points, surpassing the 1000-point mark with a dunk in transition off a steal.
The takeaway was one of four on the night for Williams, who hit the floor three times for loose balls and twice came away with shared possession. His dives to the hardwood demonstrated his commitment to the attacking mindset that he and Crean have reiterated is the key to his sustained success.
"It was key, not only that we talk about being more aggressive, but that we actually put him in situations where he can be, in practice," Crean said, "and hold him accountable a little bit more, which I do. Then it just carries out into the game."
Throughout Ferrell's and William's respective "slumps," Indiana has leaned on its role players, whether it be senior Max Bielfeldt or freshman OG Anunoby, to edge out victories.
But in order for Indiana to realize its full potential, Ferrell and Williams must also play to theirs.
As the teammates walked off Branch McCracken court arms around each other Saturday night, they leaned on one another in victory as they will look to in the final three games of the regular season.
Indiana will need them to.
"This man to my left had a phenomenal game," Ferrell said, gesturing to Williams.
"Troy playing like that, he's basically unstoppable."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tom Crean doesn't talk in slumps.
But in recent games, there's no denying that Indiana's leading scorers Kevin Yogi Ferrell and Troy Williams hadn't produced to their usual standards.
Ferrell had been shooting 10 of 42 dating back to Indiana's Feb. 6 loss at Penn State. And Williams, though coming off an 18-point game against Nebraska, had been held scoreless against Michigan State the game before.
They didn't talk about it. Crean doesn't let them. But you don't need to talk about a slump to break out of one, as evidenced by the duo's 37 combined points to lead Indiana past its in-state rival Purdue for the first time since 2013.
"The worst thing that could happen when somebody is struggling is you keep reminding them of it," Crean said. "The last thing we want to do is dwell on what's not working. We want to make sure we're spending enough time on what is and try to refine it."
Ferrell bucked his recent shooting trend from the onset of Saturday's opening tip, racing out to 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting in the first eight minutes.
Three of those makes came from beyond the arc, beginning with Indiana's first points. Ferrell's opening trey electrified the Assembly Hall crowd that had been lining up as early 9 a.m. to see No. 22 Indiana and No. 17 Purdue compete for state supremacy.
On the last of those makes, he turned around, pumped his fist and roared. The gesture was an indication of a player regaining his stride in perhaps his last time competing in the state's preeminent rivalry, and more importantly, against another major obstacle in pursuit of his second outright Big Ten title.
Ferrell's own trajectory reflects Indiana's path to 12 conference wins in 15 games for just the third time in 20 years.
"I felt like we had a couple lulls, a couple losses here and there, but I felt like we bounced back from those losses really well," he said. "It's helped us win these games."
Ferrell didn't give the Hoosiers their 77-73 win on his own.
Williams led all players with 19 points, surpassing the 1000-point mark with a dunk in transition off a steal.
The takeaway was one of four on the night for Williams, who hit the floor three times for loose balls and twice came away with shared possession. His dives to the hardwood demonstrated his commitment to the attacking mindset that he and Crean have reiterated is the key to his sustained success.
"It was key, not only that we talk about being more aggressive, but that we actually put him in situations where he can be, in practice," Crean said, "and hold him accountable a little bit more, which I do. Then it just carries out into the game."
Throughout Ferrell's and William's respective "slumps," Indiana has leaned on its role players, whether it be senior Max Bielfeldt or freshman OG Anunoby, to edge out victories.
But in order for Indiana to realize its full potential, Ferrell and Williams must also play to theirs.
As the teammates walked off Branch McCracken court arms around each other Saturday night, they leaned on one another in victory as they will look to in the final three games of the regular season.
Indiana will need them to.
"This man to my left had a phenomenal game," Ferrell said, gesturing to Williams.
"Troy playing like that, he's basically unstoppable."
Players Mentioned
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