Sunday, November 12
Bloomington, Ind.
8:00 PM
Indiana University
1-1
86
vs
77
Howard
0-2
1
2
F
Howard
27
50
77
Indiana
37
49
86
Indiana bounces back against Howard
11/12/2017 10:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's basketball future came early on Sunday night.
Yes, that's a very good thing.
There was freshman forward Justin Smith turning into a slightly smaller version of Alan Henderson with his first career double-double.
There was freshman guard Al Durham, delivering on his potential despite limited practice time with a double-figure performance.
And finally, there was Indiana (1-1) bouncing back from Indiana State misery with Sunday night's 86-77 win over Howard (0-2) in the opening round of the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic.
Let's start with the 6-7 Smith, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds while taking advantage of the sprained ankle that limited Juwan Morgan to just five minutes.
"I would say it's just staying ready," Smith said. "I try to get reps at any position so whenever my name is called, I'm able to step into that position and do it well."
Mission accomplished.
Then there was Durham, who had 16 points, three assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes.
"I feel like my teammates push me every day in practice," he said. "It's finding a spot that I fit into and when the opportunity presents itself, take it. My teammates have trusted me. I just did what we do every day in practice."
It was exactly what coach Archie Miller hoped to see from his freshmen.
"Al has really been productive in terms of assist-to-turnover and quality shots," Miller said "Defensively he's hung tough. He's done what we've asked him to do. But for the most part, he's made more plays for others. He hasn't just been a shot maker.
"Justin got a lot of run tonight due to injury (Morgan and Collin Hartman, out indefinitely with a groin injury). It gave him spots where he could catch the ball in tight areas and show his athleticism."
Indiana also got solid production from center De'Ron Davis (17 points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks, no turnovers) and Robert Johnson (14 points, four rebounds, four assists).
"He had a really good game," Miller said. "If you add the free throws -- he's a better free throw shooter than that -- he had a terrific game in terms of efficiency. He did his job."
Johnson and fellow senior guard Josh Newkirk (nine points, seven assists, two turnovers) are learning a new system -- and unlearning an old one.
"It's learning what's a good shot, what's a bad shot, what's the flow of the game," Miller said. "Rob did a nice job defensively. He played extremely hard.
"Josh has struggled with his shot a little bit, but he's getting good looks. If he makes a couple of those open threes, he has a real nice night.
"Those guys are hanging in there. They're going to be very important pieces to the puzzle."
Indiana could have won much more decisively if it had shot better than just 12-for-29 from the free throw line. But the Hoosiers took a big step forward, which was crucial given they play at No. 23 Seton Hall on Wednesday as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.
They likely will be without Morgan and Hartman.
IU led 37-27 at halftime and built an 18-point lead early in the second half, but couldn't quite put Howard away. Still, it shot 54.1 percent from the field and had 25 assists compared to 12 turnovers.
"Any time you get a win," Miller said, "you've got to celebrate. Our guys are still probably a little shell shocked from Friday night on how to react and respond.
"One thing that is very new right now is the roles. Some guys are trying to figure out where they stand. What we're asking guys to do is going to be key moving forward.
"To get a win is great. Going on the road to Seton Hall is going to be a huge test.
"We have to focus in a short amount of time to find a way to get better and see if we can stay fresh and get a little more healthy."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's basketball future came early on Sunday night.
Yes, that's a very good thing.
There was freshman forward Justin Smith turning into a slightly smaller version of Alan Henderson with his first career double-double.
There was freshman guard Al Durham, delivering on his potential despite limited practice time with a double-figure performance.
And finally, there was Indiana (1-1) bouncing back from Indiana State misery with Sunday night's 86-77 win over Howard (0-2) in the opening round of the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic.
Let's start with the 6-7 Smith, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds while taking advantage of the sprained ankle that limited Juwan Morgan to just five minutes.
"I would say it's just staying ready," Smith said. "I try to get reps at any position so whenever my name is called, I'm able to step into that position and do it well."
Mission accomplished.
Then there was Durham, who had 16 points, three assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes.
"I feel like my teammates push me every day in practice," he said. "It's finding a spot that I fit into and when the opportunity presents itself, take it. My teammates have trusted me. I just did what we do every day in practice."
It was exactly what coach Archie Miller hoped to see from his freshmen.
"Al has really been productive in terms of assist-to-turnover and quality shots," Miller said "Defensively he's hung tough. He's done what we've asked him to do. But for the most part, he's made more plays for others. He hasn't just been a shot maker.
"Justin got a lot of run tonight due to injury (Morgan and Collin Hartman, out indefinitely with a groin injury). It gave him spots where he could catch the ball in tight areas and show his athleticism."
Indiana also got solid production from center De'Ron Davis (17 points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks, no turnovers) and Robert Johnson (14 points, four rebounds, four assists).
"He had a really good game," Miller said. "If you add the free throws -- he's a better free throw shooter than that -- he had a terrific game in terms of efficiency. He did his job."
Johnson and fellow senior guard Josh Newkirk (nine points, seven assists, two turnovers) are learning a new system -- and unlearning an old one.
"It's learning what's a good shot, what's a bad shot, what's the flow of the game," Miller said. "Rob did a nice job defensively. He played extremely hard.
"Josh has struggled with his shot a little bit, but he's getting good looks. If he makes a couple of those open threes, he has a real nice night.
"Those guys are hanging in there. They're going to be very important pieces to the puzzle."
Indiana could have won much more decisively if it had shot better than just 12-for-29 from the free throw line. But the Hoosiers took a big step forward, which was crucial given they play at No. 23 Seton Hall on Wednesday as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.
They likely will be without Morgan and Hartman.
IU led 37-27 at halftime and built an 18-point lead early in the second half, but couldn't quite put Howard away. Still, it shot 54.1 percent from the field and had 25 assists compared to 12 turnovers.
"Any time you get a win," Miller said, "you've got to celebrate. Our guys are still probably a little shell shocked from Friday night on how to react and respond.
"One thing that is very new right now is the roles. Some guys are trying to figure out where they stand. What we're asking guys to do is going to be key moving forward.
"To get a win is great. Going on the road to Seton Hall is going to be a huge test.
"We have to focus in a short amount of time to find a way to get better and see if we can stay fresh and get a little more healthy."
Team Stats
HOWARD
IND
FG%
.357
.541
3FG%
.382
.364
FT%
.875
.414
RB
39
44
TO
12
12
STL
6
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballForward
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