Indiana University Athletics
GRAHAM: Green. As In Ready To Go.
12/20/2018 9:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Andy Graham, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Turnabout is fair play.
In this case, actually, excellent play.
Just as Rob Phinisee capitalized on the chance to play while Devonte Green was injured earlier this season, Green did likewise during Phinisee's absence in Wednesday's 86-53 romp over Central Arkansas.
IU needs both point guards going forward, obviously. But with freshman Phinisee playing just 6:52 Wednesday before entering concussion protocol, junior Green attended to business with alacrity.
Green exited the game for good with 4:38 to play after posting 19 points (one shy of his career high), nine rebounds (also one shy of his career-high), six assists (against just 2 turnovers), four steals and a block.
Not coincidentally, Indiana was up 80-45 by that time. But Green did some of his best work before the Hoosiers were completely out of the woods.
After IU held a 43-27 halftime lead, the Bears pulled within 52-40 on a Hayden Koval 3-pointer with 15:35 left.
Green decided that was enough of that.
He buried a 3 from the right wing. He added a free throw. He made a steal and assisted Romeo Langford for a bucket to make it 58-40. All were catalytic to what became a devastatingly decisive 22-0 Hoosier run.
Green supplied similar stuff in the first half, too, after the Bears had gotten off to a quick start. The Hoosiers helped, in the spirit of the season by repeatedly gifting Central Arkansas the ball.
"We have to come out with a better mindset," sophomore forward Justin Smith said, " … Just really being ready from the get-go."
The continuation of play saw the game blow right past the first scheduled media timeout, but when a stoppage finally game at 13:08 before halftime, Indiana already had five turnovers.
"Didn't start the game very well, clearly," IU coach Archie Miller said. "They got 19 points off on us (before the timeout), and we weren't ready to start the game … sometimes that happens coming off of a big win, a thrilling win like we had (Saturday over Butler).
"But I thought we were able to manage that and get back. I thought Devonte played a big role in the first half for us and the second half we were a little bit better."
Indiana trailed 16-11 when Green swished a 3, and a second Green 3 a minute and a half later forged the game's first tie at 19-19. And that bucket began a 19-0 IU run as Central Arkansas was held scoreless for 9:31.
"He is a huge part to what we are doing (offensively)," Miller said of Green, who missed four games in November with a thigh injury. "And his defense. He hasn't had a great shot at it – the month of November he was hurt and he's had to play his way into games.
"I was happy for him to be able to bust some shots. I think that's one thing that's than been frustrating for him in games, he hasn't been able to make good ones, and he's worked really hard on his shots. He does a lot for us when he's engaged and playing well. You see that stat line he had tonight."
There were several other good Hoosier stat lines, too.
Romeo Langford had another fine game. The freshman had 18 points, 11 boards, five assists (against just one turnover), two blocks, zero fouls on the way to his second double-double of the season.
Smith hit all five shots he took - and finished a couple of break layups impressively. Senior stalwart Juwan Morgan, after a career-high 35 points against Butler, hit 5 of his 6 shots.
After a series of tough, close games, it was both gratifying and important for Indiana to give some minutes Wednesday to players who hadn't had many recently.
Miller noted the Hoosiers will play taller teams when Big Ten play recommences in January, so getting players such as Clifton Moore and Jake Forrester on the court was welcome (as was the fact they combined to hit 5 of 7 shots and snag seven rebounds).
Green can advise younger players about remaining ready to answer the call when it comes.
"I always tell them mentally, just stay with it," Green said post-game. " … I say, 'It's a grind, it's a slow grind.' I think that's one of the hardest things coming in to college, dealing with it. It's easier for me to pass it on to the younger guys."
But Green has had to deal with waiting, too, this fall.
"I'm just taking it day by day," he said. "It was a long process, coming back off recovery, but I've been doing preventative stuff to make it easier – so that when I come back, I don't get hurt again."
Injuries can and do happen at any time, and this Indiana team has had more than its share.
There is no question a glut of physical maladies hindered the natural development of this team during November. The Hoosiers couldn't even scrimmage 5-on-5 in practice with scholarship players at times.
Miller doubtless wanted to experiment with lineups, to see which combinations seemed cohesive offensively and defensively, to work in younger players, to develop a rotation – but he couldn't do much of that during the first month of the season, a period always crucial to coaches sorting out their teams.
But as the season has progressed, Indiana has exhibited an impressive will to win, emerging victorious is a series of closely-contested games (four wins by a total of eight points heading into Wednesday night.)
Because the healthy, available players have found ways to step up.
Wednesday, it was Green's turn.
"I mean, this is going to being a long season," Green said. "There's going to be injuries all over the court. It's always next man up and you've just got to be ready. You've got to be prepared for things like that."
And Wednesday night, for Devonte Green, was what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Turnabout is fair play.
In this case, actually, excellent play.
Just as Rob Phinisee capitalized on the chance to play while Devonte Green was injured earlier this season, Green did likewise during Phinisee's absence in Wednesday's 86-53 romp over Central Arkansas.
IU needs both point guards going forward, obviously. But with freshman Phinisee playing just 6:52 Wednesday before entering concussion protocol, junior Green attended to business with alacrity.
Green exited the game for good with 4:38 to play after posting 19 points (one shy of his career high), nine rebounds (also one shy of his career-high), six assists (against just 2 turnovers), four steals and a block.
Not coincidentally, Indiana was up 80-45 by that time. But Green did some of his best work before the Hoosiers were completely out of the woods.
After IU held a 43-27 halftime lead, the Bears pulled within 52-40 on a Hayden Koval 3-pointer with 15:35 left.
Green decided that was enough of that.
He buried a 3 from the right wing. He added a free throw. He made a steal and assisted Romeo Langford for a bucket to make it 58-40. All were catalytic to what became a devastatingly decisive 22-0 Hoosier run.
Green supplied similar stuff in the first half, too, after the Bears had gotten off to a quick start. The Hoosiers helped, in the spirit of the season by repeatedly gifting Central Arkansas the ball.
"We have to come out with a better mindset," sophomore forward Justin Smith said, " … Just really being ready from the get-go."
The continuation of play saw the game blow right past the first scheduled media timeout, but when a stoppage finally game at 13:08 before halftime, Indiana already had five turnovers.
"Didn't start the game very well, clearly," IU coach Archie Miller said. "They got 19 points off on us (before the timeout), and we weren't ready to start the game … sometimes that happens coming off of a big win, a thrilling win like we had (Saturday over Butler).
"But I thought we were able to manage that and get back. I thought Devonte played a big role in the first half for us and the second half we were a little bit better."
Indiana trailed 16-11 when Green swished a 3, and a second Green 3 a minute and a half later forged the game's first tie at 19-19. And that bucket began a 19-0 IU run as Central Arkansas was held scoreless for 9:31.
"He is a huge part to what we are doing (offensively)," Miller said of Green, who missed four games in November with a thigh injury. "And his defense. He hasn't had a great shot at it – the month of November he was hurt and he's had to play his way into games.
"I was happy for him to be able to bust some shots. I think that's one thing that's than been frustrating for him in games, he hasn't been able to make good ones, and he's worked really hard on his shots. He does a lot for us when he's engaged and playing well. You see that stat line he had tonight."
There were several other good Hoosier stat lines, too.
Romeo Langford had another fine game. The freshman had 18 points, 11 boards, five assists (against just one turnover), two blocks, zero fouls on the way to his second double-double of the season.
Smith hit all five shots he took - and finished a couple of break layups impressively. Senior stalwart Juwan Morgan, after a career-high 35 points against Butler, hit 5 of his 6 shots.
After a series of tough, close games, it was both gratifying and important for Indiana to give some minutes Wednesday to players who hadn't had many recently.
Miller noted the Hoosiers will play taller teams when Big Ten play recommences in January, so getting players such as Clifton Moore and Jake Forrester on the court was welcome (as was the fact they combined to hit 5 of 7 shots and snag seven rebounds).
Green can advise younger players about remaining ready to answer the call when it comes.
"I always tell them mentally, just stay with it," Green said post-game. " … I say, 'It's a grind, it's a slow grind.' I think that's one of the hardest things coming in to college, dealing with it. It's easier for me to pass it on to the younger guys."
But Green has had to deal with waiting, too, this fall.
"I'm just taking it day by day," he said. "It was a long process, coming back off recovery, but I've been doing preventative stuff to make it easier – so that when I come back, I don't get hurt again."
Injuries can and do happen at any time, and this Indiana team has had more than its share.
There is no question a glut of physical maladies hindered the natural development of this team during November. The Hoosiers couldn't even scrimmage 5-on-5 in practice with scholarship players at times.
Miller doubtless wanted to experiment with lineups, to see which combinations seemed cohesive offensively and defensively, to work in younger players, to develop a rotation – but he couldn't do much of that during the first month of the season, a period always crucial to coaches sorting out their teams.
But as the season has progressed, Indiana has exhibited an impressive will to win, emerging victorious is a series of closely-contested games (four wins by a total of eight points heading into Wednesday night.)
Because the healthy, available players have found ways to step up.
Wednesday, it was Green's turn.
"I mean, this is going to being a long season," Green said. "There's going to be injuries all over the court. It's always next man up and you've just got to be ready. You've got to be prepared for things like that."
And Wednesday night, for Devonte Green, was what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballIUWBB Highlights vs. UIC
Saturday, November 08
IUBB Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 05
Darian DeVries Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 05
MBB: Postgame Press Conference - Alabama A&M (11/5/25)
Wednesday, November 05