Indiana University Athletics
Learning Curve: Hoosiers Navigate Unknown Together
11/27/2020 11:12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It doesn't really matter that the atmosphere in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was drastically different than usual.
It's not important that the players and coaches could clearly be heard communicating to each other due to the lack of noise. The band and the excitement and the energy was missed, but the basketball—always the main draw—was back.
And it looks promising.
The Hoosiers beat Tennessee Tech 89-59 to open the 2020-21 season, and the simple fact that first step was taken is a milestone. As programs across college basketball work to overcome the obstacles of a global pandemic and disruptions that can strike without warning, hearing the ball bounce and the whistles blow was music to anyone who loves the game. After suffering through the disappointment of the abrupt end to last season, the Hoosiers returned to the court with a different look and a new energy.
Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was fantastic, scoring 26 points to go with 11 rebounds and three assists, helping Indiana dominate the paint by outscoring the Golden Eagles 58-28 inside. Veterans Aljami Durham, Rob Phinisee, Jerome Hunter, Race Thompson, and Armaan Franklin all made their presence felt, but it was the freshmen who somewhat stole the show.
Trey Galloway came off the bench to score 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and his effort made him stand out. Khristian Lander added five points on 2-of-5 shooting, and his vision and quickness gave IU's offense a jolt when he entered the game. Jordan Geronimo showed good athleticism and speed on the court, giving flashes of the player he could become. Anthony Leal added three assists vs. zero turnovers, and although he was held scoreless, he was solid in limited minutes on both ends of the floor.
Transitioning to the college game isn't easy for any freshman. It's made even more difficult when you have to deal with masks and COVID tests and playing in empty gyms. It wasn't an ideal atmosphere for anyone to shake off nerves. But IU's freshmen showed good poise and managed to battle any butterflies to help the Hoosiers put together a 28-2 run in the first half, a streak that put the game out of reach by halftime.
At one point during that run, head coach Archie Miller went with a lineup of the four freshmen and Thompson, a move that wasn't expected but still showed the confidence he has in his kids.
"A couple of times, the lineups that were out there, four freshmen at one time, is something that we weren't planning on doing," Miller said. "But we were able to get a lead and get minutes. That was a big thing for tonight. I think all those guys are working hard. I think they are all trying to learn, but you can tell the first time out there tonight was a little different. I think you will see that all of them will contribute."
Galloway put up the best raw numbers, but it was the way he ran the floor that raised eyebrows. He was a step or two faster than Tennessee Tech in getting out in transition, and it led to some easy buckets.
"He can really finish," Miller said. "He is good in the open floor. You got a chance to see what we see in the open floor and how he attacks."
The first learning experience is now behind the Hoosiers. Miller was interested in what it would be like in terms of atmosphere in the building and how the team would communicate. Something as simple as making a substitution came with a different flair because the bench is spaced out more than usual, forcing an adjustment.
It's going to be a unique season, one that will continue when the Hoosiers play in the Maui Invitational next week—in Asheville, North Carolina, some 4,500 miles away from Hawaii. But regardless of where the team is playing, IU is thrilled to be back and battling once again.
"It is a different feel, but we needed this game bad to play against somebody else," Miller said. "Everybody is excited we were obviously able to get the win. Some guys did some really good things in the game. So, we have some feedback now against somebody else."
It's not important that the players and coaches could clearly be heard communicating to each other due to the lack of noise. The band and the excitement and the energy was missed, but the basketball—always the main draw—was back.
And it looks promising.
The Hoosiers beat Tennessee Tech 89-59 to open the 2020-21 season, and the simple fact that first step was taken is a milestone. As programs across college basketball work to overcome the obstacles of a global pandemic and disruptions that can strike without warning, hearing the ball bounce and the whistles blow was music to anyone who loves the game. After suffering through the disappointment of the abrupt end to last season, the Hoosiers returned to the court with a different look and a new energy.
Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis was fantastic, scoring 26 points to go with 11 rebounds and three assists, helping Indiana dominate the paint by outscoring the Golden Eagles 58-28 inside. Veterans Aljami Durham, Rob Phinisee, Jerome Hunter, Race Thompson, and Armaan Franklin all made their presence felt, but it was the freshmen who somewhat stole the show.
Trey Galloway came off the bench to score 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and his effort made him stand out. Khristian Lander added five points on 2-of-5 shooting, and his vision and quickness gave IU's offense a jolt when he entered the game. Jordan Geronimo showed good athleticism and speed on the court, giving flashes of the player he could become. Anthony Leal added three assists vs. zero turnovers, and although he was held scoreless, he was solid in limited minutes on both ends of the floor.
Transitioning to the college game isn't easy for any freshman. It's made even more difficult when you have to deal with masks and COVID tests and playing in empty gyms. It wasn't an ideal atmosphere for anyone to shake off nerves. But IU's freshmen showed good poise and managed to battle any butterflies to help the Hoosiers put together a 28-2 run in the first half, a streak that put the game out of reach by halftime.
At one point during that run, head coach Archie Miller went with a lineup of the four freshmen and Thompson, a move that wasn't expected but still showed the confidence he has in his kids.
"A couple of times, the lineups that were out there, four freshmen at one time, is something that we weren't planning on doing," Miller said. "But we were able to get a lead and get minutes. That was a big thing for tonight. I think all those guys are working hard. I think they are all trying to learn, but you can tell the first time out there tonight was a little different. I think you will see that all of them will contribute."
Galloway put up the best raw numbers, but it was the way he ran the floor that raised eyebrows. He was a step or two faster than Tennessee Tech in getting out in transition, and it led to some easy buckets.
"He can really finish," Miller said. "He is good in the open floor. You got a chance to see what we see in the open floor and how he attacks."
The first learning experience is now behind the Hoosiers. Miller was interested in what it would be like in terms of atmosphere in the building and how the team would communicate. Something as simple as making a substitution came with a different flair because the bench is spaced out more than usual, forcing an adjustment.
It's going to be a unique season, one that will continue when the Hoosiers play in the Maui Invitational next week—in Asheville, North Carolina, some 4,500 miles away from Hawaii. But regardless of where the team is playing, IU is thrilled to be back and battling once again.
"It is a different feel, but we needed this game bad to play against somebody else," Miller said. "Everybody is excited we were obviously able to get the win. Some guys did some really good things in the game. So, we have some feedback now against somebody else."
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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