Sunday, December 13
Bloomington, Ind.
Noon
Indiana University
4-2,0-0Big Ten
87
vs
52
North Alabama
2-2,0-0ASUN
1
2
F
North Ala.
24
28
52
Indiana
40
47
87
Franklin's Career Day Leads the Hoosiers Past North Alabama
12/13/2020 2:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Forget, for just a moment, the career game from guard Armaan Franklin, and consider the social media spotlight finding Trey Galloway.
Specifically, it found the Indiana freshman's driving, one-hand dunk that rocked North Alabama Sunday afternoon.
It was among the highlights of the Hoosiers' 87-52 victory and once again showed why Galloway, a former Indiana all-state player out of Culver, is perhaps the team's best attack-the-basket player.
"Trey did a good job," coach Archie Miller said. "He's going to be a good player in this league for a long time."
Galloway can do more than drive, of course. He hit a three-pointer, scored 11 points (on 5-for-6 shooting) and grabbed two rebounds.
Fans or not, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has been good to Galloway. He had 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and no turnovers in the season-opening win over Tennessee Tech.
It also was a big day for the rest of IU's highly regarded freshman class. Fellow guards Khristian Lander (10 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Anthony Leal (four points, three rebounds, three assists), plus forward Jordan Geronimo (four points, four rebounds, one steal) all set career highs.
"We have a deep team," Leal said. "We all have high aspirations. We're all ready to make the most of the time we get."
Added Lander: "It's building confidence and feeling more comfortable during the game."
Miller said he had wanted to give the freshmen more playing time, but a challenging early schedule made that difficult.
On Sunday, difficulty turned into opportunity.
"All four guys did a good job," Miller said. "We're trying to develop our team and gain more confidence for those guys. It was a point of emphasis to get more time for them.
"I was very happy for Anthony. He's done a great job of understanding our system. He can help us. We are going to depend on him.
"Khristian just needs more experience. He's like your youngest son. As a parent, you keep an eye on him. He's going to be special. He just has to grow up. As he does, you'll see more range on his shot and more play making.
"Jordan is fantastic. You can see some of the high-level athleticism he brings. He adds value to the defense.
"All four are very important to what we're doing. It was a good opportunity for a lot of guys to get in the mix and get some confidence. As they get better, our team has a chance to develop as a complete group."
Then there was Franklin, the sophomore who continues his recent all-around high-level play.
He ripped North Alabama for career-high totals in points (19) and three-point baskets (five). He added five assists and four rebounds while shooting 7-for-12 from the field (5-for-7 on three-pointers).
"It was about stepping in and getting a rhythm," he said. "It's starting to come together. I'm trying to be a complete player.
"I am always looking to be aggressive and take what the defense gives me. I wanted to knock down shots and set give my teammates looks."
Mission accomplished.
"Armaan continues to evolve as a player," Miller said. "He's worked hard. I think this is the Arman we'll be used to seeing from now on, being able to consistently knock down open shots. He's turned into a terrific player for us."
Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points and seven rebounds.
IU's Big Ten prospects likely will depend on shooting, rebounding and limiting turnovers. On Sunday, the Hoosiers were solid in overall shooting (50 percent), three-point shooting (39 percent) and rebounding (47-34 edge), but had 18 turnovers (11 in the first half) that led to 17 North Alabama points.
"The 11 turnovers in the first half was unacceptable," Franklin said. "At halftime, Coach reminded us to take care of the ball. He said once we do that, we'll get easy looks."
Miller has emphasized taking good shots, and taking them in rhythm, which means being in good catch-and-shoot position.
That took hold in the second half with guard Rob Phinisee connection on a pair of three-pointers, and Franklin making three. Lander hit two. Leal had one.
They helped the Hoosiers to a season-high 13 three-point baskets on 33 attempts.
Miller said he's not concerned about the volume (North Alabama's zone gave them a lot of open looks), but the quality.
"As long as it's in rhythm and a shot we talk about, take it," he said. "I told our guys, if we start developing that catch and shoot rhythm, we're a tough cover."
Turnovers and shooting struggles hindered IU early. It opened 1-for-6 from the field, 5-for-9 from the line, for a 7-2 lead. Solid defense held North Alabama to 1-for-7 shooting, with the only basket a goaltend on Jackson-Davis.
In the first 10 minutes, North Alabama was 3-for-18 from the field with three turnovers, yet trailed just 15-7.
Offense was needed, and Jerome Hunter delivered with a three-pointer. Lander followed with a pair of free throws. Jackson-Davis added three free throws to wrap up 12-0 run.
As the first end wound down, IU had Galloway, Lander and Geronimo in with Al Durham and Jackson-Davis.
The result – a shot-clock violation.
But Geronimo got a steal and buzzer-beating basket for a 40-24 halftime lead.
The Hoosiers' three-point shooting got going with Phinisee and Franklin to boost the lead to 56-34 eight minutes into the second half.
North Alabama was finished.
"Because of their versatility," North Alabama coach Tony Pujol said, "they are better defensively. And offensively it seems like their are a lot of complimentary pieces around Trace. They have a number of guys who can hurt you on any given night."
The Hoosiers end their abbreviated non-conference play with next Saturday's Crossroads Classic matchup against Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Then comes Big Ten action, starting with Northwestern on Dec. 23.
"We've played a good schedule," Miller said. "The competition from this point forward will be as tough as it gets."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Forget, for just a moment, the career game from guard Armaan Franklin, and consider the social media spotlight finding Trey Galloway.
Specifically, it found the Indiana freshman's driving, one-hand dunk that rocked North Alabama Sunday afternoon.
It was among the highlights of the Hoosiers' 87-52 victory and once again showed why Galloway, a former Indiana all-state player out of Culver, is perhaps the team's best attack-the-basket player.
"Trey did a good job," coach Archie Miller said. "He's going to be a good player in this league for a long time."
Galloway can do more than drive, of course. He hit a three-pointer, scored 11 points (on 5-for-6 shooting) and grabbed two rebounds.
Fans or not, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has been good to Galloway. He had 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and no turnovers in the season-opening win over Tennessee Tech.
It also was a big day for the rest of IU's highly regarded freshman class. Fellow guards Khristian Lander (10 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Anthony Leal (four points, three rebounds, three assists), plus forward Jordan Geronimo (four points, four rebounds, one steal) all set career highs.
"We have a deep team," Leal said. "We all have high aspirations. We're all ready to make the most of the time we get."
Added Lander: "It's building confidence and feeling more comfortable during the game."
Miller said he had wanted to give the freshmen more playing time, but a challenging early schedule made that difficult.
On Sunday, difficulty turned into opportunity.
"All four guys did a good job," Miller said. "We're trying to develop our team and gain more confidence for those guys. It was a point of emphasis to get more time for them.
"I was very happy for Anthony. He's done a great job of understanding our system. He can help us. We are going to depend on him.
"Khristian just needs more experience. He's like your youngest son. As a parent, you keep an eye on him. He's going to be special. He just has to grow up. As he does, you'll see more range on his shot and more play making.
"Jordan is fantastic. You can see some of the high-level athleticism he brings. He adds value to the defense.
"All four are very important to what we're doing. It was a good opportunity for a lot of guys to get in the mix and get some confidence. As they get better, our team has a chance to develop as a complete group."
Then there was Franklin, the sophomore who continues his recent all-around high-level play.
He ripped North Alabama for career-high totals in points (19) and three-point baskets (five). He added five assists and four rebounds while shooting 7-for-12 from the field (5-for-7 on three-pointers).
"It was about stepping in and getting a rhythm," he said. "It's starting to come together. I'm trying to be a complete player.
"I am always looking to be aggressive and take what the defense gives me. I wanted to knock down shots and set give my teammates looks."
Mission accomplished.
"Armaan continues to evolve as a player," Miller said. "He's worked hard. I think this is the Arman we'll be used to seeing from now on, being able to consistently knock down open shots. He's turned into a terrific player for us."
Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points and seven rebounds.
IU's Big Ten prospects likely will depend on shooting, rebounding and limiting turnovers. On Sunday, the Hoosiers were solid in overall shooting (50 percent), three-point shooting (39 percent) and rebounding (47-34 edge), but had 18 turnovers (11 in the first half) that led to 17 North Alabama points.
"The 11 turnovers in the first half was unacceptable," Franklin said. "At halftime, Coach reminded us to take care of the ball. He said once we do that, we'll get easy looks."
Miller has emphasized taking good shots, and taking them in rhythm, which means being in good catch-and-shoot position.
That took hold in the second half with guard Rob Phinisee connection on a pair of three-pointers, and Franklin making three. Lander hit two. Leal had one.
They helped the Hoosiers to a season-high 13 three-point baskets on 33 attempts.
Miller said he's not concerned about the volume (North Alabama's zone gave them a lot of open looks), but the quality.
"As long as it's in rhythm and a shot we talk about, take it," he said. "I told our guys, if we start developing that catch and shoot rhythm, we're a tough cover."
Turnovers and shooting struggles hindered IU early. It opened 1-for-6 from the field, 5-for-9 from the line, for a 7-2 lead. Solid defense held North Alabama to 1-for-7 shooting, with the only basket a goaltend on Jackson-Davis.
In the first 10 minutes, North Alabama was 3-for-18 from the field with three turnovers, yet trailed just 15-7.
Offense was needed, and Jerome Hunter delivered with a three-pointer. Lander followed with a pair of free throws. Jackson-Davis added three free throws to wrap up 12-0 run.
As the first end wound down, IU had Galloway, Lander and Geronimo in with Al Durham and Jackson-Davis.
The result – a shot-clock violation.
But Geronimo got a steal and buzzer-beating basket for a 40-24 halftime lead.
The Hoosiers' three-point shooting got going with Phinisee and Franklin to boost the lead to 56-34 eight minutes into the second half.
North Alabama was finished.
"Because of their versatility," North Alabama coach Tony Pujol said, "they are better defensively. And offensively it seems like their are a lot of complimentary pieces around Trace. They have a number of guys who can hurt you on any given night."
The Hoosiers end their abbreviated non-conference play with next Saturday's Crossroads Classic matchup against Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Then comes Big Ten action, starting with Northwestern on Dec. 23.
"We've played a good schedule," Miller said. "The competition from this point forward will be as tough as it gets."
Team Stats
UNA
IND
FG%
.333
.500
3FG%
.174
.394
FT%
.429
.581
RB
34
47
TO
18
18
STL
6
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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