Hoosiers Steer Past Louisiana, 76-44

Sunday, November 21

Bloomington, Ind.

7:30 PM

Indiana University

4-0,0-0Big Ten

Louisiana

3-1,0-0Sun Belt

Louisiana

Indiana

11/21/2021 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosies.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Parker Stewart has found his offense.

You'd better believe it matters.

It came in a 13-minute flurry spanning the first and second half, a 6-for-6 (4-for-4 on three-pointers), 16-point display during Sunday night's 76-44 victory over Louisiana (3-1) in an opening game of the Hoosier Classic.

"I saw him shoot like this in an exhibition game," coach Mike Woodson said. "I've seen him do it in practice.

"He was ready to shoot. No hesitation. He caught it and let it go."

Given Stewart, a transfer guard from Tennessee-Martin, was recruited for his shooting prowess, given that he'd scored six, zero and three points in his first three games, given the Hoosiers' need for perimeter firepower, given all 11 Hoosiers who played scored, it suggests all is right with the Indiana offensive world.

Well, except for the 27 turnovers, 15 more than Woodson wants. That will provide extra coaching points before Tuesday night's second Hoosier Classic game, against Jackson State.

"There will be a lot of running," Woodson said. "It's got to take place (Monday)."

In case running isn't enough, a film review will add extra emphasis.

"Films are a wonderful tool to learn," Woodson said. "Sometimes players can't see it on the court. When things are not right, you can show it. It doesn't lie. It points right to what you're trying to get across to the player.

"If I've got to go turnover by turnover, they will see it and know about it."

Hold that thought.

Opportunity found reserve guards Khristian Lander and Anthony Leal poised to deliver.

And so they did.

The clock ticked toward halftime. Lander had the ball on a fast break and saw Leal streaking toward the basket. Lander tossed a half-court pass that would have made Peyton Manning proud. Leal caught it and scored.

It came seconds after Leal had entered the game. He followed that with a second-half three-pointer, plus a rebound, in seven total minutes.
It was one of six Lander assists. He added six rebounds and nine points in 24 minutes.

He also was one of three Hoosiers to have at least four turnovers. The others were point guard Xavier Johnson (four) and forward Jordan Geronimo (five).

"Our point guards had eight turnovers," Woodson said. "Geronimo was doing things he shouldn't. Those are things we can clean up."

The Lander-and-Leal moment came as guards Rob Phinisee and Trey Galloway were out with injuries. Galloway's broken wrist, suffered against St. John's, could sideline him until January. Phinisee suffered a leg injury against St. John's.

"I knew I would have to step up and play big minutes," Lander said. "The work I'm putting in is paying off. I stayed cool, calm and collected."

Lander came in having played a total of 13 minutes, and didn't play at all in one game.

With veterans Johnson and Phinisee ahead of him, he says he's fine with the reserve role.

"My attitude is good. It will stay good. Whenever I'm called upon, be ready at any time."

Added Woodson: "It's next man up. He hasn't played a lot. He was ready. He gave us some positive minutes. I've got to get him running the offense more and take pride in not turning the ball over."

Then there was the Hoosier defense.

IU (4-0) held Louisiana to 14 half-time points, the fewest a Hoosier opponent has scored since SIU-Edwardsville managed 13 in 2004. The Ragin' Cajuns were just 4-for-34 from the field.

Louisiana finished shooting just 19 percent with 12 turnovers.

"I give the players all the credit," Woodson said about the defense. "They are paying attention to details, they are executing."

Back to Stewart. He finished with 16 points in 18 minutes on 6-for-7 shooting. Last week, after an IU women's victory, he spent time working on his shooting.

"It was awesome," he said. "I hadn't been shooting that well.

"After I see one go in, it's a whole lot easier."

Woodson's message to Stewart and all the Hoosiers is clear:

"Just shoot the ball," Stewart said. "That's our job."

Added Woodson: "As we go down the road, he has to do that. He has to feel good and knock them down."

Freshman guard Tamar Bates followed his 11-point effort against St. John's with 10 points and three assists. Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Stewart's hot early shooting (3-for-3 for seven points in seven minutes) pushed IU to a 14-4 lead. Seven minutes later, it had swelled to 29-7.

Louisiana went nearly 14 minutes without a field goal (25 straight misses) before Joe Charles hit a 3-pointer. It made little difference. The Hoosiers led 37-14 at halftime, and cruised from there.

"When you get a big lead like that," Woodson said, "I tell them we've been in this position a few times. Do the things that got you the lead. Defense was the reason we were in this position. I kept hammering that.

"We've got a long way to go. I like the progress. Guys are committed. They are about team. We're trying to build winning ways."