Sunday, January 23
Bloomington, Ind.
3:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Michigan
‘Handling Business’ – Big Mike Durr Makes His Moment Count
1/23/2022 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – THIS was why Michael Durr is a Hoosier, why he gave up a starting opportunity at South Florida for a reserve role at Indiana.
Thrive in a big-time game in front of a big-time crowd?
Check.
Test himself against college basketball's best?
Check.
Learn from a former NBA coach?
Check.
Experience fans storming Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's Branch McCracken Court in a flood of passion Durr had seen, but never experienced?
A final check.
One thing's as sure as a Rob Phinisee game-winner -- Durr will remember Thursday night's beat-Purdue moment long after he's finished with basketball.
"That was crazy," the transfer center says. "That was the biggest game I've ever been a part of. You watch college basketball, and in big games you see fans rush the court. That's the first time I've ever been part of that. It was fun. I will always remember that day."
For now, remember this – Durr's best is still ahead.
Opponents beware.
No, this 7-foot, 250-pound basketball force won't replace Trayce Jackson-Davis in the starting lineup.
But the Purdue-victory evidence shows Durr, a transfer from South Florida with one season to make a Cream 'n Crimson impact, is ready to emerge as a key contributor for what just might be a Big Ten title run.
It could surface again in Sunday's home game against Michigan, and one thing is certain -- the Hoosiers (14-4 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) don't expect a letdown.
"As players, we've talked about it a lot," Durr says. "Beating Ohio State, and then losing to Iowa. We don't want to make that a continuous thing -- get a big win and then lose. We want to stack wins on top of each other. Stay consistent. That's what we're harping on with each other."
This was the Durr we hadn't seen, although he'd suggested we would once he got healthy and fit. Against the No. 4 Boilers, he was an off-the-bench difference maker with a mid-range jumper, the ability to make pressure free throws and the physicality to defend against the biggest of bodies.
You don't get any bigger than Purdue's 7-4, 295-pound Zach Edey and 6-10, 255-pound Trevion Williams.
"I just knew it was gonna be my day to play," he says.
Durr more than held his own. He blocked two shots and had two steals. He was a big reason, although not the only one, why Edey and Williams were held under their season averages. Edey finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Williams had two points, six rebounds and four turnovers.
"I wanted to make things tough for their bigs," Durr says. "They are the horses on the team along with (guard Jaden) Ivey. We wanted to hold them down and lock them down."
Specifically, Durr adds, "It was making them catch the ball away from the basket. We didn't think they felt comfortable enough making plays that far away. We wanted to push them out, and then, offensively, put them in a lot of ball screens. Make them guard. We executed that game plan offensively and defensively."
Coach Mike Woodson liked what he saw from Durr, who entered the game averaging 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.9 minutes. This was among the reasons why he brought Durr into the program.
"He was solid. With Edey and Williams, you can't give those guys angles. You give them angles, then the ball is coming, and you can't catch up to stop them from scoring.
"Mike is a big body. He did a good job in battling, trying to keep them in front and making them make plays over the top."
Beyond defense, Durr added four points, rock solid screens and no turnovers.
"With Big Mike, just his spirit in practice," guard Rob Phinisee says. "He came from a program where he played 20, 30 minutes a game and then he hasn't really been playing that much. We have Trayce Jackson-Davis.
"Him staying ready, coming in and guarding and just his spark. The little mid-range shjot he hit was huge. Just his energy and leadership he brings to the table is big for us."
Guard Xavier Johnson says he saw this coming.
"Before the game, I told Mike, it's going to be your day.
"For a player not to play as much as he has been, and to come out and compete with those guys, a top-5 team in the nation, it shows a lot."
The urgency to beat Purdue dominated the Hoosier world in the days leading to the game. The Hoosiers had lost nine straight over six seasons to their biggest rival. IU coaches added to motivation by putting a photo of a Purdue logo in the middle of Branch McCracken Court in players' lockers.
They got the point.
"It made us hungrier," Durr says. "We were already hungry. All week everyone had been talking about how long it had been since we beat them. It added more to it."
Beating such a powerhouse Boiler team that had been ranked No. 1 earlier in the season didn't surprise the players.
"Everything that happened," Durr says, "we spoke into existence. It was not a big shock. We just handled business. We made sure we were ready to play."
Durr certainly did. He's bided his time for this opportunity because he was confident in what he could do.
"I play hard," he says. "I rebound at a very high level. I defend ball screens at a high level. I alter and block shots. Score down low. Hit open shots when I have them. Play my game.
"When I'm all the way right and 100 percent in shape, you guys will see it."
Seeing included a sell-out crowd and a national television audience.
Injuries and fitness limited Durr early in the season. Playing behind Jackson-Davis, an All-America, meant minutes came in only measured doses.
But against Purdue, with Jackson-Davis limited to 11 minutes and four points because of foul trouble, measure turned major.
Durr played 24 minutes, 11 more than he'd ever played in an IU uniform.
"My mentality is," Woodson says, "and I think the players feel the same way, it's next man up.
"Mike stepped up, and gave us some positive minutes. We're going to need that the rest of the way. There are other teams in the Big Ten that are just as big. Maybe not as big, but you've got big bodies, and that's why we brought Mike on board. He answered the challenge."
In three seasons at South Florida, Durr was a starting mainstay, never averaging less than 21.3 minutes a game. Last year, he averaged 8.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. He'd scored as many as 18 points, grabbed as many as 14 rebounds.
He wanted more, and came to Indiana to find it. The price -- accept a reserve role.
"It's been tough," he says. "It's my fourth year in college and something I've never done. I'm trying to adjust and perfect it, doing all I can when I'm in. Do all I can to help the team win. It's been tough, but I'm going to figure it out."
Figuring often leaves Durr talking to himself.
"It's a mental game," he says. "You talk to yourself and tell yourself you have to be ready for any opportunity that might happen. You never know -- someone could get injured or get in foul trouble. It's a mental game with yourself to make sure you're ready at all times."
Readiness includes instantly getting into the flow of the game after sitting for an extended period of time.
"Previously, you are already in the flow of the game," he says. "You don't have to catch up to it. You're already in it.
"Now I have to catch up to the game. Come in ready. Every moment counted before, but now it really counts.
"You don't have time to work your way into the game. You have to have immediate impact. Come in warm and ready to go. Do all of that and produce right away."
Durr came to Indiana to test himself against the best, and that includes practice, where he faces Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson.
Benefits work both ways.
"It's been great," Durr says. "I heard practice wasn't that competitive for them last year because they didn't have another big to go against. That's something I've looked forward to doing from Day 1. I always like to have another big body to push me, too, so it's been great for both sides of the fence. Great for all of us."
Playing for Woodson, who coached in the NBA for a quarter of a century before returning to restore IU glory, Durr adds, also has been "great."
"It's something I like doing. I like how he teaches the game. I like his approach. How he deals with us. I am enjoying it.
"It's learning things that goes on and is taught at the pro level. Learning that aspect. Gaining good knowledge."
Durr was part of a productive bench -- led by Phinisee's career-high 20 points and Trey Galloway's eight points -- that outscored Purdue's bench 35-4.
"If the bench is rolling," Woodson says, "I'm going to ride them until their tongues fall out. They did that in the first half, so I stuck with them as long as I could."
IU seeks to extend its Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall record to 14-0 against Michigan (8-7, 2-3). The Wolverines are coming off an 83-64 home victory over Maryland that snapped a three-game losing streak.
They are led by 7-foot-1 forward Hunter Dickinson (16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds) and guard Eli Brooks (12.1 points). Durr figures to get his shot at Dickinson.
"I'm always excited for any matchup with any big who is good," Durr says. "I'm still not where I want to be (injury wise). I'm doing all I can to get there. I want to help the team any way I can."
Could the Purdue victory jump start the Hoosiers for sustained, title-winning success?
"It gives certain players more confidence," Durr says. "It shows we have a good team. We have a lot of players who can contribute.
"It was a big win for the fans. There was a lot of talk about how long it had been. It was a great moment for the players confidence wise, and a great moment for the community."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – THIS was why Michael Durr is a Hoosier, why he gave up a starting opportunity at South Florida for a reserve role at Indiana.
Thrive in a big-time game in front of a big-time crowd?
Check.
Test himself against college basketball's best?
Check.
Learn from a former NBA coach?
Check.
Experience fans storming Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's Branch McCracken Court in a flood of passion Durr had seen, but never experienced?
A final check.
One thing's as sure as a Rob Phinisee game-winner -- Durr will remember Thursday night's beat-Purdue moment long after he's finished with basketball.
"That was crazy," the transfer center says. "That was the biggest game I've ever been a part of. You watch college basketball, and in big games you see fans rush the court. That's the first time I've ever been part of that. It was fun. I will always remember that day."
For now, remember this – Durr's best is still ahead.
Opponents beware.
No, this 7-foot, 250-pound basketball force won't replace Trayce Jackson-Davis in the starting lineup.
But the Purdue-victory evidence shows Durr, a transfer from South Florida with one season to make a Cream 'n Crimson impact, is ready to emerge as a key contributor for what just might be a Big Ten title run.
It could surface again in Sunday's home game against Michigan, and one thing is certain -- the Hoosiers (14-4 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) don't expect a letdown.
"As players, we've talked about it a lot," Durr says. "Beating Ohio State, and then losing to Iowa. We don't want to make that a continuous thing -- get a big win and then lose. We want to stack wins on top of each other. Stay consistent. That's what we're harping on with each other."
This was the Durr we hadn't seen, although he'd suggested we would once he got healthy and fit. Against the No. 4 Boilers, he was an off-the-bench difference maker with a mid-range jumper, the ability to make pressure free throws and the physicality to defend against the biggest of bodies.
You don't get any bigger than Purdue's 7-4, 295-pound Zach Edey and 6-10, 255-pound Trevion Williams.
"I just knew it was gonna be my day to play," he says.
Durr more than held his own. He blocked two shots and had two steals. He was a big reason, although not the only one, why Edey and Williams were held under their season averages. Edey finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Williams had two points, six rebounds and four turnovers.
"I wanted to make things tough for their bigs," Durr says. "They are the horses on the team along with (guard Jaden) Ivey. We wanted to hold them down and lock them down."
Specifically, Durr adds, "It was making them catch the ball away from the basket. We didn't think they felt comfortable enough making plays that far away. We wanted to push them out, and then, offensively, put them in a lot of ball screens. Make them guard. We executed that game plan offensively and defensively."
Coach Mike Woodson liked what he saw from Durr, who entered the game averaging 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.9 minutes. This was among the reasons why he brought Durr into the program.
"He was solid. With Edey and Williams, you can't give those guys angles. You give them angles, then the ball is coming, and you can't catch up to stop them from scoring.
"Mike is a big body. He did a good job in battling, trying to keep them in front and making them make plays over the top."
Beyond defense, Durr added four points, rock solid screens and no turnovers.
"With Big Mike, just his spirit in practice," guard Rob Phinisee says. "He came from a program where he played 20, 30 minutes a game and then he hasn't really been playing that much. We have Trayce Jackson-Davis.
"Him staying ready, coming in and guarding and just his spark. The little mid-range shjot he hit was huge. Just his energy and leadership he brings to the table is big for us."
Guard Xavier Johnson says he saw this coming.
"Before the game, I told Mike, it's going to be your day.
"For a player not to play as much as he has been, and to come out and compete with those guys, a top-5 team in the nation, it shows a lot."
The urgency to beat Purdue dominated the Hoosier world in the days leading to the game. The Hoosiers had lost nine straight over six seasons to their biggest rival. IU coaches added to motivation by putting a photo of a Purdue logo in the middle of Branch McCracken Court in players' lockers.
They got the point.
"It made us hungrier," Durr says. "We were already hungry. All week everyone had been talking about how long it had been since we beat them. It added more to it."
Beating such a powerhouse Boiler team that had been ranked No. 1 earlier in the season didn't surprise the players.
"Everything that happened," Durr says, "we spoke into existence. It was not a big shock. We just handled business. We made sure we were ready to play."
Durr certainly did. He's bided his time for this opportunity because he was confident in what he could do.
"I play hard," he says. "I rebound at a very high level. I defend ball screens at a high level. I alter and block shots. Score down low. Hit open shots when I have them. Play my game.
"When I'm all the way right and 100 percent in shape, you guys will see it."
Seeing included a sell-out crowd and a national television audience.
Injuries and fitness limited Durr early in the season. Playing behind Jackson-Davis, an All-America, meant minutes came in only measured doses.
But against Purdue, with Jackson-Davis limited to 11 minutes and four points because of foul trouble, measure turned major.
Durr played 24 minutes, 11 more than he'd ever played in an IU uniform.
"My mentality is," Woodson says, "and I think the players feel the same way, it's next man up.
"Mike stepped up, and gave us some positive minutes. We're going to need that the rest of the way. There are other teams in the Big Ten that are just as big. Maybe not as big, but you've got big bodies, and that's why we brought Mike on board. He answered the challenge."
In three seasons at South Florida, Durr was a starting mainstay, never averaging less than 21.3 minutes a game. Last year, he averaged 8.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. He'd scored as many as 18 points, grabbed as many as 14 rebounds.
He wanted more, and came to Indiana to find it. The price -- accept a reserve role.
"It's been tough," he says. "It's my fourth year in college and something I've never done. I'm trying to adjust and perfect it, doing all I can when I'm in. Do all I can to help the team win. It's been tough, but I'm going to figure it out."
Figuring often leaves Durr talking to himself.
"It's a mental game," he says. "You talk to yourself and tell yourself you have to be ready for any opportunity that might happen. You never know -- someone could get injured or get in foul trouble. It's a mental game with yourself to make sure you're ready at all times."
Readiness includes instantly getting into the flow of the game after sitting for an extended period of time.
"Previously, you are already in the flow of the game," he says. "You don't have to catch up to it. You're already in it.
"Now I have to catch up to the game. Come in ready. Every moment counted before, but now it really counts.
"You don't have time to work your way into the game. You have to have immediate impact. Come in warm and ready to go. Do all of that and produce right away."
Durr came to Indiana to test himself against the best, and that includes practice, where he faces Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson.
Benefits work both ways.
"It's been great," Durr says. "I heard practice wasn't that competitive for them last year because they didn't have another big to go against. That's something I've looked forward to doing from Day 1. I always like to have another big body to push me, too, so it's been great for both sides of the fence. Great for all of us."
Playing for Woodson, who coached in the NBA for a quarter of a century before returning to restore IU glory, Durr adds, also has been "great."
"It's something I like doing. I like how he teaches the game. I like his approach. How he deals with us. I am enjoying it.
"It's learning things that goes on and is taught at the pro level. Learning that aspect. Gaining good knowledge."
Durr was part of a productive bench -- led by Phinisee's career-high 20 points and Trey Galloway's eight points -- that outscored Purdue's bench 35-4.
"If the bench is rolling," Woodson says, "I'm going to ride them until their tongues fall out. They did that in the first half, so I stuck with them as long as I could."
IU seeks to extend its Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall record to 14-0 against Michigan (8-7, 2-3). The Wolverines are coming off an 83-64 home victory over Maryland that snapped a three-game losing streak.
They are led by 7-foot-1 forward Hunter Dickinson (16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds) and guard Eli Brooks (12.1 points). Durr figures to get his shot at Dickinson.
"I'm always excited for any matchup with any big who is good," Durr says. "I'm still not where I want to be (injury wise). I'm doing all I can to get there. I want to help the team any way I can."
Could the Purdue victory jump start the Hoosiers for sustained, title-winning success?
"It gives certain players more confidence," Durr says. "It shows we have a good team. We have a lot of players who can contribute.
"It was a big win for the fans. There was a lot of talk about how long it had been. It was a great moment for the players confidence wise, and a great moment for the community."
Players Mentioned
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