Big Second Half Leads Hoosiers Past Wisconsin

Saturday, January 14

Bloomington, Ind.

1:00 PM

Indiana University

Wisconsin

1/14/2023 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana found its defense Saturday afternoon.

Victory followed.

Junior forward Jordan Geronimo played to his potential.

Victory followed.

It wasn't a coincidence.

That the 63-45 win came against No. 18 Wisconsin, a program that had dominated the series throughout the 21st Century, that the Hoosiers (11-6 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten) snapped a three-game losing streak and restored momentum they desperately needed, made it all the sweeter.

"Our backs were to the wall," senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis said. "We had dropped three straight. We had a demoralizing loss to Penn State. Wisconsin is a team I hadn't beaten since I've been here.

"We knew it would be a dogfight and that it would happen on the defensive end."

Indiana held Wisconsin, which had won 10 of the previous 11 meetings, to 32 percent shooting, just 5-for-24 from three-point range. It also forced nine Badger turnovers.

"We played Indiana defense the way it should be played," coach Mike Woodson said.

As a result, the Hoosiers led for 32 minutes. Wisconsin led for 46 seconds.

"It was a lot of film," Woodson said of the work that sparked the turnaround. "It was a lot of practice. A lot of yelling and screaming and trying to get things accomplished in practice. Our backs were against the wall. Our guys answered the bell.

"Losing three in a row is not fun for anybody. The guys had good spirits in practice. We had a nice carryover."

No Hoosier had a bigger carryover than Geronimo, who had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

With senior forward Race Thompson out indefinitely with a leg injury (illness kept him away from Saturday's game), Geronimo started the last three games. This was the first time he'd made the most of it, flashing the form that saw him excel in last year's postseason

"He played within himself," Woodson said. "He did a lot of good things on defense and rebounding. He finished around the rim.

"He looked comfortable. When I challenge players, sometimes it makes them uneasy. They need to know I'm in their corner. I need them to perform at a high level. It ain't personal. It's coaching.

"I hope he can grow and continue to play that well."

Geronimo set season highs in points, rebounds and minutes (28).

"Struggling the last couple of games made me realize I had to put more into the preparation," he said. "Watch more film. Be more focused on what's happening on the court. Play free and not worry about the intangibles. Play like myself.

"If I miss a shot or make a mistake, have a short memory. Play hard and make the simple play. Go to the next possession."

Mission accomplished.

"I told him it will take time because he hasn't been in this position (a starter) before," Jackson-Davis said.

"He's very capable of doing big things. Props to him for keeping his head down and keep grinding. I'm proud of him."

Jackson-Davis also had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino added 16 points.

A 12-0 run to open the second half broke the game open as IU unleashed a dormant offense. It shot 65.5 percent in the second half, 47 percent for the game.

Wisconsin (11-5, 3-3), which has lost three in a row, had no answer.

"Defense wins games," Woodson said. "I've been in enough games where neither team could score and it's a dog fight. You're scraping and scrapping to get a bucket.

"I don't mind games like that."

A sluggish five-minute start had both teams combine for 3-for-10 shooting with two turnovers. IU led 4-2. Three minutes later, it had a 9-7 edge.

Woodson went to his bench early with guard CJ Gunn and forward Logan Duncomb. The Hoosiers inched ahead 13-9, holding Wisconsin to 25 percent shooting even though they weren't shooting much better at 33 percent.

At halftime, IU led 21-20 despite 30 percent shooting. Geronimo led with six points.

The big question -- could the Hoosiers kick-start their offense and sustain their defense?

The answers -- yes.

"I told the guys at halftime, our defense was solid," Woodson said. "If we find some offense to get a cushion, we'll be fine. We started second half on a bang."

IU opened with baskets from Jackson-Davis, Hood-Schifino (two) and Trey Galloway to surge ahead 29-20 three minutes into the second half.

Geronimo followed with consecutive layups. After seven minutes, the Hoosiers were 9-for-11 from the field for 18 points in the half, 39 overall. Wisconsin was 1-for-11 for two points in the half, 22 overall.

The Badgers' 7-0 run for a 39-29 score gave them a chance with 10 minutes remaining.

Baskets by IU freshmen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau reduced those chances. A few minutes later, with Hood-Schifino, Miller Kopp and Jackson-Davis delivering knock-out points, Wisconsin chances hit zero.

IU's losing streak was over, and momentum was restored, just in time for a grueling stretch that includes Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue in the next two and a half weeks.

It plays at Illinois on Thursday and hosts Michigan State next Sunday.

"We did a lot of good things that had been missing," Woodson said. "We've got to build on this game and continue to grow."

Added Jackson-Davis: "In this league, you lose three in a row, you can also win three in a row. The Big Ten is the Big Ten. Every night is going to be a grind."